199Saturday Night Live has been a mainstay of American television for nearly 40 years. The show has generated a cast of great stars and pop cultural moments that no other television show can match. SNL, on the other hand, has spawned a great number of memorable issues that have resulted in public criticism and firings. The most serious of these SNL scandals have resulted in lifetime suspensions. Some SNL scandals were sparked by guests hosts or singers using the show’s platform to push their own message, while others featured full-time SNL cast members jeopardizing their own livelihoods.
Exposing Saturday Night Live’s Controversial Side
Sinéad O’Connor
On October 3, 1992, maybe the most contentious moment in SNL history occurred. Following a performance of Bob Marley’s “War,” musical guest Sinéad O’Connor brought out a photo of Pope John Paul II, tore it to shreds, and declared “fight the real enemy” in reference to ongoing sexual abuse allegations against the Catholic Church. O’Conner’s behavior not only shocked audiences and sparked record burnings, but it also took producers off guard because O’Conner had kept the gesture disguised during rehearsals. Despite the fact that history has proven O’Conner’s charges against the church to be true, she has been barred from appearing on SNL ever since.
Sinéad O’Connor
