Woody Harrelson Lands Himself in Hot Water After His 'SNL' Monologue

Actor Woody Harrelson recently got into a heated debate regarding vaccines after his latest "SNL" monologue sparked an online backlash for his anti-vaccine remarks. The 'Triangle of Sadness' star cited the COVID-19 pandemic and how medical industry and government alike want to push vaccines on people.

Many questioned Harrelson's remarks, but Elon Musk weighed in with a tweet saying he believed Harrelson's statements to be "based on truth".

Twitter CEO Elon Musk: ‘Nice Work’

Woody Harrelson's opening monologue on Saturday Night Live this week sparked outrage online, particularly from antivax activists. The actor took aim at COVID vaccine mandates and the medical industry's collaboration with government agencies to push them through a fictional scenario involving an organized cartel controlling vaccine policy.

Harrelson's statement prompted Twitter CEO Elon Musk to weigh in with his own criticisms of antivax nonsense, telling The New York Times that such claims are simply untrue and it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to vaccinations. According to The New York Times, Musk "made it clear he believes this nonsense is simply untrue" and believes it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to vaccinations.

Musk, a physics and business graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, has dedicated himself to revolutionizing the internet to make it more accessible for everyone. He was previously involved with Zip2, providing maps and business directories online, as well as being an early investor in PayPal.

His entrepreneurial success is driven by a love for technology and the ambition to build companies that disrupt traditional industries, such as electric carmaker Tesla or space venture Space X. Additionally, he's an ardent philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to charities and other causes.

He's an expert at public speaking and can easily translate complex ideas into understandable language. Additionally, he uses the present tense when conveying visionary topics, giving listeners a feeling that they're part of something grandiose.

He's a demanding boss, but he also takes time off for family and friends - which has enabled him to maintain an excellent relationship with his wife, Justine Wilson. Together they have six children.

Musk enjoys traveling, camping and playing video games when not working. He's an avid reader too, often devouring books as well as nonfiction works.

Musk has earned a reputation as an ambitious worker who demands respect and devotion from his employees. He's even been accused of firing employees out of frustration - something Musk strongly denies.

Since taking over Twitter last month, Musk has implemented numerous changes. He's laid off thousands of employees, terminated its remote work policy and fired those who have publicly or privately criticized him. Furthermore, he cut costs in data centers, rent and other areas - moves which have reportedly hurt existing staff as well as negatively impacted the platform itself.

Author Lee Goldberg: ‘Antivax nonsense’

Harrelson's lengthy monologue on Saturday Night Live's opening show caused an uproar online, with many Twitter users questioning his assertions. One user noted that Harrelson was spreading "anti-vax conspiracies." Nonetheless, Twitter CEO Elon Musk declared Harrelson's speech a 'good one'.

Despite Musk's praise, author and TV writer Lee Goldberg expressed his opinion on Twitter with the following statement: 'What on earth was this anti-vax nonsense?'

The remarks received widespread media coverage, with many labeling them anti-vax conspiracy theories. On the other hand, some defended the actor, insisting he was simply making a joke.

Another commented that it was unfair to label these remarks as anti-vax conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, Musk shared an Instagram post which seemed to link 5G technology with COVID.

Anti-vaccine messaging has been found to have a wider reach than pro-vaccine content, explaining why smaller, more niche anti-vaccine groups tend to have greater reach than their pro-vaccine counterparts. Since these smaller organizations tend to represent a wider range of social beliefs, they can more easily attract undecided audiences.

Rhetoric that draws upon historical mistreatment of minority groups by medical professionals and the pharmaceutical industry often emphasizes how ethnic minorities have congenital conditions which allopathic medicine fails to take into account when developing treatments and vaccines. Typically, messages emphasize how vaccines have not been tested or proven safe for target populations, leading people to be wary of them.

Another popular narrative holds that government and the medical establishment are unresponsible for their actions, so they should be feared and disbelieved. This approach is motivated by fear, but often presents it as an immovable obstacle to democracy and freedom.

Other strategies employ hyperbolic rhetoric and superlatives to emphasize this threat. This approach is a classic populist appeal and draws upon several common themes, such as:

SNL’s Lorne Michaels: ‘I’m sorry’

Saturday Night Live is a cultural icon and staple of late-night television, having been running since 1975 and providing millions with watercooler moments. Its writers and cast strive to speak truth to power while poking fun at Hollywood, politics, and everyday life.

Michaels has earned numerous Emmy Awards for the show, as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and an individual Peabody Award. Additionally, he was nominated for both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Kennedy Center Honors. A Canadian citizen born on 17 November 1944 in Toronto, Michaels holds both awards.

He has been married to Alice Barry since 1991 and they have three children. Additionally, he works as a director and producer for motion pictures, as well as staring in several television shows such as Canadian sketch-comedy The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour.

Michaels has written and produced several other sketch shows, such as 30 Rock and The Kids in the Hall. Additionally, he created and executive produced films like The Three Amigos!, Wayne's World, and Tommy Boy; plus he created Broadway musical Mean Girls.

On March 16-17, 2021, Lorne Michaels made history by becoming the first person ever honored with a Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement. This distinction is considered to be among America's highest civilian honors.

SNL is a weekly comedy sketch show broadcast on NBC since 1975. It quickly gained notoriety as one of television's most beloved late-night programs, featuring jokes, sketches, parodies of ads and fake newscasts as well as musical guests.

The show often employs biting political satire and has a reputation for upsetting viewers. Nevertheless, occasionally they do apologize.

After comedian Pete Davidson made fun of a congressional candidate who lost an eye in war, Lorne Michaels, the show's boss, issued an apology that went viral and won praise from both sides of the aisle. While this was certainly an unusual occurrence, it likely won't be the last time SNL would arouse someone's anger.

SNL’s Jack White: ‘Thank you’

Harrelson's anti-vaccination views in his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live caused a stir online. Mentioning the COVID-19 pandemic and government and medical industry efforts to promote vaccines sparked an uproar of social media comments, with Elon Musk even complimenting Harrelson's performance by calling it "nice work."

However, some users on social media ignited a discussion about Harrelson's controversial statement, with some even accusing him of spreading anti-vax conspiracy theories. Author Lee Goldberg - who has written for The Glades and Psych - shared his opinion regarding Harrelson's remarks.

Harrelson's comments caused an uproar, with many believing he was suggesting that a vaccine cartel could take control of media and politicians to force them into accepting a mandate. It remains unclear why he chose to refer specifically to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether he did so intentionally.

Harrelson's comments were interesting and did raise some interesting questions about vaccines and their necessity. He described the COVID-19 pandemic as "the craziest script I've ever read," and argued that healthcare institutions and governments shouldn't be pressuring people into getting their shots.

He went on to explain that in order for a vaccine cartel to gain widespread support, they would need the support of all media and politicians. He also pointed out how vaccines may lead to other issues like obesity and diabetes.

In a way, Harrelson's outburst was an effective strategy. It set him apart from other hosts on Saturday Night Live and brought up vaccines as an important topic.

After the episode concluded, both Harrelson and White received five-timer jackets from Scarlett Johansson to mark their entrance into the show's Five Timers Club--which includes five comedians who have hosted SNL multiple times.

Jack White, filling in for Morgan Wallen on SNL on October 10, took the chance to pay tribute to Eddie Van Halen who passed away this week after a battle with cancer. Ironically, White Stripes frontman's appearance had been announced just days before guitarist's passing -- and during White's set he dedicated it to him during the opening credits of his special episode.