Colin Jost's 'Cringey' Pete Hegseth Impression on SNL's Weekend Update Leaves Audiences Squirming

Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update' is renowned for its sharp political commentary and often biting impressions. However, a recent segment featuring co-anchor Colin Jost's attempt at embodying Fox News host Pete Hegseth has sparked a rather different conversation: one centered on pure, unadulterated cringe.

The impression, which aired during a recent episode, saw Jost donning a slightly disheveled wig and attempting to mimic Hegseth's distinctive, often impassioned, delivery.

From the outset, it was clear this wasn't destined to be a classic SNL portrayal. Instead of the incisive, humorous caricature viewers have come to expect, Jost's Hegseth felt awkward, unconvincing, and frankly, a bit painful to watch.

Jost's portrayal seemed to lean heavily into a caricature of Hegseth's perceived intensity and 'man of the people' persona, complete with over-the-top gestures and a strained voice.

Yet, it lacked the subtle nuances that make an impression truly land. There was no insightful exaggeration, no clever deconstruction of Hegseth's public image; only a broad, almost amateurish imitation that struggled to find its comedic footing.

Social media quickly lit up with reactions, many echoing the sentiment that the impression was less about satirizing Hegseth and more about an uncomfortable performance from Jost himself.

Comments ranged from outright bewilderment to second-hand embarrassment, with some viewers questioning whether the segment was intentionally bad for comedic effect or simply a rare misstep for the usually sharp 'Weekend Update' team.

While SNL has a long history of both brilliant and occasionally misguided impressions, this particular take on Pete Hegseth will likely be remembered not for its comedic brilliance, but for its sheer cringeworthiness.

It serves as a stark reminder that even the most seasoned comedians can sometimes miss the mark, leaving audiences not in stitches, but in a state of quiet discomfort.

Perhaps the "humiliation" the original article referred to wasn't for Hegseth, but rather for the creative team behind the impression, who failed to craft a memorable or even genuinely funny portrayal.

It leaves one to wonder what the ultimate goal of such a performance was, and whether the laugh was truly on Hegseth, or inadvertently, on 'Weekend Update' itself.