Albany Times Union

SNL takes some jabs

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The season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” doesn’t shy away from tackling the political arena, skewering the presidenti­al debate./

“Saturday Night Live” went political with a parody of last week’s presidenti­al debate, Chris Rock’s jab at President Donald Trump and Megan Thee Stallion’s message supporting Black people during her performanc­e.

The NBC late-night sketch series on Saturday night jumped into the re-enactment of the recent debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The series opened its 46th season, returning to the studio this week after the coronaviru­s pandemic halted production.

Alec Baldwin returned to play Trump before the president’s COVID diagnosis, while Jim Carrey made his feature debut as Biden.

In the sketch, Baldwin’s Trump commandeer­ed the debate in the same fashion as on Tuesday, trying to trip up Biden by interrupti­ng and insulting him. Meanwhile, Carrey ’s Biden tried to maintain his anger by breathing into a paper brown bag and talking to himself.

“Look man, I’m a nice guy, but you give anymore guff tonight, I’ll rip your face off like a mad chimp,“Carrey yelled before talking to himself again, saying, “The country ’s counting on you Joe. Just stand here and look lucid.”

Maya Rudolph made a cameo appearance as Sen. Kamala Harris calling for a WAP (Woman As President) — a nod to the hit song by Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B — before Carrey ’s Biden pulled out a remote control to pause Trump.

“Let’s bask in the Trumplessn­ess,” Carrey said.

The show was hosted by Chris Rock, who stepped onstage with a mask before snatching it off to perform his monologue. He opened in front of a live audience, which included about two dozen

first responders who all wore masks.

Rock joked about how the coronaviru­s pandemic has ruined much of 2020. The actor-comedian also sarcastica­lly showed empathy toward Trump being hospitaliz­ed after his virus diagnosis.

“President Trump is in the hospital from COVID, and I just want to say that my heart goes out to COVID,” he joked.

Megan Thee Stallion hit the stage as the musical guest, performing her hit single “Savage.” While wearing a black-and-white ensemble, the rapper delivered a message calling for the protection of Black people, in addition to the words “Protect Black Women” flashing on the screen behind her.

 ?? Will Heath / Associated Press ?? From left, Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Jim Carrey as Joe Biden and Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris parody last week’s presidenti­al debate Saturday on "Saturday Night Live."
Will Heath / Associated Press From left, Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Jim Carrey as Joe Biden and Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris parody last week’s presidenti­al debate Saturday on "Saturday Night Live."

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