SNL delivered a fresh, hilarious take on stereotypes with "Mid-Day News" sketch

The Atlantic

Written by Michael Che, Ego Nwodim and Chris Redd, the "Mid-Day News" sketch "didn’t touch on politics via the goings-on in Washington, D.C., but its commentary was political nonetheless," says Shirley Li. It was a standout sketch on an uneven night and might be as memorable when it comes to race as the Tom Hanks "Black Jeopardy!" sketch from 2016. "Mid-Day News," says Li, "mined its humor from having the ensemble collectively engage in—and subsequently lose their minds over—the racial stereotypes that influence their perceptions of one another....'Mid-Day News' successfully explored an uncomfortable truth: Everyone harbors assumptions about race—and when it comes to the news, it’s important to read past the headline," says Li. "Perhaps that’s an obvious reminder, but in real life, it’s an embarrassing one to admit. On SNL, however, it’s the perfect fodder for a standout sketch."

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