Addressing a number of issues that revolve around demolishing racists (particularly the dumb ones) and tackling Islamophobia, is not the work of an ordinary man. It requires an individual of extraordinary caliber combined with his wit of wry sarcasm, mixed in with some intelligent humor to prepare and deliver a monologue that will shake the very foundations of an unperceptive audience.
Pakistani-American comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani did exactly that when he made a memorable debut as the host of Saturday Night Live this week. The Karachi-born, whose rom-com ‘The Big Sick’ hit the silver screens with a bang this summer, took aim at internet trolls who complain about “race-mixing” and take a dig at the resurgence of Islamophobia spiraling out of control in the US.
“I came to America, fell in love with a white woman and made a movie about it,” he said in his speech about ‘The Big Sick’, before proceeding to roast the racist trolls.
“A guy said [about The Big Sick], ‘I watched the whole movie. I just don’t like race mixing.’ First of all, nobody good ever uses the phrase ‘race mixing’. Even if someone was like, ‘I’m pro-race mixing’, I’d be like, ‘Why are you talking like that? Are you an undercover KKK… dragon?!
In conversation with the audience about the Twitter backlash that followed the movie, he said, “A lot of people were like, ‘Go back to India.’” He replied, “I’ve never been to India. Are you just hoping I’ll have an awesome vacation soon?”
“My problem with most racism is the inaccuracy,” he commented. “I’m like, ‘DO the research. Put in the work. You will see the benefits.”
However, it was this expression of ridicule that took away our hearts: “”I’ll give you an example. If someone yells at me, ‘Go back to India’, I’ll be like, ‘That guy’s an idiot’. If someone was like, ‘Go back to Pakistan, which was part of India until 1947 and is now home to the world’s oldest salt mine’, I’d be like, ‘This guy seems to know what he’s talking about. I’ll pack my bags.'”
“Just because someone’s racist doesn’t mean they have to be ignorant. An INFORMED racist is a BETTER RACIST!”
Nanjiani also delved into the rise of Islamophobia in America being reciprocal to the return of Will & Grace on SNL’s home network. “It was huge awhile ago, we thought it was gone and done forever and now it’s back!” he said.
Kumail Nanjiani hosted the season’s strongest episode yet with musical guest P!nk, as it touched the show’s highest metered-market ratings, surpassing the season premiere as well as last week’s second episode.
Finally got to watch @kumailn on @nbcsnl . You killed it sir. Well done. Amazing job and most important: FUNNY. Here’s to the next one! pic.twitter.com/biJnqzI34D
— Scareon Shockrell (@MyNameIsGaron) October 16, 2017
“An informed racist is a better racist.” – @kumailn
Hahaha absolutely amazing. #SNL pic.twitter.com/iyNcEGRR39
— Varun Minhas (@varunminhas_) October 16, 2017
“An informed racist is a better racist!” said Kumail Nanjiani, as he totally nailed that #SNL monologue. Good job, sir! pic.twitter.com/wWlS4MsHX9
— Neha Rassal (@NehaRassal) October 15, 2017
Have to admit I didn’t know how funny Kumail Nanjiani was until last night’s episode. @kumailn you were brilliant!#SNL
— Jorge 🇵🇷 (@HRHjorge) October 15, 2017