Kenan Thompson has this look. It’s the wide-eyed, joyful stare of a man who just found out the buffet has no closing time. When he brings that energy to the Weekend Update desk as David Ortiz, something magical happens. It isn’t just an impression. It’s a total reimagining of the Red Sox legend as a guy who is obsessed with two things: lunch and truly terrible business ideas.
The snl skit big papi became a staple for a reason.
Most athlete impressions on Saturday Night Live are hit or miss. They often lean too hard into a specific controversy or a single vocal tic. But Thompson’s "Big Papi" turned David Ortiz into a lovable, Dominican entrepreneur who just happened to play baseball. Whether he was pitching "BeeWorld" (like SeaWorld, but just bees) or "Iguananox" (a gym filled with lizards), the character carved out a weird, hilarious niche in SNL history.
The Secret Sauce of the Big Papi Skit
Why does it work? Honestly, it’s the sheer absurdity. The real David Ortiz is a charismatic, massive human being with a booming laugh. Kenan takes that charisma and turns the volume up to eleven.
He doesn't focus on batting averages or steroids or the Curse of the Bambino. Instead, he focuses on the "Big Lunch." In the SNL universe, Ortiz's life revolves around a massive pot of rice, beans, and whatever questionable animal "Big Bunny" (often played by guest stars like Bad Bunny) decided to throw into the mix.
The Running Jokes That Stuck
If you’ve watched more than one of these segments, you know the rhythm. Colin Jost tries to ask a serious question about retirement or the MLB playoffs. Thompson’s Ortiz interrupts him with a beaming smile and a list of new sponsors.
- The Food: It’s always about a "beeeeg lunch." Mofongo, chicharron, and things that definitely shouldn't be "milky" but are.
- The Businesses: "Welp"—the review app for when you want to know if a place is good, but the answer is just "welp."
- The Phrases: "Ohhh yeah, bebe!" and the constant references to his "Dominican lunch."
It’s silly. It’s borderline nonsensical. And it's exactly what makes Kenan the "glue" of the show.
What the Real David Ortiz Thinks
You’d think a professional athlete might be a little annoyed by a caricature that makes them look like they spend all day eating and pitching fake products.
Not Papi.
The real David Ortiz has been a huge fan of the snl skit big papi since the beginning. Back in 2014, when the impression first started gaining steam, Ortiz tweeted his approval. He even shared a photo of himself pointing at an iguana after the "Iguananox" sketch aired. He basically told the world: "Yeah, this is hilarious."
There’s a legendary moment where the two finally met for a podcast interview. Ortiz wasn't just polite; he was genuinely cracking up. He told Kenan that when he first saw the skit, his friends told him, "Bro, when they do an impersonation of you on SNL, that means you made it."
Complexity and Criticism
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Not everyone loved it.
Some critics, particularly within the Latino community, argued that the accent and the focus on food leaned into tired stereotypes. They felt it was another example of SNL's "Latino problem"—a lack of actual Latino cast members for a long time meant that non-Latino actors were often the ones playing these roles.
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While David Ortiz himself gave it the green light, the conversation around the sketch highlights the fine line between a "loving caricature" and something that feels a bit dated. Kenan’s version is clearly built on affection, but the nuance of representation in comedy is something that evolved significantly during his tenure.
The Evolution of the Sketch
As the years went by, the skit moved beyond the Weekend Update desk.
During the "SNL at Home" episodes in 2020, we got the "Big Papi Cooking Show." It was the peak of the character's evolution. In quarantine, everyone was cooking. Seeing "Big Papi" and "Big Bunny" (Bad Bunny) trying to make a meal in a "big ass pot" was the kind of chaotic joy we needed.
It proved the character had legs beyond just being a sports commentator. He was a personality. A brand. A guy who wanted to sell you sweatpants so your boss wouldn't see your legs on Zoom.
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Notable Guest Appearances
The character often served as a bridge for guest stars to lean into the comedy.
- Bad Bunny: Played "Big Bunny," the cousin with the big pots.
- Colin Jost: The perfect "straight man" who always seemed one second away from breaking character and laughing.
- Michael Che: Usually just watched the madness unfold with a look of "I can't believe this is happening."
Why We Still Watch It
The snl skit big papi works because it feels like a hangout.
In a world where news is heavy and sports can get way too serious, Kenan’s David Ortiz is a reminder of the "fun" part of fandom. It’s about the joy of a big personality. It’s about the ridiculousness of celebrity endorsements.
More than that, it’s a masterclass in Kenan Thompson’s comedic timing. He can take a list of fake foods and turn it into a three-minute highlight reel.
How to Enjoy the Big Papi Legacy
If you're looking to dive back into the best of these moments, here's the play:
- Watch the "Post-Retirement Plans" segment: This is where the "Welp" app first appears. It’s arguably the tightest writing of the recurring bits.
- Check out the real-life meeting: Find the video of Kenan and the real David Ortiz together. It’s wholesome and adds a layer of appreciation for the work Kenan put in.
- Look for the "Big Papi Cooking Show": It’s a great example of how SNL adapted during the pandemic and gave the character a fresh environment.
- Notice the subtle changes: If you watch them in order, you can see Kenan getting more comfortable with the voice and the "Papi" mannerisms over time.
The "Big Papi" era on SNL might be less frequent now that Ortiz is long retired from the diamond, but the character remains one of the most quotable parts of the 2010s era of the show.