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Television
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In its first new broadcast in six months, “Saturday Night Live” returned in October 2023 to a starkly serious world and to news developments seemingly impervious to any kind of comedic commentary. Pete Davidson, an “SNL” alumnus, served as an unexpectedly poignant spokesman.
Davidson opened by speaking directly to the audience about the Israel-Hamas War. “Sometimes comedy is really the only way forward through tragedy,” Davidson said. “My heart is with everyone whose lives have been destroyed this week. But tonight, I’m going to do what I’ve always done in the face of tragedy, and that’s try to be funny. Remember, I said ‘Try.’”
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He talked about how his father, a firefighter, had been killed in the 9/11 attacks. In the months that followed, he said, his mother sought to cheer him up by giving him what she thought was a Disney movie — but turned out to be the Eddie Murphy stand-up special “Delirious.” Though it may not have been ideal material for an 8-year-old, it made Davidson laugh.
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The episode also included a brief appearance by Taylor Swift, who was a running theme of the episode.