The nature of satirical writing is that some people will love the joke, and others will take issue with it, and Saturday Night Live is no exception. While some fans love their parodies of popular shows, songs, current events, and politics, others are much more critical.
But no matter how popular the show is, even the SNL writers are bound to go too far sometimes.
The cast recently performed a sketch of White Lotus, which follows a group of star-studded individuals eager to act out their greatest impulses and frivolities at the White Lotus resort. Its current season features Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea, Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon, and Jason Isaacs as Timothy, among others.
The sketch, "White POTUS," followed the Trump family during their time at the resort, with SNL cast members portraying some of the current White Lotus cast.
The focus remained on the Trump family until "Melania" mentioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and then it switched to a scene with him and Sarah Sherman, who portrayed Aimee Lou Wood's Chelsea—with fake teeth and overly pronounced eyes.
You can watch the full bit here:
Some fans of Saturday Night Live absolutely loved it.
Others, however, pointed out one specific part they didn't like: the insults about Aimee Lou Wood's teeth.
This part of sketch drew the attention of Wood herself, and she later addressed it on her Instagram stories.
While reflecting on a variety of topics, the actress decided to use the moment of being in "honest mode" to address something that had been on her mind: the portrayal of her on SNL and how her portrayal felt like a "punch down" compared to the rest of it.
In one slide, Wood reflected:
"But whilst in honest mode, I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny."
"Felt righteous; might delete later."
@aimeelouwood/Instagram
Wood took a more nonchalant approach in the next slide:
"Such a shame, [because] I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago."
"Yes, take the p**s for sure, that's what the show is about, but [there] must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?"
@aimeelouwood/Instagram
In what Wood planned to be her final story on the subject, Wood summarized:
"So, to conclude today's rant:"
"[HBO is] kind and supportive and never wronged me, so leave them alone."
"SNL: mean."
@aimeelouwood/Instagram
Much later, in her Instagram stories, Wood decided to share one more thought:
"Last thing I'll say on the matter: I am not thin-skinned. I actually love being taken the p**s out of when it's clever and in good spirits."
"But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth."
"I don't mind caricature; I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up, and I [and her character, Chelsea] was the only one punched down on."
@aimeelouwood/Instagram
After expressing her concerns, Wood offered relief to worried fans:
"I've had apologies from SNL."
Wood also pointed out that she had no hard feelings toward Sherman.
"Not hating on her, just hating on the concept."
Though the update was brief, it's important to note that the staff at Saturday Night Live followed up with Wood and addressed her concerns.
While they were likely trying to be funny and play to the features of Wood's character, they could have focused on her personality attributes rather than her physical ones.
It's always important to punch up rather than to punch down, and while critiquing political figures would be a punch up, picking on an actress for her physical features, no matter how much money or clout she has, is a serious punch down.
