Photo credit: www.thewrap.com
SNL Parodies “The White Lotus” with a Political Twist
The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” took a satirical turn as it showcased its own version of the acclaimed series “The White Lotus,” reimagining it as “The White POTUS.” This inventive sketch allows for a humorous exploration of political themes through the lens of a popular HBO show.
In a creative twist, James Austin Johnson steps into the shoes of Donald Trump, mirroring the character Timothy Ratliff, originally portrayed by Jason Isaacs. Johnson’s Trump is depicted as grappling with a profound existential crisis. As Melania, characterized with a comedic North Carolina accent by Parker Posey, calls out to him, the sketch emphasizes a contrast in coping mechanisms. Instead of opting for lorazepam like Ratliff, Trump turns to a chicken nugget, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The family dynamic continues to unfold with familiar faces; Patrick Schwarzenegger plays a Trump Jr. equivalent in Saxon Ratliff, while Alex Moffat embodies Eric Trump. Scarlett Johansson makes a surprise appearance as Ivanka, taking over the role of Piper Ratliff, adding an unexpected twist to the casting.
Amidst a breakfast scene charged with humor, Melania expresses her fears about the economy, prompting a moment of introspection from Trump, who is preoccupied staring into space. “You would never let our economy go to pieces, right hon?” she quips, cleverly referencing Trump’s contentious approach to tariffs and economic policy.
The sketch further integrates characters from “The White Lotus,” featuring Jon Hamm as RFK Jr., who takes the place of Walton Goggins’ Rick, and Sarah Sherman as Chelsea, embodying Aimee Lou Wood’s character with exaggerated accents and fake teeth. This clever blending of characters creates a satirical universe where political commentary meets television drama.
Lizzo, the musical guest of the night, joins in on the fun by portraying Natasha Rothwell’s character. She delivers a humorous line about her dwindling bank account, expressing frustration over her financial losses: “It was 20 million last week!” This highlights both the vanity and absurdity often associated with wealth and status in contemporary society.
Lastly, Beck Bennett makes an appearance as Vladimir Putin, who plays a stabilizing force, attempting to talk Trump down from dark thoughts of despair. In a nod to loyalty, he wears a “KING” shirt, amusingly swapping out a Duke shirt from past sketches, playing into the ongoing narrative of political allegiance.
This episode demonstrates how “Saturday Night Live” continues to blend humor with critical commentary, effectively using the familiar backdrop of pop culture to illuminate current events in the political landscape.
Source
www.thewrap.com