Analysis of Humor

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyKZk4YxfPw

This skit begins by saying that this C-Span program is usually about politician's beach houses, but the program is being interrupted for Obama's message. Already SNL is portraying the idea that politicians are lazy disconnected from the average Americans, who of course cannot afford beach houses.

The skit goes on to show a variety of "typical Americans" and their reactions to Obamacare. They all are confused as they wildly and incorrectly interpret the health care's actual details and implications. Their absurd reactions to Obamacare illuminates the reality of most people being unsure about the details of Obamacare. This tension between the absurdity of these fictional characters reaction to the act and that generally people are ignorant about the act's details creates a humorous reaction and places emphasis on the argument: most of the country is confused about Obamacare's details. SNL also argues that while the president has good intentions, there will be people who take advantage of this, such as the young man who is a drug addict.

When the Republican comes on, he speaks only in allusions to Dr. Seuss stories. This reflects the real inability of the two parties to communicate as well as how the Republicans are not getting any serious work accomplished.

Then later, the juxtaposition between "healthcare Oscar" singing about how easy it is to get health care and when he falls and says he doesn't even have it himself so they shouldn't call an ambulance, again creates this humorous tension that exhibits how Obamacare is actually difficult to sign up for and would not apply to the people who need it the most, which are immigrants.