SNL's Bold Sketch Unpacks Society's Love for Infamy in Luigi Mangione Controversy

In a bold and irreverent opening sketch, "Saturday Night Live" tackled the controversial case of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The episode aired on December 14, 2023, and was hosted by none other than Chris Rock, adding an extra layer of star power to a night filled with pointed commentary and dark humor. The cold open, featuring Sarah Sherman as the infamous Nancy Grace, set the tone for the evening by diving headfirst into the bizarre social media phenomenon surrounding Mangione. With a nod to the absurdity of online culture, Sherman’s Grace lamented how “women and gay guys alike” have seemingly found Mangione attractive despite the gravity of his alleged crime. "Our top story tonight, the masked CEO shooter has been unmasked and guess what? It's game over Luigi," Sherman quipped, using a playful reference to the iconic Super Mario Bros. series. As the sketch progressed, Sherman critiqued the frenzy over Mangione's looks, suggesting the public had transformed him into a "sex symbol" in an age where notoriety can sometimes overshadow morality. The mock prosecutor drew attention to comments from social media, where users labeled Mangione with terms like "BDE" (big dick energy) and "twunk," a blend of "twink" and "hunk." This pointed commentary highlighted the unsettling reality of how society often romanticizes figures involved in scandalous acts, reinforcing the notion that the line between villain and heartthrob can become dangerously blurred. The sketch also featured Kenan Thompson as a fictional witness who offered a mix of humorous and grim observations about Mangione's allure. Thompson's character, who claimed to have been at the McDonald's where Mangione was apprehended, mused on the societal fascination with "bad boys," suggesting that today's romantic ideals have taken a dark turn. "Back in the day, you could impress your lady with a little poem. Now you gotta write a manifesto," he joked, eliciting laughter while simultaneously raising eyebrows over the cultural implications of such sentiments. As the night unfolded, the comedic treatment of Mangione continued during the Weekend Update segment, where Colin Jost also took a jab at the public discourse surrounding the case. He noted the oddity of the uproar over who might portray Mangione in a future Netflix miniseries and remarked on the hypocrisy of the accused, who criticized corporate America yet was spotted at a Starbucks prior to the shooting. Jost's cutting humor shed light on the absurdity of the situation, illustrating how quickly tragedy can morph into a punchline. Chris Rock, in his opening monologue, also weighed in, delivering heartfelt condolences to Thompson’s family while juxtaposing the gravity of the situation with dark humor. He joked that if Mangione had looked less conventionally attractive, the public response might have been markedly different. “If he looked like Jonah Hill, no one would care,” Rock quipped, underscoring the uncomfortable truth that appearance can disproportionately influence public perception and outrage. This episode of "Saturday Night Live" serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of modern celebrity culture, where infamy can often lead to adoration. As social media continues to shape narratives around crime and punishment, it raises crucial questions about society's values and the troubling tendency to glamorize those who engage in violence. In a world where even tragic events can become fodder for entertainment, "SNL" did not shy away from tackling the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface of this highly publicized case.