UPDATED with SNL & Trump tweets, video: “Well, well, well, look who fell out of that coconut tree,” remarked Maya Rudolph as she opened the cold open of the Season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live. “I see you trying to leave, but the doors are locked,” added James Austin Johnson later, reprising his role as Donald Trump.
Joined by fellow alum Andy Samberg as current Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, alongside Rudolph’s Emmy-winning portrayal of Kamala Harris, and Jim Gaffigan as Democratic VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz, the cold open of SNL delved deep into POTUS politics. Bowen Yang’s portrayal of GOP VP nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, with a touch of Radiohead quotes, added a unique dimension to the sketch.
In a nostalgic twist, Dana Carvey made an appearance as President Joe Biden. “A lot of people forget I’m President, including me,” quipped Carvey’s Biden, sealing the deal on the cold open.
As Rudolph/Harris’ self-proclaimed “fun aunt” put it, “My campaign is like that Sabrina Carpenter song ‘Expresso’: the lyrics are vague, but the vibe slaps.”
Tonight’s half-century SNL debut, just shy of the show’s first-season premiere in 1975, reflects the ever-changing political landscape since the Season 49 finale. Recent months have seen a whirlwind of events, leaving the upcoming election too close to call with just over 36 days remaining.
Against this backdrop, SNL continues to offer its satirical take on current events, with tonight’s episode proving to be a resounding success.
Tonight’s episode also featured Jean Smart making her long-awaited SNL hosting debut, alongside musical guest Jelly Roll. Next week will see Nate Bargatze hosting SNL with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Vocabulary List:
- Premiere /prɪˈmɪr/ (noun): The first public performance of a play film or television show.
- Alum /əˈlʌm/ (noun): A graduate or former student of a particular school college or university.
- Nostalgic /nəˈstæl.dʒɪk/ (adjective): Feeling a sentimental longing for the past.
- Whirlwind /ˈwɜːr.l.wɪnd/ (noun): A situation or series of events in which things happen quickly and unexpectedly.
- Satirical /səˈtɪr.ɪ.kəl/ (adjective): Characterized by the use of humor irony or ridicule to criticize or mock.
- Dimension /dɪˈmɛnʃən/ (noun): An aspect or feature of a situation problem or subject.
How much do you know?
Which actress opened the Season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live?
Who reprised the role of Donald Trump in the Season 50 premiere of SNL?
Which character was played by Andy Samberg in the cold open?
Who portrayed Democratic VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz?
Which actor made a guest appearance as President Joe Biden?
Who was the host of the SNL episode featuring the Season 50 premiere?
