Jeremy Culhane performed a viral impression of Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson during a segment on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update.
The performance has sparked a broader industry debate regarding whether a specific comedian can "own" a celebrity impression or if such roles are open to all performers.
Culhane joined the cast of the NBC sketch show in October 2025 [1]. The impression aired from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, where the sketch mocked Carlson’s commentary regarding the Met Gala and the upcoming movie "Michael" [2], [3].
Following the broadcast, the segment gained significant traction online. The viral nature of the clip led to commentary from veteran SNL performer Darrell Hammond, who is known for his own extensive history of celebrity impersonations. When asked about the concept of ownership over a specific comedic persona or impression, Hammond said, "No one" [4].
This exchange highlights a recurring tension within sketch comedy: the balance between a performer's signature "bit" and the evolving needs of a production. Because Culhane is a new addition to the cast, his interpretation of Carlson represents a shift in how the show approaches the commentator's persona.
Reports regarding the exact timing of the viral moment varied slightly, with some descriptions stating the impression occurred one month prior to their publication [5]. However, the timeline aligns with Culhane's entry into the cast in late 2025 [1].
“"No one."”
The debate over impression ownership reflects the internal culture of ensemble comedy, where specific voices often become associated with individual cast members. Hammond's dismissal of the idea of ownership suggests a philosophy that impressions are tools for the writers' needs rather than intellectual property of the actors.
