“Cold Opening: Homeland Security - SNL” - I can't understand the “Magenta” joke?

Question

I am supposed to translate the entire sketch for my next classes, but I really don't know what is the joke here. I only know that magenta is a color and that is all. Can someone explain to me what is funny about this? I really need that.

Here is a part of the transcript where the joke is used:

"Before we begin today's briefing, I wish to announce that, on the basis of change in the nature of Al-Queda chatter, we are changing the current threat level to Magenta. Let me repeat: the threat level is now.. Magenta. What is Magenta? It's a darker maroon. It's not quite an ox blood. It's more plum color than.. say.. a crimson. How serious is it? [ sighs ] I honestly don't have an answer for that."

Answer

Cop types have been inventing new ways to describe threats when there are no threats. They have green, yellow, and red levels, they have "heightened alertness", they have cutesy names, and it is all nothing more than theater, trying to look useful when there is no use for them. Airports are put on some sort of alert status and the only activity is that a cop stands at the entrance and glares at the cars, and uniformed goons harass passengers and pretend to be important.

The bottom line is, as the TSA tries to remind us, this is not a joke. But it's against the law to tar and feather them, and the people have no backbone, so they try to make do by poking fun at them.

“Cold Opening: Homeland Security - SNL” - I can't understand the “Magenta” joke?

Answers (1)