“Saturday Night Live” Is Facing Intense Backlash For Its “Insensitive” Parody Of The Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Defamation Trial
Ellen Durney
7 min read
“This is just a perfect example of how this case is being treated like entertainment and not a domestic violence case … People are treating this like it’s the super bowl, something to fangirl over.”
“Saturday Night Live” Is Facing Intense Backlash For Its “Insensitive” Parody Of The Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Defamation Trial
Saturday Night Live is facing a ton of backlash for a recent sketch that appeared to make light of the ongoing defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
Daniele Venturelli / WireImageAt no point in the article did Heard ever name Depp specifically; however — given that she had previously accused him of being “verbally and physically abusive” after their porce in 2016 — Depp’s attorneys said that she indirectly framed him as an abuser and damaged his career as a result.
John Phillips / UK Press via Getty ImagesThe $50 million defamation lawsuit was filed in 2019 in Virginia — where the Washington Post is physically published — with Depp saying that Heard’s allegations are completely false. In the legal filing, Depp’s team said the claims are part of an “elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career,” adding that she “is not a victim of domestic abuse,” but a “perpetrator.”
John PhillipsIn response, Heard then filed a $100 million defamation counterclaim of her own — which brings us to this year, where the trial officially got underway in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 11, with every moment being broadcast live across the world.
Jonathan Ernst / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAs Depp and Heard gave separate testimonies over the course of the past month, both parties described in detail instances of alleged abuse against the other.
Elizabeth Frantz / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSaying that she “has a need for violence,” Depp alleged in court that Heard severed his finger with a glass vodka bottle during an altercation in 2015. Days later, Heard took to the stand and recounted multiple instances of physical and sexual abuse, testifying that she thought Depp was joking the first time he hit her.
Steve Helber / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesA clinical psychologist and marriage counselor who worked with the former couple also testified that they engaged in “mutual abuse,” though this term has garnered criticism online for failing to recognize bullying and inherent power imbalances.
Jim Lo Scalzo / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesHowever, as the trial played out both in court and across TV screens and social media outlets, Depp’s claim that Heard once defecated on their bed as a form of revenge attracted an overwhelming amount of attention.
Jason Merritt / Getty ImagesDuring his testimony, Depp alleged that “fecal matter” was found on his side of the bed after he told Heard that he was leaving her. He claims that the dispute was prompted by an argument that came after a dinner party for Heard’s 30th birthday on April 21, 2016.
Jim Watson / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesRecounting the incident, the actor said that his security guard, Sean Bett, sent him a photograph of his and Heard’s bed after he had suggested going back to their home to get some of his belongings.
Evelyn Hockstein / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesHe says that Heard tried to “blame it on the dogs,” which he said was untrue.
Jim Lo Scalzo / POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAnd though the alleged incident has not been confirmed, the public quickly latched onto Depp’s claim, with jokes revolving around “Amber Turd” and #MePoo trending across social media for days.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty ImagesSo much so, in fact, the discussion eventually prompted an entire sketch on Saturday Night Live.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesThe sketch show’s most recent episode — fronted by guest host Selena Gomez — tackled the ongoing courtroom battle, parodying Depp’s testimony and his claims that Heard defecated in their bed.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesThe sketch opens with Kate McKinnon as an MSNBC reporter who introduces coverage of the “Johnny Depp / Amber Heard Cuckoo Trial.”
youtu.be“With all the problems in the world, isn’t it nice to have a news story we can all collectively watch and say, ‘Glad it ain’t me?’” she announces, before the scene moves into the courtroom.
youtu.beSeated at the witness stand, Kyle Mooney impersonates Depp as he is questioned by his lawyer, played by Aidy Bryant. The lawyer presents new video evidence to the court, depicting Depp’s house staff discovering the “fecal matter.”
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesWhen the evidence is objected to, Cecily Strong as the judge appears to comment on the unprecedented social media response to the case, responding: “I’ll allow it, because it does sound fun — and this trial is for fun.”
youtu.beThe camera then cuts to a clip of Kenan Thompson as Depp’s property manager stumbling upon the “dookie,” looking around and saying, “Damn, it smell like boo-boo in here!” He also makes reference to the alleged 2015 incident when Depp’s finger was severed, adding: “You know she cut that joker’s finger off? If I’m lying, I’m flying.”
youtu.beJumping back to the courtroom scene, the video evidence is objected to once again, prompting Cecily’s judge to say she’d like to continue watching the footage “because it’s funny.”
youtu.beKenan’s character is later joined by three other members of house staff — played by Ego Nwodim, Melissa Villaseñor, and Chris Redd — while they continue to speculate about who left the mess, take pictures, and compare it to the poop emoji.
Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesBack on the witness stand, Kyle as Depp is asked if he is finding the case “amusing,” to which he responds with a laugh: “A little, yes.”
youtu.beCeciliy’s judge then pulls out a glass of wine and replies, “so am I,” adding: “You’re bad, Captain Jack.”
youtu.beAnd after the house staff then joke about how much they “hate” their jobs, the judge concludes by saying: “I believe Mr. Depp’s story. But on the other hand, your constant little smirk lets me know this is not the first woman you’ve made so mad, she pooped in your bed.”
youtu.beKyle as Depp then closes the sketch, replying: “I guess I have been known to be a full nightmare,” before the full cast leaps into frame and bursts into their usual “Live from New York” introduction.
youtu.beThough the court case has been going on for over a month now, this marks the first time that SNL has attempted to parody Depp and Heard’s ongoing defamation suit. And, as was perhaps to be expected, the sketch didn’t go down all that well with viewers.
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Jim Watson / POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“@nbcsnl so y’all saw a case involving testimonies about domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual assault, emotional trauma, mental illness, and medical emergencies including people losing actual body parts… and your first thought was ‘this would be a funny sketch for our comedy show!’” one person tweeted.
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blockquote> 
Jim Lo Scalzo / POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“Regardless of your thoughts on amber/johnny, making an SNL skit out of an ongoing domestic violence trial is weird as hell and does nothing to support victims of violence,” someone said.
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blockquote> 
Jim Lo Scalzo / POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Elsewhere, TikTok creators have even turned audio clips from the testimonies into trending soundbites, garnering huge audiences and widespread criticism.
@papayaho.cat IB:@?????? + ?????? #johnnydepp#amberheard#cat
♬ original sound – Johnny Depp
Overall, a lot of SNL viewers felt that the writers’ handling of such sensitive and often triggering subject matter was indicative of the wider public response to the trial, which many feel has been sensationalized and treated similarly to a reality show drama or sporting event.
Steve Helber / POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“The grotesque SNL skit ‘parodying’ the Depp v heard trial is a direct result of the behavior of Depp supporters on the internet,” someone wrote, referring to the outpouring of support for Johnny in the earlier weeks of the trial. “This phenomenon of openly mocking & sensationalising domestic violence & s*xual assault on social media is bleeding into every cultural space possible.”
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blockquote> 
Paul Morigi / Getty Images
“I realize we have much bigger fish to fry today, but SNL’s cold open made fun of the Depp/Heard defamation trial and it repeated false claims that Heard cut off Depp’s finger and defecated in his bed. The premise of the sketch was that the trial is ‘fun’ and for public amusement,” they wrote.
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blockquote> 
Paul Morigi / Getty Images
“This is just a perfect example of how this case is being treated like entertainment and not a domestic violence case,” they added. “This case absolutely never should’ve been available for public viewing. People are treating this like it’s the super bowl, something to fangirl over.”
simone! @parasocialyte this is just a perfect example of how this case is being treated like entertainment and not a domestic violence case. this case absolutely never should’ve been available for public viewing. people are treating this like it’s the super bowl, something to fangirl over. https://t.co/4W1Ga8zGjo
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simone! @parasocialyte this is just a perfect example of how this case is being treated like entertainment and not a domestic violence case. this case absolutely never should’ve been available for public viewing. people are treating this like it’s the super bowl, something to fangirl over. https://t.co/4W1Ga8zGjoBuzzFeed News has reached out to a representative for NBC and SNL for comment.
- All Rise, The TikTok Courtroom Of Amber Heard And Johnny Depp Is Now In SessionIkran Dahir · April 29, 2022
- TikTok Creators Think The Viral Audio Of Amber Heard Describing Johnny Depp’s Domestic Abuse Is “Funny” But Survivors Aren’t LaughingNatasha Jokic · May 13, 2022
- Amber Heard Described The First Time Johnny Depp Allegedly Hit Her As She Testified About The Abusive RelationshipPaige Skinner · May 4, 2022
Ellen Durney is a Celebrity News Fellow for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.
Contact Ellen Durney at [email protected].
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