NBC’s ‘SNL’ ‘Cruel’ Skit Mocking Tourette Syndrome Takes Heat

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has been widely criticized for poking fun at it Tourette syndromeA leading charity has called the attempted joke “never acceptable”.

The saga began after the BBC apologized last week after an audience member with Tourette’s syndrome used a racial slur during a broadcast of the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). John Davidson, who has Severe Tourette syndrome and was the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated biographical film “I Swear,” starring black actor Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were heard shouting the n-word while on stage.

NBC’s “SNL” tackled the test in a sketch Cut to timeWith celebrities such as Mel Gibson, Louis CK, Bill Cosby, Kanye West and Armie Hammer canceled or embroiled in scandal, their reaction-prompted events or comments claiming Tourette syndrome.

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has faced widespread criticism for poking fun at Tourette syndrome, even though the sketch appeared to be more aimed at troubled celebrities looking for scapegoats for their scandals.

The sketch also features Kenan Thompson as disgraced comedian Bill Cosby. (NBC/Screen shot)

Tourettes Action CEO Emma McNally, chief a Leading charity The sketch was blasted as “not acceptable” in an email to Deadline, dedicated to helping individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families.

“Making fun of a disability is never acceptable. It wouldn’t be tolerated for any other condition, and it shouldn’t be tolerated by people with Tourette’s,” McNally said. deadline.

“Tourette’s is a complex neurological condition, for which there is no cure. It’s not a joke. It’s not a personality trait. It’s not a source of entertainment. It’s a condition that can be very debilitating, causing pain isolation and massive discrimination,” she added. “Videos and posts that intentionally misrepresent or sensationalize set us back years. One video can undo years of progress our community has made to create greater awareness.”

Tourette syndrome is a Motor disorders Which, depending on the individual, manifests itself in various movements and vocal games.

Tourettes Action did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

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“SNL” featured Gibson, who has previously faced backlash Making anti-Semitic comments At the time of his arrest in 2006, he suggested that he had suffered from Tourette’s disease several years earlier.

“Hi, I’m Mel Gibson, and as I probably pointed out decades ago, I also suffer from Tourette’s, which explains a lot of the things I’ve said or shouted over the years,” cast member Andrew Dismukes began as Gibson. “Am I proud of what I said? No. But knowing it was because of Tourette’s makes me so proud of you. Fortunately, I’m not alone.”

John Davidson (left) has severe Tourette syndrome and was the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated biographical film “I Soar”. (Scott GarfiBAFTA via Getty Images)

Others who defended the sketch said it was more about mocking the celebrities than mocking the status quo. Interestingly, this show included the author of ‘Harry Potter’ JK Rowling Trying to blame Tourette for her stance on transgenderism has made her a pariah among progressives.

“SNL” also hit a community note when it shared the skit on Social media.

“John Davidson suffers from a very rare form of Tourette’s called coprolalia in which he involuntarily screams about the most offensive thing possible in a situation. This is a real illness and it is extremely inappropriate and cruel to mock it,” the community note said.

“Saturday Night Live” did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Some took to social media to slam the NBC show.

The BBC apologized after failing to remove profanity from BAFTA when the pre-taped show aired last month.

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