Trump’s Return: A Game Changer for Comedy?

[{"selector":"#anim-a9b547aa-e98c-4a64-b8f2-ec4f426f9040 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.988636224004303%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] With Trump back in the White House, SNL wonders if America’s “rudest man” will change how we talk

[{"selector":"#anim-ce27d39b-e1e4-4885-a2df-ab65ff61c83a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.033100857390238%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Michael Che captures America’s silver-lining nihilism: "A man with 34 felonies leading the free world?

[{"selector":"#anim-df2b3f4c-63c9-4ea4-96a9-f561b23db691 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.645547779219733%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Could Trump’s win lead to a more irreverent, Joan Rivers-style comedy renaissance?

[{"selector":"#anim-5a744c10-51b8-4799-8a46-d25e2d8f1bea [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.51657443100293%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Bill Burr, the quintessential edgy comic, brings his Boston roots to SNL

[{"selector":"#anim-f421ce93-9004-42bd-9e78-a1f52dc96c13 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.604166530769614%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Burr’s attempt at humor falls flat as he opens with awkward, borderline offensive jokes about the flu and Asian stereotypes.

[{"selector":"#anim-529145b6-8bd6-4d8d-80eb-254db93ad874 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.471590742049585%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Did he take the comedy too far or is this just the price of speaking ‘truth to power’

[{"selector":"#anim-8a32db58-707d-4478-bf6f-e2f7166f8803 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-25.041889928984105%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Burr’s ‘post-woke’ comedy attempts don’t hit the mark. Is this the new direction for humor

[{"selector":"#anim-bc3937d2-73b5-4da1-aa54-453542347e9b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.7104903097595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] With Trump back in office, SNL explores whether comedy should become more vulgar and edgy or return to sharp

[{"selector":"#anim-e623990d-d38e-40cc-8cc3-ab9150162e6a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.700221079352016%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] While Bill Burr's monologue struggles, SNL sketches about masculinity and group therapy offer some of the evening’s better moments.

[{"selector":"#anim-d85234f5-a3bc-4fde-b567-a2a1e00230bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.35191745800479%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] SNL’s dark satire imagines a future where comedians and media have to flatter Trump to avoid backlash

[{"selector":"#anim-83aa2298-0d4b-4e37-a0f4-0ad9827d0e82 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.71706570271168%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] But with Trump’s return, could this cultural shift face a backlash we haven’t yet seen?