Chris Rock’s return to "Saturday Night Live" brought a mix of humor and sharp political commentary that echoed throughout the studio. Rock’s monologue touched heavily on both the current and past U.S. presidents, drawing laughter and occasional gasps from the audience.
The Daily Mail reported that during his monologue, Rock critiqued a range of political figures, taking aim at Donald Trump's rabid detractors, Bill Clinton’s past controversies, and various societal issues.
Rock opened his routine by addressing the audience directly, commenting on the state of the news. He remarked on the complicated nature of current events, expressing empathy with a touch of his signature sarcasm, which set the tone for the evening.
It wasn’t long before he delved into more controversial waters. Rock brought up former President Bill Clinton, making a biting reference to his infamous scandal with Monica Lewinsky. His comment paralleled the theme of historical presidential indiscretions.
The comedian's humor wasn't just aimed at past presidents. He also took shots at how people reacted to Donald Trump’s surprising electoral success, poking fun at liberals who were overtly anxious about the outcome of the election.
Rock continued by highlighting Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat in the November elections, a fact that underscored his broader point about the unpredictable nature of U.S. politics.
He then shifted his focus back to Trump, mentioning several high points of Trump's year. Rock sarcastically praised Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt, his victory in the popular vote, and his selection as Time Magazine's Man of the Year.
The comedian joked about New Yorkers' unique disdain for Trump, suggesting that the former president's conduct only really scared those few locals who hadn't voted for him.
Rather than isolating Trump’s behaviors, Rock widened his critique of the U.S. presidency as a whole. He provided extreme, humorous examples from history to illustrate his point that the office has not always been held with the highest dignity, implicitly including both Trump and Clinton in this critique.
The monologue also covered current President Joe Biden, with Rock making a pointed joke about Biden pardoning his son, Hunter. The humor, however acerbic, sheds light on the complex decisions faced by those in power and the understandable instincts of parenthood.
Another memorable moment came when Rock mentioned a supposed collaboration between Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk.
He introduced a fictitious plan called "SpaceMex," as an exaggerated method of deporting illegal immigrants, again using hyperbole to emphasize his point about the surreal nature of current political dialogues.
Throughout the show, Rock balanced his political jabs with personal observations and broader societal critiques. He touched on the cost of common goods in America with a darkly comic metric involving "rapists," a stark commentary on the figures celebrated on U.S. currency.
As his monologue drew to a close, Rock interspersed his political commentary with personal reflections, commenting on the nature of America and the complex history that shapes its present.
He closed with a series of zingers that continued the night’s theme of mixing humor with critique, ensuring the audience was both entertained and provoked.
This appearance marked Rock’s fourth time hosting "Saturday Night Live," a stage where he once was a cast member from 1990 to 1993. Each return brings a new flair to his presentation, often blending societal observation with personal and political humor in a manner that leaves a memorable imprint on his audience.
Rock’s performance on SNL can be seen as a reflection of his growth as a comedian and his sharp insight into the blend of comedy and commentary. His willingness to tackle contentious topics within the humorous framework of a late-night show echoes his earlier stints and continues to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding political and social norms in America.