Elon Musk is set to appear on Saturday Night Live—SNL for short—on May 8, 2021. He is the first person ever to host the show as a non-celebrity, as well as the first billionaire and the only CEO of a publicly traded company to take on the hosting gig. SNL is one of the most popular comedy shows on television and is entering its 46th season. Elon Musk has made a name for himself as one of the key figures in the tech world, so this move could be seen as the pinnacle of his success—a real marker of his place in the industry today.
Musk has been an outspoken advocate of Bitcoin, an upcoming digital currency, and Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer which he heads. His involvement with these ventures has been controversial—particularly his promotion of Bitcoin, which led to a surge in the currency’s value. He has also been in the news for eluding to kidnapping as a joke on Twitter, as well as a hostile unionizing process in Tesla’s factories. Despite this, Musk’s social media persona and unique blend of both humor and tech know-how have provided him with a lot of publicity, making the news of his hosting SNL an intriguing one.
The SNL gig has triggered mixed reactions from the public. While some are excited to see Musk take a seat in the SNL hot-seat, others are more sceptical, citing his past antics and opinions on topics that may be seen as controversial. Geoffrey Skelley, a political forecaster for FiveThirtyEight, states: “I think it’s fair to be a little apprehensive about Musk hosting. He’s been an aggressive promoter of fringe ideas and he deliberately courts controversy in the way he conducts himself.”
The public’s response may be shaped by SNL’s reputation as being a ‘bastion of liberal values’, to put it simply. Traditionally, political figures who host such as Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders were in the midst of a political campaign. This may explain why many were surprised when Musk was announced to host the show, as some believe he has strayed away from what is considered to be reasonable. But one thing’s for sure; the show will likely be an unpredictable one.
For the producers of the show the deal comes with a positive financial outlook; the show is hoping to capture the younger generation of viewers attracted to Musk and his ventures. With Tesla’s design philosophy making a step towards hyperpersonalization, this could also be a bid to globalize the company’s presence beyond tech entrepreneurs and Wall Street day traders. SNL is set to be the first place that the general public is able to see the real Musk, not just his celebrity counterpart.
But a question remains; Why did SNL choose Elon Musk? It’s no secret that the show has long been looking for ways to draw in the younger generation. With Musk’s iconic presence in media and on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit, this move fits the show’s goal of expanding its audience. Additionally, by taking the step towards choosing a non-traditional host they are likely hoping to challenge the viewers’ biases and beliefs and introduce a new wave of topics.
Musk and SNL – What to Expect
What to expect from this exciting collaboration is still a mystery. Some believe that guests of the show—who often find themselves in unique comedic roles—could range from Elon’s relatives and friends to characters from some of his most popular ventures such as SpaceX or Tesla. This could be a great opportunity for the audience to get familiar with his work in a humorous way, avoiding any dry business topics or heavy technical language.
Similarly, viewers could be treated to skits that give an insight into the tech world and its quirks. With Elon’s vast knowledge on a variety of topics such as cryptocurrency and renewable energy, this could give the viewers a unique experience and more of an understanding of complex topics. The writers could also dig deep into Elon’s unique personality and present viewers with skits that have a contemporary edge, leaving viewers with the feel of being in the future.
Musk Before SNL
Prior to appearing on SNL, Elon has had guest appearances on many other television shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Stephen Colbert´s The Late Show, Conan O’Brian, and Jimmie Kimmel Live!. His comedic timing and wit have also been a major part of his past television performances, with one particular appearance on The Big Bang Theory being highly cherished for his signature dry humor and impressive impressions.
Elon has also been a regular on podcasts, with notable appearances on Joe Rogan and the Recode Decode podcast amongst others. His presence alone on these platforms has resulted in an increase of their downloads, indicating that their audiences are eager to hear him speak on a variety of topics.
Most recently, Elon has been on the Joe Rogan Experience talking about everything we can expect from the next-generation Tesla cars, as well as tackling Artificial Intelligence and its implications in the future. His podcasts are not just informational – they entertain as well, due to Musk´s witty nature and amusing stories. It’s no surprise that fans eagerly await these interviews, expecting something out of the ordinary and a refreshing take on the podcast.
Elon Musk After SNL
It will be interesting to see how Elon Musk´s appearance on SNL will shape his presence in the tech world. So far, his fan base has been largely composed of techies, industry leaders, and investors. But SNL could potentially open the audience to a far wider group, boosting Elon’s public profile and broadening his reputation as one of the key figures in the tech industry.
SNL could also be the industry’s chance to get a glimpse into Elon’s more personal side. Whether it’s his unique humor or the more serious aspects of his work, SNL could delve deeper into Elon’s world, giving those outside of the tech industry a better understanding of the man behind the brand and the success stories that he is part of.
The show could also be a platform to present Elon’s more eccentric side. This could be a unique way of connecting with the general public and giving viewers a more personal feel for his character and his beliefs. With this, SNL could further provide the public with an insight into Elon’s inner workings and show the public exactly what makes him the successful figure that he is today.
Outlook for SNL and Elon Musk
Elon Musk and SNL have already sparked much anticipation from fans of both the tech and comedy worlds. While some may feel cautious about the upcoming episode, others continue to look forward to it with much excitement. Regardless, the collaboration between Elon and SNL is sure to be an exciting one and will be highly anticipated by both veterans and newcomers to the comedy show alike.
It’s safe to say that the show could be a platform for Elon to get the general public more familiar with his projects and overall success. It could also be a great chance for Elon to spread his message. Whatever the result, it will be interesting to tune in and see how Elon Musk takes on SNL and the unique atmosphere that comes with it.
The Inspiration Behind Elon Musk Appearing on SNL
Elon Musk appearing on SNL likely has been a dream of his for quite some time, a dream which indicates his larger ambitions. His parents were both supporters of the South African version of SNL back in the day, so perhaps this is a way for him to honor their support of the show and carry the legacy forward. Additionally, Elon has been known to make appearances in the media when talking about his projects, and this could be another attempt for him to bring awareness to them.
Elon’s dreams of appearing on SNL are also likely fuelled by his desire to be seen as more than just an innovator or an entrepreneur—but as a truly entertainer. He’s always been associated with producing groundbreaking technology and making huge changes in the industry, but with the SNL appearance, he could be showing the world his other talents and demonstrating his comedic chops in one of the biggest platforms in the world.
It’s possible that Elon’s presence on SNL could also be an attempt for him to be seen as an equal to the other A-list celebrities that have taken the stage in the past. This could be an attempt to be seen as an international icon, which could further lead to increased recognition of his success in the industry.
Elon Musk Appearing on SNL – Impact and Legacy
Only time will tell how Elon Musk´s appearance on SNL will end up impacting the world. But as of right now, it looks as though the collaboration between him and the show will bring forth some fun and unique entertainment, including fresh perspectives on complex topics. It could be a great platform for Elon to further promote his projects and bring awareness to the various topics he speaks on, while also giving viewers a more personal look into his life.
In the future, when we look upon this event, it could be seen as an example of a CEO successfully navigating the waters of both the entertainment world and the business world. This could serve as a great example for upcoming entrepreneurs as as well; showing them that it is possible to have a foot in both industries, that it is possible to have success in the tech industry and be a public figure people look up to, and that it is possible to have a multifaceted and balanced lifestyle.
