A vintage microphone on a stand in front of three empty red chairs against a powder-blue background.

Original artwork, not a still

Norm MacDonald

In the news today Ellen Degenres announced that she was gay, and in related news Richard Simmons announced today that he is REALLY, REALLY gay.

— Weekend Update

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

A news-style setup escalates from announcing one person’s sexuality to an exaggerated comparison with another’s. It is a comic report and stereotype, not independent biographical evidence.

Context reviewed

Share this quote