By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-21 15:26:02 | Updated at 2024-10-21 20:45:30
5 hours ago
Viewers have slammed Saturday Night Live for a controversial skit on the resurging cultural fascination with the Menendez brothers - calling it 'disgusting' and 'highly inappropriate.'
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for brutally murdering their parents José and Kitty in what they claim was self-defense after suffering lifelong sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
The brothers have become the subject of a recent Netflix series and documentary, plus the latest social media movement to free them from prison supported by the likes of Kim Kardashian.
A Weekend Update skit that was cut from the live show for time, but posted online, featured Marcello Hernández and Michael Longfellow dressed as doctors for Halloween - but they revealed they kept getting mistaken for the Menendez brothers.
'We thought people would see two doctors and start banging pots and pans together for us, like during the pandemic,' Longfellow said.
Michael Longfellow (left) and Marcello Hernández (right) dressed as doctors for Halloween but revealed they keep getting mistaken for the Menendez brothers
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for brutally murdering their parents José and Kitty
'Instead, people keep yelling things like, "You're innocent!" and "You're so hot,"' Hernández said. 'The Netflix show and the TikTok have made the Menendez brothers sex symbols.'
'We’ve been straight-up telling women we are the Menendez brothers.'
The skit caused a social media firestorm with my many criticizing SNL for making fun of what they say is a highly sensitive case.
'Yes, @nbcsnl. Two boys enduring rape and abuse from their dad while their mom stood knowingly by (and added to their suffering), only for them to murder their parents to escape one hell and end up in another—what a knee slapper,' one person said.
'HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE!!!! @nbcsnl you should be ashamed of yourselves. This isn't a joking matter at all,' added another.
The brothers claim they acted in self-defense after suffering lifelong sexual abuse at their hands of their father
Others were outraged that the show continues to mock the brothers, referencing a previous skit about their trial from 1993.
'SNL y'all are disgraceful like why do y'all keep bringing up the Menendez brothers,' one person said.
'SNL mocking the Menendez brothers in the year 2024….. give it up already,' a second person said.
Some said SNL should be ashamed for claiming the public interest in their case is because the brothers are attractive.
'SNL chopping up the free the Menendez brothers movement to "women just find them hot" is so gross and untrue and inappropriate these are VICTIMS these are SURVIVORS of some of the most horrific child abuse you could think of this is not something to joke about,' one person said.
'SNL describing the Menendez brothers as 'sex symbols' is absolutely vile. Disregarding the years of sexual abuse from their own parents by sexualizing them more for the sake of "comedy" wtffff,' another person said.
'SNL calling the Menendez brothers "sex symbols" has to be the most diabolical s**t I've ever heard,' a third person said.
Erik, now 53, and his 56-year-old brother, Lyle, are currently incarcerated in state prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón said there is no question the brothers committed the 1989 murders, but his office will be reviewing new evidence and will make a decision on whether a resentencing is warranted in the notorious case that captured national attention.
