‘SNL’ Skewers SAG-AFTRA Halloween Costume Directives, Explains Guild’s Negotiations With Studios
Already widely mocked on social media, SAG-AFTRA’s infamous Halloween costume guidance received more drubbing on Saturday Night Live.
In a trick-or-treating skit, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, played by SNL‘s Sarah Sherman, explained the controversial rules that ban members from wearing costumes from studio movies and live-action TV series during the strike and presented safe alternatives for kids.
More from Deadline
Timothée Chalamet To Return As Host Of ‘Saturday Night Live’
SAG-AFTRA & Studios' Negotiations "In The Final Stretch" Amid Optimism, But No Deal Tonight
Calling kids dressed like Barbie, Spider-Man and Black Panther “a bunch of adorable scabs,” Sherman as Drescher introduced other costumes: “Harry Potter as described only in the books,” “minor characters from the Bible who have not appeared in any movie or TV adaptations” and daytime and reality personalities. (“Unfortunately, this year, you can’t be Yoda but you can be Hoda [Kotb].”)
Late-night also is exempt from the SAG-AFTRA strike which is why SNL is on during the work stoppage.
Drescher (Sherman) also explained how “with small adjustments,” any costumes can be made strike-friendly. For instance, if you are dressed as Wolverine, “just drop the claws, and wah-lah, you are any gay guy over 50.”
After a subtle jab at Drescher’s ubiquitous presence during the strike, which people have found “exhausting,” Sherman, as the SAG-AFTRA president, provided a Halloween-themed take on the studio talks, which have showed signs of progress, stretching over the weekend, and on actors’ demands.
“Negotiating with the studios is a lot like trick-or-treating,” she said. “You know how you go to the biggest house on the block, and all the lights are off, and they are pretending that they are not home? But you can see them through the window eating Kit Kat bars, dozens of Kit Kat bars, billions of Kit Kat bars, record numbers of Kit Kat bars. All us actors are saying, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.”
The skit ended with a nod to Drescher’s signature character from The Nanny. (You can watch it above.)
SAG-AFTRA’s Halloween guidance, which included recommendations such as “Choose costumes inspired by generalized characters and figures (ghost, spider, spider, etc.) characters” and “Dress up as characters from non-struck content, such as animated TV shows,” received instant backlash from actors, including Ryan Reynolds, Mandy Moore and former SAG president Melissa Gilbert.
The guild subsequently issued a statement, clarifying that the policy “does not apply to anyone’s kids.”
Best of Deadline
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Series Ending In 2023 & Beyond
2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
