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2001
Former 'SNL' Writer Defends Resurfaced 2001 Sketch About Afghanistan War After Backlash
A former writer for Saturday Night Live defended an old sketch that was dug up and became the subject of criticism in light of the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan in accordance with the agreement the Trump administration signed with the Taliban.
The controversial sketch aired on SNL shortly after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The 20-year-old musical number called "War Party" depicted partygoers, portrayed by cast members including Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Maya Rudolph singing and dancing after Seth Meyer's announcement the Northern Alliance soldiers captured the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
In celebration of the alleged victory, Meyers sang, "Say Taliban, move your minivans, Kandahar," while Rudolph followed with, "That's happy news, no more bearded dudes, Kandahar."
When a video of the satirical number resurfaced on Twitter, it was met with backlash.
One angry user called it "disgusting garbage" while another quipped, "Oh, so SNL wasn't funny back then either."
Oh, so SNL wasn't funny back then either— eugenio (@eugenio) 1629060505
This disgusting garbage reminds me if how I first heard about the "invasion" of Afghanistan. Was at International Market in Jersey City when they started playing " Born in the USA" on the sound system and then announced the good news.— StillUpskilling (@StillUpskilling) 1629057977
In defense of "War Party", The Good Place creator and former SNL writer Michael Schur reminded viewers the musical sketch was satire.
"Not my sketch, but I was there. This is satire."
"It starts at a well-heeled cocktail party with everyone being ridiculous, and then they break into song when they hear we've reached Kandahar."
He added the parody intentionally mocked America's flippant attitude towards invading the country.
"The point was to make fun of how cavalier and ignorant we were being about the invasion."
Not my sketch, but I was there. This is satire. It starts at a well-heeled cocktail party with everyone being ridiculous, and then they break into song when they hear we've reached Kandahar. The point was to make fun of how cavalier and ignorant we were being about the invasion.— Ken Tremendous (@Ken Tremendous) 1629124415
Another user backed him by emphasizing the sketch was really not celebrating what has come to be known as the "War on Terror."
"Yeah this is mocking people who casually celebrated the invasion of Afghanistan which by the way was a super unpopular thing to criticize at the time."
"This sketch is actually based."
Yeah this is mocking people who casually celebrated the invasion of Afghanistan which by the way was a super unpopular thing to criticize at the time. This sketch is actually based.— mightywelsh (@mightywelsh) 1629136284
In the sketch, Will Ferrell's character even called attention to their inappropriate celebration.
"Hey, guys, I've gotta tell you, even though a lot of the words this wise man used are not real, he's right."
"Just because some cities have been taken in Afghanistan, it doesn't mean the war on terrorism is over."
"We can't forget — now is not the time to celebrate. We've got to show some patience."
As the Taliban leaders released from prison by former President Donald Trump are taking control of Afghanistan, President Joe Biden instructed top military commanders to ensure there are no empty seats on every departing flight during evacuation.
So far, 6,000 individuals have been evacuated as of August 14.