SNL Weekend Update Mocks Mangione Arrest and Drones with Humor and Sharp Satire

In a lively segment of "Saturday Night Live’s" Weekend Update, co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackled a range of topics, from the arrest of Luigi Mangione to the perplexing mystery of drone sightings over New Jersey, all while maintaining their signature mix of humor and satire. Beginning with the high-profile incident involving Mangione, who is accused of shooting the CEO of a health insurance company, Jost delivered a series of biting remarks. He humorously noted the public's curiosity regarding who would portray Mangione in an upcoming Netflix miniseries, indicating the absurdity of turning such a serious matter into entertainment fodder. The co-anchor also alluded to Mangione’s manifesto, which expressed outrage against corporate America, linking it to his personal struggles, including a spine disorder that required surgery. “After police arrested suspected CEO shooter Luigi Mangione, they found a note on him expressing anger at corporate America,” Jost recounted. “Yet he went to Starbucks before the shooting and then was caught at McDonald's. So perhaps his greatest crime was hypocrisy.” This quip not only encapsulated the tragicomic nature of the situation but also reflected ongoing frustrations with corporate culture. The aftermath of Mangione's arrest has had unexpected consequences. The McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was found, has faced a wave of one-star Yelp reviews following an employee's decision to alert authorities upon recognizing him. Jost commented, “First of all, who looks at Yelp reviews of McDonald's? The only Yelp review of McDonald's should be, ‘Was open. Five stars.’” This absurd twist highlighted a peculiar reaction from the public, taking online reviews to a new level of social commentary. Transitioning to the bizarre phenomenon of mysterious drones hovering over New Jersey, Che shared his own take on the situation, drawing laughter from the audience. “Tensions about drones flying above New Jersey continued to rise after a drone crashed into a person's backyard, but at least now we know whoever's flying them is the friggin' women, right?” His humor underlined the inexplicable nature of the sightings while playfully shifting the focus to gender stereotypes. The segment also delved into political satire, with both anchors poking fun at various figures in American politics, including the recently felonized president-elect Trump. Jost pointed out that Time magazine named Trump as its Person of the Year, quipping, “Because no person on Earth has taken out more of our goddamn time.” This remark resonated with viewers, capturing the frustration many feel toward the political landscape. In a lighter vein, Jost riffed on Trump’s proposal to permanently end daylight savings time by challenging the sun to a staring contest, juxtaposed with a photo of Trump gazing at the 2017 solar eclipse without protective eyewear. The image alone was a comedic highlight, accentuating the absurdity of the former president’s persona. Wrapping up the segment, Che took aim at frequent targets, such as former congressman Matt Gaetz, who is set to host a new talk show. Che wittily remarked that Gaetz would cover topics ranging from quinceañeras to prom night jitters, illustrating the perplexing trajectory of his career. The segment concluded with a nod to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who recently sustained minor injuries after a fall. “Thankfully,” Che remarked, “he landed on his hardshell back,” bringing the show to a comical close. Overall, this installment of Weekend Update encapsulated the show’s ability to address pressing issues—like Mangione’s arrest and the mystery of the drones—while maintaining a humorous lens that encourages viewers to reflect on the absurdities of modern life and politics.