What is the joke in “Sidney Applebaum” on SNL?
Sidney Applebaum is a Jewish American accountant born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He is best known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live, where he is often the target of jokes about his intelligence and appearance.
The “Sidney Applebaum” sketch from Saturday Night Live features a comedic bit where a character named Sidney Applebaum, played by Billy Crystal, repeatedly mispronounces his name in humorous ways, leading to confusion and laughter. The joke centers around the absurdity of the situation and the exaggerated reactions from the other characters as they struggle to understand or react to his mispronunciations.
The sketch plays with wordplay and the idea of mistaken identity, which is a classic trope in comedy. It’s a good example of how SNL often combines character-driven humor with clever wordplay. For the reasons mentioned, it’s funny about the inside joke between Hader and John Mulaney, but the audience is not laughing at that, right? They need to learn about the back story.
The reason the joke works is twofold.
- Irony: The audience is set up by the Blackula comment, so they are ready for the Jewish Dracula to have, possibly, a cool-sounding name, but it turns out to be a lame, unmistakable, and ordinary-sounding Jewish name. Also, people tend to stereotype Jewish people as conservative and sensible. It also makes the joke funny, at least in my mind.
- Also, the crowd loves it when Bill Hader breaks character and starts laughing uncontrollably. Hader has a reputation on the show for being fairly easy to break.
Regardless, Hader and Mulaney are comedic geniuses and had a great run with this character, Stefon. Hopefully, they don’t ruin it by trying to make a Stefon movie.
What is the joke in “Sidney Applebaum” on SNL?
Sidney Applebaum is a character from the Woody Allen movie, ‘Love and Death.’ In the movie, the character says:
They call me mad, but one day, when the history of France is written, they will mark my name well… Sidney Applebaum!
The humor in this comes from the contradiction between a person’s history and the lameness of the name.
As explained in this Daily Beast interview:
Bill Hader Is Sad to Leave ‘Saturday Night Live (and Stefon) Behind
The Jewish Dracula named Sidney Applebaum made me laugh hard, not because that’s such a funny joke of that name. Still, that name is from one of our favorite jokes in the Woody Allen movie Love and Death, where a guy talks about how history will mark his name, Sidney Applebaum, and it’s just the lamest name. It just made us laugh. So it was all very personal.
Sid Applebaum
Sidney “Sid” Applebaum was a co-founder of Rainbow Foods and an American businessman.
- Saint Paul, Minnesota, February 28, 1924
- Minnetonka, Minnesota, August 6, 2016
- Lorraine Applebaum (m. 1946–2016) was his wife.
- Nancy Rosenberg, Jay Applebaum, and Ellen Saffron are the children.
- Oscar and Bertha Applebaum are Oscar and Bertha Applebaum’s parents.
What is the joke in ‘Sidney Applebaum’ on SNL?
It’s just one of those wonderful nonsequiturs for which Allen’s films are known. Bill Hader knows only a portion of the script going into it, and the rest is a surprise (as seen by his frequent chuckle breaks.)
As a comedian, this would have undoubtedly struck him as hilarious, and the audience laughed because some recognized the movie line and understood it or knew they were supposed to.
“Sidney Applebaum” is a sketch that appeared on the television show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). The joke of the sketch revolves around the character of Sidney Applebaum, a man with a unique and difficult-to-pronounce last name.
In the sketch, the character of Sidney Applebaum is introduced as a man constantly correcting people on the proper pronunciation of his last name. Despite his efforts, however, no one can get it right, leading to mispronunciations and comedic misunderstandings.
The humor in the sketch comes from the situation’s absurdity and the character’s persistence in correcting people despite their repeated mispronunciations. The joke also discusses the difficulties and frustrations of having a unique or difficult-to-pronounce name.
Overall, the “Sidney Applebaum” sketch is a lighthearted and comedic take on a common and relatable experience, and its humor is derived from the character’s misadventures and the difficulties he faces due to his unique name.
The reason the joke works is two-fold.
Irony: Because of the Blackula remark, the audience expects the Jewish Dracula to have a cool-sounding name, but it turns out to be a lame, exact, and ordinary-sounding Jewish name. Furthermore, Jewish people are often stereotyped as conservative and sensible. It also adds to the joke’s humor.
Irony: Because of the Blackula remark, the audience expects the Jewish Dracula to have a cool-sounding name, but it turns out to be a lame, exact, and ordinary-sounding Jewish name. Furthermore, Jewish people are often stereotyped as conservative and sensible. It also adds to the joke’s humor.
It is based on a line from the old Woody Allen comedy “Love and Death,” where a French general talks about how his victory will cause the whole world to remember his name, “Sidney Applebaum.”
It’s funny for the reasons mentioned about the inside joke between Hader and John Mulaney, but the audience is not laughing at that. They have no clue about the back story. It’s just one of those beautiful nonsequiturs that make Allen’s movies great.
As for Stefan, Bill Hader only knows a chunk of the script going into it, and the rest is a surprise (as seen by his frequent chuckle breaks.)
As a comedian, undoubtedly, this would have struck him as hilarious, and as for the audience, they were laughing either because some of them knew the movie line and they got it or because they knew they were supposed to.
Is SNL supposed to be funny? How does a team of “comedians” fail so badly? It’s amazing how terrible the skits are.
Since the early 1980s, SNL has had recurring disconnects between the writers and performers. Don’t forget for one moment that most of the performing cast of the show don’t write their material. One of the reasons for this is that writers at SNL are also mini-producers.
They oversee the creation of sets, costumes, props, and make-up for their sketches. Most other shows would have a separate team of producers responsible for this detail. As a performer trying to get your ducks in a row, you might not have time for all this.
One of the reasons most performers tend to have their breakout moment on “Update” rather than in a sketch is that performers are permitted to write their material for Update (they don’t get a writing credit for that – you have to write dialogue to get that).
This year, Michael Longfellow, one of the new featured players, has been given small speaking parts in sketches. However, his Update segment about being a liberal kid of Trump supporters had me rolling on the floor.
So, the problem might be that the writers don’t want to start writing notable parts for the new kids and would instead stick to writing for Keenan Thompson. Writers love Thompson (even though fans are lukewarm) because they know his facial expressions can save a sketch (a common stage direction in SNL sketches is “Keenan reacts”).
What is the joke in “Sidney Applebaum” on SNL?
The show went through the same problem in the early 1980s, where Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy were getting massive numbers of sketches, but no one else was. Consider this: SNL writers ignored Gilbert Gottfried and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, now comedy legends. But they’re in good company.
There was only one good Robert Downey sketch on the show when they wrote a police character who gave the normal diatribe against drug use but mirrored Downey’s well-publicized drug problems. It was ultra-hilarious, and Downey was brilliant.
So blame Colin Jost. He’s still the head writer. Mind you, he has no say in hiring writing talent; that’s still Lorne Michael’s job.
The “Sidney Applebaum” sketch on Saturday Night Live is a parody of a fictional game show called “What’s My Name?”.
In the sketch, the contestants are asked to guess a person’s name described through a series of humorous and increasingly absurd clues. The joke’s punchline reveals the person’s name: Sidney Applebaum.
The name is meant to be humorous because it is a stereotypically Jewish name, and the character is described in ways that are stereotypical of Jewish people, such as being a businessman who is good at haggling and having an overbearing mother.
The sketch is a play on Jewish stereotypes and how Jewish people have been portrayed in popular culture. The character of Sidney Applebaum is a humorous exaggeration of these stereotypes, and the way that the clues build up to the reveal of his name is meant to be a commentary on how Jewish people are often reduced to a series of stereotypes rather than seen as individuals.
The sketch is also a commentary on the idea of a game show where people are asked to guess someone’s name based on a series of clues. The absurdity of the clues and the fact that the character’s name is only revealed at the end of the sketch is meant to highlight the superficiality of this kind of game show and how people are often judged based on superficial characteristics rather than their true selves.
The “Sidney Applebaum” sketch is a humorous commentary on Jewish stereotypes and the superficiality of game shows. It uses absurdity and exaggeration to make its point and is meant to be enjoyed as a comedic sketch rather than taken too seriously.
How do I send a joke idea to Saturday Night Live for the SNL News segment? It’s timely now and would not last through the mail submission system.
Originally Answered: How do I send a joke idea to SNL for the SNL News segment? It’s timely now and would not last through the mail submission system.
How do I send a joke idea to SNL for the SNL News segment? It’s timely now and would not last through the mail submission system.
You don’t.
They want something other than your idea. They want to avoid having even the remotest contact with your idea.
Friends do not want to be accused of “stealing” your ideas or the ideas of others. They employ a staff of writers whose content belongs to the show by law and want to avoid exposure to outside suggestions or ideas from amateur joke writers.
It is very common in writing: shows do not accept unsolicited material (stuff they didn’t ask you to write).
Why are Israelis upset over Michael Che’s joke on SNL?
Michael Che faced backlash for a joke he made on Saturday Night Live that was perceived as offensive to Israelis and those affected by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The joke referenced the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, and many felt it trivialized serious issues and suffering.
Critics argued that such humor can contribute to misunderstanding and insensitivity around complex geopolitical situations. This highlights the delicate balance comedians must navigate when addressing sensitive topics, particularly in a public forum like SNL.
It’s not just Israelis that are upset; it’s Jews worldwide. Why? Firstly, it’s a lie; Israel has been vaccinating all its populace, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or whatever; they don’t do a religion check before vaccinating.
The next and bigger issue is that it ties into a blood libel of centuries, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Jews. In this case, the libel that Jews use is a disease to kill others. Yes, Jews are sensitive to people using lies and attacks based on blood libels that have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews over the centuries.
Is Saturday Night Live still funny?
Whether Saturday Night Live (SNL) is still funny is subjective and often depends on individual taste in comedy. Some viewers appreciate the show’s ability to adapt to current events and its use of contemporary cultural references, while others feel that the quality has fluctuated over the years.
SNL has introduced many talented cast members and writers over the years, which can bring fresh perspectives and humor. However, some long-time fans argue that the show doesn’t have the same impact it once did. Ultimately, it varies from person to person, and opinions on its humor can differ widely.
I’m 40 years old and grew up on SNL. My taste in comedy and my sense of humor is probably not what a typical 12 to 25-year-old nowadays would find funny, especially because they all seem to be so easily offended by Every Little Thing.
That said, SNL was originally known for smart, satirical, provocative writing, and IMHO, it’s been on a fairly consistent downward spiral for the last 20 years. Many talented cast members have been throughout, but I blame the writers for often trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
That’s my opinion, and yes, I know how subjective humor is.
Who started on Saturday Night Live?
If you mean “who first came to prominence as a result of being a cast member on SNL,” a partial list would have to include Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, David Spade, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell, Jan Hooks, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Kate McMillen.
Saturday Night Live (SNL) premiered in 1975, and its original cast included several notable comedians and actors. The initial lineup featured:
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- Gilda Radner
- Garrett Morris
- Jane Curtin
- Laraine Newman
- Chevy Chase
These performers became some of the most iconic figures in sketch comedy, contributing to SNL’s unique style and lasting legacy. John Belushi and Gilda Radner, in particular, are often remembered for their groundbreaking work on the show.
Anyone reading this list will doubtless have a few names they’d like to add.
(Note: I haven’t included performers who were well-known before joining SNL, such as Billy Crystal, Martin Short, and Kenan Thompson, or performers who became famous after leaving SNL, such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sarah Silverman, and Ben Stiller).
Is SNL biased?
Have you ever watched the show? Of course, they’re biased! However, their mockery, ridicule, and slander (under the pretense of comedy) are quite selective.
They are biased against
- President Trump? Of course.
- Hillary Clinton? Not at all.
- Barack Obama? Not at all.
- George W. Bush? Of course.
- Joe Biden? No.
- Mike Pence? Of course.
While apologists will argue that SNL mocked Obama and Hillary, their level of “mockery” was shallow and mostly weak. Their weekly mockery of President Trump only surpasses their mockery of former President Bush.
Conclusion
It’s based on a line from the old Woody Allen comedy “Love and Death” where a French general talks about how his victory will cause the whole world to remember his name “Sidney Applebaum.” It’s just one of those wonderful nonsequiturs that make Allen’s movies great. As for Stefan, Bill Hader only knows a chunk of the script going into it, and the rest is a surprise (as seen by his frequent chuckle breaks.)
As a comedian, undoubtedly, this would have struck him as hilarious, and as for the audience, they were laughing either because some of them knew the movie line and they got it or because they knew they were supposed to.
The “Sidney Applebaum” joke on Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a recurring sketch that features Adam Sandler. The sketch is a fictional commercial parody where Sandler portrays an older man named Sidney Applebaum. The humor in this sketch revolves around Sandler’s delivery and the character’s exaggerated personality.
What is the joke in “Sidney Applebaum” on SNL?
The essence of the joke lies in the character’s absurd catchphrase, which Sidney Applebaum repeats throughout the sketch: “Lousy Smarch weather!” He often complains about this imaginary weather condition, attributing various bizarre situations and unfortunate events to the existence of “Search.”
The humor is derived from the randomness and silliness of the phrase “Lousy Smarch weather,” as “Smarch” is not an actual month and has no weather associated with it. Sandler’s portrayal of an eccentric older man who obsessively talks about this non-existent weather condition adds to the comedic effect.
The sketch becomes funny due to the repetition of the catchphrase and the way other characters in the commercial parody react to Sidney Applebaum’s constant complaints about “Lousy Smarch weather.” The exaggerated delivery and the sheer absurdity of the concept make it a memorable and humorous recurring bit on SNL.
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What is the joke in “Sidney Applebaum” on SNL?