When tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting occur, the world seems to stop as people grieve and struggle to grasp how something so evil could take place. But at some point, the world has to keep spinning and people must respectfully navigate the tricky transition back into the normal routines.
For a comedy show such as “Saturday Night Live,” that transition is especially challenging. People don’t feel like laughing following the massacre of children and their educators. And while the swirling debate over gun control was certainly ripe for a few jokes, emotions were already high and making fun of a sensitive topic would win SNL no points.
But with its cold open this weekend, SNL proved that it can handle a national tragedy with more grace, poise and compassion than most Americans — myself included — would likely give them credit for.
There were no crude jokes. There were no SNL actors impersonating celebrities or politicians. There were no wigs, costumes or elaborate sets.
There was just a choir of cherubic-faced children singing “Silent Night” in high-pitched voices.
And as the young choir members sang, it was impossible not to see in them the little ones who perished on Friday, children whose voices would never be heard again. It was impossible not to hear the symbolism in the words “sleep in heavenly peace,” as 20 tiny angels will grace this earth no more. It was impossible to keep the tears from streaming down my face.
As the song ended, the screen went black, only to light up moments later as the children announced the famous introduction phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
What a beautiful tribute. Thank you, SNL.
