‘SNL’ weaponizes propaganda over Ukraine to influence laughter

Within the creativeness of “Saturday Night time Dwell,” Russian propaganda has superior past concentrating on uncles, aunts, grandmothers and grandfathers with data designed to affect U.S. elections.

As Russia amassed greater than 100,000 troops at its border with Ukraine in current weeks, the present envisioned savvy, pop culture-based Russian propaganda designed to create assist for an invasion.

Within the chilly open, President Joe Biden, performed by James Austin Johnson, was briefed by advisers and navy personnel within the White Home as he contemplated the nation’s choices.

They alerted him to Russian propaganda headlines circulating on Fb in Ukraine, together with, “Ukraine border encroaching on Russian troops.”

However one adviser, performed by Ego Nwodim, informed the president that not each instance was worthy of alarm. “These are the identical individuals who mentioned Tom Brady retired, so take it with a grain of salt,” she mentioned.

One other Fb headline was introduced to the president: “American CDC strongly recommends Russia invade Ukraine.”

Requested if it was true, Biden mentioned it was, however just for just a few months in 2020. “The science was altering so quick,” he mentioned.

One other propaganda-fueled headline mentioned, “Neil Younger to take away music from Spotify except Ukraine surrenders.”

In actuality, Younger lately gave streaming service Spotify an ultimatum to take away his music or do away with the present, “The Joe Rogan Expertise,” over vaccine misinformation. Spotify has mentioned it might take away Younger’s music.

The Russian propaganda on “SNL” included completely different media, together with memes and even a video made to seem like a tv business for State Farm.

Within the spot, Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was criticized for avoiding vaccination, mentioned, “Like a superb neighbor, Russia is there.”

Information phase “Weekend Replace,” additionally targeted on Russia’s aggressive stance on the border with Ukraine.

However co-host Colin Jost famous Ukraine’s want to calm nerves and keep away from panic after a high Ukraine safety official described panic as “the sister of failure.”

“Am I improper,” Jost mentioned as a picture of Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump appeared. “I believed Ivanka was the sister of failure.”

Fellow anchor Michael Che famous the pending retirement of U.S. Supreme Courtroom Justice Stephen Breyer amid calls from some liberal activists that he step down now, when Democrats maintain the White Home and the Senate.

Che mentioned Breyer has been the topic of imply tweets.

“I sympathize with Breyer as a result of I get those self same tweets each Saturday evening round this time,” Che mentioned.

Willem Dafoe hosted. Katy Perry was the musical visitor.

NBC Leisure, which airs “Saturday Night time Dwell,” NBC Information, and Peacock are all subsidiaries of NBCUniversal.