Comedian John Mulaney has once again found himself in the midst of online conversation, this time due to a tongue-in-cheek comment speculating that a few of Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) former hosts may have murdered someone. The comment, though strictly a joke, left some viewers giggling and others confused on social media.
The fray started when Mulaney, who is renowned for his witty and self-satirical style of humor, made a reference to a hypothetical situation involving certain hosts of SNL as having participated in very real criminal activity. Although the comment was said with a laugh, the web, ever eager to pounce on some eccentric phrase, didn’t waste any time analyzing and disseminating the quote. Fans and critics responded in turn to parse Mulaney’s words, argue their comedic merit, and weigh whether joking about such subjects could cross a boundary or just be within his irreverent style.
Mulaney’s history with Saturday Night Live is deep. The stand-up comedian and writer started out as an SNL staff writer, working on some of the show’s most popular sketches. He is now a frequent host, with several shows under his belt. His talent for testing the limits of comedy without being unlikable has earned him a following among viewers as well as the cast of the show. His background of working with the NBC institution adds credibility to the comedic framework of his statements since Mulaney has firsthand experience with the inner workings of the show.
While a few on social media accepted the remark at face value, most of Mulaney’s fans referred to his established sense of humor. They point out that his routines tend to include exaggerated or hyperbolic statements with the sole purpose of getting a laugh and lampooning social conventions. To them, the suggestion that an SNL host might be a closet killer is another exaggerated premise intended for humor. However, jokes that broach serious topics can still be eyebrow-raising, particularly at a time when the limits of comedy are often challenged or put under the microscope on the internet.
Industry professionals and comedians alike weighed in, reminding viewers that comedic hyperbole has been a staple of stand-up comedy for decades. A good joke can be based on shock or absurdity, many contend, and Mulaney, a comedian praised for his intelligence, is acutely sensitive to the difference between edgy humor and actual offense. In fact, the humor often lies in the realization on the part of the audience that the statement is impossible or absurd.
To date, neither Mulaney nor anyone officially affiliated with Saturday Night Live has made a statement explaining the situation. But given the comedian’s history, it is extremely probable that he meant the comment to be strictly satirical. Meanwhile, fans who enjoy Mulaney’s deadpan one-liners continue to defend the joke, and more conservative observers argue the merits of referencing hypothetical crimes in a stand-up set.
While social media buzz swirls, it’s apparent that John Mulaney’s style of humor is as divisive as it is endearing. Whether individuals embrace his newest comment as side-splitting or in-bounds, no one can dispute his ability to catch—and maintain—the public eye.
