Saturday Night Live's 'Draw the Prophet Muhammad' skit receives some unexpected backlash

A Canadian comedy show did a similar skit in January.

Saturday Night Live has garnered attention and praise over last weekend's skit, however the famous show is once again under fire for a controversial skit. According to reports, a similar skit was aired last January by the Canadian comedy show, "This Hour Has 22 Minutes." Internet viewers pointed out the similarities and questioned SNL for the rip off.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Initially, the "Draw the Prophet Muhammad" skit garnered positive reviews for its witty and brilliant illustration of the current growing fear over the idea of depicting the prophet.

Based on "Win, Lose or Draw," Bobby Moynihan's character was asked to draw Prophet Muhammad, but terrified refused to do so saying, "I can't draw it." Reese Witherspoon, who played his wife, answered "The Prophet Muhammad" winning them the $1 million prize.

In the light of the recent shooting incident in Texas, during a drawing event featuring Prophet Muhammad, it was an attention-grabbing segment for the popular show.

Through social media, many praised the skit.

Former staff and comedian Dean Obeidallah described "Draw the Prophet Muhammad" segment as "a great comedy sketch that raises an important issue about freedom for expression and the fear some Americans have about drawing the Prophet Mohammed," as cited by Business Insider.

During its popularity over social media, something unfolded.

In an earlier Canadian skit, a couple won the $1 million prize wife correctly guessed the answer after the husband refused to draw the prophet. Canada's CBC News, whose parent company airs the comedy show, reported that "it appears the NBC sketch comedy show may have stolen the punchline from CBC's 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes.'"

Shaun Majumder, the actor featured on the Canadian version, tweeted "Wow if only we could steal some of their budget." He said that the two shows' target audiences are different.

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