‘Saturday Night Live’ takes on New Jersey’s ‘mystery drones’ in skit starring Bowen Yang
'Saturday Night Live's" Bowen Yang weighs in on drones and is actually nice to New Jersey in "Weekend Update" skit, complete with a "Defying Gravity" parody.
Bowen Yang has entered the ring for “mystery drone” commentary.
Over the weekend, Yang appeared on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” segment, dressed as one of the drones seen flying over New Jersey over the last month.
“What are you?” anchor Michael Che asked Yang, whose arms and shoulder blades were made to look like propellers. “No, see, we’re not going to do that,” Yang responded. “I know what I am — and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone at any time for any reason.”
The skit was part of SNL’s final episode of 2024. It was a nod to the series of drone sightings across the Northeast, and the FAA’s recent enactment of temporary flight restrictions over the state for the rest of the year.
» READ MORE: FAA announces new drone flight restrictions in New Jersey amid surge of sightings
“Who’s controlling you,” Che asked Yang’s drone character. “Who’s controlling you, Michael?” Yang responded. “People are like, ‘Is it a UFO? Is it a drone? Is it a promo for SNL 50?’ Meanwhile, I’m just minding my own business, hovering over people’s homes, maybe filming them.”
During the skit, Yang showed love for New Jersey — a rarity on the show that for years has made the Garden State the butt of its jokes, with past jabs at the state’s smell, residents’ appearances, and past governors.
“Dude, why are you in New Jersey?” Che asked.
Yang responded, “because there’s beautiful nature and good schools! Yeah! Bet you thought I was gonna make some cheap Sopranos joke. No, people live there. Have some respect.”
The skit also referred to the conspiracy discourse the drone sightings have caused, like by TV personality and TikTok creator Bethenny Frankel, who has made a series of unverified claims about the drones and their purpose.
Government agencies have reiterated that the drones are not dangerous or foreign entities, despite being unable to provide additional details, often stoking the flames for more conspiracy theories to brew. The FBI said last week that thousands of the alleged drone sightings ended up being small planes, hobbyist drones, and stars.
“Bethenny Frankel’s going Super Saiyan on TikTok, talking about orbs and plasmoids, like she knows a damn thing besides how to hawk muffins at a grocery store,” Yang ranted.
To wrap things up, Yang nodded to his role in Wicked, comparing his drone role to Elphaba, the Wicked Witch heroine role in the film, and singing a parody version of “Defying Gravity.”
“I’m the one you want, it’s me … If you care to find me, look to the Jersey sky. As Bethenny [Frankel] told you lately, drones are orbs and plasmoids that can fly,” he belted. “And nobody, in all of Jerz, no Bethenny that is or werz, is ever going to bring me down.”