- Timothee Chalamet is at the top of his game
- He is currently one of the most coveted actors around
- THIS joke has landed him in some very hot water
The actor's second time on the SNL stage was meant to be a celebration post-SAG-AFTRA strike, but it took a turn for the controversial. In a monologue to remember Chalamet said: "It's my second time hosting 'Saturday Night Live,' but in many ways, it feels like my first time."
The audience was in stitches as he recounted his masked-up, unrecognized first stint, where even SNL's big boss Lorne Michaels mistook him for "Wynona".
It all went wrong
But the laughter hit a snag when the actor, in a skit with the comedy group Please Don't Destroy, made a bold move. As an aspiring musician, Chalamet's character was asked about his passions, to which he casually replied, "It's my music," before dropping the bombshell that his Instagram handle was "Hamas, H-a-m-a-s."
The room went silent as Martin Herlihy of Please Don't Destroy quipped, "Dude, I'm not sharing a song by Hamas on Instagram." The joke, a clear reference to the militant group, has since exploded on social media, with many slamming the skit as "tone-deaf" and "vile."
After the skit aired, people on social media were calling out the show, asking why they’d make a Hamas punchline following the October attacks on Israel, which has resulted in thousands of deaths.
Users on X have been calling out both the show and Chalamet, calling the jab unjustified, and referring to the incident as the "worst skit of all time."
Backlash and Blame
The internet is ablaze with criticism, not just for the 'SNL' writers but for Chalamet himself. Fans argue that the actor had the power to veto the sketch and are calling him out for his participation. "So idiotic to sit here and pretend Timothee Chalamet of all people was helpless during shooting," one user tweeted furiously.
In a time as sensitive as this, for many, any kind of humor on the subject is completely out of place. Plenty of users on X were not too happy with the content:
As the clips circulate online, the debate rages on. Was it just a joke gone wrong, or a serious misstep by one of Tinseltown's most beloved young stars? Only time will tell how this 'SNL' saga will affect Chalamet's sparkling reputation. This is arguably the biggest scandal in the young actor's career...so far!
Also interesting:
The conflict in the Middle East rages with no clear in sight. Many in Hollywood have pronounced themselves on the issue, but their opinions have never been more divisive. After the coronavirus pandemic, the general public seems to be fed up with celebrity opinions and involvement in anything political.
After the October 7th attacks by Hamas, it seems that not even comedy, however well-intentioned, can heal the wounds of a very real human tragedy. For now, it's unclear how much of an impact this sketch will have on the actor's immediate future.
He has many upcoming projects in the works and fans can be ruthless with their politics! However, it will surely be forgotten the next time another celeb says something unfunny...