Elon Musk & Saturday Night Live
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, made an appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on May 8th. This marked the first time a tech CEO hosted the show and viewership was high, with 11.3 million watch it in the United States.
At the start of the episode, Musk shared a few lines about his background, introducing himself with a quip about being the first person with Asperger’s Syndrome to host the show. He went on to talk about his successes, from launching rockets to colonizing Mars, and even unveiled a new Tesla electric pick-up truck, but his hosting duties definitely showed his inexperience as a late night comedian.
Though there were a few “loud” jokes which received mixed reviews, there were a few moments which had viewers in stitches, such as his Starbase announcement and his surprise doppleganger skit. Aside from jokes, Musk also discussed his environmental and space travel projects, giving viewers an insight into how he plans to change the world.
Though Musk was criticized for attempting to influence politics, it’s clear that his predecessor’s hosting roles had a positive effect on their businesses, adding millions of viewers to their base. The same effect is expected for Musk and his brands, with Tesla stocks increasing after the announcement of SNL hosting duties.
SNL has had a long and successful run of satirical comedy, with its initial start on March 8th, 1975. It has welcomed many distinguished actors, actresses, and even politicians, with the likes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Alec Baldwin, but Musk marked the first time a tech CEO took on the role of host. It is expected to be successful, not only because of the star power they bring to the show, but also because of the dynamic yet controversial nature of their ideas.
Surprisingly, Musk had a calmer attitude on SNL than what has been seen in recent months. He generated some laughs in the studio, proving he can make light of his often cringy internet presence, as well as make more serious topics about technology and space seem more human and accessible.
One on One Interviews
As part of the SNL experience, some of the guests also took part in one-on-one interviews with cast members. These interviews offered viewers an unusually intimate look into the personal lives and opinions of the guests. Musk’s interview with cast member Aidy Bryant was no exception, with the duo sharing personal stories and experiences, as well as discussing their mutual interest in science and space exploration.
The interview started out light-hearted enough, with Musk’s infamous “pedo guy” Twitter rant making an appearance, as well as a story about him as a young engineer, but things soon got more serious, with Musk discussing his strong views on Tesla and the future of energy.
He also touched upon his work with Mars exploration, suggesting time could be much faster than predicted, joking “Mars is a fixer-upper of a planet. All it needs is a coat of paint.” Musk also delved deeper into his battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), saying “it was really an attack by the short-sellers. They’re not really interested in truth, just money.”
On the more personal side, Musk also discussed his difficulty in finding time for his personal life, becoming particularly teary when speaking about his five sons. In a stark contrast to his usual ‘I’m a genius CEO-type’ persona, Musk proved he was just a regular person too, speaking openly about the stress of running four businesses, the pressures of parenting, and his serious mental health struggles.
Critics Weigh In
Though overall viewership was high and the episode received overwhelmingly positive reviews, there were some critics who found his hosting duties lacking. His monologue was criticised for being too ‘nerdy’ and his sketches were deemed ‘unfunny’ by some viewers. There were even allegations that his SNL appearance was just a stunt to prop up his companies’ share prices, with some market analysts noticing a jump in Tesla’s stock after the announcement.
Others argued that his appearance was largely to advance his own agenda, namely his travel projects and eccentric views on space exploration. Whereas some argued that his hosting stint would merely distract from controversy over his corporate practices.
Musk’s appearance on SNL certainly didn’t lack controversy. From his now infamous appearance with fellow host Miley Cyrus and the oddities of his sketches to the debates around his companies’ practices, it appears Musk put the focus squarely on himself rather than shining a light on the issues SNL is typically known for.
Elon Musk & Extra Hosting Duties
Post SNL, Elon Musk’s hosting duties didn’t end there. He went on to make an appearance in various other shows, such as The Joe Rogan Experience, his own podcast Ride The Lightning and Jay Leno’s Garage. In many of these interviews, he has continued to promote his companies, as well as reveal more about his bold visions for the future. In some cases, such as his notorious Joe Rogan interview where he smoked a marijuana joint, it could be argued that the lines between entertainer and innovator were somewhat blurred.
This marketing strategy clearly worked in Musk’s favor, as it widened his fan base and strengthened his brand in the public eye. In recent weeks, Tesla stock has soared, due in part to these efforts, and some have even speculated that he could have an even bigger year than Apple.
Ultimately, Musk’s hosting stint on SNL, amongst other appearances, likely contributed to a rise in valuation of his companies and technology, painting him not just as a revolutionary innovator but also a savvy entrepreneur.
Conclusion
Overall, it appears that Elon Musk’s SNL hosting gig didn’t just give him a platform to showcase his ideas and promote his companies, but it also did wonders for his personal brand. His appearance on the show gave the public an intimate look at the mogul, increasing his profile and stock prices – a win for Musk and his endeavors.
