‘SNL’ Fans Trigger Backlash After Finn Wolfhard’s ‘Disgusting’ Joke

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Saturday Night Live often sparks discussion, but a recent episode drew criticism instead of amusement. The negative reaction centered on a sketch and opening monologue featuring Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in Stranger Things, who was joined on stage by his co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo.

Okay, so the whole thing started during Finn Wolfhard’s opening bit. He was talking about how Stranger Things basically captured his entire adolescence, and he made some funny comments about going through puberty, his voice cracking, and even his first kiss – all while being filmed! But then the joke kind of went in a direction that a lot of people watching found really awkward and uncomfortable, and that’s when things started to blow up.

Finn Wolfhard revealed that some major life moments happened while filming: his voice changed, he had his first kiss, and he even first saw female anatomy – all while the camera was rolling.

The comedian then showed a clip from an old episode of Stranger Things featuring Finn Wolfhard’s character, Mike, facing a Demogorgon. He made a joke comparing the monster’s open mouth to female anatomy. This comparison was widely considered offensive and inappropriate, and quickly drew criticism on social media, with many fans accusing both Wolfhard and the show of going too far.

Finn Wolfhard’s monologue!

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 18, 2026

Honestly, the excitement really exploded after they released another sketch! This one, called ‘Mike in Manhattan,’ was hilarious – it pictured the ‘Stranger Things’ boys all grown up and living in New York City. They did it like an episode of ‘Sex and the City,’ and Finn Wolfhard was brilliant playing a parody of Carrie Bradshaw, narrating his character’s dating life. It was such a clever idea and everyone loved it!

Finn Wolfhard joked during a comedy sketch, ‘Suddenly, everything felt different, like I was seeing a strange version of New York. And honestly, after being with someone as amazing as Eleven, everyone else just doesn’t measure up!’

The situation became more intense when Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo joined the scene at a restaurant. McLaughlin, who plays an older Lucas Sinclair, made a lighthearted comment about his past relationship with Max Mayfield, Sadie Sink’s character. This was particularly sensitive because Max spends a significant portion of the Netflix show in a coma after a brutal attack by the villain Vecna, a storyline that deeply affected many viewers.

So, things with Max and I started incredibly intensely. But after a couple of years, it was like she just… shut down. She became completely unresponsive, almost like she’d slipped back into that coma she had before.

The line sparked outrage among many viewers, who felt it trivialized a previously serious and upsetting plotline. Social media was flooded with negative reactions after the episode, with many describing the writing as offensive and bizarre.

Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin, stars of ‘Stranger Things,’ appeared in a Saturday Night Live sketch imagining spin-off shows for the series. The sketch jokingly referenced the fan theory about a ‘lost’ ninth episode, suggesting it now exists as a new show.

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 18, 2026

Viewers on X (formerly Twitter) expressed strong disapproval of a recent Saturday Night Live sketch. One user described the jokes as “flat and disgusting,” while another was appalled by a joke referencing a sensitive and disturbing scenario involving characters from a popular show, finding it deeply inappropriate for the program.

I noticed they made a joke about Will Byers too, one of the main characters on Stranger Things. They said he was still filming that really powerful scene where he comes out – you know, the one everyone loved for being so honest and well-done. It was a funny way to explain why he wasn’t in the sketch, referencing a moment that meant a lot to a lot of people.

On Saturday Night Live, Jeremy Culhane portrayed Will as someone who spoke very slowly and with a lot of exaggeration. He delivered a line where his character nervously confessed, “Guys, I’m trying to find the courage to tell you the truth, and the truth is I’m looking at all of your faces, and you should know that I like D…and D – Dungeons and Dragons, just like you guys.”

Viewers strongly reacted to this segment, arguing that it made fun of a significant moment for LGBTQ+ visibility. Many believed the sketch demonstrated disrespect and a lack of sensitivity towards the source material and its characters.

Details about the jokes and sketches are taken directly from the SNL episode, and the negative reactions come from what viewers shared on social media right after it aired.

The popular series Stranger Things recently concluded with its fifth season, marking the end of an era for Netflix. The show, which premiered in 2016, has launched its young actors into stardom. Finn Wolfhard, for example, has continued to work steadily in acting, music, and now directing. He recently co-wrote and directed the horror-comedy film Hell of a Summer, and also appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

McLaughlin is primarily working in film, and his performance in Concrete Cowboy was well-received. Matarazzo recently returned to Broadway, earning positive reviews for his work in Sweeney Todd. Sadie Sink is establishing herself as a dedicated actor, notably with her role in The Whale. Meanwhile, Noah Schnapp is juggling acting with his studies in college and exploring business opportunities.

The SNL reunion faced a lot of pressure because fans are very attached to the show and its characters. Unfortunately, many viewers were disappointed and felt the comedy went too far, especially considering how meaningful the show was to them, leading them to question the boundaries of humor.

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2026-01-20 10:15