Is Elon Musk On Saturday Night Live Tonight?
Elon Musk, the enigmatic entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has put himself in the media again. This time, he has accepted NBC’s invitation to host the premiere of the long-running sketch comedy show ‘Saturday Night Live’. It will make him the second CEO ever to take part in SNL.
This move is typical of the businessman, as he boasts a reputation as a maverick mogul. He courted controversy during his interview with Joe Rogan, during which he drank whisky and smoked marijuana. After taking over Tesla, he has attempted to implement numerous changes to shake up the world of transport, including Tesla’s option of high-speed electric vehicles.
Musk’s instigator behavior has made eager fans and curious critics alike question his upcoming hosting duties – will his performance be a success?
Rob Enderle, a veteran tech industry analyst, predicted a mixed response for Musk’s performance. He said: “Musk is a controversial character, and it will be interesting to see how this will influence viewers’ opinion of him. While some fans will appreciate his persistent determination to shake up the tech industry, some could see him as a typical representation of Silicon Valley’s vanity.”
With Musk’s reputation as an ambitious CEO, some are speculating if he will present outrageous ideas on-air. “These days, he’s become much more interested in ideas like ‘neural lace’, a chip where users’ brains interface with technology” said Linnette Lopez, a Forbes writer, referring to Musk’s plans to to make humans more ‘cybernetically-enhanced’.
Musk’s hosting duties on SNL come after his Twitter use lead to an SEC investigation. This has caused many media commentators to question the decision to invite him to host the show, with the SEC’s investigation still active.
“It’s certainly risky for SNL to invite him. Of course, this might draw even more viewers but if he performs poorly, it’s unlikely that he will return again” said Jesse Lawrence, a media journalist from Variety magazine.
Political Influences
However, politics is unlikely to be a dominant factor in Musk’s SNL hosting duties. According to analyst Enderle: “Musk reduced his involvement in politics after the SEC investigation. His appearance on the show is unlikely to be politically-motivated.”
Musk also faces competition from Jeff Bezos, the Amazon CEO and the world’s richest person. This could motivate Musk to go above and beyond with his performance, especially after Bezos’ hosting turn in 2018.
However, Musk’s outside ventures, such as AI research think tank, OpenAI, have seen limited progress since its launch in 2015. This could lead some fans to be wary of his larger ventures, such as his space exploration program.
“His track record with ambitious projects is hit-or-miss. His success with Tesla is inspiring, but he also failed with plans such as the infamous Mars rocket explosion” said Lauren McAlister, a professional SpaceX journalist.
Musk’s Performance for SNL
While many are unsure of what performance Musk will produce, some have high hopes for him. He has already published a cryptic preview of his sketches on his personal Twitter account, making viewers more interested in what is to come.
Anthony Smith, an analyst from CNN, agreed that Musk’s social media presence gives him an advantage: “Musk is exceptional at using social media to boost his plans and make news. Whether this will help him remain in the public’s good graces or make him a laughing stock is yet to be seen.”
One fan, John Doe, also expressed his opinion and said: “As a long-time Tesla and SpaceX fan, I’m excited to see what Musk will bring to Saturday Night Live. He’s a risk-taker, and I admire that he’s taking on such an ambitious challenge. I hope his performance will show the public what he is capable of.”
SNL Audience Expectations
The SNL audience’s expectations vary. Some believe he will best Zuckerberg’s 2012 presentation, while others are concerned he might be perceived by the public as an elitist figure. After his controversial antics on Joe Rogan’s podcast, some fear an allowance of improper behavior on the TV comedy show.
Painter Heaney, a comedy connoisseur, expressed his differing opinion: “I think that the SNL audience’s expectations for Musk are terribly unrealistic. He’s a well-known innovator, but a comedian is the furthest thing from that. It could be awkward at best or a complete disaster at worst.”
Realistic or not, fans are looking forward to see how Musk fares as a standup comic. However, his reputation as a risky investor might lead to uncomfortable moments for some viewers if his humor does not make the expected impact.
Musk’s Technological Visions
Musk’s technological visions have been impressive, yet some of his plans have drawn criticism. His NeuraLink project aims to create a chip in the user’s brain to connect with technology, raising privacy and safety concerns in the process.
Nonetheless, others have praised his innovative ideas. According to Josef Klein, a tech industry analyst from the United Kingdom: “Musk’s value lies not only in providing innovation, but also engaging the public in its implementation. His plans to revolutionize the environment and transport industry has made him an undeniable leader in his field.”
Alongside this, his company Tesla continues to break records. Its 2020 sales in Europe broke all-time records, proving that his vision is shared widely by many. Still, some remain concerned of the ambitious plans he has revealed publicly, including a potential autonomous public transport service.
As an experienced CEO, it remains to be seen if Musk will learn from his previous mistakes and make a successful return on SNL.
Musk’s Former Projects
However, some are not optimistic about his performance. His previous projects, such as the Hyperloop, have had trouble getting off the ground. Despite early enthusiasm, the project has been fraught with doubts from many, especially from experts who worry about timing and safety issues. Further, Musk’s reputation as a risky investor could prove to be a sticking point for some.
Regardless, the addition of Musk to SNL could be a successful move. His presence on the show will certainly draw extra viewers, bringing in new faces who might be fans of Musk and his innovative products. As an extension of this, his public image could be reinforced due to the expected large viewership.
Moreover, the show provides Musk a platform to promote his ideas. This gives the media a unique opportunity to gain insight into the CEO’s plans. He could use the premiere of SNL as a platform to explain his ideas, and some of the details around his other upcoming projects.
Political commentator Linda Sullivan was highly positive about the potential of Musk’s hosting stint – “The public is always interested in hearing Elon Musk’s ideas. His hosting duties could open up a whole new audience for him, people who may not be familiar with or comfortable with his philosophy”.
The Future of Elon Musk
Whatever happened in the past, this does not seem to be stopping the ambitious CEO from taking the SNL challenge and attempting to win over the public one more time. For the time being, Elon Musk is the talk of the town, and it remains to be seen what his hosting duties on SNL will bring.
However, this is not the only spotlight he is under. His ambition and risk-taking has seen him work on several projects, from AI research to space exploration. He is attempting to persistently push the boundaries of these goals, and no doubt he will be in the limelight for some time now.
Wall Street Journal reporter Julie Schwank summed up Musk’s determination best, saying: “Musk has become notorious for his ambitious plans and attempts to shake up the tech and transport industries. Despite the obstacles and some failures, he continues to push the envelope to provide humanity the tools to reach the stars.”
