Nintendo was reportedly unhappy with Elon Musk's 2021 Saturday Night Live sketch in which he portrayed Wario, according to former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang. The two discussed the skit and Nintendo's reaction on a recent episode of their YouTube show.
Musk's appearance as the nefarious character saw Wario on trial for the murder of Mario. The sketch, which aired in 2021, received a negative online reception and, as revealed by Ellis and Yang, did not go over well with Nintendo at the time.
The former PR managers recalled being at Nintendo when the skit aired, describing it as "not beloved." Ellis noted that the sketch's timing was also peculiar, as it coincided with no new Wario game or product release. He further stated that the content of the sketch pushed boundaries into "uncomfortable" territory for Nintendo, likely referencing its more risqué jokes. These included gags about Mario using cocaine, Luigi sleeping with Princess Peach, and a censored depiction of Luigi's genitalia.
This reaction from Nintendo is understandable, given the company's focus on family-friendly content and its characters being depicted in such a manner. SNL has parodied Nintendo properties on other occasions, including a sketch that envisioned Mario Kart as a dark, gritty adaptation in the vein of HBO's The Last of Us.