Normally "Saturday Night Live" is about as entertaining as an ocular migraine. But last week's, I have to admit, contained something absolutely hilarious. They sang "To Sir, With Love" in honor of President Obama:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CECILY STRONG, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" CAST MEMBER (SINGING): A friend who taught me right from wrong...
SASHEER ZAMATA, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" CAST MEMBER (SINGING): ... and weak from strong.
STRONG: That's a lot to learn.
STRONG AND ZAMATA: But, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon, I would try to make a start, but I would rather you let me give my heart.
To sir, with love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
This was brilliant. To satirize the blind love of the obedient entertainment world with a sappy love song dedicated to their fearless progressive cult leader. And they played it straight, unloading a syrupy Valentine that could rot your teeth at 10 paces.
This had to be an attempt to mock Hollywood's docile conformity, comparing them to all those terrified entertainers, forced to pay tribute to tyrants in hellholes like Khadafy's Libya and present-day North Korea. It might be the greatest joke "Saturday Night Live" ever made -- unless they were serious.
If they were, then we really are living in a polarized world of competing tribes. Just when you're exasperated over Trump's relentless fanboys, you are reminded of these groupies. And it's a wash.
You also realize that, while division and hate is scary, it's never as creepy as sickening love. Something to keep in mind, whether you adore Obama or Trump: Drooling toadyism is not a good look on either side and it paves the way for evil. Because while hate can drive people to do many things, love permits leaders to do all things -- none of them good.
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