Alec Baldwin makes a comeback on 'SNL' in the cold open, but not in his usual Donald Trump role
Alec Baldwin made a return to "Saturday Night Live," but this time, he stepped into a different role. Instead of lampooning former US President Donald Trump, he took on the persona of FOX News anchor Bret Baier during the cold open. Opposite him was Maya Rudolph, who portrayed Vice President Kamala Harris in a comedic rendition of their recent network interview.
Historically, Baldwin has been synonymous with Trump impressions on "SNL." However, James Austin Johnson, a current cast member, has been the one embodying Trump lately, despite whispers of Baldwin's potential comeback as the election looms.
In the parody of the FOX News interview, Baldwin's Baier and Rudolph's Harris delved into policy discussions, touching on topics like immigration and abortion. On the subject of immigration, Rudolph's Harris humorously claimed her success in dismantling cartels, quipping, “If I starred in 'Breaking Bad,' it would’ve wrapped up in three episodes.”
Baldwin's portrayal of Baier was marked by frequent interruptions of Rudolph's Harris. He jested that her responses were merely an attempt to capture a viral moment, prompting Rudolph to engage with a different camera for mock TikTok content.
The skit also poked fun at a notable blunder from the actual interview, with the duo bantering over Baier's error in playing an incorrect Trump clip. Dana Carvey made an appearance as President Joe Biden, though Andy Samberg, who has played Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff this season, was absent from the cold open.
This episode saw Michael Keaton, known for "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and the upcoming "Goodrich," take on hosting duties. Keaton, a three-time host, last graced the show in 2015, with a cameo in 2019. The musical accompaniment was provided by Billie Eilish.
Looking ahead, John Mulaney is set to host the next "Saturday Night Live" episode on November 2, with Chappell Roan as the musical guest, just before Election Day. Catch "SNL" on NBC at 11:30 p.m. EDT/8:30 p.m. PDT.
