YouTube star MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, shared his positive reaction to a recent Saturday Night Live sketch that parodied Disney's Beauty and the Beast with elements from his reality show Beast Games. The comedian-filled bit featured cast member Ben Marshall as a Disney-fied version of MrBeast, incorporating challenges and prizes reminiscent of the controversial competition series. Donaldson called the parody funny after his phone blew up following the airing.
Sketch Overview
The SNL sketch, titled 'Beauty & Mr. Beast,' aired during a recent episode hosted by Nikki Glaser. It reimagined the 1991 Disney animated classic for the modern YouTube era, blending fairy-tale romance with high-stakes reality TV antics. Ben Marshall portrayed Mr. Beast as a beastly billionaire who traps Belle's (Nikki Glaser) father in a dungeon for 30 days, offering a chance to win over $300,000. The character adds incentives like giving away a Tesla for every pound the father loses, highlighting the over-the-top prizes typical of MrBeast's content.
Marshall's Mr. Beast describes himself with a mix of beastly traits: 'top half is beast' and 'bottom half is completely smooth.' The plot escalates when he proposes marriage to Belle on the condition she survives 30 days in a smart car with two greased-up sumo wrestlers. Glaser's Belle accepts, confirming his billionaire status.
MrBeast's Response
Jimmy Donaldson reacted to the sketch in an interview with Dexerto, saying, “I didn’t know they were gonna talk about me but the second it aired my phone blew up haha.” He added, “Thought it was funny.” The parody comes amid ongoing attention to Beast Games, which Prime Video renewed for Seasons 2 and 3 in May 2025. The series, inspired by Donaldson's viral '$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!' video, features the largest cash prize in reality TV history at $5 million.
Context and Background
Beast Games has faced controversy over its production and challenges, which the SNL bit pokes fun at through exaggerated elements like dungeon traps and endurance tests. The sketch aligns with SNL's tradition of satirizing pop culture figures and Disney's live-action remake trend. Donaldson's lighthearted response underscores his engagement with media parodies of his brand.