Hegseth, Vance, And Rubio: SNL's Hilarious Take On Gen Z Group Chats

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 18, 2025

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The Sketch's Premise: A Gen Z Group Chat Gone Wrong

The sketch's setup is deceptively simple: Tucker Carlson, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio are inexplicably added to a Gen Z group chat. The initial comedic dissonance arises from the stark contrast between their typically serious, formal political personas and the fast-paced, slang-filled world of Gen Z online communication. The humor is derived from their utter inability to navigate this new territory.

• Ironic Emojis and Misunderstood Slang: The sketch masterfully uses ironic emojis and Gen Z slang, which the trio consistently misinterprets, leading to hilarious misunderstandings. For example, a simple "💀" (skull emoji) is met with confused reactions and frantic attempts at deciphering its meaning.
• Failed Attempts at Relating: Their attempts to relate to Gen Z humor fall spectacularly flat. Their attempts at using slang terms like "sus" or "yeet" feel forced and out of place, highlighting the generational gap in a comedic way.
• Confusion Over Abbreviations and Trends: The trio's confusion over common Gen Z abbreviations and online trends forms a significant part of the sketch's comedic core. Their reactions to acronyms, inside jokes, and trending challenges are both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny.

Why the SNL Sketch Resonated: A Cultural Commentary

The SNL Gen Z Group Chat sketch resonated so deeply because it served as a satirical commentary on the generational gap within political discourse. It brilliantly highlights the disconnect between older generations and Gen Z's unique online culture.

• Unexpected Juxtaposition: The humor stems from the unexpected juxtaposition of serious political figures with lighthearted online interactions. This contrast creates a comedic tension that keeps the audience engaged.
• Social Commentary on Polarization: The sketch subtly comments on political polarization and the differing communication styles between generations. The inability of the three figures to understand Gen Z's communication style mirrors the larger difficulty in bridging the gap between differing political viewpoints.
• Reflecting Broader Cultural Conversations: The sketch taps into a broader cultural conversation surrounding generational divides, highlighting the communication challenges and misunderstandings that can arise from these differences. This relatability contributed significantly to its widespread appeal.

Analyzing the Comedic Elements: SNL's Writing and Performance

The sketch's success lies not only in its premise but also in the sharp comedic writing and the actors' exceptional performances. The writers expertly crafted witty dialogue and punchlines that landed perfectly.

• Witty Dialogue and Timing: Specific examples of witty dialogue include the trio's attempts to decipher Gen Z slang, their confused reactions to memes, and their hilariously inept attempts to participate in the conversation. The comedic timing was impeccable, enhancing the impact of each joke.
• Embodying Confusion and Bewilderment: The actors' performances were key to the sketch's success. They flawlessly embodied the characters' confusion and bewilderment, making their reactions genuine and relatable. The physical comedy added another layer of humor.
• Physical Comedy and Visual Gags: The use of physical comedy and visual gags further enhanced the humor, adding another layer of comedic depth to the sketch. These elements made the sketch more visually appealing and engaging for viewers.

The Viral Impact: Social Media Reactions and Memes

The SNL Gen Z Group Chat sketch quickly went viral, generating significant buzz across social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. The sketch spawned countless memes and other forms of user-generated content.

• Trending Hashtags and Tweets: Hashtags like #SNLGenZGroupChat and #SNL immediately trended, showcasing the sketch's massive online reach. Thousands of tweets and social media posts discussed the sketch, analyzing its humor and commenting on its cultural relevance.
• Memes and GIFs: Numerous memes and GIFs emerged from the sketch, capturing the most hilarious moments and turning them into shareable content. These visual representations of the sketch's humor further amplified its online presence.
• Positive Online Engagement: The overall online engagement was overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the sketch's creativity, humor, and social commentary. The positive reception solidified the sketch's status as a memorable cultural moment.

Conclusion

Saturday Night Live's "Gen Z Group Chat" sketch starring Hegseth, Vance, and Rubio was a resounding success due to its clever writing, strong performances, and poignant commentary on generational differences and political discourse. The sketch's viral impact further solidifies its status as a cultural moment, showcasing the power of humor to bridge – or at least highlight – the divides within society.

Call to Action: Want to relive the hilarious chaos of this iconic SNL "SNL Gen Z Group Chat" sketch? Search online for clips and join the conversation! Share your favorite moments from the sketch using #SNLGenZGroupChat and let us know what you thought!