‘SNL’ Cold Open Addresses Campus Protests and Riffs on Canceled Graduations
05.05.2024 - 06:41
/ variety.com
Anne McCarthy As college campus protests ignite across the U.S. over the Israel-Palestine conflict, “SNL” weighed in with its cold open this week as Kenan Thompson played an incredulous parent of a Columbia University student. Michael Longfellow acted as a reporter for Spectrum News New York 1 on “Community Affairs,” shining light on the ongoing protests throughout the country and their impact.
Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner and Thompson were seated as parents weighing in on the state of the nation on college campuses. Longfellow’s character says, “College students have been protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza on campus across the nation. Tonight, we’ll be discussing with my guests who are parents of college students here.
Day played a New School parent, Gardner played a Hunter College mom and Thompson played a Columbia University dad. Longfellow launched into his questions, asking the parents how they felt about the protests on campus. “For me,” said Gardner’s character, “it’s been tough.
I’m all for free speech, but I don’t understand what they think they’re accomplishing, and that’s really putting a strain on me and my daughter’s relationship.” Day’s character echoes the sentiments, saying, “I want to let my son make his own choices, but to be honest, it’s a little scary; these protests are becoming way more aggressive.” (Over 2,000 people have been arrested at college campus protests, AP reports.) Gardner’s character gives voice to the idea that the students are adults that get to live their own lives. Thompson, dressed in a Columbia sweatshirt with a blue lion and rimmed glasses, says, “Well I think it’s just great; it’s wonderful. Nothing makes me prouder than young people using their voices for fighting what they
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