Sean Spicer calls SNL's portrayal of him 'funny' but critiques Melissa McCarthy's gum chewing

Sean Spicer.
(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Saturday Night Live's brutally hilarious depiction of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was a hit over the weekend, and even Spicer said he was laughing. It was "funny," Spicer told Extra, but he added that when "he first heard about the sketch while leaving church Sunday morning ... his texts had been blowing up so much he thought there must be a national emergency."

Portrayed by Melissa McCarthy, Spicer was depicted as exaggeratedly combative. He said McCarthy could have "[dialed] back" a bit — particularly when it comes to her mastication.

"[McCarthy] needs to slow down on the gum chewing," Spicer critiqued. "Way too many pieces in there."

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Spicer was less amused with SNL's portrayal of President Trump and Stephen Bannon, as played by the Grim Reaper. "SNL used to be really funny. There's a streak of meanness now that they've crossed over to mean," Spicer said.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.