Quick Read
- SNL’s latest parody featured Mr Beast in a reimagined ‘Beauty and the Beast’ sketch.
- Nikki Glaser played Belle, while Ben Marshall portrayed Mr Beast.
- The sketch poked fun at viral stunts and prize money, with enchanted objects as contestants.
- Mr Beast’s smooth confession and billionaire status brought a modern twist to the fairytale.
- The parody reflects the merging of internet celebrity culture and mainstream media.
SNL’s Modern Spin on a Disney Classic: Mr Beast as the Beast
Saturday Night Live has long been a playground for pop culture parodies, but this week’s reimagining of “Beauty and the Beast” was more than just a clever twist—it was a direct handshake with Gen Z’s digital universe. Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, the sketch swapped out the story’s traditional Beast for none other than Mr Beast, the YouTube philanthropist who has turned giving away money and hosting outlandish challenges into an online empire.
As the curtains rose, Nikki Glaser’s Belle found herself not in the company of a hairy monster, but face-to-face with Ben Marshall’s portrayal of Mr Beast. The twist? Belle’s father wasn’t just locked away for trespassing—he was sent to a dungeon as part of one of Mr Beast’s notorious competitions. The promise? There’s always a cash prize at stake, even in the most unexpected places.
Money, Stunts, and Internet Fame: The Beastly Game
The sketch leaned into Mr Beast’s signature style: high-stakes games, quirky rewards, and a constant stream of surprises. Bowen Yang as Lumiere and Kenan Thompson as Cogsworth weren’t just enchanted household objects—they were contestants in Mr Beast’s latest challenge. Cogsworth summed up the absurdity with a line that cut through the magic: “If I live for one year as a clock, I get $2,500!” The room paused. As laughter rippled through the audience, Cogsworth’s realization echoed: “I’m just realizing that’s not a lot of money.”
This wasn’t just parody—it was commentary. SNL has always thrived on poking fun at the cultural moments that define us, and here, the sketch highlighted the way viral content and prize-driven stunts have become the new fairy tales for younger audiences. The Beast’s castle wasn’t just enchanted—it was monetized, gamified, and ready for a viral TikTok moment.
Charm, Awkwardness, and the Smooth Truth
As Belle began to see past Mr Beast’s eccentricities, the script took an unexpected turn. Instead of a revelation about inner beauty, Mr Beast confessed, “my bottom half is completely smooth.” The line landed somewhere between comedy and confusion, but Belle’s response was pragmatic—he’s also a billionaire, and that’s enough to keep her interested.
The sketch walked a fine line between poking fun at internet celebrity culture and acknowledging its real-world impact. Mr Beast’s philanthropic reputation and quirky persona were both lampooned and celebrated, showing how today’s media figures can both charm and bewilder those outside their core audience.
From YouTube to Primetime: Mr Beast’s Mainstream Moment
Bringing Mr Beast into the “Beauty and the Beast” universe wasn’t just a creative choice—it was a signal of how internet personalities have moved from niche fame to mainstream recognition. Ben Marshall’s performance captured the odd charisma that has made Mr Beast a household name for millions, while Nikki Glaser’s Belle reflected the skepticism and curiosity of audiences encountering this new breed of celebrity.
For SNL, the sketch was more than a momentary laugh; it was a reflection of the evolving landscape of entertainment. Where fairy tales once taught lessons about kindness and inner beauty, today’s viral sensations offer challenges, cash prizes, and the allure of instant fame. The castle’s enchanted objects weren’t just magical—they were contestants, each with their own prize to chase.
Reactions and Cultural Impact
Social media lit up as the sketch aired, with fans and critics alike weighing in on the collision of Disney nostalgia and YouTube bravado. Some viewers praised SNL for tapping into Gen Z humor, while others wondered if the parody missed the mark for older audiences less familiar with Mr Beast’s unique brand. What’s clear is that the boundaries between traditional media and digital stardom are more porous than ever.
As SNL continues to experiment with new formats and personalities, this sketch stands as a testament to the changing nature of fame. Mr Beast’s appearance—however satirical—reminds us that today’s most influential figures often start not on stage, but online, building communities around generosity, spectacle, and the promise of something unexpected.
By blending classic storytelling with internet culture, SNL’s “Beauty and Mr Beast” sketch doesn’t just entertain—it asks us to reconsider what makes a modern fairytale. The lines between fantasy and reality, enchantment and entertainment, are shifting. In a world where a YouTube challenge can be as magical as a spell, the new beast may be less about fear and more about fascination.