Louis C.K. Backlash: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Monologue About Child Molestation Sparks Controversy
Louis C.K. is getting quite a backlash for his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live, one that made light of child molestation and compared Israel and Palestine’s fighting to young children.
The comedian, who is known for material that straddles the edge of controversy and sometimes intentionally plows through that edge, was certainly on point during Saturday’s monologue. The part generating the most attention was Louie’s bit on child molestation, which he concluded “must be really good” considering the risks predators take to molest children.
“Child molesters are very tenacious people,” he began. “They love molesting childs. It’s crazy. It’s like their favorite thing. When you consider the risk of being a child molester — there is no worse life available to a human than being a caught child molester. And yet they still do it! Which you could only really surmise that it must be really good.”
Even the audience seemed taken aback, with many gasping. This prompted Louie C.K. to add, “I mean, from their point of view!”
But the bit wasn’t done there. He went on to compare the addictiveness of child molestation to his own obsession for Mounds candy bars. Again, the crowd seemed less than enthusiastic, which Louis C.K. picked up on immediately.
“How do you think I feel? It’s my last show, probably.”
The Louis C.K. backlash only grew from there. Many people took to Twitter and other social media to claim that he took the jokes too far.
That was the unfunniest, most offensive #SNL monologue I’ve ever seen. Racism and child molestation? Really, Louis. #SNL40Finale
— John DeMayo (@JohnnyDeMayo) May 17, 2015
Worst #SNL opening sketch ever? Most pointless & unfunny monologue about racism & molestation ever? Switching to an #amyschumer rerun.
— Ken Rudin (@kenrudin) May 17, 2015
That wasn’t the only backlash that Louis C.K. saw after his Saturday Night Live monologue. Many others took issue with the material itself, saying they don’t have a problem with his tendency toward controversy as much as they thought the material was a bit weak.
I grew up on SNL. Huge Louis C.K. fan. I know they both push the line. I get that. But that opening monologue…
— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) May 17, 2015
If this monologue is any indication, Louis CK has lost some speed on his fastball. #SNL40Finale #SNL
— Luke Epplin (@LukeEpplin) May 17, 2015
But not everyone was offended. Many people defended Louis C.K. and said they found the monologue funny.
Getting mad at Louie CK for being offensive is like being mad at Celine Dion for singing love songs.
— Mike. (@Mike2TheNyc) May 17, 2015
I’m offended that people are offended by the #LouieCK #SNL skit. I loved it!
— Laura Patton (@I_am_Rubycakes) May 17, 2015
It seems that Louis C.K. was prepared for the backlash. He had already confirmed before the appearance that this week’s show would be his last appearance on Saturday Night Live.
[Image via NBC]
