Sean Spicer Press Conference

Sean Spicer Press Conference (Melissa McCarthy) - SNL

By now everyone has watched an SNL sketch that has particularly stuck out to them. With recent political events in 2017, SNL took every opportunity to capitalize on the hilarious events that have been televised in the past few months. McCarthy perfectly captures the essence of Spicer, a political figure whose appearances have revolved around alternative facts and aggressiveness. Twice, McCarthy physically attacked reporters with the podium, threatening others who she didn't agree with to stick them "in the corner with CNN." McCarthy engages in a battle of wills with the press, bullying Bobby Moynihan's reporter and going on a rant about the language of the Trump administration's executive order on immigration.

The sketch mainly uses the technique of parody but also hyperbole. McCarthy's use of hyperbole brings attention to the ridiculousness of Spicer's press conference at the time. McCarthy, as Spicer, parodied the White House's delivery of questionable facts to the media during briefings, announcing Trump's Supreme Court justice pick, Neil Gorsuch.

The crowd greeted him with a standing ovation which lasted a full fifteen minutes, and you can check the tape on that. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. The men all had erections, and every single one of the women was ovulating left and right. And no one, no one was sad

The irony of the sketch was that they did not highlight any weak aspects about Spicer. Rather McCarthy portrayed him as a bruised, bellowing alpha male. Using these techniques of satire further the comedic effect of the sketch. Hyperbole continues throughout the whole of the sketch, increasing the laughter which helps to bring attention to the absurdity of the actual press conferences given by Spicer himself and the Trump administration.

Not a week goes by where SNL does not provide any satirical substance. The comments and jabs that SNL makes about our current political climate are some to poke fun at but also to bring our attention to how our government and political leaders are acting like preschool bullies. Now more then ever is it important to keep up to date with current politics, and SNL attracts the attention of all ages not just those of the older generation. Social media has a heavy influence on voters today, but with social media comes the difficulty to separate the truth from the lies. These sketches inform us to pay attention to what is going on in politics and to never not question whether something being said is the factual truth. Politics can be a touchy subject, but for SNL they employ humor as a way to help convey the larger meaning of any of their sketches.