Saturday Night Live, the renowned comedy show famous for its boldness in poking fun at celebrities, stirred up a storm with its latest episode.
Actress Kristen Weig took center stage, delivering a cutting portrayal of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, in a pre-recorded segment.
Weig’s monologue, filled with sharp comments and the term “grifter,” has sparked intense debate among viewers, leaving them divided on whether it was clever satire or simply mean-spirited.
The skit, titled The Markle Show, showcased Weig donning Markle’s persona, complete with an exaggerated British accent and stylish attire.
Weig delved into a monologue portraying a misunderstood Duchess yearning for privacy while simultaneously craving the limelight.
The humor centered around the perceived contradictions in Markle’s public image, with Weig repeatedly labeling the Duchess as a “yacht rock grifter,” highlighting her use of the royal title for personal benefit.
While accusing Weig or SNL of malicious intent may be excessive, the show has a history of caricaturing celebrities, and Markle, given her high profile and Hollywood ventures, was undoubtedly a prime target for comedic material.
Moreover, the portrayal, though sharp, managed to steer clear of vulgarity or personal attacks.
Weig’s performance straddled the line between humor and critique, yet the choice to brand Markle a grifter was undeniably severe, implying deceit and dishonesty, a weighty allegation for any public figure.
This isn’t the first instance of Markle being lampooned by late-night comedians.
Figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah have playfully teased the Duchess before, but Weig’s portrayal felt more direct and personal, with the repeated use of “grifter” bordering on bullying and the overall tone leaning towards mockery rather than harmless spoof.
The online community, as expected, is split.
Both SNL and Meghan Markle are trending topics, with supporters of the Duchess incensed by what they view as an unjustified attack.
Conversely, critics of Markle commended Weig’s performance for its accuracy and satirical edge.
SNL and Weig have yet to respond to the uproar, likely anticipating the backlash that comes with targeting such a polarizing figure.
One thing remains certain—Meghan Markle continues to attract media attention, and the SNL skit, however contentious it may be, ensures that the Duchess will remain a topic of discussion.
Whether this recent incident enhances or damages Markle’s public image remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, one fact is evident: SNL has effectively turned Meghan Markle into a figure of pop culture ridicule, and the aftermath of this portrayal is likely to unfold in the coming days.