SNL's 'Beauty & Mr. Beast' Sketch: A Wild Ride Through Modern Pop Culture

Imagine Belle's father, not just held captive in a magical castle, but trapped in a dungeon for 30 days, all for a chance to win a staggering $300,000 cash prize. That's the absurdly brilliant premise Saturday Night Live cooked up recently, blending Disney's classic 'Beauty and the Beast' with the internet's most recognizable philanthropist, Mr. Beast.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the Viral Sketch

• Saturday Night Live reimagined 'Beauty and the Beast' with host Nikki Glaser as Belle and Ben Marshall as a challenge-obsessed Mr. Beast.
• Mr. Beast himself (Jimmy Donaldson) found the sketch "funny" and was surprised when his phone "blew up" after it aired.
• The sketch sparked "plagiarism" accusations from fans of BYUtv's Studio C, which aired a similarly titled and themed sketch just five days earlier.

When Fairytales Meet Billion-Dollar YouTube Challenges

In a move that perfectly captured the zeitgeist of internet culture, Saturday Night Live unleashed its "Beauty & Mr. Beast" sketch on November 8, 2025, during an episode hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. This wasn't your grandmother's Disney parody; it was a gloriously chaotic mashup of an animated classic and the high-stakes, big-money world of YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr. Beast.

Glaser, playing a bewildered Belle, found herself navigating a castle where the Beast (portrayed uncannily by Ben Marshall) was less about a cursed transformation and more about extreme monetization. Her father was being held captive, not by a furry monster, but by Mr. Beast, for a chance to win over $300,000. And if that wasn't enough, for every pound he lost, a Tesla would be given to a random stranger.

Even the castle's enchanted inhabitants, Lumiere (Bowen Yang) and Cogsworth (Kenan Thompson), were caught in Mr. Beast's elaborate schemes. Cogsworth comically realized his year-long stint as a talking clock was only netting him $2500, leading to a hilarious moment of financial disillusionment. The sketch perfectly poked fun at Mr. Beast's signature challenge videos, his generous (and sometimes absurd) cash giveaways, and his unique on-screen persona, right down to Marshall's pitch-perfect imitation of the YouTuber's somewhat stilted, yet enthusiastic, delivery.

Mr. Beast's Priceless Reaction to His SNL Impersonation

The internet, as it often does, reacted swiftly. The sketch quickly went viral, prompting many to wonder what the real Mr. Beast thought of his portrayal. Jimmy Donaldson himself confirmed he was caught completely off guard but thoroughly enjoyed the parody.

"I didn’t know they were gonna talk about me but the second it aired my phone blew up haha. Thought it was funny."

— Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast) on his Snl sketch reaction. Source: Dexerto (as quoted in Deadline, TOI, The News Digital, Sportskeeda)

This lighthearted reaction from one of YouTube's biggest stars (boasting over 250 million subscribers across his channels) demonstrates his comfort with being a pop culture phenomenon. Mr. Beast is no stranger to his brand of philanthropic stunts and challenge videos being referenced or parodied, solidifying his status as a household name. The sketch also gave a nod to his Prime Video reality competition series, Beast Games, which was renewed for Seasons 2 and 3 in May and offers a massive $5 million prize—the largest in reality TV history.

The Sticky Wicket of Sketch Comedy: "Parallel Thinking" or Uncredited Borrowing?

However, the viral success of SNL's "Beauty & Mr. Beast" sketch wasn't without its own drama. Almost immediately, accusations of plagiarism arose from an unexpected corner: fans of BYUtv’s family-friendly sketch series, Studio C. The reason? Studio C had released its own "Beauty and MrBeast" sketch on Monday, November 3, 2025, a full five days before SNL's version aired.

The resemblance in premise was striking: both sketches blended the classic Disney fairytale with Mr. Beast's over-the-top challenge format. In Studio C’s version, Mr. Beast famously turns 100 servants into household items, demanding Belle fall in love with him to reverse the curse. The internet quickly noticed the near-identical setups, sparking a debate online.

Navigating the Tricky Terrain of Simultaneous Creativity

The comedy world often grapples with what's known as "parallel thinking"—when multiple creative teams independently land on the same premise, especially when riffing on a prominent cultural moment. Mr. Beast's immense popularity and distinctive brand make him a prime target for satire, so it's not entirely surprising that different writers might conceive similar takes. SNL itself has a history of revisiting 'Beauty and the Beast' for parody, with previous sketches featuring Kristen Wiig, Gerard Butler, Pete Davidson, Chloe Fineman, and Abby Elliott.

Yet, the close timing of the Studio C and SNL sketches raises an eyebrow. To complicate matters, while Studio C's sketch aired earlier, some reports indicate their YouTube version only appeared online after the SNL broadcast. This detail is crucial because it makes it much harder for SNL writers (based in New York) to have seen Studio C's content (produced in Provo, Utah by BYUtv, a network not typically on mainstream comedy writers' radar) before developing their own. The fact that Studio C has a massive online following (over 2 billion YouTube views) and has even hosted SNL veterans like Kenan Thompson and Will Forte suggests it's not entirely obscure, however.

This isn't the first time SNL has faced such accusations. Over its 50-year history, the show has settled a lawsuit with comedian Rick Shapiro in 1995 and faced similar claims from Tig Notaro, Tim Heidecker, The Groundlings, and more recently, Isa Medina regarding a "ChatGPTio" sketch. For now, neither NBC nor BYUtv has officially commented on the latest overlap.

The Enduring Power of Topical Humor and Its Fleeting Nature

The "Beauty & Mr. Beast" sketch is a prime example of SNL's ongoing challenge: crafting humor that is both immediately relevant and potentially timeless. While the 'Beauty and the Beast' framework provides a recognizable, evergreen foundation, the Mr. Beast elements are intensely "of the moment." YouTube's landscape, and Mr. Beast's specific brand of content, are constantly evolving.

Consider this example: a budding sketch writer, Emily, is brainstorming ideas. She sees Mr. Beast's latest viral challenge and simultaneously re-watches a classic Disney movie with her niece. Boom – the idea for "Beauty and Mr. Beast" sparks. Completely independently, across the country, another writer, Alex, has a similar thought process. Both begin working on their sketches. The sheer volume of content and rapid pace of pop culture make these creative overlaps almost inevitable, often leading to awkward coincidences rather than intentional theft.

Will viewers in 2035 understand the specific nuances of Mr. Beast's YouTube thumbnails or the concept of living in a smart car with greased-up sumo wrestlers for a cash prize? Perhaps not in the same immediate way. Much like historical SNL sketches referencing obscure 90s tech or forgotten political gaffes, this sketch might become a fascinating "time capsule," offering a glimpse into early 21st-century internet culture.

Practical Takeaways for Content Consumers and Creators

This whole situation — the viral sketch, Mr. Beast's cool reaction, and the "plagiarism" debate — offers a few interesting insights:

• The Blurring Lines of Media: Traditional TV shows like SNL are increasingly drawing inspiration from internet phenomena. This crossover acknowledges the power of digital creators and platforms like YouTube in shaping mainstream culture.
• Originality in a Fast-Paced World: In an era of constant content creation, truly "original" ideas, especially those based on current events or popular figures, are harder to claim. Parallel thinking is a genuine and frequent occurrence.
• How Creators Handle Parody: Mr. Beast's positive response shows that for many modern creators, being parodied by a major institution like SNL is seen as a badge of honor, further cementing their cultural impact.
• The Enduring Power of Remix Culture: Taking beloved classics and giving them a contemporary, often satirical, twist continues to be a potent form of entertainment, reflecting societal shifts and new cultural touchstones.
• Always Check the Dates: For fans and critics alike, understanding the timeline of content release is crucial before jumping to conclusions about creative borrowing. Context matters!

Whether it was a case of genuine parallel thinking or an unfortunate coincidence, SNL's "Beauty & Mr. Beast" sketch delivered big laughs, got people talking, and proved that in today's media landscape, the internet and traditional TV are more intertwined than ever before.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sketch

When did the 'Beauty & Mr. Beast' sketch air on SNL? The sketch aired on Saturday Night Live on November 8, 2025, during an episode hosted by Nikki Glaser. Who played Mr. Beast in the SNL sketch? Ben Marshall, a cast member of Saturday Night Live, hilariously portrayed Mr. Beast. What was Mr. Beast's real reaction to the SNL parody? Mr. Beast (Jimmy Donaldson) stated he was surprised but found the sketch "funny" after his phone "blew up" with messages about it. Source: Dexerto (quoted across several articles). Why were there plagiarism accusations about the sketch? Fans of BYUtv's sketch show Studio C claimed similarities, as Studio C aired a sketch with the same title and a similar premise on November 3, 2025, five days before SNL's version. However, Studio C's sketch reportedly only appeared on YouTube after the SNL broadcast. Sources

• Dave Nemetz, "SNL Reimagines Beauty And The Beast With Nikki Glaser And Mr. Beast — Watch," TVLine.com, November 9, 2025.
• Glenn Garner, "MrBeast Reacts To ‘SNL’s ‘Beauty & Mr. Beast’ Sketch: ‘My Phone Blew Up’," Deadline, November 9, 2025.
• Zackerie Fairfax, "MrBeast responds after being parodied in SNL’s ‘Beauty and MrBeast’ sketch," Dexerto, November 9, 2025.
• LateNighter Staff, "Fans Say 'SNL' May Have Stolen This Sketch Idea From the Mormons," Cracked, November 10, 2025.
• LateNighter, "First on LateNighter: Fans of BYUtv’s Studio C are accusing Saturday Night Live of copying a sketch idea after both shows aired pieces titled “Beauty and MrBeast” within the same week." November 9, 2025. (Quoted information on Studio C airing date and YouTube upload timing).
• TOI Trending Desk, "SNL’s ‘Beauty & MrBeast’ parody has fans howling: YouTuber’s reaction is priceless," etimes.in, November 10, 2025.
• Andrew Sanford, "Mr. Beast Meets Disney in This Time Capsule-Like ‘SNL’ Sketch," Pajiba, November 10, 2025.
• The News Digital, "MrBeast speaks out after becoming SNL’s latest target," The News International, November 10, 2025.
• Eeshna Dashottar, "MrBeast shares his thoughts about the latest SNL sketch called 'Beauty and Mr. Beast'," Sportskeeda, November 10, 2025.