Woody Harrelsons Saturday Night Live Monologue Makes COVID Conspiracy Jokes

October 2024 · 5 minute read

Woody Harrelson is under fire for referencing his controversial stance on vaccination and the COVID-19 pandemic in his opening monologue of the Feb. 25 episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

The actor, who took to the stage for his fifth time as “SNL” host, proceeded to ramble off a story that all hinged around the “craziest script” he’s ever read. After several minutes of getting distracted talking about smoking weed, drinking and what kind of tree he was sitting under, the actor describes the aforementioned script.

“So the movie goes like this,” Harrelson explains. “The biggest drug cartels in the world get together and buy up all the media and all the politicians and force all the people in the world to stay locked in their homes. And people can only come out if they take the cartel’s drugs and keep taking them over and over.”

Related Stories

Photo collage of Lionsgate franchises The Hunger Games, Expendables, and Saw. VIP+

What Lionsgate’s Partnership Deal With Runway Means

Sabrina and Shaboozey

Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song' Makes It to 13 Weeks at No. 1; Sabrina Carpenter's Trio of Hits Keep Making Chart History

“I threw the script away,” Harrelson continued. “I mean, who was going to believe that crazy idea? Being forced to do drugs? I do that voluntarily all day.”

Popular on Variety

A few online viewers took to Twitter shortly after the live broadcast, torching the sketch show for airing the monologue: “Thank you, @nbcsnl, for Woody Harrelson’s insipid anti-vax monologue,” producer Lee Goldberg posted. “Who are going to have guest host next week, Scott Adams?”

https://twitter.com/LeeGoldberg/status/1629726765630496768?s=20

Comedian and podcast host Ashley Ray questioned whether this was planned out or off the cuff.

rant makes it sound like he did it randomly without permission when this definitely sounds like a thing that was written and on cue cards https://t.co/4HypS2ulLk

— ashley ray🍦stream ice cream money (@theashleyray) February 26, 2023

The “Champions” star has previously been pinned to a slew of conspiracy theories related to the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with Vanity Fair he called the mask-wearing “absurd” and explained that he hasn’t gotten COVID because he’s “internally clean.” He also posted (and later deleted) an Instagram post that accused the 5G networks for spreading COVID.

In the past, “Saturday Night Live” has been publicly COVID-conscious, choosing to film out the quarantined season from inside their cast member’s homes. “SNL at Home” was even hosted by Tom Hanks, who coined the five-timers club term, another joke Harrelson told throughout his hosting gig. And when they returned to 30 Rock, several cast members opted to film their opening credits sequence with a mask.

In spite of his remarks, Harrelson was honored with his “SNL” Five Timers Club jacket at the end of the episode, presented to him by frequent host and two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson.

Read More About:

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN%2Fjq2taKaVrMBww86om7JlmJa%2Fs7HLrKanZaOWwba%2Bw5qwZqaZnLW1ecuirZ5lnaS7sLjOoKyeZZOkw6qwjJymp6ugnr%2Bir9hmaGtrZWqAd3yXa2Y%3D