Julia Louis-Dreyfus: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Skit ‘Heroin A.M.’ — Show Boycott?
Saturday Night Live’s skit “Heroin A.M.” sent many viewers in an uproar about the topic. Apparently, these spectators haven’t found Julia Louis-Dreyfus funny.
As you’re probably aware, Julia Dreyfus has a reputation for direct expression and delivery. During Saturday Night Live, Dreyfus took part in a fake commercial that emphasized the troubles of a nationwide heroin epidemic. However, Julia wasn’t sensitive about it in the least.
According to CNN, Julia Dreyfus’ “endorsed” fictional drug is a combination of heroin, a “small pile of cocaine,” and caffeine. Particularly, Dreyfus’ Saturday Night Live skit is about catering to functioning heroin addicts. Specifically, Julia mentions that the fictional product is for “people who want to use heroin” yet still be productive with their day.
While Julia Dreyfus isn’t the only celebrity in the commercial, she’s one of the more-notable figures in the comedic collective. According to Boston Globe, she’s also joined by Kate McKinnon, Beck Bennett, and Bobby Moynihan in the video. During the fictitious commercial, Julia mentioned that she likes to have fun, and with “Heroin A.M.,” she can “get jacked on ‘scag’, and then get to work.” Of course, “scag” is a slang term for the aforementioned street drug. You can watch Julia Dreyfus’ Saturday Night Live skit below.
Possibly, Dreyfus’ commercial wasn’t on the brink of Saturday Night Live boycott until the last scene. During this scene, Julia Dreyfus’ occupation is revealed as a school bus driver. This set a lot of parents in an outrage, considering the possibility that a school-bus-driving, functioning heroin addict could be a reality.
Likewise, addicts’ mothers are seemingly demanding an apology from NBC for allowing such a skit, reports CNN. In addition, Maureen Cavanagh, the founder of Magnolia New Beginnings, a drug addiction rehabilitation support organization in Marblehead, Massachusetts, expressed her concern about the Saturday Night Live skit.
“I would think after the loss of John Belushi, Chris Farley and other beloved members of your cast that you would have realized that heroin addiction is about as funny as genocide, but judging by your show last night I’d have to say, apparently not…It feels like a cheap shot and getting a laugh at the expense of those suffering.”
This organization is of particular interest because it actually started a petition demanding that NBC apologize for its “Heroin A.M.” skit. According to CNN, the organization has collected over 5,000 signatures in its attempt as of Monday morning.
"I would think after the loss of John Belushi, Chris Farley and other beloved members of your cast that you would… https://t.co/dsA5OrU4oI
— Magnolia New Beginnings (@Magnolia01945) April 19, 2016
Reportedly, ACI, a drug treatment provider based in New York City, calls for a total boycott of Saturday Night Live until NBC gives a public apology, says the news source.
CEO Warren Zysman mentioned, “We realize that the show is geared to humor and good fun, but drug addiction and anything related to it is just too serious to be taken lightly.”
Similarly, Tom Farley didn’t think that Julia Dreyfus and the rest of the SNL crew’s antics were funny at all. In contrast, he expresses that it’s like a big “FU” to his brother, Chris. While the Farley brother didn’t die from heroin, the New York Times reports that he overdosed on cocaine and morphine.
Nevertheless, so far, NBC, Julia Dreyfus, or any other Saturday Night Live cast members have yet to mention much about the backlash regarding “Heroin A.M.” Dreyfus has made a few updates to Twitter. However, as mentioned, none of them point to the skit’s topic or the possibility of an apology.
All in all, what do you think about Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ performance on Saturday Night Live’s “Heroin A.M.” skit? Do you feel the same as Magnolia New Beginnings, or were you not offended by the satire production? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Image via YouTube]
