Will Ferrell has recently opened up about his reflections on some of his iconic “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) sketches, particularly those involving drag. Speaking on “The Interview” podcast, Ferrell expressed regret over his participation in the infamous “Janet Reno’s Fantasies” sketch. This skit, which relied heavily on the humor derived from him dressing as the former U.S. Attorney General, is something Ferrell says he would no longer choose to do. “That’s something I wouldn’t choose to do now,” he noted, acknowledging how the times and his own understanding of comedy have evolved.
Ferrell’s comment reflects a broader shift in the world of entertainment. Historically, drag performances have often been used in comedic contexts, frequently relying on exaggerated gender roles to elicit laughter. However, such portrayals are now being reexamined, particularly for their impact on the LGBTQ community. Humor that once seemed harmless is increasingly scrutinized for reinforcing harmful stereotypes, especially towards transgender individuals and the wider queer community.
Harper Steele, Ferrell’s longtime friend and former head writer at SNL, weighed in on the issue. Steele, who came out as transgender in 2022, shared her own mixed feelings about such sketches, admitting that while they once seemed like playful comedy, they can now feel hurtful. This ongoing reflection is also tied to her recent documentary with Ferrell, “Will & Harper,” which explores their friendship and Steele’s transition. As the documentary shows, both Ferrell and Steele have navigated the complexities of gender, identity, and humor, raising important questions about the line between comedy and harm.
Ferrell’s comments, while introspective, reveal a growing awareness within the entertainment industry of the need for more sensitive representations of gender. His acknowledgment that he had “zero knowledge” about the trans community prior to Steele’s coming out speaks to a broader societal issue—the lack of understanding and empathy towards the trans experience. As more public figures like Ferrell express their evolution on such issues, there is hope for a more inclusive and respectful approach to comedy and storytelling.
