SNL Weekend Update Sparks Backlash Over Cornell Rape Joke and Glee Reboot Bit

Key points

• Michael Che and Colin Jost delivered a Weekend Update segment referencing the Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit, using Jost as the punchline.
• The sketch drew widespread backlash on social media, with many viewers calling it disrespectful to sexual assault victims.
• The segment also included a bit with cast member Kam Patterson discussing the upcoming Glee reboot, which Che mocked as a typical studio pitch.
• The Cornell case involves a lawsuit by a Jane Doe alleging she was drugged and gang-raped by seven Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024.
• NBC has not responded to the backlash, and the sketch has been viewed over a million times on X.

Background

This incident follows SNL’s Season 52 debut, where Weekend Update mocked political figures and AI anxiety. The show has a history of sparking backlash with sketches, including past controversies involving blackface and domestic violence jokes. The Cornell case has been a major media story, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointing a special prosecutor and the university vowing to review fraternity roles.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline reported the segment neutrally, focusing on the jokes and the Glee bit. The Independent highlighted the divided fan reaction, noting the controversy over the Cornell joke. Metro.co.uk emphasized the backlash, quoting social media users who called the sketch 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful,' while also noting some viewers defended the joke. The sources differ in tone, with Deadline being more neutral and Metro more critical, but all agree on the sketch’s content and the resulting controversy.

Why it matters

The backlash highlights ongoing tensions in comedy regarding the boundaries of satire, especially when addressing serious issues like sexual assault. It also reflects the public’s sensitivity to how media handles high-profile legal cases and the potential for satire to be perceived as trivializing victims' experiences.

What to watch

NBC and SNL may face continued scrutiny over the sketch, and the Cornell case will likely remain in the news as the criminal investigation reopens. The Glee reboot, mentioned in the sketch, is expected to be a major topic as Ryan Murphy’s script is finalized.