UPDATE, November 23, 2015: Thompson revisited Big Papi again. And we haven’t changed our opinion.
Now we REALLY know that NBC’s Saturday Night Live does not give a crap when it comes to mocking Latinos. A few weeks back, we saw a non-Latina (Cecily Strong) fail with perhaps one of the most unfunny loud Latina stereotypes. Last night, it happened again with non-Latino Kenan Thompson doing a heavily accented and over-the-top Dominicano version of Red Sox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz.
Here’s the clip:
Where do we start? How about the fact that Thompson and his writers spent most of the skit getting belly laughs out of Spanish words. Look, everyone, I am saying funny things with a Dominican accent! Also, once again this is just another Latino caricature looking stupid. We would challenge Thompson to do the same with say, a Jewish character or an Asian one. Come on, we dare you.
Yeah, we know that some comedians have started a #StillNoLatinas (SNL) thing online and others have come up with brilliant responses to SNL’s “Latino problem.” No matter how much pressure Latino organizations are putting on Lorne Michaels, SNL does not care one bit. How do we know? Because it continues to produce these “FU”-type skits that play to the most ignorant stereotypes when it comes to Latinos. And the mainstream world LOVES it: Ha, ha, ha, see the guy with the funny accent saying Spanish words like tostones! (By the way, SNL, if you are going to do these skits more, at least get a bit more authentic with “Dominican” foods?)
Looks like Chico Escuela is back. But that doesn’t surprise us. It’s SNL. Privileged comedy for the privileged few.
Now, what would have been REALLY edgy would be to get an ACTUAL Afro-Latino Dominican comic do an Big Papi impression. Thompson might have filled one part of the piece, but the writing (and its lack of cultural knowledge) failed Thompson’s final delivery. But what are we thinking? That would be too hard, in the eyes of SNL.
Besides, Papi approved:
Have to give a shout out to #KeenanThompson for that skit on @nbcsnl I know my girl @TheRealDratch would approve http://t.co/Ool8LdNJVN
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) April 13, 2014
Didn’t see when it aired so I’m glad to see it posted here for me to watch. It’s one thing to criticize a network/show for failing to hire Latino comics; another to get bent out of shape over Keenan’s Big Papi act. Ortiz is a highly paid TV entertainer w/a heavy accent, funny way of speaking to TV personalities, funny nick name, funny look, and a huge public profile for his baseball prowess — a real character. But a black nonLatino comedian can’t play that? Give me a break! Talk about nonissues! And regards Keenan — he’s a funny dude and his Big Papi skit was a laugh. Just ask Big Papi.
agreed, they should have latino comics. however, as a red sox fan, not that one need to be to make this observation…uhhhh…david ortiz walking down the street would be seen as a black man, not a latino, by the average person. & so if they had a latino comic (armisen was part venezuelan btw, so…) who was say the complexion of ricky martin what would make more sense?!?
stop being so trigger happy to get offended. ORTIZ GAVE HIS BLESSING. ¡tranquilo!
Take the skit for what it is, funny. David Ortiz does have an accent and he has appeared on network television eating some of the foods that are mentioned on the skit. Also, did anyone ever criticize David Ortiz personally for showing up to swear in as a US citizen dressed like he was going dancing at a club? What a way to show how proud you are to become a citizen in the country that made you rich playing a game. Let’s keep things in perspective. SNL skit was funny. Who cares what nationality the actor is.
Wow! Thank God (el Big Papi in the sky) we have you “Rebels” to be so Woke! Nothing better than further strengthening the Pussification of America. It’s sad when searching for SNL Big Papi that this lame excuse for journalism from 2014 still shows up. I can only imagine how much more Woke, and sensitive you are now 5 years later! Know who doesn’t give a damn about your Wokeness…Republicans…that’s why there’s Trump, and don’t be shocked if there’s 4 more years! Put your Big Papi pants on, stop being so offended by a stiff breeze or UGGS in summertime, and focus on actual issues. While your working on that, let the comedians do what they do…entertain! Because you don’t! Upstairs Big Papi knows we need comedy…he created his own with mosquitos…watching us trying to swat those things endlessly! To that sentiment…buzz off pest!
Stop defending latinos like we can’t defend ourselves! That’s more patronizing than any SNL skit will ever be! And why don’t you ask Latinos what we think of Keenan’s impression of Big Papi? Hint… we LOVE it! It basically put Mofongo on the map! ?
Oh and in case your wokeness missed this other Latino focused skit, Armisen’s modified version of Elton John’s “Goodbye Norma Jean” sung at a fake funeral for Hugo Chavez, was so brilliant and politically spot-on, I am sure it went right over your Che-Guevara-loving head!
So stop creating issues where there are none. If you must succumb to satisfying your savior complex, why don’t you spend that energy focusing on real problems Latinos are facing. There are so many to choose from lately, and they have nothing to do with anything you are watching on a Saturday night!
I went online searching and searching to see if anyone was offended by the recent “big papi” episode where he is making sancocho and saying he got shot and that is why he was thinner. I was so offended and didn’t understand how other Latinos weren’t. Especially Dominicans. I was sent the video so many times by black friends that I was wondering what they were expecting me to find funny. I am not a serious person nor am I trigger happy. However, a normal person would look around and ask about the hypocrisy. If everything is available in the world of comedy then EVERYONE needs to have their stereotypical moment in the sun; lets really go deep here too. The world is up in arms about BLM and civil unrest abounds because of caricatures and unjust treatment of African Americans. Well, don’t forget the other minorities in the fight too. You don’t have to put others down to feel powerful. That falls under sociopathic behavior and extends beyond racially stereotypical caricatures.