SNL's Jesus Tells Tebow 'Take It Down a Notch,' 'Mormonism All True, Every Single Word'

December 18th, 2011 11:24 AM

NBC's Saturday Night Live this weekend predictably did a sketch mocking Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow for his faith.

What might have been lost on viewers was a not-so subtle endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney when Jesus Christ - played by Jason Sudeikis - said at the skit's close, "Mormonism - all true, every single word" (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):


As the sketch began, the Broncos had just won their surprising victory over the Chicago Bears last weekend, and Tebow - played by Taran Killam - was leading the team in prayer.

Enter Sudeikis who told the team that he indeed has been helping them in the fourth quarter of the last six games and demonstrated using stats how that's the only time he's assisting them.

This led Sudeikis to tell Killam that besides praying before games, he should stretch and read the playbook.

As the skit continued, Sudeikis told the team he prays to their marvelous kicker, Matt Prater. Prater, played by Adam Sandberg, said, "I didn't know that."

Sudeikis responded, "That's because I'm not in everyone's face about it" glaring at Killam.

As the audience laughed, it was clear SNL was taking a cheap shot at Tebow's public displays of his faith.

But that wasn't the last swipe, for as Sudeikis was getting ready to leave, he called Killam over and said, "I love you, but just take it down a notch, okay buddy?"

Before leaving, Sudeikis said what every Romney supporter - including those in the media that clearly want him to be President Obama's opponent next November - loved hearing: "By the way, Mormonism -  all true, every single word."

As Mormonism is quite likely to be an issue in the campaign if the former Massachusetts governor wins the nomination, it appears the folks at SNL also want it to be Romney vs. Obama.