‘Sesame Street’ Descends into Darkness in SNL’s ‘Joker’ Parody

“Put on a grouchy face.”

Despite the hype, in the week since it hit the big screen, Joker hasn’t inspired the incel insurrection many pegged the film for baiting. It may, however, have spawned a whole new genre of senselessly dark cinema. And in a sketch from last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, the trope got tested on the most wholesome of programming. You guessed it, Sesame Street. 

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In a riff on Dave Chappelle’s classic Oscar The Grouch bit, SNL depicts a tragic turn for the beloved cast. Snuffleupagus is pimping out Prairie Dawn. The Count’s become a rabid pill-popper. Cookie Monster’s a bonafide junkie. Big Bird’s dancing for strangers at a club. And Oscar, the only Sesame Street resident accustomed to hard times (portrayed by the evening’s host, David Harbour,) is loving every minute of it.

Watch Sesame Street descend into darkness in Saturday Night Live‘s Joker parody below.