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Connecticut school shooting: Pop culture reacts to a tragedy

From the New York City Children's Chorus on "Saturday Night Live" to Mike Posner's "Heaven," a look at how pop culture is responding to Newtown.

John Hendrickson, Digital First Media

Posted: 12/17/2012 04:31:07 PM EST

View the story "Connecticut school shooting: Pop culture reacts to a tragedy" on StorifyConnecticut school shooting: Pop culture reacts to a tragedyFrom the New York City Children's Chorus on "Saturday Night Live" to Mike Posner's "Heaven," a look at how pop culture is responding to Newtown.Storified by Digital First Media · Mon, Dec 17 2012 13:29:43Fixed on a flickering white flame, a single NBC camera pulled back to reveal the New York City Children's Chorus to open the Dec. 15 broadcast of "Saturday Night Live."
The two dozen or so boys and girls sang "Silent Night" in a haunting falsetto, with lyrics like "sleep in heavenly peace" taking on new meaning some 36 hours after 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children inside Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
'SNL' Opens With 'Silent Night' in Honor of Shooting Victimsjolided24It wasn't the first time "SNL" has pivoted from its traditional opening sketch. Many will remember when former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani appeared alongside show producer Lorne Michaels on Sept. 29, 2001. "Our hearts are broken, but they are beating, and they are beating stronger than ever," Giuliani said in a short speech before, in so many words, telling viewers it was okay to laugh again.How does an entertainer do his or her job in the wake of tragedy?
This past weekend, rapper Mike Posner quickly wrote and released "Heaven," a song reportedly about the Dec. 14 shooting. "I hope this song will help just a tiny, tiny bit to ease the pain of your loss," Posner wrote on Instagram. Mike Posner - HeavenmikeposnerControversy surrounded Morgan Freeman over a public statement falsely attributed to the veteran actor on Sunday afternoon. It was just the latest in a string of social media flops since word of the shooting first spread on Friday. More than anything, the hoax highlighted the public's tendency to look toward celebrities of all disciplines to speak out when tragedy strikes.
Many celebrities have weighed in on the choice medium for 21st century free speech: Twitter.
Below is a sample of what stars from comedy, film, music, television and professional sports have said about the Sandy Hook massacre.It's all violence & it's all connected. Why does this happen only in America? The answer is right in front of u. And it's not just the guns.Michael MooreHey, @BarackObama? I voted for you. A lot of us did. But we #DemandAPlan to end gun violence. Here it is: http://demandaplan.org/newtownPatton Oswaltpeace be with the parents. peace be with the traumatized children who witnessed this act. peace be with the teachers. bless us all.Questo of The RootsGod have mercy!!!! No one deserves this! Praying for the families of the victims of the Connecticut shooting!! What a Christmas it will beRihannaSorry but prayers and giving your kids hugs fix nothing; only having the balls to stand up to our insane selfish gun culture will.Bill Maherimagine it happening to my kids school. I and the rest of the families would be devastated! Something has to be done. Land of the free, BS!LeBron JamesManchin Bloomburg Clinton Obama Durbin et al hav fulltime tax paid for security toting the very firearms they wish to deny we the peopleTed NugentListening to @BarackObama speak on the tragedy in Newtown and quoting scripture puts these feelings about our game 2day in perspective.Brandon MarshallAnd Kevin Durant went one step further.KD's shoe tonightokcthunder