SNL Sparks Backlash with Johnny Depp Trial Sketch: ‘This Isn’t Funny’

The sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live has been poking fun at some of pop culture’s biggest stories for nearly 50 seasons, but many viewers feel that some topics should be kept off-limits. On Saturday night’s episode, the cold open segment satirized the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The former spouses are suing one another with each accusing the other of domestic violence with the entire court proceedings televised.

In particular, the sketch mostly takes aim at the allegation that Heard had defecated in Depp’s bed after an argument. Video evidence is shown in the court of Depp’s staffers arguing over who gets to clean up the mess. As Depp (Kyle Mooney) smiles and giggles throughout his testimony, the judge (Cecily Strong) ultimately concludes, “On one hand, I believe Mr. Depp’s story. But, on the other hand, your constant little smirk lets me know that this is not the first woman that you made so mad that she [defecated] on your bed.”

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“I guess I have been known to be a full nightmare,” Mooney’s Depp responds.

There were many viewers watching who were not amused by the trial sketch. Taking to social media, there were some who had expressed their disapproval toward NBC and Saturday Night Live for turning the trial into comedy fodder. At the heart of the criticism are complaints that the trial shouldn’t be joked about due to the sensitive nature of domestic violence allegations, regardless of how one might feel about this particular trial.

“This is really gross guys,” one viewer wrote. “How did so many people approve this and think it’s okay to make fun of an ongoing trial of such sensitivity?”

Another tweet reads, “so y’all saw a case involving testimonies about domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual assault, emotional trauma, mental illness, and medical emergencies including people losing actual body parts… and your first thought was ‘this would be a funny sketch for our comedy show!’”

Presumably using sarcasm, another viewer tweeted, “Hey, remember when SNL made fun of the Menedez brothers for their abuse too haha court cases involving emotional and physical abuse are super funny.”

Echoing many others, another response to the video states, “Absolutely NOTHING about this is funny…reeks of a desperation to be somewhat relevant. Domestic violence should in no way, shape or form be treated as a laugh or joked about. Beyond low!!”

Related: SNL: Best MCU Actors Who Have Hosted the Show, Ranked

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Trial Continues

NBC

The Depp v Heard trial has been on a recess with plans to resume the televised proceedings on May 16. Throughout the trial, there has been some pretty heavy backlash against Heard as Depp has managed to sway much of the public on his side through evidence introduced by his lawyers. Petitions to have Heard fired from Aquaman 2 while reinstating Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 have also surged in popularity.

Meanwhile, the season finale of Saturday Night Live will air on NBC on May 21 with guest host Natasha Lyonne and musical guest Japanese Breakfast.

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Jeremy Dick
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Jeremy Dick has been a writer and editor since 2014. He is a self-professed horror expert, pop culture enthusiast, and Bob Saget fanatic.

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