SNL made a transphobic joke about Caitlyn Jenner and somehow found it funny
Saturday Night Live (SNL) caused anger by using its Weekend Update segment to deadname and mock Caitlyn Jenner.
Comedian Michael Che was attempting to make fun of Kanye West when he used Jenner’s identity as the butt of the joke.
He said: “At first I thought Kanye was losing his mind… and now I feel like he’s fine, he’s just turning into an old white lady.”
Continuing the joke, Che commented: “I mean, he used to be one of the coolest black dudes on earth. Now he’s showing up to events in sweatpants and orthopaedic sneakers, listening to Kenny G and trying to get black people to like Trump. It’s like how long until this guy changes his name to Kathy?”
He then concluded: “Now you might think I’m crazy, but about five years ago, there was a fella named Bruce Jenner, and he moved to Calabasas…”
As the comedian trailed off it became clear that the audience didn’t find the joke funny, with loud groans and an audible “no”.
The feelings online are mutual.
Viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustrations at SNL.
One user wrote: “Michael Che just deadnamed and misgendered Caitlyn Jenner on air for a joke. The joke? Implying Kanye West is trans. F**kin hell mate.”
michael che just deadnamed and misgendered caitlyn jenner on air for a joke. the joke? implying kanye west is trans. fuckin hell mate
— spuds (@fungaliens) October 27, 2019
Another user pointed out that “deadnaming a trans person is an act of violence and unacceptable behaviour”.
It’s been a few sketches and I’m still pissed about what happened on Weekend Update. Deadnaming a trans person is an act of violence and unacceptable behavior. #SNL https://t.co/GtQAc4iP3l— T▲YLOR B. (@brnwld) October 27, 2019
A third said: “SNL just made a Caitlyn Jenner joke that was so bad and transphobic that you could hear someone in the audience say ‘Noooooo’.”
SNL just made a Caitlyn Jenner joke that was so bad and transphobic that you could hear someone in the audience say “Noooooo”— Bonnie Stiernberg (@aahrealbonsters) October 27, 2019
Many took the opportunity to defend Caitlyn Jenner.
One user wrote: “Trans women are women #SNL, even Caitlyn Jenner.”
Trans women are women #SNL, even Caitlyn Jenner.— Britta Perry is my comrade (@Quaraninabanina) October 27, 2019
Another said: “Can SNL please quit deadnaming Caitlyn Jenner? If we wanted offensive stuff that’s also not funny, we’d go watch Shane Gillis.”
Can #SNL please quit deadnaming Caitlyn Jenner? If we wanted offensive stuff that's also not funny, we'd go watch Shane Gillis.
— Joy Givens (@joyeilene) October 27, 2019
A third added: “Although I don’t care for Caitlyn Jenner. I wouldn’t deadname her or use her as a transphobic joke. Do better #SNL.”
Although I don't care for Caitlyn Jenner. I wouldn't dead name her or use her as a transphobic joke. Do better #SNL— A²rºn 🚫🆒 (@Quiptography) October 27, 2019
Despite being SNL’s Halloween edition, the episode proved that the scariest thing in the room is the ability to still find transphobic jokes funny.
