The May 18th, 2013, episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Ben Affleck and featuring musical guest Kanye West, gifted viewers a comedic gem that continues to resonate years later: Ben Affleck's disastrous attempt at selling Hermès handbags. This sketch, simply titled "Hermes Handbags," showcases Affleck's comedic timing and willingness to embrace the absurdity, resulting in a moment of pure, unadulterated SNL gold. While a full, verbatim transcript isn't readily available online, we can reconstruct the sketch's essence using available clips, descriptions, and the provided keywords, creating a comprehensive analysis of its comedic brilliance.
The sketch opens with Darrell Hammond's voiceover: "Hoo-ray!!" This immediately establishes a tone of enthusiastic, almost manic, commercialism, a stark contrast to the awkwardness that follows. We then see Affleck, in his typical charming yet slightly awkward demeanor, standing in a living room setting, clearly uncomfortable in his role as a spokesperson. The incongruity between Affleck's persona – known for his serious, brooding roles – and the overtly cheerful, almost desperate sales pitch is the sketch's foundational comedic element.
The humor stems primarily from Affleck’s struggle to pronounce and even comprehend the name "Hermès." His repeated mispronunciations, transforming the luxurious brand into something closer to "Hermès Herpes," are the source of much of the laughter. This isn't a simple slip-up; it's a repeated, escalating blunder that underscores the character's discomfort and inability to connect with the product. The repeated mispronunciation isn't just a mistake; it's a comedic device that highlights the disconnect between Affleck's persona and the upscale brand he's trying to represent. The audience is invited to laugh *with* Affleck as he stumbles through his lines, rather than at him.
Beyond the mispronunciations, the sketch relies heavily on physical comedy and Affleck's facial expressions. His attempts to appear confident and knowledgeable are constantly undermined by his visible struggle with the material. He fumbles with the bags, awkwardly displays them, and delivers his lines with a palpable sense of unease. This physical comedy complements the verbal humor, creating a layered comedic experience. The audience witnesses not just a man mispronouncing a word, but a man struggling to maintain composure in a situation far outside his comfort zone.
The supporting cast also plays a significant role. While specific lines are difficult to recall without a complete transcript, the supporting characters likely served to amplify Affleck's awkwardness. They might have played overly enthusiastic customers, adding to the absurdity of the situation, or perhaps portrayed critical, unimpressed observers. Their reactions would have mirrored the audience's amusement, creating a feedback loop of laughter. The dynamic between Affleck and the supporting cast would have been pivotal in shaping the overall comedic effect.
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