Chappelle's remarks on fame and fans are mocked in an SNL skit
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Saturday Night Live Star Bowen Young channeled pop singer Chappelle Ron in a skit in which she played the internet's favorite pygmy hippo, Mu Deng.
In recent weeks, the animal, which resides at Thailand's Khao Kheo Open Zoo in Chonburi, has become a viral sensation for its mischievous nature and often unwelcome behavior.
In the popular clips, the two-month-old, whose name means “bouncy pork”, is seen nudging his keepers and his mother with his head. She famously hates baths.
However, the zoo has now been forced to put up warning signs in Thai, English and Chinese telling visitors not to splash water or throw objects at him to incite the behavior they saw online.
In its first episode SNL's In the landmark 50th season, cast member Yang was decked out in an elaborate Mu Deng outfit as she appeared on co-star Colin Jost's “Weekend Update” segment to speak her truth.
“For the past 10 weeks, I've been going non-stop,” began the weary pygmy hippo. “Running around, eating lettuce, trying to bite water from the hose.”
“The response has been overwhelming,” he continued. “But it got to the point where I had to set some boundaries.”
Rowan made headlines last month for his statements about apparently “entitled” and “horrible” fans who he claimed were stalking and harassing him.
The pop singer, who this year had hits like “Good Luck, Babe!”, “Hot To Go!” rose to fame with hit songs including “Pink Pony Club”, shared several TikToks in which she talked about her new success and told fans that it does not condone intrusive behavior towards her.
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“Reminder, women can't give you anything,” said Yang/Mu Deng SNL. “When I'm in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer's knee, I'm at work. That project. Don't scream my name, or expect a picture, just because I'm your parasocial bestie, or you admire my talent.
“What's your talent?” asked Jost.
Yang/Mu Deng replied, “A slippery body that bounces.”
He references famous hippos that have come before him, including Hungry Hungry Hippos and Jada Pinkett Smith's character in the animated film. Madagascar.
“Now, I'm your favorite hippo's favorite hippo,” he said, parodying the Google search results for Rowan.
Jost notes that Mu Deng's life sounds a lot like Rowan: “You know what [her]?”
“I'm 10 weeks old, Colin, of course I know Chapel Rowan,” Mu Deng replied. “Anyway, leave him alone. Let him take as much time as he needs for his mental health… that's what society does. It puts young women on their toes only to knock them over with shellfish.”
Mu Deng then announced that he would not support the presidential election, another reference to Rowan, who caused a backlash with his election comments last week.
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