I’m only saying this because it’s true: I can’t stand celeb gossip, haven’t followed the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard defamation trial, and couldn’t possibly tell you how much of this Saturday Night Live cold open riff on the court proceedings lines up with reality.
There’s no question, however, that SNL has a very specific opinion about the trial and the news-consuming community’s interest in said trial: It’s stupid fluff. Cecily Strong, garbed in judicial robes and made up to look like Judge Penney Azcarate articulates the message perfectly in the sketch as she strikes down an objection to Depp’s lawyer (Aidy Bryant) submitting gross new video evidence.
“That’s true, but I’ll allow it,” Strong says as she overrules the objection. “Because it does sound fun and this trial is for fun.”
And hey, there’s some truth to that. The gossip stuff ain’t my thing, but we’re being assaulted every day by all shapes and sizes of grim news, including the COVID-19 pandemic, surging systemic bigotry in the U.S., and deeply unpopular efforts to legislate every birth-capable person’s freedom of choice. Dark times. I might not dig the gossip myself, but if feasting on a banquet of hot goss delivered straight from the courtroom is making your days just a little bit easier, then go off.
