Pete Davidson delivered an opening monologue on “Saturday Night Light” that left viewers with chills as he addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The 29-year-old touched upon his own childhood tragedy to connect with the unfortunate events happening in the world right now.
Pete Davidson Opens ‘SNL’, Leaving Viewers Speechless
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To open the show, comedian Pete Davidson brought up the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including the unfortunate events happening to Israeli children. But, of course, Davidson did what he does best, and brought a bit of comedy into it while touching on the sensitive subject.
“This week we saw the horrible images and stories from Israel and Gaza, and I know what you’re thinking, who better to comment on it than Pete Davidson?,” prompting the crowd to chuckle.
Davidson then brought up his own childhood trauma — losing his dad to a terrorist attack when he was just 7 years old.
“In a lot of ways, I am a good person to talk about it because when I was 7 years old, my dad was killed in a terrorist attack,” Davidson said. “So, I know something about what that’s like.”
Pete Davidson’ SNL opening was perfect. pic.twitter.com/dqDqJMLQhw
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) October 15, 2023
“I saw so many terrible pictures this week of children suffering, and it took me back to a really horrible, horrible place,” Davidson added. “No one in this world deserves to suffer, especially not kids.”
Pete Davidson Shares Emotional Childhood Story On ‘SNL’
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After his dad died, Davidson remembers his mom trying “pretty much everything to try and cheer me up”. When he was 8 years old, Davidson said his mom thought she was handing her son a Disney movie, but she really handed him Eddie Murphy’s standup skit, “Delirious”.
During his opening monologue, Pete Davidson went on to share the story. “We played it in the car on the way home and when she heard the things Eddie Murphy was saying she tried to take it away, but then she noticed something. For the first time in a long time, I was laughing again.”
“I don’t understand it – I really don’t and I never will – but 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.” After a dramatic pause, Davidson then got the crowd laughing when he added, “Remember, I said try.”
Pete Davidson’s ‘SNL’ Monologue Was ‘Perfect’
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Fans immediately took to social media to share how “perfect” Pete Davidson‘s “Saturday Night Live” opener was.
“Pete Davidson’s SNL monologue was empathetic and accountable, blending humor with emotion. He called for more solidarity and compassion in the world,” one X user wrote.
Another viewer expressed, “This one is such a lit! Made to perfection! you always rock, SNL!”
As one X user wrote, “That was powerful. Raw. Real. Perfectly delivered. I’m not a big Pete Davidson guy, but this was incredibly well done. He didn’t take sides, he empathized with ALL innocent lives affected.”