United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered on Wednesday by a gunman outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, New York. A Saturday Night Live episode following the incident is causing an uproar among fans, as most of the Weekend Update segment centered around the loss. The episode aired on the regular schedule of Saturday Night Live, sparking a wave of controversy.”
SNL co-host Colin Jost made light of the situation, saying the shooter looked hot and that healthcare stinks anyway. This offended fans, who considered Colin Jost’s words insensitive towards his family, which includes two children and his wife, Paulette Thompson.
‘Saturday Night Live’ fans call out Colin Jost
Someone called Colin Jost’s joke about Brian’s murder disgusting, noting that they hardly watch SNL but will now be boycotting the show. “Paulette Thompson grieves the cold-blooded murder of her husband, Brian, and comforts her children, Colin Jost & Michael Che, and ‘SNL mock,’ then joke about them and compliment the killer,” a furious X user replied.
Colin Jost also made a jab at the New York Police Department, saying it was a shame that someone could just shoot anybody on the street and escape with little to no hassle. He joked that they were guarding the newly erected Rockefeller Christmas Tree rather than protecting citizens.
Some ‘SNL’ viewers joked along with Colin Jost
After a photo of the suspect made it to social media, some viewers repeated Colin Jost’s words. The man wore no mask and was seen smiling in the footage from a local hotel. Colin Jost’s co-host, Michael, said the alleged killer was busy wooing a female employee at the lobby, whose name is Lucky S. Bechalive.
Josh wrapped up his attempt at comic relief, noting that the NYPD confirmed that the suspect left on a bus from Port Authority. Brian’s wife Paulette mentioned on NBC news that the late executive received death threats before his passing, and never disclosed where or who it was came from.
