On a day marked by tragedy in America, with the shooting of an individual by federal agents in Minneapolis, it’s striking that Saturday Night Live (SNL) chose to focus solely on a Trump-themed skit for its cold open. The show, helmed by Lorne Michaels, opted for humor over addressing the serious news.
In a lighthearted yet controversial tone, James Austin Johnson, portraying a bloated version of the former President, declared, "You know this is such a special night; everyone wants to go home with a Trump, except Melania," during a segment titled "The 1st Annual Trumps" awards.
Interestingly, the absence of Melania Trump was palpable, especially since she happened to be screening her self-titled documentary directed by Brett Ratner at the White House that same evening. While SNL cast members had ample opportunity to embody various sycophants and allies from the Trump administration, Melania's role seemed conspicuously vacant. This void was emphasized further by the appearance of Loki, the God of Mischief, stepping in as Trump’s agent, which added a whimsical twist to the proceedings.
The real highlight of the night was the return of Mike Myers as Elon Musk, albeit for a fleeting moment. Despite the brevity of his appearance, Myers’s portrayal added a humorous note amidst the litany of Trump's egregious actions and insecurities, notably poking fun at the former president’s failed bid for a Nobel Prize. Johnson introduced Myers with the line, "My close ex-friend Elon Musk," before Myers’s character quipped, "I’m so emotionless to be here, and if anyone knows humor, it’s me." He then handed the stage over to "Carrie Underwood and the construction worker for the Village People" for a somber performance of the theme from America’s Funniest Home Videos.
However, considering the heavy news cycle, including the tragic shooting incident today, the tone of this cold open felt misaligned. The episode was hosted by Teyana Taylor, a star from the film One Battle After Another, and a recent Oscar nominee, marking her debut as the show’s host. This SNL airs following the unfortunate death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, who was shot by Border Patrol agents.
In a confusing narrative, officials from the Trump administration labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist," despite evidence suggesting he was attempting to intervene in a situation where federal agents were allegedly assaulting a woman. Video evidence indicates that while Pretti was armed with a registered weapon, he was merely trying to retrieve his phone when he was attacked and subsequently shot.
Given the weight of recent events, many viewers might have expected SNL to adopt a more respectful approach for the cold open. Instead of diving into topical content, like the delayed Netflix spectacle Skyscraper Live from Taiwan or upcoming events like the UFC debut on Paramount+ owned by Trump associates, the show seems to have chosen entertainment over serious commentary.
As SNL embarks on its 51st season, this episode marks Taylor's first hosting gig, likely not to be her last given her skyrocketing career. Joining her as the musical guest was the indie band Geese, who made their SNL debut, although the lead singer Cameron Winter had been portrayed on the show last year by Johnson.
Looking ahead, SNL will return next week for its landmark 1000th episode, featuring Alexander Skarsgård as the host and the MAGA-friendly Cardi B as the musical guest. What do you think about SNL's decision to prioritize comedy in light of current events? Should they take a more serious approach during such times, or is humor the best way to cope?
