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Walton Goggins, who is best known for his appearance in The White Lotus, has applauded Saturday Night Live's (SNL) spoof of the series as "smashing" even though his co-actress Aimee Lou Wood had complained about the same segment.
This difference of opinion has fueled reports of a rift between the two actors, who had portrayed an on-screen pair in the HBO drama. Whereas Goggins was lauding the humor of the parody, Wood attacked it as "mean and unfunny," most notably objecting to the treatment of her character.
The SNL parody on The White Lotus: What happened?
On April 12, 2025, Saturday Night Live broadcast a political satire sketch called The White Potus, which reimagines The White Lotus in a satirical setting. The sketch portrayed Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) as unable to unwind at a high-end resort as he grapples with America's economic woes.
The plot spoofed scenarios in The White Lotus Season 3, such as Jason Isaac's character Timothy Ratliff considering extreme actions because of financial devastation. Walton Goggins' Rick in the sketch was reimagined as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., played by Jon Hamm. The parody contained humorous lines concerning fluoride in drinking water.
Humorist Aimee Lou Wood's Chelsea was played by Sarah Sherman, who exaggerated Wood's British accent and used prosthetic teeth to caricature her look. Sherman's performance received criticism for over-caricature.
Aimee Lou Wood's reaction
Aimee Lou Wood publicly lamented the sketch on Instagram Stories. She called it "mean and unfunny" and stated that it was not clever or nuanced.
"Yes, take the p*ss for sure—that's what the show is about—but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?" she posted.
Wood elaborated that she did not find the caricature insulting but was personally targeted by this joke.
"I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth," she made clear.
She also insisted that although she liked satire when applied in good nature, this particular sketch seemed to be "punching down" on her character. Even in her criticism, Wood left no doubt that she did not personally blame Sarah Sherman.
"It is not Sarah's fault; I am not hating on her but on the concept," she said.
She then disclosed that SNL had contacted her to apologize for the sketch, although no public release from the show had been made.
Walton Goggins' Commendation
Walton Goggins had a different opinion regarding the issue. He posted the skit on his Instagram Story and labeled it "SMASHING," the opposite of Wood's criticism. This support has sparked rumors of a feud between the co-stars.
Even though Goggins subsequently deleted his tweet, social media users have been quick to view his response as dismissive of Wood's complaint. Some commenters on Reddit posted that this situation could be the reason the two actors no longer follow one another on social media.
Goggins has in the past expressed affection for his character Rick and his romance with Chelsea in The White Lotus, calling their plot.
"a love story stunted by unresolved childhood trauma."
His admiration for SNL's spoofing has, however, eclipsed these words in recent times.
Public and Online Reactions
The row has triggered general outrage on the internet. Numerous viewers shared Wood's disapproval, deeming Sherman's impression a "cheap shot" that took away from an otherwise powerful political satire. Others praised the skit as funny and believed that its subject matter involving fluoride and politics overpowered the brief caricature of Chelsea.
Social media has escalated discourse on Hollywood beauty standards, with others commending Wood for accepting her natural looks amidst a veneer-dominated industry. Critics, on the other hand, contend that SNL lost the chance for deeper humor.
The opposing reactions from Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins highlight different views on comedy and satire. Whilst Wood considered the sketch as being offensive and badly written, Goggins' endorsement indicates he saw it as safe entertainment. The incident has fueled speculation of tension between co-stars but also raises wider questions regarding representation in comedy.
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The opposing responses from Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood to SNL's satire underscore varying viewpoints on comedy and representation in the media. While Goggins applauded the humor of the sketch, Wood panned it as cruel and dismissive. Her objections also represent general frustrations with the way women's looks are frequently scrutinized over their professional success.
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