Saturday Night Live picked the internet sensation news Luigi Mangione, who has been accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The show was kicked off with Sarah Sherman, as a confounded Nancy Grace, have transformed Mangione into a “sex symbol.” She noted his resemblance to “Dave Franco with Eugene Levy’s eyebrows” whilst emphasising his status as a murderer rather than a celebrity, Independent reported.
The sketch featured Kenan Thompson’s character, who was present at the Altoona, Pennsylvania establishment where authorities located Mangione. When questioned about the alleged killer’s appeal, Thompson acknowledged, “Well I mean, you can look at him and tell he had h**s.”
The segment shifted between healthcare discussions and comedic elements, including Thompson’s character consuming McDonald’s whilst discussing his “type-10 diabetes” and his healthcare strategy of “Hoping it goes away.”
Emil Wakim appeared as a Mangione lookalike, describing his experiences of being mistaken for the accused, including encounters with bounty hunters and receiving suggestive social media messages.
Host Chris Rock addressed the Mangione phenomenon, suggesting that public interest would differ if the accused had a different appearance. He acknowledged Thompson’s humanity whilst making a controversial comparison to drug-related violence.
The incident has highlighted public animosity towards private healthcare insurance in America. Social media users have shared personal experiences of insurance claim denials affecting their loved ones.
Filmmaker Michael Moore, mentioned in Mangione’s manifesto, condemned the murder whilst criticising the healthcare industry’s impact on Americans. He supported public outrage towards health insurers.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty acknowledged systemic issues, stating in The New York Times: “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it. No one would design a system like the one we have.”
