Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

‘Saturday Night Live’ Skewers GOP Debate

You may not be able to insult your way into the presidency, but you can sure find humor in debate remarks.

Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“Saturday Night Live” satirized this week’s Republican candidates’ debate, finding humor in some of the more caustic exchanges.

The sketch introduces the nine candidates appearing on the stage in Las Vegas — “five who actually have a chance … the rest of you, just wave so your parents know you’re here.” The segment lampoons former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s obvious desperation and his repeated attacks on front-runner Donald Trump.

“Wolf, may I take a desperate swing at Donald now?” asks Beck Bennett as Bush, launching into a comedic rendition of one of the most memorable moments of the CNN debate. “He says these offensive things. Then he bullies anyone who challenges him. Well guess what, you can’t insult your way into the presidency.”

“Oh really, jughead?” deadpans Trump, as portrayed by Darrell Hammond. “Because I’m at 43 [percent] and you’re at 3. Jeb, you’re a nice guy, but you’re a lightweight, and I know for a fact that you pee sitting down.”

“SNL” spares none of the GOP presidential candidates. It satirizes Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s likability issues — “I can promise ISIS will hate me. And how do I know? Everyone who knows me hates me.” — and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s numerous debate references to terrorist attacks — “I’d like to answer that with a series of fear-mongering statements.”

Even former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina gets a shot, in a question about Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin.

“I sold him an HP printer personally, and now he hates my guts,” says faux Fiorina, played by Cecily Strong. “It doesn’t work. It never worked. And when he calls me to complain, I just smile that classic Carly Fiorina smile” (cue toothy grimace).

Check out the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Th70moeuc

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

More in Technology

Technology
The case for AI realismThe case for AI realism
Technology

AI isn’t going to be the end of the world — no matter what this documentary sometimes argues.

By Shayna Korol
Politics
OpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agendaOpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agenda
Politics

The AI company released a set of highly progressive policy ideas. There’s just one small problem.

By Eric Levitz
Future Perfect
Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.
Future Perfect

Protecting astronauts in space — and maybe even Mars — will help transform health on Earth.

By Shayna Korol
Podcasts
The importance of space toilets, explainedThe importance of space toilets, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

Houston, we have a plumbing problem.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Technology
What happened when they installed ChatGPT on a nuclear supercomputerWhat happened when they installed ChatGPT on a nuclear supercomputer
Technology

How they’re using AI at the lab that created the atom bomb.

By Joshua Keating
Future Perfect
Humanity’s return to the moon is a deeply religious missionHumanity’s return to the moon is a deeply religious mission
Future Perfect

Space barons like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk don’t seem religious. But their quest to colonize outer space is.

By Sigal Samuel