In a surprising twist of events, Saturday Night Live has managed to churn out a comedy sketch that’s actually funny. It’s almost as if they dusted off a cobweb-covered comedy manual and remembered how to make people laugh. At the helm of this minor miracle is comedian Shane Gillis, whose influence on the show’s recent sketch seems to have injected a long-lost sense of humor into the late-night staple. One can’t help but be amused by the sheer absurdity of the premise, which satirizes the rollercoaster of emotions in an overly dramatized pharmaceutical advertisement.
The sketch introduces viewers to an everyday fellow who turns to an unusual form of “medication” for his life’s woes: a couple of beers. This fictional pharma ad cleverly parodies the typical TV commercials for antidepressants, showcasing how quickly the protagonist’s life takes a turn for the better—or at least in a different direction—as soon as he indulges in his liquid cure. His newfound world is filled with pep talks for his kids and spontaneous compliments for his wife, creating an entertaining juxtaposition between his prior melancholy and sudden beer-fueled confidence.
But what makes this sketch stand out isn’t just the novelty of seeing an SNL piece that’s actually funny. It’s the lighthearted yet biting critique of a culture obsessed with quick fixes for complex personal issues. The supposed “medication” transforms our hero’s cloudy day into sunshine, tackling everything from parental struggles to marital chatter, all with a humorous and ironic twist. It’s a satirical jab at the unrealistic promises often seen in commercials, making it clear that life isn’t solved with a magic pill or in this case, a cold beverage.
As the advertisement progresses, it becomes increasingly ridiculous, highlighting some “common side effects” like drowsiness, which is humorously countered by a dose of “a little bump.” The sketch doesn’t shy away from taking this hyperbole to the max, illustrating the lengths to which people might go to temporarily elevate their mood amidst life’s chaos. Through exaggerated claims and farcical scenarios, the humor peeks through, shedding light on our societal penchant for shortcuts.
In the broader context of a comedy platform that often flips between hits and misses, this sketch signals a refreshingly successful attempt at humor. While SNL might not reinvent the wheel every Saturday night, it’s sketches like these—clever, satirical, and led by sharp comedic minds like Shane Gillis—that remind audiences of the show’s potential. Perhaps it’s the start of a new chapter, one where viewers can expect a hearty laugh more often, without needing a couple of beers themselves to sit through the show.
