Paul Mescal, the star of Gladiator II, has stirred controversy after making a joke about the British during his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on December 7.
The comment has been widely criticized for being “lazy” and offensive.
Mescal’s remarks, which were meant to be humorous, centered around Irish stereotypes and ended with a jibe at the Irish-British relationship.
Controversial Comments Spark Irish Backlash
During his monologue, Mescal quipped, “People also think the Irish hate British people. That’s not true. We just don’t consider them people.”
While the comment was likely intended as a joke, it didn’t sit well with many Irish social media users, who found it “disastrous” and “painful to watch.”
The response was swift, with some Irish commentators urging a move away from “repetitive Brit-bashing.”
Finn McRedmond, a columnist for the Irish Times, criticized the actor for resorting to a “boring” and “intellectually unserious” joke.
McRedmond urged Irish people to retire such clichés and find humor that’s more original and thoughtful.
She suggested that those who continue to rely on these tired jokes are simply playing it safe with material that has long since lost its impact.
Dublin Journalist Calls the Skit ‘Disastrous’
Edward White, a journalist based in Dublin, described Mescal’s monologue as a “disastrous foray into comedy.”
He warned that the actor might have alienated British filmmakers, including Guy Ritchie, with his remarks.
Dr. Eoin Lenihan also weighed in, commenting that the monologue felt like it had been ripped “straight from 1980s headlines.”
This criticism follows another recent controversy in which Mescal faced backlash for his comments about meeting King Charles at the Gladiator II premiere.
Fans accused him of making an inappropriate remark, as his Irish background made meeting the British royal family an awkward topic.
The Monologue’s Reception
Mescal’s SNL performance started off with a light-hearted approach, as he joked about his lack of experience in comedy and his pride in being Irish.
He touched on Ireland’s difficult history, referencing the British occupation, the Great Famine, and mass emigration.
However, when he turned to make jokes about the Irish and the British, the audience response was mixed.
While some laughed, others, including several Irish viewers, found the comment uncomfortable.
One user commented, “As an Irishman, this was just painful to watch,” while another defended the joke, arguing that it was just satire.
“It’s our history, and how we view the British after 800 years is our choice,” the user wrote.
Another commenter suggested that Mescal should have had the “good sense” to refuse to say that line, even if it was written by SNL staff.
A History of Controversial Remarks
This isn’t the first time Mescal has found himself at the center of controversy.
Earlier, he was criticized for his remarks about meeting King Charles, which some fans felt were insensitive given Ireland’s historical relationship with the British monarchy.
When asked how it felt to meet the king, Mescal explained that he was caught up in the moment and struggled to hear the conversation.
His candid responses led to a range of reactions online, with some fans suggesting that interviews about the royal family were inappropriate for Irish actors.
Moving Forward
The recent backlash may prompt Mescal to rethink his approach to humor, especially when it comes to sensitive topics.
Whether or not the criticism will affect his career remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Mescal’s jokes have sparked a larger conversation about the relationship between Ireland and Britain, and the way Irish history is portrayed in popular culture.
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