Audiences have reacted with fury after Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard delivered a sexually explicit gag about women during his opening monologue on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live.
The Controversial Monologue
Appearing as the host of the iconic US sketch show, Wolfhard reflected on the peculiar experience of growing up in the public eye. He discussed how pivotal moments of his adolescence were captured on camera for the world to see.
"My voice changed on camera, my first kiss was on camera," the actor stated. "And I can't actually believe I'm admitting this, but the first time I learned what a woman looks like down there - was on camera as well."
The broadcast then cut to a pre-recorded clip showing a much younger Wolfhard, wide-eyed with shock, staring at the terrifying Demogorgon monster from the hit Netflix series. The implication of the joke was that the fictional creature was his first visual reference for female anatomy.
A Storm of Criticism on Social Media
The attempt at humour landed poorly with a significant portion of the viewing public, who swiftly took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their disgust. Many condemned the remark as blatantly sexist and poorly conceived.
One critic posted: "People when they realize casual misogyny and homophobia aren't supposed to be jokes unless you're a braindead bigot." Another simply called it a "sexist joke and like lazy?? At least try harder."
The backlash extended beyond Wolfhard to the show's writing team. Infuriated users slammed the material as 'disgusting' and 'hardly funny', with one stating, "They seriously need to fire all of their writers because what a terrible joke." Another added, "Just a really unfunny man on a really unfunny show with an awful script."
Defence and Division Among Viewers
However, the reaction was not universally negative. Some viewers pushed back against the criticism, defending the joke as harmless, if crude, comedy.
"Why is everyone on the left and right clutching their pearls after this harmless crude joke," one user questioned. A supporter challenged critics directly, writing, "For all getting butthurt over this, please get one of yall that cares enough to explain where the bad is in this."
This defender argued that simply screaming labels like "misogynistic" into the void does nothing to foster constructive dialogue.
The monologue continued with more adult-themed humour, including a segment where Wolfhard shared a drink with SNL cast member Marcello Hernández only to spit it back at him. The opening was then interrupted by Wolfhard's Stranger Things co-stars, Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo.
The trio commiserated about growing up famous and the bizarre comments they encounter from fans online. They concluded their stage time with another risqué quip, joking that they were now prepared to star in 'adult films.'
The incident highlights the ongoing cultural debate about the boundaries of comedy and the public's increasing sensitivity to material perceived as derogatory or offensive.
