Saturday Night Live (SNL) faced backlash over a controversial segment during its Weekend Update, in which cast member Sarah Sherman, dressed as a squirrel, mocked the recent euthanasia of Peanut, an internet-famous pet squirrel.
The skit, which included sexually crude jokes and references to Peanut's owner, drew sharp criticism from viewers who labeled the humor as "disgusting" and "in bad taste."
Peanut became a social media sensation alongside his raccoon companion, Fred, before being seized on October 30 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from the upstate farm of owner Mark Longo.
The animals were euthanized two days later, reportedly for rabies testing after Peanut allegedly bit an official.
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However, the rabies test returned negative, sparking outrage among Peanut's fans and animal rights advocates.
The DEC stated that the seizure occurred due to complaints of wildlife being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.
Longo, who operates an animal sanctuary with his wife Daniela, refuted these claims, arguing that Peanut was in the process of being certified as an educational animal. Longo criticized the authorities, saying, "The DEC came to my house and raided my house without a search warrant to find a squirrel! I was treated as if I was a drug dealer and they were going for drugs and guns."
The incident triggered a wave of social media condemnation, as well as at least 14 bomb threats targeting DEC offices, which state police deemed non-credible.
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During the November 18 episode of SNL, Sarah Sherman appeared on Weekend Update as "Peanut's widow," complete with a black hat and shawl.
The skit included jokes referencing Peanut’s social media fame, his alleged OnlyFans presence, and the circumstances of his death.
“He wore little cowboy hats on Instagram. He stuffed his cheeks on OnlyFans. Both sets,” Sherman said, referencing claims by Longo that officials targeted Peanut due to the family’s social media presence, which includes promoting their OnlyFans accounts.
Sherman also joked about Peanut biting a law enforcement officer, calling him a “damn hero,” and referenced the decapitation required for rabies testing.
The segment featured Sherman acting out "loneliness" as Peanut’s widow, which included touching Weekend Update host Colin Jost with her tail and making suggestive comments.
The segment sparked reactions online, with many condemning it as insensitive. “This is horrible. Disgusting and in bad taste,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
This is horrible. Disgusting and in bad taste.
— Ryan Fiveland (@ryan5land) November 17, 2024
Others questioned the timing, with one user asking, “The owners of peanut are prob dealing with so much grief and anger. I feel so bad for them”
The owners of peanut are prob dealing with so much grief and anger. I feel so bad for them
— Kdrop (@Kdroppp) November 17, 2024
Peanut’s death gained attention in conservative circles, with many citing the incident as an example of government overreach.
The Trump campaign’s TikTok account called the euthanasia “a needless killing” carried out by “Democrat bureaucrats in New York.”
Longo, who remains vocal about the incident, expressed his anger toward those who reported Peanut to the authorities. “You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” Longo said. “To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.”
The controversy surrounding Peanut has fueled ongoing debates about government intervention, animal rights, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion.
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Just more evidence (as if anymore was needed) that SNL serves the Deep State.
Stop using the terms “euthanasia” and “euthanized.” Euthanasia is the deliberate taking of a life to end pain or suffering. P’Nut and Fred were not in pain. P’Nut and Fred were not suffering. P’Nut and Fred were killed.