Pete Davidson’s “I’m Just Pete” SNL Sketch Explained
In 2014, Pete Davidson, one of the youngest cast members in the history of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, was cast as a featured player on the show when he was only 20 years old. After his emotional departure, fans were thrilled to hear that Pete would be returning to host SNL in May of this year. His appearance was a huge success, with viewers impressed by his opening monologue and hilarious sketches. However, it was one particular skit that got everyone talking.
In the skit, Pete parodied the song “I’m Just Ken” from this year’s popular Barbie movie. The sketch begins with Pete enthusiastically bringing a cake into the SNL studio, only to overhear the cast criticizing his limited range and lukewarm TV career after leaving the show. Pete continues with his monologue, revealing his tendency to make impulsive decisions while high, such as buying a boat with Colin Jost in an auction. This anecdote about the boat purchase was just the beginning of Pete’s personal references in “I’m Just Pete.”
Pete goes on to sing about his feud with Kanye West, mentioning the online nickname “Skete” that people still call him because of a legal issue with the rapper. The skit also touches on Pete’s high-profile relationships, including his recent split with Kim Kardashian after nine months of dating. He sings about the lack of privacy in his dating life, generating more publicity for his personal relationships than his comedy.
In a self-deprecating manner, Pete jokes about his physical appearance, referring to himself as having “butthole eyes.” He also mentions the infamous “big dick energy” that has followed him since Ariana Grande’s tweet suggesting he has a ten-inch penis. Pete doesn’t shy away from addressing his mental health struggles and frequent visits to rehab, including his most recent stay in June after years of ketamine use.
The skit reaches its climax when multiple versions of Pete join him on stage, showcasing his versatility. In a surprising twist, the sketch ends with Pete driving his car into the side of Barbie’s Dream House, exclaiming, “Awh, not again!” This tongue-in-cheek recreation of an accident showcases Pete’s ability to poke fun at himself.
Overall, Pete’s humility in the SNL sketch was widely praised by fans, who were in awe of his ability to laugh at himself.