Photo Credit; Getty Images
Saturday Night Live faces criticism following contentious humor involving Stranger Things cast members
Saturday Night Live encountered significant viewer criticism following the January 18 episode hosted by Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, with audiences expressing disapproval over multiple controversial moments throughout the broadcast.
During his opening monologue, Wolfhard discussed his experiences maturing in the public spotlight while filming the popular Netflix series. The actor referenced how various personal milestones occurred while cameras rolled, including physical changes during adolescence and his first on-screen kiss.
The monologue drew particular ire when Wolfhard made a comparison between female anatomy and the Demogorgon, the series' monstrous antagonist. The joke prompted immediate reactions across social media platforms, with critics labeling the humor as crude and inappropriate.
Social media users condemned the material, questioning the quality of SNL's writing and expressing disappointment in the show's direction. Some viewers wondered whether such content represented the program's typical standards, while others defended the comedian, arguing the joke constituted harmless crude humor rather than genuinely offensive material.
The controversy extended beyond the monologue into the episode's sketches. A Sex and the City parody titled "Mike in Manhattan" generated additional backlash. The segment featured Wolfhard alongside former co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo, presenting an imagined scenario set ten years after Stranger Things concluded.
One particularly contentious moment involved McLaughlin's character Lucas discussing his relationship with Max Mayfield, referencing the character's comatose state from the show's fourth season. Viewers characterized this joke as disturbing and tasteless, with many expressing shock that such material made it to air.
The sketch also addressed Will Byers' coming-out scene from the show's final season, portrayed by cast member Jeremy Culhane in an extended sequence. Critics argued this segment disrespected both the character and actor Noah Schnapp, particularly noting Schnapp's absence from the sketch while his co-stars participated.
The episode additionally featured parodies of other Stranger Things spinoffs and referenced Conformity Gate, a debunked conspiracy theory regarding a secret final episode.
Representatives for Saturday Night Live have not issued public statements addressing the backlash.
