SNL Cold Open: Hegseth, Vance, And Rubio's Hilarious High School Group Chat

Kenji Nakamura

5 min read

Post on May 18, 2025

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The Setup: A Hilariously Inauthentic Group Chat

The SNL skit opens with a familiar scene: a teenager's phone screen displaying a group chat titled "Bros." The characters—Davidson portraying a surprisingly astute high school version of Carlson, alongside equally awkward portrayals of Vance and Rubio—are introduced through their hilariously inauthentic online personas. The immediate comedic effect stems from the jarring contrast between their polished public images and their portrayed teenage selves.

• Outdated Slang and Internet Lingo: The script masterfully employs outdated teen slang and internet lingo, adding another layer of comedic irony. Terms like "cray-cray" and references to early 2000s internet culture clash hilariously with their serious political personas. This use of Millennial humor broadened the sketch's appeal beyond just political junkies.
• Contrasting Personalities: The setup brilliantly contrasts the politicians' carefully crafted public personas with their awkward, insecure high school counterparts. This juxtaposition immediately establishes the comedic premise and sets the stage for the satirical jabs to come.
• Effective Tone Setting: The initial scene’s success lies in its simplicity and immediate comedic impact. By showcasing the inherent absurdity of these figures in a relatable teenage context, the sketch flawlessly sets a lighthearted, yet pointedly satirical tone.

The Jokes: Targeting Political Personalities and Ideologies

The humor in the SNL cold open stems from its precise targeting of specific political personalities and ideologies. The scriptwriters cleverly employ irony and sarcasm to highlight the inconsistencies and hypocrisies often associated with these figures.

• Targeted Satire: Specific jokes target Tucker Carlson's often inflammatory rhetoric, J.D. Vance's perceived transformation from author to politician, and Marco Rubio's past political gaffes. These targeted jabs resonate with viewers familiar with the individuals' public personas.
• Irony and Sarcasm: The sketch's effectiveness relies heavily on irony and sarcasm. The seemingly earnest pronouncements from the high school versions of these figures, juxtaposed with their real-life political actions, create a potent comedic effect.
• Satirizing Ideologies: Beyond individual personalities, the sketch satirizes broader political ideologies and the often-inconsistent messaging from certain factions of the Republican party. This broader commentary expands the sketch's relevance and impact.
• Recurring Themes: The recurring theme of performative masculinity and the inherent awkwardness of trying to maintain a consistent public image adds another layer of depth and comedic resonance to the skit.

The Viral Impact: Social Media Reactions and Memes

The SNL cold open quickly went viral, generating significant buzz across various social media platforms. This widespread popularity is a testament to the sketch's comedic brilliance and its ability to tap into current cultural conversations.

• Widespread Social Media Sharing: The sketch sparked a wave of shares, retweets, and comments across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The use of readily shareable content—short clips, memorable lines—contributed to its rapid dissemination.
• Meme Culture: The sketch generated numerous memes, with specific lines and moments quickly becoming iconic parts of online culture. These memes further propelled its reach and solidified its position in contemporary internet humor.
• Mixed Public Response: While largely positive, the public response was mixed, highlighting the inherently polarizing nature of political satire. However, even negative responses often engaged with the sketch, indicating its impact and relevance.
• Political Discourse: The sketch contributed significantly to the ongoing discourse surrounding political satire and its role in contemporary society. It prompted conversations about the use of comedy to critique political figures and ideologies.

Pete Davidson's Performance: Carrying the Sketch's Success

Pete Davidson's performance is arguably the central pillar of the sketch's success. His ability to embody the essence of each politician, while maintaining a consistent comedic tone, is remarkable.

• Comedic Timing and Character Embodiment: Davidson’s comedic timing is impeccable, delivering each line with the perfect blend of sincerity and absurdity. He successfully captures the nuances of each character's persona without resorting to mere imitation.
• Capturing the Essence: Davidson brilliantly captures the subtle mannerisms and vocal inflections of each politician, making the impersonations both accurate and hilariously exaggerated.
• Standout Moments: Several specific moments within the sketch, like the group chat's reactions to a shared picture or the discussions of their political aspirations, showcase Davidson's comedic prowess and range.
• Comparison to Other SNL Portrayals: Compared to previous SNL portrayals of these figures, Davidson’s performance stands out for its nuanced approach and ability to find humor in the everyday aspects of their personalities, rather than simply relying on broad stereotypes.

Conclusion

The SNL cold open featuring a high school group chat with Hegseth, Vance, and Rubio was a resounding success. It leveraged the power of political satire, relatable humor, and a stellar performance from Pete Davidson to generate significant online buzz and solidify its place in SNL history. The sketch's effectiveness in critiquing political figures and ideologies, while simultaneously entertaining a wide audience, is a testament to the enduring power of political comedy.

Call to Action: Want to relive the hilarity? Search for "SNL Cold Open: Hegseth, Vance, and Rubio" online to watch the full sketch and join the ongoing discussion about this viral moment of political satire! Share your thoughts on this and other memorable SNL Cold Opens in the comments below!