SNL’s Joe Biden: Blaming Spider-Man for Omicron and Navigating the Multiverse
In a memorable cold open that perfectly captured the zeitgeist of early 2022, James Austin Johnson’s satirical portrayal of President Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live delivered an unexpected public health directive. His primary — and comically absurd — suggestion for curbing the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 was for Americans to simply “stop seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This particular sketch, which aired on January 15, found Johnson’s Biden convinced that the record-breaking blockbuster, starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, was the sole culprit behind the surge in infections. The episode perfectly blended timely political satire with relevant pop culture, creating a hilarious commentary on the nation’s pandemic fatigue and the overwhelming popularity of the latest Spider-Man installment.
Johnson’s impression of President Biden has been widely lauded for its unique blend of vocal precision and nuanced mannerisms, making him a standout in the SNL cast. His performance in this cold open was no exception, as he delivered the preposterous pandemic advice with Biden’s signature blend of folksy charm and occasional befuddlement. The comedic premise hinged on a deceptively simple, yet utterly illogical, correlation. “Think about it,” he posited during the January 15 broadcast. “When did Spider-Man come out? December 17th. When did every single person get Omicron? The week after December 17th. Stop seeing Spider-Man,” he urgently declared to the American public. This direct, albeit nonsensical, line of reasoning immediately resonated with viewers who had witnessed the real-life surge of the Omicron variant following the film’s release, playfully highlighting the often-simplistic desire to attribute complex problems to single, easy-to-understand causes.
The Unlikely Pandemic Culprit: Spider-Man
The timing of the Omicron variant’s rapid spread in mid-December indeed coincided with the theatrical debut of Spider-Man: No Way Home, a fact not lost on SNL’s writers. The film became a cultural phenomenon, drawing massive crowds back to cinemas during a period when health officials were reiterating calls for caution and social distancing. Johnson’s Biden, with a straight face, presented this temporal correlation as irrefutable scientific proof. The humor stemmed from contrasting the gravity of a global pandemic with the innocent joy of a superhero movie, framing the latter as a public health hazard. This satirical take cleverly mirrored public discussions and anxieties about large gatherings and their potential impact on virus transmission, but with a hyperbolic twist that only SNL could deliver.
And now, a message from President Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/Q8TglFNBlF
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 16, 2022
SNL’s Own Brush with Omicron
The sketch carried an additional layer of meta-humor given that Saturday Night Live itself had been significantly impacted by the Omicron wave just weeks prior. The show’s final episode of 2021, hosted by Paul Rudd, was severely curtailed due to a widespread COVID-19 outbreak among the cast and crew. The live audience was canceled, and many sketches were performed in pre-taped segments or with a drastically reduced cast. Iconic figures like Tom Hanks and Tina Fey made last-minute appearances to fill the void, with Fey even stepping in for Colin Jost at the Weekend Update desk. This real-world disruption underscored the very pandemic realities that Johnson’s Biden was comically addressing, creating a self-referential irony that long-time SNL viewers surely appreciated. The show was not just commenting on the pandemic; it was actively demonstrating its pervasive reach, even within the highly controlled environment of a television studio.
Presidential Film Critic: “House of Gucci”
Beyond his primary directive, Johnson’s Biden went on to offer reporters and the American populace some alternative entertainment suggestions. “See anything else,” he advised with a shrug, before providing a surprisingly specific, and equally humorous, recommendation: “I saw the first half hour of House of Gucci. That’s more than enough movie for anyone,” he quipped, referencing the dramatic film starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. The choice of House of Gucci as an alternative was a stroke of comedic genius. It contrasted sharply with the high-octane, universally appealing superhero flick, presenting a more niche, artistically driven drama that, for Biden, apparently hit its peak within the first thirty minutes. This off-the-cuff film critique further solidified Johnson’s portrayal of Biden as a relatable, albeit slightly out-of-touch, figure attempting to navigate the complexities of modern life and global crises.
‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/czPQ796lsO
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 16, 2022
Exploring the Presidential Multiverse
The sketch then took an even more fantastical turn, leaning into the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) concept of the “multiverse” — a theme heavily featured in Spider-Man: No Way Home itself. A reporter, seizing on this timely pop culture reference, cleverly inquired if there might be another version of Biden in the “multi-verse” who actually “wants people” to see the blockbuster film. In the MCU, the multiverse concept allows for the existence of multiple alternate realities, famously enabling previous Spider-Man actors like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to join Tom Holland’s iteration in the latest film. This brilliant integration of a widely discussed movie plot device into the political satire elevated the sketch, demonstrating SNL’s ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist with precision and wit.
Johnson’s Joe Biden’s reaction to the multiverse question was priceless: “Finally, a good question!” he exclaimed, signifying his appreciation for a topic he found genuinely engaging. He then revealed that the concept had indeed crossed his mind, stating, “I’ve actually thought about this a lot. I’ve consulted with Dr. Fauci and Dr. Strange [played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the films].” The comedic juxtaposition of a real-world scientific authority figure with a fictional master of the mystic arts was a brilliant touch, further blurring the lines between reality and parody. “As far as I can tell there are at least three Joe Bidens. One of them is me,” he added, setting the stage for a grand reveal of his alternate selves.
The Three Faces of Joe Biden
Biden proceeded to elaborate on his discoveries within the sprawling multiverse, outlining two other distinct versions of himself. The first alternate Biden he described was one who “lost to [former president Donald] Trump.” This version, having taken a different path, now hosts a show on CNBC titled “‘T-birds, Tacos and Trains,’” a hilariously mundane and oddly specific career choice that perfectly encapsulates the kind of quirky, unexpected outcomes the multiverse might present. The very idea of a former presidential candidate reduced to a cable TV host of such a niche interest was pure comedic gold, hinting at a life far removed from the pressures of the White House.
The third, and arguably most amusing, Joe Biden variant was presented as a utopian ideal: “And then there’s a third Joe Biden that was the greatest president in history. My approval ratings are sky high, I’m actually supported by my own party, and I understand the show Euphoria,” he declared with a wistful expression. This “greatest president” version served as a poignant, albeit comedic, commentary on the struggles of the actual presidency, fantasizing about universal approval, unwavering party support, and even a grasp of complex youth-oriented pop culture like HBO’s Euphoria. It humorously highlighted the often-overwhelming expectations placed upon a president and the elusive nature of political harmony, all while weaving in another timely cultural reference that would resonate with a younger audience.
Pete Davidson’s Multiverse Warning
Just as Johnson’s Biden was detailing these multiversal revelations, the sketch introduced a surprise cameo that brought the meta-humor to a new level. It turned out one of the Joe Bidens was none other than Pete Davidson, a prominent SNL cast member, appearing as a version from the “real universe.” Sporting futuristic sunglasses and a stylish blazer with nothing underneath – a signature Pete Davidson look – his Biden had an urgent message for Johnson’s universe: it was going to be destroyed! This unexpected appearance by Davidson, known for his self-aware humor and unique persona, perfectly capped off the multiverse segment.
“Everyone on Earth is better off in the real world except one man named Pete Davidson,” Pete’s Biden candidly urged, implying that while his own “real” universe might be superior for most, it lacked the unique, perhaps chaotic, charm that makes Johnson’s SNL universe more amenable to him. “This world is maybe more fun for him,” Pete added, with his characteristic deadpan delivery. Davidson’s cameo not only provided a surprising twist but also served as a meta-commentary on his own role within the SNL ecosystem and his often-publicized persona. It reinforced the idea that SNL exists in its own unique comedic reality, a place where absurd solutions to global problems and multiversal presidents are not just possible, but hilariously plausible. The sketch ultimately proved to be a masterful blend of political parody, pop culture commentary, and self-aware humor, skillfully executed by James Austin Johnson and the entire SNL team.