In a recent episode of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” co-anchor Michael Che didn't hold back in his criticism of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, especially in light of the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment against him. This comedic segment comes just hours after Cuomo announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in a lengthy video.
“Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo has decided to run for mayor of New York City,” Che quipped during the segment. He humorously referenced Cuomo’s infamous campaign slogan, saying, “Cuomo plans to use his old campaign slogan of ‘honka, honka,’” while mimicking inappropriate gestures. This joke cleverly pointed to the numerous women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, which ultimately led to his resignation in 2021. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Cuomo has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The fallout from Cuomo's announcement was immediate. One of his accusers expressed her disgust over his return to the political arena in an exclusive interview with The Post. She stated, “It’s absolutely disgusting that someone who’s an abuser, not simply of women, but of New Yorkers as a whole, would come out of his cave and think that he is the best person to help New York in crisis.” This sentiment reflects the ongoing backlash against Cuomo as he attempts to reestablish his political presence.
In addition to Cuomo, the “Weekend Update” segment also featured co-anchor Colin Jost addressing a chaotic Oval Office meeting involving former President Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky, and tech mogul Elon Musk. Jost joked, “Now you actually can gamble on World War III . . . on Fan Duel,” referencing Trump’s assertion that Zelensky was “gambling with World War III.” This light-hearted jab exemplifies SNL’s ability to blend humor with pressing political discussions.
Jost didn’t stop there; he also took a swipe at Elon Musk regarding a mass email sent out to his employees. The email reportedly required them to report five things they accomplished in the past week. Jost humorously remarked, “That’s easier for Elon to do, because all five of his things were ‘got a lady pregnant,’” eliciting laughter from the audience in Studio 8H. This comedic bit highlights the absurdity often present in the intersection of technology and personal life, while keeping the audience engaged.
Overall, SNL’s “Weekend Update” continues to be a platform for addressing current events with humor, making it an essential part of the political conversation. As former governor Andrew Cuomo embarks on his new political journey, the scrutiny and jokes from shows like SNL will undoubtedly follow him every step of the way.
