Image via NBC
woody harrelsonhosting for the fifth time Saturday night Live This could be his last after the backlash the actor received for his controversial remarks.
Harrelson’s alleged stance on pharmaceutical companies, the global COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, and the vaccine mandate came under scrutiny. During his monologue, which aired on NBC on February 25, Harrelson compared pharmaceutical companies to drug cartels and also claimed that they were “buying off the media and politicians” to force individuals to take the vaccine. In the skit, Harrelson mentions the subject, saying that he was reading the “craziest script” in Central Park:
“So the movie goes like this, the biggest drug cartels in the world get together and buy up all the media and all the politicians and force all the people in the world to be locked in their homes, and people are out May come when they take cartel drugs and keep taking them again and again.”
Harrelson wrapped up his remarks by saying that he “threw the script” because he believed that no one would “believe that crazy idea.” The 61-year-old said, “I threw away the script. I mean, who was going to believe that crazy idea? Being forced to do drugs? I do this willingly all day long.
Apart from his controversial statements, the star also received a prestigious honor of hosting the show for the fifth time. Tara joined snlof the “Five-Timers Club” and was given a jacket by Scarlett Johansson at the end of the event.
As Harrelson’s hosting duties and monologue began to circulate online, many social media users criticized NBC and the N.B.C. champions star for attempting to push his beliefs onto the public. Writer and television producer Lee Goldberg suggested that after Harrelson’s tasteless monologue, NBC should bring other controversial figures onto the show.
Meanwhile, another Twitter user called Harrelson an idiot for “making a joke out of Covid”.
Journalist Steven Beschloss questioned Harrelson’s motive regarding the skit.
While a fourth social media user replied to a Twitter post, requesting that Harrelson’s entire monologue be uploaded snl Do not bring the actor back to the show.
At the time this article is written, it is unclear whether Harrelson, his team or NBC will address the growing backlash over the star’s controversial comments or if he will face consequences for it.