Pete Davidson Delivers Poignant SNL Address About Israel and 9/11
Former SNL cast member Pete Davidson returns to the show, delivering a heartfelt message about current events in Israel and reflecting on personal trauma associated with 9/11.
Quick Facts
- Emotional Return: Pete Davidson was back on SNL after over five months, bypassing the traditional cold open to speak about the crises in Israel.
- Personal Perspective: Davidson draws parallels between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the loss of his father, a firefighter, during the 9/11 attacks.
- Healing Through Comedy: The comedian shared a poignant anecdote about finding solace in comedy post the tragedy, emphasizing its therapeutic power.
After a significant hiatus, Pete Davidson made a memorable reappearance on Saturday Night Live. Unlike standard SNL openings, the episode skipped its usual comedic cold open. Instead, the audience was offered a more reflective Davidson discussing the ongoing tragic events in Israel. He commenced with a light-hearted remark, questioning his suitability to discuss such a heavy topic. But, as he delved deeper, the relevance became clear.
Pete shared a moving perspective, grounded in personal experience. As a seven-year-old, he lost his father in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This tragedy provided him a unique understanding of pain, especially when seeing images of suffering children from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The striking visuals reminded him of the emotional turmoil he underwent during his younger years. He stressed the universality of pain and empathized with the innocent lives affected.
The narrative then transitioned to a brighter note as Davidson recalled an anecdote about his mother’s attempt to alleviate his grief. She unknowingly rented Eddie Murphy’s “Delirious” stand-up special for him. The initial intent was to shut it off upon realizing its inappropriate content, but she noticed its healing power as it made young Davidson laugh after a long period of sorrow. Drawing from this experience, Davidson highlighted the transformative and therapeutic essence of comedy, even amidst tragedies.
For Further Reading | 9/11 Attacks: A series of coordinated terrorist actions by al-Qaeda against the United States on September 11, 2001. The most significant attacks took place in New York City when two planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center towers, leading to their collapse and the death of thousands, including Pete Davidson’s firefighter father. The repercussions of this event shaped U.S. foreign and domestic policies in the subsequent years. Wikipedia Link |
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Q&A
Why did Pete Davidson speak about Israel on SNL?
Davidson chose to address the situation in Israel because he felt a personal connection to the pain and trauma experienced by the children affected by the conflict, drawing parallels to his own loss during the 9/11 attacks.
How did comedy play a role in Pete Davidson’s healing process?
Comedy served as a therapeutic escape for Davidson during his grief. He shared an anecdote about laughing for the first time in a while after watching Eddie Murphy’s “Delirious”, underscoring comedy’s potential to bring solace during tough times.
Did SNL skip its traditional opening for this episode?
Yes, SNL departed from its conventional comedic cold open to give space for Davidson’s emotional message about Israel and his reflections on 9/11.
Original article source: DNyuz