When Dads Go Clueless: A Comedy of Errors

A Fresh Spin on True-Crime Stories

A recent Saturday Night Live sketch took a fresh spin on true-crime stories. Instead of focusing on crimes, it highlighted a common problem in many households: men struggling when women take a break from managing daily tasks.

The sketch, called "Gone Without a Trace," imagined a true-crime documentary about three men whose wives suddenly disappeared. But here's the twist: the wives weren't actually kidnapped. They just left for a while, and the men had no idea how to handle things without them.

The Men's Confusion

The sketch used real-time footage, like body cameras and security cameras, to show the men's confusion.

• Doug found notes on the fridge telling him how to heat up food and do laundry. He was so clueless that he thought someone was playing a game with him.
• Another man was left alone with the kids and had no idea what to do. He said he wished he could have prepared, but he had no clue his wife was leaving.

A Serious Issue

This sketch was a funny way to talk about a serious issue. Studies show that in many heterosexual relationships, women often take on most of the household tasks. They manage the family's schedule, do the laundry, feed the pets, and more. Men might help out, but they often don't realize how much work their partners do until they are left to handle things alone.

The Invisible Work

The sketch didn't use any fancy terms, but it made the point clear. The wives explained that they had told their husbands where they were going and what needed to be done. But the men just didn't get it. One wife even circled and starred the dates she would be away on the calendar, but her husband still didn't notice.

The Mental Load

The sketch was a great way to start a conversation about the "mental load" that many women carry. It's the invisible work of managing a household, and it's something that often goes unnoticed until it's gone.