Dobby the House Elf “Defends” J.K. Rowling
In a segment that balanced humor and controversy, Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update addressed J.K. Rowling’s polarizing stance on transgender rights. Michael Che opened with a sharp observation: “J.K. Rowling is back in the news for her views on trans people, and honestly, it’s getting harder to separate the author from the controversy. At this point, even Hogwarts is like, ‘We’re just a school, we don’t want to be involved in this.’”
The highlight of the segment was the surprise appearance of Dobby the House Elf, portrayed by an actor in a CGI-enhanced costume. Waving a sock, Dobby declared, “Dobby is here to defend J.K. Rowling! Dobby believes in free speech, even if it’s speech that makes Dobby very, very uncomfortable.” The character’s clever nod to Harry Potter lore—quoting Hermione’s iconic line, “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself”—drew both laughter and applause, while underscoring the discomfort many fans feel about Rowling’s comments.
Colin Jost’s Take on ‘AI Harvey Weinstein’
Colin Jost shifted the focus to Hollywood’s AI debate, referencing actress Tilly Norwood’s claim of being harassed by an AI version of Harvey Weinstein. Jost quipped, “Apparently, the algorithm learned from the real Weinstein’s behavior and started sending creepy emails to actresses. So now, even the AI is problematic. It’s like, can we just have one thing that doesn’t turn into a scandal?”
The joke, while humorous, highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding AI in the entertainment industry, particularly in light of the SAG-AFTRA strike. As studios explore AI-driven content and digital replicas of actors, the potential for misuse remains a pressing issue.
Dobby’s Final Words
The segment wrapped up with Dobby offering a closing thought: “Dobby thinks everyone should be kind and respectful, even if they don’t agree. And remember, Dobby is a free elf—so Dobby doesn’t have to take sides in this mess.”
SNL’s Timely Satire
As always, SNL used humor to tackle complex and divisive topics, blending sharp wit with cultural commentary. Whether through a fictional house elf defending a controversial author or a joke about the darker side of technology, SNL continues to be a mirror to the absurdities of modern life.
