What is the joke in 'Sidney Applebaum' on SNL?

What is the joke in ‘Sidney Applebaum’ on SNL?

The “Sidney Applebaum” joke is a recurring comedic bit from Saturday Night Live (SNL). The sketch revolves around a character named Sidney Applebaum, who is portrayed as a quirky and often exaggerated figure. The humor typically lies in the way the name “Sidney Applebaum” is delivered or used in a context that’s deliberately absurd or awkward, making it a punchline for viewers.

One well-known instance of the joke comes from SNL’s “The John Belushi Hour” sketch, where John Belushi, playing a comedic character, says the name Sidney Applebaum in a dramatic or unexpected context, which causes a comedic effect.

In comedy, a name like “Sidney Applebaum” is often used to invoke an over-the-top, absurd sense of humor. The name itself may sound humorous or unusual due to its rhythmic quality, which creates a contrast between the character’s serious context and the silliness of the name.

The joke plays with the element of surprise or misdirection, where the audience might expect something more serious or normal, but instead, the name Sidney Applebaum appears as an absurd or comedic twist, making it memorable and funny.

In essence, the “Sidney Applebaum” joke on SNL is an example of using a funny-sounding name in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously and creates humor through the unexpected nature of the character or situation.

The Whole Story Behind The Sidney Applebaum Joke

The Sidney Applebaum joke from Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a memorable comedic moment that became a running gag for many viewers. The joke originates from a 1976 SNL sketch that was part of the “Weekend Update” segment, which parodies news-style reporting. In this sketch, Chevy Chase, as the anchor, introduces a humorous, absurd, and completely random segment involving a man named “Sidney Applebaum.”

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The Sidney Applebaum Joke Breakdown:

The Setup: The sketch features Chevy Chase reading off an oddball story in his newscaster style. He presents the name “Sidney Applebaum” as if it’s someone who’s prominent or has some kind of story. The setup is intentionally absurd because “Sidney Applebaum” is a very unusual name that doesn’t suggest anything significant.
The Punchline: After introducing Sidney Applebaum in a dramatic or serious news-like tone, Chevy Chase delivers the punchline: “Sidney Applebaum is dead.” This is then followed by the very casual, almost nonchalant comment: “His wife, Mrs. Applebaum, says he died of shock.” The idea that someone would die of “shock” over something as trivial as a name or a situation is what makes it so ridiculous.
The Humor: The humor of the joke is layered:
- Absurdity of the Name: The name itself, “Sidney Applebaum”, sounds inherently funny due to its odd and overly formal tone.
- The Randomness: The joke is absurd in the way it presents an otherwise trivial fact — the death of someone, but treated like it’s serious news. There’s no backstory, just an introduction of a name and an anticlimactic death.
- Play on Expectation: Viewers are expecting a more traditional or newsworthy report, but instead, it’s a random, silly moment with no explanation other than the quirky name and the absurd cause of death.
The Legacy: The Sidney Applebaum joke became iconic due to its nonsensical nature and its use of a funny name in an unexpected context. While it was only a brief segment, it left a lasting impression and became a favorite of SNL fans. Over time, the Sidney Applebaum bit has been referenced and parodied in various ways in pop culture, often cited as an example of SNL’s use of randomness and absurd humor in its early years.

Significance in SNL’s Legacy:

Playful Nonsense: The sketch exemplifies one of SNL’s early approaches to humor, where nonsense, absurdity, and unexpected punchlines were central elements. It became a signature of the show’s style in its formative years, especially under the direction of creator Lorne Michaels.
Nostalgia for Classic SNL: For long-time fans of the show, Sidney Applebaum represents the quirky, experimental nature of early SNL comedy, which was more unpredictable and less reliant on the established formats we see today.

1. Who thinks SNL is past its prime and is no longer funny?

The question of whether “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) is past its prime and no longer funny has been a subject of debate for years, and opinions on this matter vary widely. Several critics, former cast members, and viewers have voiced their thoughts on the show’s changing quality over the years.

Critics and Former Cast Members: Some critics and former SNL cast members have expressed that the show’s quality has declined over time, especially in comparison to its classic years from the 1970s to the 1990s. The humor on SNL is often seen as less innovative and sharp as it once was, particularly in its earlier seasons when it was more experimental and edgy.
For example, former cast members like Norm Macdonald and Bill Hader have shared that they think the show has changed, with some indicating that it feels more formulaic and politically driven in recent years, particularly with heavy satire on politics. This shift to more political satire may not resonate with all viewers, leading some to believe that the show is no longer as universally funny as it used to be.
Viewers and Social Media: Many viewers on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit have expressed frustration with the current state of SNL, often comparing newer episodes with the show’s “golden age.” Some viewers feel that the show’s humor has become repetitive, predictable, or overly reliant on celebrity impressions and political commentary.
Others miss the more experimental sketches and broader range of humor from earlier years. However, it’s also important to note that SNL still has a dedicated fan base and is praised for its timeliness, ability to adapt to current events, and moments of brilliant comedy. The ongoing debate about the show’s prime reflects its evolution over nearly 50 years.

2. What does “Cold Open” mean on SNL?

A “Cold Open” on SNL refers to the first sketch that airs at the very beginning of the show before the opening credits roll. The cold open is typically a satirical sketch, often political or topical in nature, and is meant to grab the audience’s attention right from the start.

Key features of a Cold Open include:

No opening monologue: Instead of starting with a host’s monologue, the show opens directly with a comedic sketch.
Topical Humor: The cold open often covers current events, popular culture, or political issues. For instance, it may feature a parody of a recent news event or political figure.
Surprise Element: It’s designed to engage the audience immediately, sometimes featuring surprise cameos or shocking twists.
Transition to the Show: After the cold open sketch, the show will cut to the opening credits, and the host will typically say, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!,” marking the official start of the show.

The Cold Open is one of SNL’s signature elements, providing a quick laugh and setting the tone for the rest of the episode. Some of the most memorable and iconic SNL sketches, like political parodies (e.g., Biden-Trump debates or Saturday Night Live’s parodies of Presidential addresses), have often been cold opens.

How John Mulaney Made Bill Hader Break During Every Stefon Appearance On SNL

The story behind how John Mulaney made Bill Hader break during every Stefon appearance on SNL is one of the most beloved and funny behind-the-scenes tales from the show’s history. It showcases Mulaney’s brilliant writing skills and Hader’s comedic talent, as well as the unintentional but hilarious moments that happen during live television.

The Stefon Character:

For context, Stefon is a flamboyant, eccentric character played by Bill Hader on Saturday Night Live. Stefon is a New York City correspondent for “Weekend Update,” where he offers bizarre and absurd recommendations for nightlife spots in the city. These “recommendations” would often involve incredibly strange, humorous, and surreal places, with absurd details like “a club where they serve hot dog-flavored water” or “a club where people wear giant leather pants and eat things like tinfoil and garbage.”

The Stefon character became an instant hit with audiences for his weird, deadpan delivery and wildly creative descriptions. However, what made his appearances particularly memorable was Bill Hader’s frequent breaking (laughing) during Stefon’s segments — a phenomenon that happened so often that it became part of the sketch’s charm.

How John Mulaney Made Bill Hader Break:

John Mulaney, who was a writer at SNL during Stefon’s heyday, is credited with coming up with many of Stefon’s lines and making Bill Hader laugh uncontrollably during the character’s segments.

1. The Intentional “Breaking” Moment:

Mulaney knew that Bill Hader had a hard time keeping it together while performing as Stefon, and rather than trying to rein it in, he leaned into it. He would purposefully write lines that he knew would make Hader laugh, creating an environment where Stefon’s segments were even funnier because of Hader’s inability to keep a straight face.

The best example of this comes from SNL’s live shows — during Stefon’s appearances, Hader would often look directly into the camera or toward Seth Meyers (who was the host of “Weekend Update” at the time) and try to stifle his laughter, but it was inevitably contagious. Hader’s breaking would make the audience laugh even harder, adding to the absurdity of the scene.

2. The “Breaking” Lines:

Some of the lines that Mulaney would write for Stefon were designed to be so ridiculous or unexpected that Hader could not help but laugh. Mulaney would sometimes add strange words or unexpected details into the script that were just enough to push Hader over the edge. For example, in one sketch, Stefon describes a club with “a pop-up dance floor where you can find sandwiches,” a detail that was completely out of left field and impossible for Hader to keep a straight face about.

Another example is when Stefon mentions “a club where people can’t stop doing backflips while eating popcorn.” The ridiculousness of these details, especially the way Hader delivered them with deadpan seriousness, would have had Mulaney and others in the room trying not to crack up as well.

3. The Visual Cues and Stefon’s Look:

The whole physicality of Stefon — the flamboyant outfits, the wild facial expressions, and the deliberately campy nature of the character — added to the comedic effect. Mulaney would give Hader lines that would require him to act out strange physical actions or make exaggerated gestures that only increased the chances of him breaking character. Hader would often give his signature side glances or smirks, making it clear that even though he was trying to play the character seriously, he was having a hard time containing his laughter.

Why Did This Work So Well?

The Natural Chemistry: Hader and Mulaney had a natural chemistry together, and their collaboration on Stefon was a perfect storm of great writing and a talented performer. Mulaney knew what would make Hader laugh, and Hader’s reactions became part of the sketch’s success. It made the audience feel like they were part of an inside joke.
Authentic Breaking: While breaking (laughing during a sketch) is typically something actors try to avoid on a live show, with Stefon, it became a feature, not a bug. Hader’s laughter was genuine and infectious, which made Stefon’s appearances even funnier. The fact that the breaking was unintentional (or at least partially unintentional) made it even more enjoyable for the audience. Hader’s inability to keep it together became a beloved part of the character, rather than a hindrance.
The Ridiculousness of the Lines: The absurdity of the content in the Stefon sketches gave Mulaney plenty of room to inject completely over-the-top lines that had no reason to be funny other than their complete weirdness. These were lines like “clubs where they eat spaghetti while wearing leotards,” or “a club that only serves popcorn and hot dogs made out of fire.” It was the type of humor that made it impossible for Hader to keep a straight face.

Stefon and Hader’s Legacy:

The Stefon character is widely regarded as one of the best recurring sketches in SNL history, and Bill Hader’s breaking became an iconic part of the character. Fans of the show loved seeing Hader struggle to maintain his composure, and Stefon’s segments became more about the fun of the performance than simply delivering the jokes themselves.

Hader’s eventual departure from SNL didn’t stop the Stefon character from becoming a fan favorite. Mulaney and Hader even brought Stefon back for occasional guest appearances, continuing to delight audiences with their off-the-cuff comedy.

In Conclusion:

The Sidney Applebaum joke might be a great example of absurd SNL humor, but the Stefon character is a testament to how John Mulaney used his writing to make Bill Hader break character during almost every appearance.

It was the combination of Mulaney’s genius for weirdly specific and hilarious writing, Hader’s perfect delivery of the character, and the genuine laughs that came from Bill’s inability to keep it together that made Stefon such an enduring part of SNL lore. Their collaboration produced some of the most iconic and laugh-out-loud moments in the history of the show.

The Sidney Applebaum joke from SNL is a piece of comedic history that plays on the absurdity of a random name and an unexpected punchline. The absurd nature of the bit, combined with its nonsensical humor, makes it one of the memorable moments from the early days of Saturday Night Live, embodying the show’s tendency to break from traditional comedic structures and embrace the unexpected.