SNL’s Michael Che stand-up show to benefit Planned Parenthood
By Hector Cruz
SNL cast member Michael Che to donate proceeds from NYC stand-up show to Planned Parenthood.
Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Che announced earlier this week that he will be performing a secret comedy show at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY on Monday, Jan. 30, with all proceeds from the $20 tickets going to Planned Parenthood. The SNL star and Daily Show alum has also indicated that he will match all proceeds from the event, and teased a “top secret lineup.”
According to the New York Post, Che spontaneously revealed the idea on Facebook Tuesday, writing, “lets do a show for planned parenthood. if it wasnt for them, id be michael campbell the funnyass dad.” He confirmed the show in an Instagram post on Wednesday:
Che later revealed that the stand-up show sold out in minutes, and pledged to do another one in the near-future in a bigger venue with another surprise lineup. “But if you DID get tix, holy sh*t… you’re in for a show,” he wrote.
The move shouldn’t come as a surprise as the comedian expressed his support for feminism on last week’s SNL, stating that “believing in equality just means you’re not a d–k.” He not only frequently touches on politics during Weekend Update, but also tackled such controversial topics as Black Lives Matter, gun rights, marijuana legalization and Trump in his Netflix special Michael Che Matters. And late last year, Che used his talents for a good cause when he performed a benefit at Caroline’s on Broadway for the Scleroderma Research Foundation.
The announcement came days after the Women’s March protests across the globe, where many participants demonstrated against the defunding of Planned Parenthood, which has been a target of conservatives for years, but is especially vulnerable in light of Donald Trump’s election. The new president has already reinstated a policy that prohibits foreign aid to groups that provide abortions, and House Speaker Paul Ryan has vowed to cut funds for the nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health services to primarily low-income patients as part of the Obamacare repeal.
Next: Aziz Ansari discusses Women’s March, Donald Trump in SNL Monologue
SNL returns Feb. 4th at 11:30 p.m. on NBC with host Kristen Stewart and musical guest Alessia Cara.