“‘Another Flop?’ Furious Fans Blast Saturday Night Live’s Return as ‘Painfully Unfunny’—Trump Skits Labeled ‘Awful,’ Viewers Say the Show Has ‘Lost Its Magic’ After Lackluster Comeback”
Saturday Night Live’s much-anticipated return has sparked an unexpected wave of backlash as disappointed fans flood social media, calling the new season’s Trump sketches “awful,” “cringe,” and “another flop.” What was meant to be a bold comedic comeback instead ignited frustration, with many longtime viewers claiming the once-brilliant show has “completely lost its spark.”
The iconic late-night comedy series opened its first show of the season with James Austin Johnson reprising his now-famous impression of former President Donald Trump. But rather than winning laughs, the bit drew sharp criticism for being “too tame,” “predictable,” and “devoid of creativity.” Many felt the writers leaned too heavily on old formulas without injecting anything fresh or daring into the material.
On X (formerly Twitter), one viewer wrote, “I used to stay up late for SNL premieres, but this was just sad. The Trump sketch wasn’t funny—it was a recycled monologue with zero punchlines.” Another fan added, “They’ve done the Trump joke a thousand times. It’s not satire anymore—it’s just noise.”
Critics agreed the episode struggled to find its comedic rhythm. The cold open, which mocked Trump’s bizarre claims about “ending wars” and his habit of watching himself on television, was intended as sharp political humor. But the result, according to The Guardian and The Independent, felt “flat” and “overly cautious.” Viewers accused SNL of playing it safe, trading its once-biting wit for lukewarm commentary.
The show’s tone also drew mixed reactions. Some argued that Saturday Night Live has become more political than playful, losing the spontaneity and daring absurdity that once made it essential viewing. Others suggested that the problem isn’t the politics—it’s the lack of originality. Trump has dominated the cultural landscape for nearly a decade, and audiences seem exhausted by sketches that feel like reruns of reality.
Pop culture analysts noted a deeper issue: satire fatigue. In an era where real-life politics often outpaces comedy in absurdity, even the sharpest writers struggle to make exaggeration land. When the subject is already larger-than-life, parody can feel redundant. SNL’s challenge, they say, is finding a new way to surprise its audience, especially as the 2024 election season reignites political chaos.
Still, a few defended the episode, praising Johnson’s mimicry and suggesting the writing was laying groundwork for bolder installments ahead. “It’s just the first show back,” one optimistic viewer wrote. “Give it time—SNL always starts slow.”
But the consensus online leaned heavily toward disappointment. As one viral comment summed it up: “SNL used to define political comedy. Now it’s just background noise trying to remember what funny felt like.”
Unless the show reclaims its creative edge, fans fear that the latest “cold open” might also mark the beginning of a cold reception—for a comedy institution that once had the power to set the tone of the nation’s laughter.
