By Brian KLose
Opinion Editor
This issue’s Hero of the Week honors Melissa McCarthy, and her groundbreaking Saturday Night Live impression of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. McCarthy’ portrayal of Spicer has given SNL a huge boost in popularity and relevance, helping cement the late-night sketch show as the new king of goofy political satire.
McCarthy debuted the wild impression on Feb. 4 to outstanding acclaim, and even attention from Spicer himself.
“[McCarthy] needs to slow down on the gum chewing,” Spicer said to “Extra.” “Way too many pieces in there.”
Other highlights of the impersonation include acting out responses with dolls, assaulting reporters with the press secretary podium, and sporting Ivanka Trump’s lastest apparel.
The impersonation does more than breathe life into SNL’s political content. The most recent episode featured Kate McKinnon as U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Leslie Jones as President Donald Trump, opening the door for more diverse, gender-bent impersonations of political figures.
McCarthy has set a new standard for ridiculous and surprisingly accurate political impersonations. With plenty of content at their disposal after only three weeks into the Trump administration, SNL and its band of powerhouse impersonators have plenty to look forward to for the next four years.
Hopefully, however, we won’t need to rely on outlets like SNL to distract us from what they’re satirizing. There’s only so much to laugh about before start to lose touch with the growing troubles of the current administration. For now, McCarthy, McKinnon, and Jones have our attention.