Elon Musk and Chloe Fineman: The Controversy Over 'SNL' that Sparked Tears

In a recent TikTok comeback, comedian Chloe Fineman recounted a troubling experience she had while working with Elon Musk during his 2021 hosting gig on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Fineman claimed that Musk's harsh feedback on her sketch left her in tears, sparking a public conversation that generated significant media attention.

The Incident: Chloe's Emotional Revelation

In her now-deleted TikTok video, Chloe expressed her disappointment: "You made I, Chloe Fineman, burst into tears because I stayed up all night writing a sketch, I was so excited!" She elaborated on how Musk, instead of encouraging her, critiqued her with remarks that were, by her account, dismissive. She said, "I asked if you had any questions, and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like, 'It's not funny.'"

Fineman described waiting for Musk to lighten the mood but instead received a stark critique. “I waited for you to be like, 'Haha, JK.' No. Then you started pawing through my script, flipping each page, being like, 'I didn't laugh once. Not one time.'" This harsh response allegedly led to her emotional breakdown backstage.

Musk's Response on Social Media

Shortly after Fineman's revelations, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation indirectly. He shared his perspective, stating, "Frankly, it was only on the Thursday before the Saturday that ANY of the sketches generated laughs. I was worried." Musk's comments suggested that he was more concerned about the overall quality of the show rather than the specifics of his interactions with Fineman.

He further downplayed the situation by jokingly referencing how unfunny he thought their sketches were initially, stating, “I was like, damn my SNL appearance is going to be so f**ing unfunny that it will make a crackhead sober.”* These comments have been met with mixed reactions from the public and industry insiders alike.

Context and Broader Implications

Chloe Fineman's claims come on the heels of revelations from her castmate, Bowen Yang, who previously shared that an unnamed host had made multiple cast members cry due to harsh critiques during the table read. Many have speculated that Musk was, in fact, the host in question, linking this chaotic incident to a series of complaints Musk has made about SNL in recent weeks.

In recent X posts, Musk has criticized SNL, referring to it as "dying slowly" and calling out their impressions as unoriginal, specifically taking aim at comedian Dana Carvey's portrayal of him on a recent episode. Following this pattern, Fineman called him out, suggesting that Musk was contradicting his claims of discontent while still engaging with the show.

Conclusion: Understanding Host Dynamics on SNL

This incident raises questions about the dynamics and pressures involved when high-profile hosts join the cast of SNL. As the show continues to navigate challenge and change, the impact of these interactions can significantly affect the creative environment for the artists involved.

From this exchange, one thing stands clear—when it comes to the pressures of comedy and performance, sensitivity is key. As the conversation continues, it encourages both fans and participants to reflect on the nature of critique and its delivery in a creative space.

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