Woody Harrelson’s ‘SNL’ Conspiracy Theory-Laced Monologue Sparks Backlash

Woody Harrelson sparks outrage after mentioning a Covid-19 conspiracy theory while hosting Saturday Night Live.

In the final minute of his opening monologue, the fifth-time SNL host mentioned a script he had read in Central Park, after last hosting SNL in 2019.

“So, the movie goes like this. The biggest drug cartels in the world get together and buy up all the media and all the politicians and force all the people in the world to stay locked in their homes, and people can only come out if they take the cartel’s drugs and keep taking them over and over,” Harrelson recalled as a silent NYC crowd watched him.

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“I threw the script away. I mean, who is going to believe that crazy idea? Being forced to do drugs? I do that voluntarily all day long.”

While Harrelson’s punchline received some chuckles and laughs, it was clear that the crowd felt uneasy about his apparent Covid-19 reference and insinuation that the media is owned by “drug cartels” and Big Pharma.

The True Detective alum’s monologue has received polarized reactions from fans and viewers. While figures like Twitter CEO Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known to spread anti-vax conspiracies and rumors, took to Twitter to praise Harrelson’s performance and for speaking the “truth,” others have criticized him for disregarding his influence on fans and spreading his “Anti-Vax” views.

This is not the first time the 61-year-old Oscar-nominated actor has spoken about his anti-vaccine views. He had previously received backlash when he criticized the government and Big Pharma for “profiteering in war” during the Covid-19 pandemic on the Club Random Podcast with Bill Maher in 2022.

“The last people I would trust with my health is Big Pharma and big government because neither one of those strike me as caring entities,” Harrelson explained to which Maher responded, “Spoken as the perfect redneck hippie.”