Woody Harrelson promoted Covid conspiracies in his SNL monologue

I loathed Triangle of Sadness and I still can’t believe it was Oscar-nominated for Best Picture. Like, Oscar voters actually thought that stupid movie said *something* about class, Marxism, capitalism and power? THAT film? Anyway, Woody Harrelson has a smaller role in that stupid movie, so that was why he was invited to be the guest host of Saturday Night Live this past weekend. Plus, he’s promoting his new movie, Champions. Perhaps no one on the SNL staff read any of Woody’s interviews when he was in Cannes to promote Triangle of Sadness last year? Because if they had read those interviews, they would have known that he’s an anti-vaxx, anti-mask wingnut who doesn’t believe in “germ theory.” So, obviously, he had to spread misinformation in his SNL opening monologue (I’ve cued it to the relevant part):

Per WaPo:

In a monologue filled with references to his abiding use of marijuana, the actor, who went on the show to promote his upcoming movie “Champions,” said he read a script where “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. I threw the script away. I mean, who was going to believe that crazy idea? Being forced to do drugs? I do that voluntarily all day long.”

Anti-vaccine proponents were delighted with Harrelson “red pilling the masses” and “speaking truth to power.” His joke referenced a pervasive conspiracy theory that pharmaceutical companies control the government and the media, and that they’re forcing the public to take unnecessary vaccines. The actor, who described himself as an “anarchist, Marxist, ethical hedonist, nondiscriminatory empath, epistemological deconstructionist and Texan,” immediately began receiving accolades from people who oppose coronavirus vaccines.

[From WaPo]

Just recently, someone online was screeching at me for… being an American and, as such, being forced to pay for and “take expensive vaccines.” I literally haven’t paid for any Covid vaccines or booster shots, and I’ve also never paid for a flu shot. We’ve been getting all of that stuff for free (if you have even the most basic-bitch health coverage and most of the time you get it for free even if you don’t have insurance). All of the most powerful drug companies in the world worked overtime to develop perfectly safe Covid vaccines and then governments ensured that their citizens would get everything for free, that’s how important it was to the global economy to get people out of their homes and back to work. I can’t believe I’m even arguing about this sh-t YEARS LATER with someone who doesn’t believe in GERMS.

Can I also say? It’s disgusting that NBC gave Woody a platform. Deplatform all of these idiots, get them the hell away from microphones. The worst people in the world are now screeching “Team Woody, he’s the man!”

Photos courtesy of SNL, Avalon Red.

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63 Responses to “Woody Harrelson promoted Covid conspiracies in his SNL monologue”

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  1. girl_ninja says:

    Stupid fool who also pushes a 9/11 conspiracy theory. He sucks and so does SNL.

    • mtos says:

      Oh, I didn’t know that about him. I’m gonna have to google. I honestly never paid that much attention to him he’s one of those actors that I never cared for. I like him in True Detective but that’s about it.

  2. Amy T says:

    I thought I controlled the government and media, being Jewish and all. Good to know the replacement crew finally arrived. {ducks}

    On a more serious note, I watched the monologue and knew he was making some kind of Covid reference, but it sounded so stupid and sketchy that I figured I was too old and out of touch to understand it.

    • JanetDR says:

      I didn’t notice it on the night because his own monologue was so rambling, but my honey missed it so we watched the next day and – 😱 I don’t know how I missed that message the first time.

    • kirk says:

      Amy T – You and your darn space lasers! Actually I’m with you (just not space lasers 😉) on SNL. Have been avoiding watching it after Kate McKinnon and other folks left that I like. I think Harrelson was trying to be provocative while not pushing the envelope on a show where crew is still wearing masks.

  3. MS. Lib says:

    Never really cared for him and now I know why!
    Great article 😉

  4. Moderatelywealthy says:

    He speaks highly of Mike Pence, who was his roonmate at some point, ffs, so yeah he has been messy for a minute.

  5. B says:

    The increased rate of diabetes after COVID is going to catch up with these people eventually.

  6. Jm says:

    He’s never struck me as particularly intelligent so this doesn’t surprise me

  7. Jan says:

    On Twitter as soon as anyone dies, so many rabid dogs pop up saying it’s because they had the covid vaccine.
    I saw something the other day saying 56% of Americans have a 6 grade education, even though they finished high school and college, the number is a little high to me, but when you watch the news you have to wonder.

    • Onomo says:

      Where I went to high school, the educational standard was lowered to help more people be able to graduate. So you were graduating after 12 years of school, but with, in some cases, the equivalent of an 8th to 10th grade education.

      Sixth seems really low, but then, republicans hate actually supporting families and schools.

      Maybe someday we will wake up to how all kids are society’s responsibility, not just your own?

    • Veronica S. says:

      They’re likely referring to the national reading level. The average American reads at about 6th grade level. America actually scores pretty average there globally, but it’s not great by any means. There are countries that score much higher, obviously, though a lot of our issues are regional and create the weighted average.

  8. HeyKay says:

    Stopped watching SNL years ago.

    WTH here, Woody?
    He is not known for being highly intelligent.
    But this was not needed or funny.

  9. Zazzoo says:

    I’m sorry to heat that. I’ve always really liked him as an actor. Ana deArmas was right about the loss of mystery with movie stars. Now that they need a brand, they have platforms for absurd viewpoints. Couldn’t he have just joked about being the world’s second most famous pothead?

  10. LittlePenguin says:

    My husband and I kept giving each other the “WTF?” look during the monologue. It’s disgusting that NBC gave him the platform.

  11. Lisa says:

    Didn’t his dad kill Kennedy? #nuffsaid

  12. Emmi says:

    Covid conspiracy nuts are wild. Germany did away with the last of the mask mandates for public transportation at the beginning of the month so we’re now living life like we did pre March 2020. Except, of course, hundreds of thousands of people have died. But I guess Woody doesn’t like to hear that. Anyway, last week I’m on my way home and there’s a protest happening. Of Covid conspiracy people. They demanded … freedom. From what, you ask? Hell if I know! We’re back to “normal” and I have no idea what their problem is. We have no vaccine mandates, nothing.

    I know people say pot is pretty safe but maybe don’t overdo it. He’s not a great advertisement, frankly.

    • Jaded says:

      Excessive pot-smoking is dangerous. Long-term effects can include chronic angina, emphysema, COPD, stroke, high blood pressure and cognitive impairment. Clearly Woody is having cognitive impairment issues.

  13. ThatsNotOkay says:

    Lorne Michaels should’ve retired and canceled SNL already and spared us this trash. Why are the dumbest alive getting the biggest platform these days? The anti intellectualism and Age of Dumbing Down is destroying humanity. Also, looks like COVID really did escape from the Wuhan lab. China lied and owes us big time.

  14. Jeannine says:

    I can’t stand the conspiracy theory nut-jobs. However, I have to make one correction about paying for vaccines. For the past two years year, my health insurance would have been at minimum $1500/mos. for the Bronze plan on BC/BS since I am middle-aged w/ some pre-existings like arthritis and Fibromyalgia. My deductible would have been $12,000. So, I am on what is called a health sharing plan which is much cheaper. However, I did have to pay for my Covid and Flu vaccines.

  15. Christine says:

    Woody Harrelson is not an actor I follow so I was unaware of his views, but you would think before inviting someone as a guest, someone at SNL would do even the most basic of research. I imagine just googling someone’s name with buzzwords will tell you all you need to know.

    • Wendy says:

      I just want to make sure we’re talking about the same SNL that’s had Trump, Kanye and Elon host the show lonnnnnng after their fucked up views and beliefs were public knowledge.

  16. TIFFANY says:

    Oh, he a Texan. One that has been living on a compound in Hawaii for something like 30 years.

    He can find a whole stadium of seats.

  17. It’sjustblanche says:

    My friend had a brief affair with him in the mid 80s she said that he didn’t seem to understand monogamy in the least even while he was pushing for a serious relationship. During their relationship he started to get seriously involved with someone else or was seriously involved beforehand, she could never figure it out, and still wanted to take her out to public events. Like this wouldn’t upset the woman he was also with? She finally stopped answering his calls. He was apparently really nice but just clueless. Very well endowed also. I mean I had to ask.

    • Stef says:

      Interesting!

      This is the kind of gossip I’m here for. Thanks for sharing. Who knew Woody had BDE, as well as ADD in terms of monogamy?

    • SarahLee says:

      I was fixed up on a date with him in 1983! He was a fun date. I didn’t want a 2nd one, but not because of anything that happened. Just didn’t “click” but he was very funny, and I liked him. I do think he’s smoked away a few brain cells over the years. The older he gets, the less charming that bad boy act becomes.

  18. Susan says:

    I really hate how celebrities are ruining celebrities for me. Celebrity drivel—who bathes, who doesn’t, who has plastic surgery, who had an affair with who—used to be fun brainless stuff I read to escape the reality of my life. Now I find myself avoiding celebrity posts when I find out they’re saying stupid sh*& and ruining my enjoyment of their wild stories. Dang it. Maybe Ana was right, although she was the queen of thirst in her Affleck days.

  19. Emily_C says:

    Actors are not paid to be smart. Unfortunately, people follow them as if they are smart, which makes them start thinking they are smart, and makes them the perfect marks for all sorts of grifters and con artists. Then the dumb actors spread the dumb and dangerous messages to people who for some reason think that these people, who are mostly not very intelligent and certainly not very educated, are smart and informed.

  20. QuiteContrary says:

    What an unfunny moron. And remember when SNL was must-see TV? Now I forget it’s even on most Saturday nights, as I stream something far funnier and more compelling.

  21. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    Jesus Christ I had no idea. I liked him. My gawd I’m so ashamed. ☹️😣😖

  22. VegasSchmegas says:

    Woody and his baked BFF, Bill Maher, are deniers. They vacay together, opened a dispensary in Santa Monica together. Maher spouts on his show constantly that only fat people get COVID. I may not be svelte, but I followed science and got the vaccines, and have been COVID-free. He, in the other hand, got COVID at least 2 times. Who’s fat now?

    • Emily_C says:

      Even if only fat people got Covid (which is a lie), fat people are human beings with every bit as much value as thin people. That someone is fat does not mean someone is lesser.

      Btw, I followed the science and got Covid twice too. Once very early on, and it was hell. The second time after vaccines, and it was like a crappy cold but not too bad. But I am seeing a whole lot of people around who think whether someone does or does not get Covid means something about their moral worth. In a wildly ableist society, that’s not a surprise. But it’s an inch from eugenics.

    • OriginalLeigh says:

      Ugh. I used to watch Bill Maker’s show years ago but stopped when I realized that he has a lot of problematic views. It figures that he and Woody would be bros…

  23. TeamAwesome says:

    I mean, they also put him in a fat suit for jokes in the year of our Lizzo, 2023, so…

  24. Kirsten says:

    I mean, he’s a hippie who lives on a farm in Hawaii and smokes a lot of weed. I don’t think he’s a far right wing nut or anything, he just never got past the “spiritualist-wow the universe is so wild-the government is covering up UFOs sort of thing”.

    • BeanieBean says:

      Huh, interesting. Pot isn’t legal in Hawaii; not for recreational use, only for medical purposes. I guess if you’re rich, laws don’t matter. Don’t quite think that’s Marxist, though, Woody.

  25. msmlnp says:

    Between this and who is hosting next week (football star, country music queen) I think its clear they are trying to recapture a demographic.

  26. K8erade says:

    Not that I’m defending Woody but he hasn’t lived in the real world since the early 90s. So I’d take anything he says with a grain of salt. Also, looking at him now, I’m really glad I gave up weed before I turned 40.

    • MoonTheLoon says:

      I think his problem is more an intellectual deficiency and his continued clinging to the dumb Texan motif. Smoking (any substance) kills brain cells. Mix all that up and you get…that. I’ve been a stoner for 12 years (edibles, mainly). My critical thinking and common sense remain intact.

  27. HeyKay says:

    I am so tired of celebs talking garbage like this.
    AdA was right, nothing is private anymore.

    But now Woody is on my “No can support” list.
    I used to think he was just an old weed smoking hippie.
    This BS has shut him down for me.

    Bill Mahler lost me years ago with his love for the Playboy mansion & Hef, his conspiracy theories are nuts.

  28. Malificent says:

    Oh, sigh. This is just exhausting.

    I just had dinner with a friend who tried to quote Naomi Wolf’s “data” on the Pfizer vaccine’s affect on fertility. I didn’t even try to point out that Naomi Wolf is just a conspiracy theorist these days because my friend just bounces back with her belief that my news sources are also slanted and unreliable.

    But then she tried to tell me that the vaccine was the reason why her daughter hadn’t had a period in 6 months. So I asked if she thought a low BMI could be the reason for her daughter’s irregular menstrual cycle. Her daughter is a professional dancer who is very thin and obviously exercises a lot. My friend got very quiet and dropped the subject.

  29. Pam says:

    He’s so colossally stupid. People are STILL getting Covid—it’s still out there—a work friend recently got it. Getting the vaccine and boosters doesn’t necessarily keep you from getting it (due to no one wearing a mask anymore), but they will keep you from dying, for God’s sake.

    • MoonTheLoon says:

      “Colossally stupid” is far too charitable. But we don’t want to get banned, so I get it. 🤣

  30. Beech says:

    @Lisa Harrelson’s dad was supposedly one of the three hoboes arrested the day of the Kennedy assassination. According to some of the conspiracy wingnuts. He was convicted of assassinating a TX federal judge.

  31. hangonamin says:

    sigh. FFS…in this day and age, we gave way too much emphasis on what any celebrities think and say and not enough on what people who spend years learning, studying and validating scientific facts say. it also sucks that anything and everything from a celeb’s mouth is somehow released as fact and tweeted and retweeted and some other bs.

  32. AppleCart says:

    Woody can suck a giant bag of Ds I caught Covid on a flight and was shedding around my 78 year old Mom before I realized I was sick. She had gotten the booster a month before. She never got sick around me. I am forever grateful for that. The vaccines work!

    I started watching that episode and stopped when I realized what he was doing. I couldn’t watch the rest of the episode I was so upset at his ignorance.

  33. crazyoldlady says:

    He’s been broken for decades. I tend to blame his success in Cheers for his hippy-self righteous Jesus complex.

  34. Anonymous says:

    I didn’t see this!