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Elon Musks appearance onSaturday Night Liveon May 8 seemed designed to create conversation.
Would it be a nightmare?
Would he say something horrible or shocking?
Maybe cast members wouldrefuse to appear with him?
Maybe hed barely even participate?
And yet the morning after thelive episode aired, there were really only a couple big takeaways.
There was Musks announcement that he has Aspergers, a now-out-of-favor term for an autism-spectrum-disorder diagnosis.
Im-a not-a evil, Musk-as-Wario says on the stand.
The audience laughs obligingly.
Of course hes evil!
But also, isnt it funny to think about such a one-note absurdist character having feelings?
As the judge, Cecily Strong bangs a gavel on a Nintendo question block.
Kate McKinnon as Waluigi strokes a similarly laughable mustache.
The sketch is a power play:I can do this and it doesnt matter!
Im still a billionaire CEO bent on changing the course of humanity!But its masked as vulnerability.
Musk was a willing host, more willing than it seemed possible he might be.
You cant laugh at his badness because were all doing it already!
Its the same note Musk uses to beginhis monologue.
Musks appearance onSaturday Night Livewas a masterfully orchestrated bit of cultural creation.
The really impressive part was the show itself.
Theres not that much to say about it, and that is Musk (andSNLs) chief accomplishment.
