Sebastian Maniscalco Finds the Humor in Viral SNL Impersonation
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is taking the recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch featuring an impersonation of him in stride, even finding it “absolutely all in love.” The sketch, which went viral shortly after its November 15th debut, depicts a chaotic bachelor party disrupted by the arrival of a remarkably energetic Maniscalco stand-in.
Maniscalco,known for his observational humor and top-grossing live performances,has openly discussed the impersonation in recent interviews. He playfully suggested to Drew Barrymore, a five-time SNL host, that she might be able to help him land a hosting gig of his own. “You’re taking all the spots!” he joked, acknowledging BarrymoreS frequent appearances on the show.
Acknowledging the Impersonation & Finding the Funny
Initially, Maniscalco reacted to the sketch with amusement, commenting online about the impersonator’s appearance. “The first thing I noticed: Do they think I’m that gray?” he quipped, referencing the exaggerated gray hair in the portrayal. Though, he quickly moved past the initial surprise to appreciate the commitment to the physical comedy.
He specifically praised Marcello Hernandez, the actor behind the impersonation, for fully embracing the physicality of the role. Maniscalco noted Hernandez’s “over enunciation on the physical humor” and notably enjoyed the energetic step-over and jump sequences. “I actually talked to Marcello via text, and I said, ‘Man I wish I could jump like that,'” he revealed.
The Power of Viral Moments
Interestingly, Maniscalco has found the sketch has significantly boosted his online visibility. He’s “gotten more traction on this video than any video I’ve ever been in.” He jokingly suggested that continued impersonations could be a good thing, “If we could just have people keep imitating me, I think it’ll be fine,” but admitted the effect diminishes when he is involved.
This isn’t the first time Maniscalco has addressed the sketch. He shared similar thoughts in a recent interview promoting his latest Hulu special, It Ain’t Right. The comedian seems to understand the power of a viral moment and is embracing the attention.
What This Means for Maniscalco & SNL
The sketch highlights the impact of celebrity impressions on SNL and the show’s ability to tap into current cultural conversations. It also demonstrates Maniscalco’s good humor and willingness to engage with his audience.
SNL is currently on hiatus for the holidays, returning with three new episodes in December. As for Maniscalco, he continues to tour and create new material, with It Ain’t Right now available on Hulu. Perhaps this viral moment will pave the way for him to finally take the stage at 30 Rockefeller Plaza as a host himself.
Worth a look