Amy Poehler reflects on appropriated SNL sketches in a candid conversation on her Good Hang podcast, addressing the complexities of comedy and missteps in her career. The conversation, featuring her former Saturday Night Live colleague Will Forte, centered around acknowledging moments from the show’s history that were offensive or misappropriated, and how both comedians now look back at their work with new understanding.
Reassessing Jokes and Performances from SNL’s Past
During their discussion, Will Forte observed that many SNL sketches from their era prioritized laughs above all else. Poehler readily agreed, emphasizing how perspectives shift with age and experience in comedy. She openly shared her thoughts on revisiting sketch comedy that, at the time, was seen as acceptable but now raises questions about sensitivity and representation.
“The part about getting older and being in comedy is you have to figure out: Everything has an expiration date,”
she said, referencing realizations that come with time. Poehler mentioned the In Memoriam segment presented by Tom Hanks for the February 2025 SNL 50th Anniversary special as a key moment showcasing past missteps. The segment highlighted inappropriate casting, with actors, including herself, playing roles they now acknowledge were not theirs to portray.
Recalling a 2004 sketch involving Ben Affleck and Fred Armisen, Poehler drew attention to a moment where her character remarks,
“Oh my god, Ben Affleck just yelled at that mentally challenged guy!”
The incident serves as an example of past roles and jokes that are now viewed as problematic.
Acknowledging Responsibility and Moving Forward
Poehler was straightforward about the need for accountability.
“[It] which was like, ‘Here’s all the ways we got things wrong. And they showed way inappropriate casting for people. We all played people that we should not have played,”
she said of the SNL special.
“I misappropriated. I appropriated. I didn’t know. I did know.”
She continued with a focus on taking steps toward improvement:
“It’s very real, and the best thing you can do is make repairs, learn from your mistakes, do better – it’s all you can do,”
Poehler stated.
The Importance of Reflection in Comedy
Poehler’s comments reflect an important shift within the entertainment industry, as comedians and creators like Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Ben Affleck, and Tom Hanks revisit their past work and recognize the impact it can have. Poehler’s willingness to confront her own history on SNL opens up conversations about growth, responsibility, and the evolving boundaries of comedy, indicating that ongoing dialogue and a readiness to learn remain essential as the industry moves forward.
