hermes handbags snl skit | Watch Ben Affleck Try to Shill Hermès Herpes Handbags on SNL

The world of luxury handbags, particularly the rarified air surrounding Hermès, is ripe for satire. It's a world of exclusivity, exorbitant prices, and a level of devotion bordering on obsession. Enter Saturday Night Live (SNL), a comedic institution known for its sharp wit and ability to dissect cultural phenomena. In 2013, during an episode hosted by Ben Affleck with musical guest Kanye West (Season 38, Episode 21), SNL delivered a sketch that perfectly skewered the Hermès handbag craze, leaving audiences in stitches and the internet buzzing. The sketch, aptly titled "Hermes Handbags," remains a classic example of SNL's comedic prowess, and its enduring popularity warrants a closer examination.

This article will delve into the "Hermes Handbags" SNL skit, exploring its comedic elements, its commentary on luxury culture, the performances of the cast, and its overall impact. We'll also analyze the script, dissect the jokes, and consider why this particular sketch resonated so strongly with viewers. From the infamous "Hermès Herpes" slip-up to the exaggerated portrayal of luxury handbag fanatics, we'll unpack the layers of humor that made this sketch a memorable SNL moment.

The Premise: Selling Hermès Handbags with a Twist

The skit is set in a high-end department store, ostensibly a branch of Hermès itself. Ben Affleck plays a nervous, somewhat inept salesman tasked with promoting the brand's iconic handbags. However, there's a catch: the salesman is constantly mispronouncing "Hermès" as "Herpes," creating a hilariously awkward and uncomfortable situation for both himself and the potential customers.

The sketch unfolds with a series of interactions between Affleck's character and various customers, played by SNL cast members like Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Kate McKinnon. Each customer enters with a specific desire – to acquire a coveted Hermès handbag, often with a particular color or style in mind. The salesman, eager to make a sale, attempts to showcase the handbags while battling his persistent pronunciation problem.

The Comedy: Mispronunciation, Exaggeration, and Absurdity

The core comedic element of the skit lies in the recurring mispronunciation of "Hermès." The slip-up is not just a one-off gag; it's a persistent error that permeates the entire sketch, becoming increasingly absurd and hilarious with each repetition. The contrast between the aspirational luxury of Hermès and the sexually transmitted disease "Herpes" is inherently funny, creating a sense of incongruity that fuels the comedic engine.

Beyond the mispronunciation gag, the sketch also employs exaggeration to amplify the humor. The customers are portrayed as caricatures of wealthy, demanding shoppers, obsessed with the exclusivity and status associated with Hermès handbags. Their reactions to the salesman's mispronunciation range from subtle discomfort to outright disgust, further enhancing the comedic effect.

The absurdity of the situation is also a key factor in the sketch's success. The idea of a luxury brand employing a salesman who consistently mispronounces the brand name is inherently ridiculous. This absurdity is compounded by the salesman's increasingly desperate attempts to correct himself, often resulting in even more awkward and hilarious pronouncements.

The Performances: Affleck's Nervous Energy and the Cast's Reactions

Ben Affleck's performance is crucial to the success of the skit. He embodies the role of the nervous, flustered salesman perfectly. His body language, facial expressions, and vocal delivery all contribute to the portrayal of a man struggling to maintain composure in a highly embarrassing situation. The audience can feel his discomfort, which only adds to the comedic tension.

The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, reacting to Affleck's mispronunciation with a range of emotions that heighten the humor. Kristen Wiig, known for her eccentric characters, plays a customer who is initially excited about the handbags but becomes increasingly horrified by the salesman's repeated slip-ups. Bill Hader, another SNL veteran, plays a more reserved customer who tries to maintain a polite demeanor despite his obvious discomfort. Kate McKinnon, known for her physical comedy, adds another layer of humor with her exaggerated reactions and facial expressions.

The Script: A Masterclass in Repetition and Escalation

The script for "Hermes Handbags" is a masterclass in comedic writing. It relies heavily on repetition, using the mispronunciation gag as a recurring motif that builds in intensity throughout the sketch. Each time Affleck's character says "Herpes" instead of "Hermès," the comedic impact is amplified, creating a snowball effect of laughter.hermes handbags snl skit

The script also employs escalation, gradually increasing the stakes and the absurdity of the situation. As the sketch progresses, the salesman's attempts to correct himself become more desperate and less successful, leading to even more outlandish mispronunciations. The customers' reactions also become more extreme, ranging from subtle disapproval to outright outrage.

The script also cleverly incorporates subtle observations about the world of luxury goods. The customers' obsession with specific colors and styles, their willingness to spend exorbitant amounts of money, and their desire to project an image of wealth and sophistication are all subtly satirized.

The Impact: A Viral Sensation and Enduring Classic