Will Forte Kate McKinnonA vintage mix of comedy and psychology “SNL”Spoof that examines the fictional origins of gaslighting.
Parodies of the PBSSeries “Film Classics,”McKinnon stars as a bitter married couple in this black-and-white movie called “Gaslight,”Forte continues to deceive McKinnon. Forte drives McKinnon crazy by driving McKinnon to madness “slowly dimming the gas-fueled lights around her and then denying it.”
“Cinema Classics” host Reese De’What, played by Kenan Thompson, tells the audience that it is from this 1944 film that the definition of gaslighting, which is to “manipulate someone into believing a false reality,”It comes from.
“I have tried so hard to keep the fact that you have lost your mind a secret, but now I’m afraid all of London knows it,”Forte portrays McKinnon’s despair in the film.
McKinnon last week-and-a-half ago asked her husband to turn on the lights to help her keep track of reality. “as high as they’ll go.”Forte does the exact reverse, turning off the lights completely.
“That was up? ‘Cause to me that seemed like not up,” McKinnon says in bewilderment, to which Forte replies, “I hope you’re happy; our gas bill is going to be insane, just like your brain.”
Forte tells his wife that a book in her hands is a rat, and that a potato she gave her with googly eyes was a potato. Forte also tries to convince McKinnon that pineapples are a steak dinner.
“Dude, I don’t care how crazy I am: This is a pineapple,” McKinnon says. “I feel like maybe you’re trying to drive me mad.”
McKinnon realizes that Forte might not be being completely honest with her and snaps at him for the emotional isolation she feels in their marriage. “I don’t feel love,”She said to Forte “You don’t even kiss me anymore.”
Forte tries comfort McKinnon, but only to pull away and kiss McKinnon at the last moment. This deception pushes McKinnon over the edge and helps her see the reality of her husband’s deception. McKinnon tries to make Forte pay, but fails.
“That’s not a tie you’re wearing – it’s a steak,”McKinnon replies that Forte is wrong. “Grow up.”
“I guess I’m bad at it,” McKinnon says. “Well, at least I know the truth now.”
