In a recent Saturday Night Live episode hosted by Adam Driver, the former Girls star, the comedic spotlight once again fell on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Adam Driver, who made his fourth appearance as the host, played various roles throughout the evening, including a comically disgruntled baby named Eddie, traveling alone with his mother, Sarah Sherman, for the first time. The sketch cleverly blended humor with satire, with some viewers interpreting it as a playful jab at Meghan Markle.
In the skit, Driver portrayed a baby who becomes a murder suspect on his inaugural flight, poking fun at Megan Markle's past controversies, including accusations of faking a pregnancy and using a surrogate for her son Archie.
The history of SNL's stance on the royal couple adds an intriguing layer to this recent comedic portrayal. SNL was initially supportive of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex pre-2021 but underwent a noticeable shift in sentiment. Throughout 2022, the Sussexes became regular targets of satire on the show.
Comedian Martin Schw mocked them after the release of a Netflix documentary where the couple discussed issues like racism in the British media and their struggles with the paparazzi. SNL didn't shy away from addressing the controversies, with sketches parodying Megan Markle's exaggerated curtsy and reenactments of perceived royal traditions.
The jests didn't stop there; SNL continued to poke fun at Harry and Meghan in various segments. During an opening monologue, a host jokingly compared themselves to the couple, humorously acknowledging that no one was rooting for them but viewers would still tune in.
Colin Jost took a dig during a discussion about Elon Musk buying Twitter, likening it to the hypothetical scenario of the Prince of England giving up everything to marry an actor from "Suits." The comedic jabs extended to Michael Che's joke about Megan being offered $19 an hour to attend King Charles's coronation, playing on the notion that no one wanted her there.
The humor escalated when Chris Rock joined the fray, mocking Meghan's claims of racism against the British royal family. Rock characterized her as a "nice lady" who kept complaining, even though she had hit the "light-skinned lottery." He accused her of playing the victim card, highlighting a trend of individuals attempting to claim victimhood, knowingly or unknowingly.
The dynamic between SNL and the royal couple has evolved over the years, reflecting the changing perceptions and controversies surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The humor on SNL serves not only as comedic entertainment but also as a cultural commentary on the public's evolving opinions of the royal couple.
