Stranger Things ‘Stans’ are Big Mad About SNL Mocking Will Byers Coming Out Scene
Stranger Things fans voiced strong backlash online after Saturday Night Live aired a sketch that parodied Will Byers’ coming out scene from the show’s fifth season. The episode, hosted by series star Finn Wolfhard, included appearances from co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, but the humor targeting the emotional moment drew accusations of insensitivity. Discussions erupted across social media, with some defending the bit as satire on the scene’s pacing while others called it out for undermining a key LGBTQ+ storyline.
Here’s the TL;DR...
SNL’s January 17 episode featured a Stranger Things parody hosted by Finn Wolfhard.
The sketch joked that Will Byers’ coming out scene from Season 5 is “still going on” due to its length.
Fans accused the show of homophobia, citing the scene’s real emotional weight for actor Noah Schnapp.
Defenders argued the target was poor writing, not Will’s sexuality.
Backlash extended to Wolfhard and his co-stars, despite them not writing the material.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about parodying sensitive TV moments.
What Exactly Did SNL Say About Will Byers’ Coming Out Scene?
The sketch framed a fake promo for Stranger Things spinoffs. A voiceover explained Will’s absence by noting his coming out monologue from Season 5’s seventh episode remains ongoing. This jab focused on the scene’s five-minute duration, where Will, played by Noah Schnapp, reveals his sexuality to friends in a 1980s setting.
Viewers familiar with the series recall the moment as pivotal but criticized for feeling forced and underwhelming.
Schnapp has spoken publicly about the toll of filming. He experienced multiple panic attacks during production, describing the process as triggering. The episode itself faced review-bombing from homophobic viewers upset over Will’s arc. SNL‘s take amplified these tensions without directly addressing them.
Why Are Stranger Things Fans So Upset With the Parody?
Many fans saw the joke as dismissive of a vulnerable character’s journey. One viewer on X called it “not funny at all, not respectful at all,” demanding apologies to Schnapp and the fictional Will.
Others pointed out the irony: co-stars Wolfhard, Matarazzo, and McLaughlin appeared in the episode, yet Schnapp was absent, making the mockery feel one-sided.
Critics argued the humor catered to those who already mocked Will’s storyline. A Reddit thread highlighted frustration over the cast’s involvement in a bit that echoed real-world homophobia. The scene’s 1980s context added layers, as Will’s internalized struggles reflect era-specific challenges.
Not everyone agreed on the outrage. Some dismissed complaints, noting the parody targeted the scene’s execution, not identity. One X user quipped, “As a gay person I really do not gaf,” suggesting overreaction.
How Did Finn Wolfhard and the Cast Get Involved in the Backlash?
Wolfhard hosted the January 17 show, delivering a monologue with Stranger Things nods. Matarazzo and McLaughlin crashed it, adding to the meta vibe.
Yet backlash hit Wolfhard hardest, despite him not authoring the Will joke. Fans flooded his Instagram and TikTok with criticism, linking it to other sketches like one on Max Mayfield’s coma.
This isn’t isolated. Season 5’s finale drew similar divides, with Will’s arc praised by some for representation but slammed for reducing his pain to a “crush.” Schnapp‘s real-life coming out in 2023 paralleled his role, intensifying scrutiny.
Is SNL’s Stranger Things Sketch Really Homophobic?
Accusations flew fast. A Facebook post from PinkNews captured viewers labeling the bit “homophobic,” especially given Schnapp‘s absence. SNL cast member Jeremy Culhane portrayed Will in the parody, exaggerating the monologue’s length.
Detractors argued it minimized a moment meant to evoke empathy.
Defenses centered on context. The joke hit the writing’s flaws, like its drawn-out dialogue, not sexuality itself. One X post noted, “They are making fun of how long that Will scene was and how was written, not that he was gay.”
Still, timing mattered—coming after Season 5’s review-bombing, it struck a nerve.
What Broader Issues Does This Highlight in TV Parody?
Parodying queer storylines risks alienating audiences if it veers into punch-down territory. Stranger Things has navigated LGBTQ+ themes since Season 1, using terms like “queer” amid 1980s homophobia.
Will’s arc evolved from hints to explicit confirmation, but execution drew fire for feeling coerced.
SNL‘s history includes controversial sketches, but this one amplified fan fractures. Some X users tied it to “Byler” shipping debates, where fans hoped for romance between Will and Mike. Others saw it as mocking Schnapp‘s efforts.
How Has the Stranger Things Fandom Reacted Overall?
Reactions split predictably. Outraged posts dominated early buzz, with one calling the sketch “evil” for ignoring Will’s pain.
Yet lighter takes emerged, like an X user shrugging it off as harmless. Memes circulated, blending humor with critique.
The show’s legacy persists. Season 5 wrapped with mixed reviews, but Will’s storyline resonated for representation. Fans mourned missed opportunities, like a more private coming out.
Could This Affect Future Stranger Things Projects?
Netflix has spinoffs in works, which the sketch lampooned. Backlash might prompt caution in handling sensitive arcs. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer faced similar scrutiny before.
For SNL, it’s business as usual—edgy humor often sparks debate.
Wolfhard‘s hosting gig aimed for fun, but the fallout underscores parody’s fine line. As one fan noted, the real issue lies in how queer narratives get treated post-release.
This SNL–Stranger Things clash spotlights the challenges of satirizing emotional TV moments, especially those tied to identity. While some laughs landed, the backlash reminds creators to weigh humor against potential harm.
As fandoms evolve, expect more calls for thoughtful representation, ensuring stories like Will’s get the respect they merit without becoming easy targets.
Hat Tips
Parade, “Finn Wolfhard’s ‘Stranger Things’ SNL Skit Met With Backlash,” January 18, 2026
ScreenGeek, “SNL Faces Backlash Over ‘Stranger Things’ Will Byers Parody,” January 18, 2026
MSN / The Mirror US, “Stranger Things fans rage at ‘tasteless’ SNL for mocking Will’s coming out scene,” January 18, 2026
PinkNews, “A sketch parodying ‘Stranger Things’ during Saturday Night Live is facing backlash,” January 19, 2026
Reddit r/byler discussion threads, January 2026
Yahoo News, “Finn Wolfhard’s SNL debut mocks Stranger Things finale theories as fans rage,” January 18, 2026
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 19, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED.