Saturday Night Live is under scrutiny after airing a ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ sketch similar to one released days earlier by BYUtv’s Studio C, sparking debate about originality and parallel thinking in TV comedy.
Controversy Over Comedy Sketches
Saturday Night Live is receiving criticism after viewers noticed strong similarities between its recent ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ parody and a sketch released just days earlier by BYUtv’s Studio C.
The Studio C sketch aired Monday, November 3, and featured MrBeast turning servants into household items, with a challenge requiring Belle to fall in love with him to reverse the spell. As reported by LateNighter, distinctive elements include a twist on the classic fairy tale with MrBeast as the main character.
On the November 8 episode, SNL featured its own ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ sketch. In this version, Ben Marshall portrayed MrBeast, stating, “I’m keeping her dad trapped in a dungeon for 30 days for a chance to win over $300,000. For every pound he loses, I’ll give a Tesla to a random stranger.”
Parallel Thinking or Plagiarism?
Studio C is a popular clean-comedy show based in Utah with over 2 billion YouTube views, and has previously welcomed SNL alumni like Will Forte and Kenan Thompson. However, its ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ sketch only appeared on YouTube after SNL aired, making direct copying unlikely. As with a previous debate around the ‘ChatGPTio’ sketch, the similarities may reflect parallel thinking rather than intentional plagiarism. For background, see the minor kerfuffle around the “ChatGPTio” sketch earlier this year on Yahoo.
Reactions and Official Statements
MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), the YouTuber parodied in both sketches, responded positively. “I didn’t know they were gonna talk about me but the second it aired my phone blew up haha,” Donaldson told Dexerto. “Thought it was funny.”
SNL’s History with ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Parodies
This isn’t the first time SNL has parodied Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’:
- Kristen Wiig and Gerard Butler previously performed a version in Season 35.
- Pete Davidson and Chloe Fineman played the characters during a Willem Dafoe episode three years ago, incorporating a magic mirror twist.
- Abby Elliott portrayed Belle in ‘The Real Housewives of Disney’ during Season 37.
Originality Debate and Audience Impact
While SNL can point to its long history of fairy tale spoofs, both shows releasing a ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ sketch in the same week has amplified scrutiny. For audiences, the discussion highlights the fine line between inspiration, parallel thinking, and original comedy content..
