Charity Condemns SNL Sketch Mocking Tourette's as 'Unacceptable'
A leading Tourette's charity has issued a strong condemnation of a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked a Baftas incident involving campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome. Tourette's Action branded the clip "unacceptable" and warned it contributes to "horrific" trolling faced by those with the condition.
Sketch Sparks Outrage from Disability Advocates
The controversial SNL sketch, released online over the weekend, parodied the 2026 Bafta Film Awards incident where Davidson, a Scottish campaigner whose life inspired the film I Swear, involuntarily shouted a racial slur during a presentation by actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. The BBC later broadcast the pre-recorded moment, which Davidson said left him "upset and distraught" as he was allegedly told offensive tics would be edited out.
In the sketch, hosted by actor Connor Storrie, cast members portrayed controversial celebrities—including Mel Gibson, J.K. Rowling, Bill Cosby, and Kanye West—who falsely blamed Tourette's for their past problematic behavior. For example, Andrew Dismukes as Gibson claimed the condition explained his history of offensive remarks, while Ashley Padilla as Rowling linked it to her views on trans rights.
Charity Warns of Real-World Consequences
A spokesperson for Tourette's Action stated that the sketch "can undo the progress our community has spent years building toward greater awareness." They emphasized that Tourette's is a complex neurological condition with no cure, not a joke or source of entertainment, and can cause "pain, isolation, and huge amounts of discrimination."
The charity highlighted that such content leads to real harm, including fear, isolation, bullying, and abuse for people with Tourette's. They noted that since the Baftas incident, the community has endured "horrific trolling," with individuals targeted for a condition they did not choose.
Full Statement from Tourette's Action
In a detailed statement, the charity declared: "THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Mocking a disability is never acceptable. It would not be tolerated for any other condition, and it should not be tolerated by people with Tourette's." They urged compassion, accurate information, and education, asking content creators and the public to consider the impact of their actions.
The statement added: "Videos and posts that deliberately misrepresent or sensationalise tics set us back years. A single video can undo years of progress. Behind every tic is a person, a family, a life, and a history of being misunderstood."
Background on the Baftas Incident
Davidson suffers from coprolalia, a form of Tourette's involving involuntary cursing or inappropriate remarks. During the Baftas, he left the auditorium after realizing Lindo and Jordan heard his tic. He also mentioned making other offensive remarks involuntarily.
Following the event, the BBC apologized, stating the slur aired "in error" as producers missed it, and it was removed from BBC iPlayer. Bafta also apologized, launching a "comprehensive review" and taking "full responsibility" for the situation, while apologizing to Lindo and Jordan.
The Independent has contacted NBC for comment on the SNL sketch, but no response has been reported yet.
