On a recent episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL), the show’s Weekend Update segment took on the colorful and often outspoken NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins in a hilarious and satirical spoof. Kendrick Perkins, known for his bold takes, larger-than-life personality, and frequent appearances on sports talk shows, has earned a reputation as a commentator who is as entertaining as he is polarizing. It was only a matter of time before SNL’s talented writers and cast decided to use Perkins as the perfect target for their sharp wit. In a comedic segment that perfectly captured the essence of Perkins’ public persona, the Weekend Update team not only poked fun at his on-air antics but also explored the wider world of sports media and the personalities who dominate it.
SNL Hilariously Spoofed NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins on Weekend Update in 2025.
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The Rise of Kendrick Perkins in Sports Media SNL Hilariously
Before diving into the comedic brilliance of SNL’s parody, it’s important to understand Kendrick Perkins’ rise to fame. Perkins, a former NBA player, has become one of the most well-known personalities in sports commentary, particularly for his role as an analyst on ESPN’s The Jump and First Take. His transition from player to analyst was marked by his no-nonsense approach to basketball analysis, where he often makes bold and controversial statements, which have both earned him praise and criticism. Whether it’s his fiery opinions about player performances, his critiques of the league’s top stars, or his passionate arguments on various NBA-related topics, Perkins has consistently found a way to stand out in the crowded sports media landscape.
His style is unmistakable: often animated, frequently combative, and always unapologetic. Perkins has a tendency to argue with fellow analysts and, more often than not, his takes are anything but safe or neutral. This fearless approach to analysis, combined with his larger-than-life personality, has made him a fan favorite and a constant source of material for sports media outlets and, evidently, for the comedy writers at SNL.
SNL’s Take on Perkins: The Weekend Update Spoof SNL Hilariously
When SNL decided to spoof Kendrick Perkins on Weekend Update, they knew they had a rich and dynamic character to work with. Weekend Update, a satirical news segment on the show, is known for skewering current events, politics, and pop culture through sharp humor. Featuring a rotating cast of hosts and guest segments, the show often uses parody to comment on the absurdities of the world. Perkins’ larger-than-life media presence was a perfect fit for this format, and SNL didn’t miss the opportunity to take him to the next level of ridiculousness.
The skit was structured like an appearance by Kendrick Perkins on Weekend Update, with Weekend Update anchor Colin Jost taking on the role of the straight man, while Perkins, played by SNL cast member Chris Redd, turned up the volume to an exaggerated degree. In the skit, Redd’s version of Perkins was brash, loud, and utterly convinced of the outlandishness of his own opinions, mimicking the real Perkins’ iconic style.
The Over-the-Top Delivery SNL Hilariously
From the moment Perkins (Redd) appeared on the Weekend Update stage, the comedic take on his persona was on full display. The physicality of the impersonation was spot-on, with Redd capturing Perkins’ signature body language and speech patterns. Perkins’ penchant for shouting while making his points was exaggerated for comedic effect, with Redd nearly drowning out Colin Jost’s attempts to ask questions.
One of the recurring jokes throughout the segment was Perkins’ tendency to offer highly opinionated, often nonsensical takes on NBA topics, which, in the parody, became increasingly absurd. For example, when Jost asked Perkins about his thoughts on a recent game between two teams, Redd’s Perkins responded with a wild and completely inaccurate take, saying, “Listen, man, the Lakers should have won that game because LeBron James is the greatest player of all time, and I’ll say it again! But if we’re being real, I think the real MVP of that game was the hot dog vendor in Section 212. He was dishing out dogs like no one’s business.”
The absurdity of this statement, combined with Redd’s energetic delivery, had the audience in stitches. The skit perfectly encapsulated how Perkins can sometimes take seemingly trivial aspects of the game and turn them into highly debatable, often unrelated talking points.
Stereotypes and Exaggerations SNL Hilariously
What made SNL’s parody of Kendrick Perkins so effective was its willingness to exaggerate some of the more familiar aspects of his on-air persona. For example, Perkins is known for making bold proclamations that often sound like they come from nowhere. In the skit, Redd’s Perkins would make random, loud statements like, “I don’t care what anybody says, the Miami Heat’s mascot could have scored 40 points in that game, and no one would have even noticed!” This absurd assertion, delivered with absolute conviction, mocked the over-the-top nature of Perkins’ commentary style and his habit of saying things that are surprising and often hard to believe.
In another moment of the skit, Perkins went on a rambling rant about his favorite type of basketball shoe, tying it back to an unrelated player. “You can’t tell me Steph Curry wouldn’t hit five more threes if he was wearing the new LeBron James XXV’s. Those shoes got power in ‘em, man. I swear, they got more grip than my grandma’s kitchen floor, and you know what I’m talking about!”
The humor here was twofold. First, it pointed out Perkins’ tendency to make wild and unsubstantiated claims about players and games. But secondly, it also poked fun at the way analysts often turn the smallest, most inconsequential details into major talking points. Whether it’s the color of a player’s sneakers or an off-hand comment about a game, Perkins (and, by extension, the parody) seemed to find a way to make it the center of a heated debate.
The Dynamics with Colin Jost SNL Hilariously
A key aspect of the Weekend Update spoof was the interaction between Chris Redd’s Perkins and Colin Jost’s deadpan host. Jost, who is known for his sarcastic and often exasperated delivery, played the perfect foil to Redd’s bombastic and outlandish Perkins. While Perkins was busy firing off one ludicrous opinion after another, Jost’s sarcastic responses and attempts to bring some semblance of order to the segment provided the perfect comedic balance.
In one particularly funny exchange, Jost tried to steer the conversation back to actual basketball analysis, asking, “So Kendrick, who do you think is going to win the MVP this season?” Redd’s Perkins responded, “Honestly, man, I’m more concerned about the halftime show at the next All-Star Game. Did you see that dance move from that mascot? It’s better than any dunk I’ve ever seen in my life!”
The back-and-forth between the two was comedic gold, as Jost tried and failed to ground the conversation in reality while Perkins veered further and further into absurdity. This dynamic, one that SNL has perfected in many of its Weekend Update sketches, allowed the show to satirize Perkins’ brand of commentary while also lampooning the general state of sports media.
Breaking Down the Stereotypes of Sports Media SNL Hilariously
While the skit was undoubtedly comedic, it also tapped into some deeper truths about sports media, particularly the culture of “hot takes” that dominates many sports talk shows today. Perkins, in his role as an analyst, is not alone in his approach. Many sports analysts—whether on ESPN, FS1, or other platforms—are known for offering extreme or controversial opinions to capture attention and spark debates. This is, in part, what drives viewership, as audiences flock to shows that promise lively discussions and passionate exchanges. However, it often leads to analysis that is less about the game itself and more about generating buzz.
By caricaturing Perkins’ on-air persona, SNL was not just poking fun at him, but also offering a subtle critique of this style of sports commentary. The skit highlighted how, in the race for attention, sometimes even the most trivial observations are blown out of proportion and presented as important analyses.
Conclusion
SNL’s spoof of Kendrick Perkins on Weekend Update was a masterful combination of spot-on impersonation, absurd humor, and social commentary. The skit brilliantly captured the essence of Perkins’ high-energy, often nonsensical sports commentary, while also using his persona to lampoon the world of sports media at large. In the process, it created a comedic moment that had fans of both Perkins and basketball laughing out loud. Whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan or just someone who enjoys a good SNL skit, this parody was a hilarious and clever take on one of the most charismatic figures in sports commentary today.
