SNL's Tucker Carlson Mocks Oscars Nominees

The conservative commentator blasted this year's Academy Award contenders on Weekend Update.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:04am

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On a recent Saturday Night Live episode, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson (played by Jeremy Culhane) criticized several of this year's Oscar-nominated films, including "Sinners," "Hamnet," and "Bugonia," claiming they represent a "left-wing agenda" and the "collapse of American culture." Carlson spoke with Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost about his disdain for the films and their perceived political correctness.

Why it matters

Carlson's rant on SNL reflects the ongoing cultural and political divisions in the US, with conservatives often criticizing Hollywood and the entertainment industry for promoting liberal values. His comments highlight the polarized reactions to this year's diverse slate of Oscar nominees, which some view as a positive step towards greater representation, while others see it as an unwelcome shift away from traditional American cinema.

The details

During the Weekend Update segment, Carlson mocked the titles of several Oscar-nominated films, claiming "Hamnet" was a politically correct version of "Hamlet" and that "Bugonia" suggested "heterosexual women aren't allowed to have hair anymore." He also expressed disdain for the film "Sinners," saying it represented the country's move away from church and towards a "leftist woke" agenda. Carlson nostalgically cited classic films like "Gone With the Wind" and the "first 20 minutes of Forrest Gump" as examples of "great American film," particularly the part where the main character was "bullied," which he said he "loved."

  • The SNL episode aired on March 14, 2026, just days before the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 17, 2026.

The players

Tucker Carlson

A conservative political commentator and former host on Fox News, who is known for his controversial and provocative views.

Colin Jost

The co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" segment on Saturday Night Live, who engaged in a back-and-forth with Carlson's character during the sketch.

Jeremy Culhane

The actor who portrayed the character of Tucker Carlson in the SNL sketch.

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What they’re saying

“Let's all go to the movies. Huh. Really? Yes, why don't we grab some popcorn and watch American culture collapse. What are we doing? What's going on?”

— Tucker Carlson, Conservative Commentator (SNL)

“Oh, Hamnet, because we're not allowed to say 'Hamlet' anymore. They took the 'L' and gave it to the 'GBTQ.' What are we doing? What's going on?”

— Tucker Carlson, Conservative Commentator (SNL)

“I guess heterosexual women aren't allowed to have hair anymore.”

— Tucker Carlson, Conservative Commentator (SNL)

What’s next

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 17, 2026, where the winners of this year's Oscars will be announced.

The takeaway

Carlson's mocking critique of the Oscars nominees on SNL reflects the ongoing cultural and political divisions in the US, with conservatives often criticizing Hollywood for promoting liberal values. While some view the diverse slate of nominees as a positive step, others see it as a concerning shift away from traditional American cinema.