On SNL Trump Thought He was Funny, does the Nation Needs a Funny Man as President?
Donald Trump’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live” last weekend was memorable for a few things, none having much to do with his comedic skills.
In fact, as reviewers parsed over his appearance, it was strange to note how a man who has been the source of so much comedy this political season only seems to make people laugh when he’s at his most serious.
Joe Berkowitz wrote on Vulture: “After watching this epic miscalculation, though, it’s clear that nobody wins; not Trump, not the show, and certainly not us.”
The Daily Beast said he “bombs terribly” and questioned whether the appearance was the beginning of the end of the Trump campaign.
The New York Post even theorized that “it looked like ‘SNL’ was trying to sabotage Trump.”
But perhaps the biggest sign that this presidential contender hadn’t connected came at the end of the show, when Mr. Trump gathered with the cast for the requisite “thanks and good night” appearance, and nearly everyone who had appeared on the show seemed to be standing as far away from him as possible.
What happened to the warm and fuzzy farewell, the one that has become standard, even for colorful and controversial hosts?
Seemingly gone.
As if someone had sensed he was in hostile territory, there was his daughter Ivanka Trump — who had appeared in an early skit — standing at his side, providing a measure of good cheer.
To the other was Larry David, looking straight out into the audience. At one point, he actually seemed to snarl.
The musical guest, Sia, was holding on to Mr. David’s waist, giving her metaphorical distance from Mr. Trump.
After Mr. Trump drummed up applause for Sia, Mr. David and Ivanka, cast members eager to show some good cheer flooded Mr. David.
First came Kate McKinnon, known for her Hillary Rodham Clinton impersonation, rushing in to give him — and not Mr. Trump — a hug.
Then the camera panned to Sia, who was giving warm congratulations to the cast member Leslie Jones, rather than the orange-haired hotelier standing next to her.
Finally, Mr. Trump did what few hosts in recent memory have had to do.
He turned to his left and began shaking the hands of the comedians who seemed to be snubbing him.
He approached them himself.
That followed what had been more or less a campaign first from Mr. Trump: a shrug and what appeared to be a look of self-doubt.
“What a great evening,” he said, as if trying to convince both the audience and himself.
JACOB BERNSTEIN
Comments