Bill Maher slams SNL’s Tom Hanks sketch for propagating a “zombie lie” that Trump supporters are racists who refuse to shake hands with Black people.
At a Glance
- Maher criticized SNL’s 50th anniversary sketch featuring Tom Hanks as a MAGA supporter, calling it an outdated and unfair stereotype
- The HBO host argued the sketch perpetuates a “zombie lie” about Trump supporters being unwilling to interact with Black people
- He claimed SNL writers are “hysterical” and harming their own left-leaning causes with divisive comedy
- The controversial sketch aired amid broader criticism that SNL caters to “snobbish liberal elites” at the expense of fair cultural representation
Maher Takes Aim at SNL’s “Black Jeopardy” Sketch
Political commentator Bill Maher has taken a strong stance against a “Saturday Night Live” sketch that featured Tom Hanks portraying a Trump supporter. The sketch, which aired during SNL’s recent 50th anniversary special, depicted Hanks wearing a MAGA hat in a mock game show called “Black Jeopardy.” Maher specifically objected to a moment when the character appeared unwilling to shake hands with Black people, a characterization he believes propagates harmful stereotypes about conservatives and Trump supporters in particular.
During a discussion on his show “Club Random” with fitness personality Jillian Michaels, Maher didn’t mince words about his feelings toward the sketch. He argued that the portrayal wasn’t just inaccurate but actively harmful to political discourse in America. The HBO host, who often criticizes both political sides, suggested that SNL writers are out of touch with the reality of today’s political landscape and are operating with outdated assumptions about conservative Americans.
“Zombie Lie” About MAGA Supporters
Maher was particularly disturbed by what he called a “zombie lie” perpetuated in the sketch – the idea that Trump supporters universally refuse to interact with Black Americans. This characterization, according to Maher, doesn’t align with the reality of conservative Americans and only serves to deepen political divisions rather than address them through thoughtful comedy that contains elements of truth.
“I hated it too, and I said it on my show. I know. I hated it. Wearing the MAGA hat, not shaking hands with a Black person. And that’s when I thought, ‘You people don’t know MAGA people,'” Maher said.
Michaels added to the conversation by noting, “The whole ‘deplorable’ thing, They’re still doing that,” referencing Hillary Clinton’s controversial 2016 comment about Trump supporters that many conservatives still find deeply offensive. The exchange highlighted how certain labels and characterizations continue to influence media portrayals of conservative Americans years after they entered the political lexicon.
Comedy With Consequences
While acknowledging that comedy often relies on exaggeration, Maher suggested that SNL crossed a line with this particular sketch. He argued that racial stereotyping, even in the service of political comedy, requires more nuance than what was displayed. The portrayal, according to Maher, doesn’t just miss the mark comedically but actively reinforces harmful misconceptions that prevent authentic dialogue between political opposites.
“It’s a lie that MAGA people won’t shake hands with – I get it, it’s part of a skit, and it’s exaggeration, and that’s comedy. It’s a little too delicate a subject to just make – to go there for that one.” Maher explained.
The sketch has drawn significant backlash from Trump supporters who feel it unfairly portrays them as racist and unwilling to engage with those of different backgrounds. Critics, including former RFK Jr. aide Link Lauren, have accused SNL of pushing a divisive narrative that worsens political polarization rather than using comedy to bridge divides. Some conservatives have pointed to the sketch as evidence that mainstream entertainment increasingly caters to liberal audiences at the expense of balanced representation.
A Call for Authentic Comedy
Throughout his critique, Maher maintained that good comedy should contain elements of truth while challenging audiences. His message to SNL writers was blunt: “You’re just hysterical, and you’re not helping.” This assessment suggests that Maher believes exaggerated portrayals not only fail as comedy but actively harm the progressive causes that SNL writers presumably support by alienating potential allies and reinforcing tribalism.
The controversy comes amid broader conversations about SNL’s declining viewership and cultural relevance. Trump supporters have used this moment to suggest the show has lost touch with mainstream America, instead catering to what some call “snobbish liberal elites.” Whether SNL will take Maher’s criticism to heart remains to be seen, but the debate highlights the ongoing challenge of creating political comedy that resonates across America’s increasingly divided cultural landscape.
