SNL Faces Backlash Over ‘Disgusting’ Stranger Things Joke

Fans of Saturday Night Live expressed their outrage following a controversial joke made during the show’s January 17, 2024 episode. The sketch featured Finn Wolfhard, known for his role as Mike in Stranger Things, alongside co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, who portray Dustin and Lucas, respectively. The segment attempted to depict the characters’ lives ten years after the series concluded, but it took a turn that many viewers found offensive.

In the sketch, Wolfhard’s character discusses his aspirations as a writer while mocking the iconic series Sex and the City. As the scene unfolds in a restaurant, he asks his friends about their romantic lives. The humor darkened when McLaughlin’s Lucas referenced his relationship with the character Max, who remains in a coma following a traumatic encounter with the antagonist Vecna in the fourth season of the series. Lucas’s remark, “Then, a couple of years in, she just lies there like she’s back in that coma,” drew immediate backlash from the audience.

Social media platforms lit up with condemnation, as fans labeled the joke “disgusting.” One viewer voiced their disapproval on X, emphasizing that the punchline did not excuse the distasteful nature of the joke. Another user expressed disbelief, stating, “Nvm they made a joke about Lucas having sex with unconscious Max on SNL. Wtaf has this show come to?”

Viewer Reactions and Criticism

The backlash was not limited to the coma joke. The sketch also took aim at Will‘s coming-out scene, which has been a significant moment in Stranger Things. The voiceover suggested that Will’s absence was due to his ongoing struggle to come out, using a series of puns that some viewers deemed tone-deaf. The character, portrayed by Jeremy Culhane, struggled with his declaration, stating, “Guys, I’m gay-ning the courage to tell you the truth and the truth is I’m gay-zing at all of your faces.”

Many fans took to social media once again to voice their disappointment. One viewer commented, “Idk tbh I kinda expected it cause this is SNL. I don’t know if Noah can forgive Finn about this,” referring to Noah Schnapp, who plays Will. Another pointed out that SNL often crosses lines, noting, “Super tone deaf from the writers, but SNL does s–t like that constantly. It was gross.”

Despite the backlash, some viewers acknowledged the ongoing trend of SNL’s provocative humor, suggesting that this was simply par for the course. Yet, the discontent highlighted a growing concern among fans regarding the treatment of sensitive topics, especially those involving mental health and personal identity.

As SNL continues to push boundaries, the audience’s reaction serves as a reminder that humor can often tread a fine line between satire and insensitivity. The controversy surrounding this particular sketch may prompt a reevaluation of how such themes are approached in future episodes.