Bowen Yang is standing up for Aimee Lou Wood after the Sex Education star called out SNL for mocking her appearance in a parody of The White Lotus.
During the April 12 episode, a sketch titled "The White Potus" reimagined the HBO drama with political figures like Donald Trump and RFK Jr. But it was the portrayal of Wood’s character—complete with exaggerated prosthetic teeth and a thick British accent—that left the actress feeling targeted.
🗣️ Wood: “Unfunny and Mean”
Wood didn’t hold back on social media.
She called the sketch “unfunny and mean,” revealing that she had received a personal apology from the SNL team. The actress, known for her heartfelt performances, felt the depiction crossed a line.
💬 Bowen Yang Responds
Speaking to Extra, Yang defended Wood’s reaction:
“However she reacted to that sketch is completely valid,”
said Yang, adding,
“Parody can have an emotional cost.”
He emphasized the importance of respecting the real people behind the characters and said Wood’s work on The White Lotus was part of what made it “water cooler TV” again.
🎙️ Comedy and Accountability
Yang’s takeaway? Comedy should evolve with culture.
“It’s not PC or woke culture, it’s just culture,”
he stated, urging comedians to acknowledge the impact their work can have.
👀 Final Thought
While parody is part of SNL’s DNA, this moment sparked an important conversation about where to draw the line between satire and insensitivity. As Yang put it, it’s about more than laughs—it’s about empathy.
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