James Talarico Pokes Fun at SNL’s Trump Cold Opens
Saturday Night Live opened its November 7 episode with a sketch about Democrats celebrating their midterm victories, before James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump impersonation interrupted the scene to comment on the election. Sarah Sherman played Chuck Schumer and Kenan Thompson played Hakeem Jeffries.
Talarico, the newly elected senator from Texas, joined the sketch near its end. He introduced himself as the candidate who had been texting viewers to ask for $5 donations, then turned the scene toward the show itself, making fun of its repeated sketches in which Trump freezes the action to speak. Johnson’s Trump replied that the sketches would continue indefinitely.
The episode also marked comedian Druski’s debut as host. He was identified as the first digital creator to emcee the comedy program. The Strokes were the musical guest.
The preceding episode, hosted by Inde Navarrette on October 31, averaged 5.2 million viewers, the season’s highest audience to that point. John Mulaney is scheduled to host the November 14 episode, with Phoebe Bridgers as musical guest; the show is then set to return on December 4.
Talarico Turns SNL’s Trump Sketches Into a Joke About Change
Saturday Night Live’s post-midterm cold open began with Democrats celebrating their wins, but the sketch soon returned to a familiar figure: James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump, interrupting the scene to deliver his take on the election. Sarah Sherman played Chuck Schumer, and Kenan Thompson played Hakeem Jeffries.
Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico appeared near the end, first joking about the daily messages he had sent asking supporters for $5. He then used the moment to criticize the show’s recurring Trump-freeze format, asking how many more such sketches viewers would get. Johnson’s Trump answered that they would go on indefinitely.
The gag landed as a reminder that political satire can both take aim at Trump and become predictable when it keeps returning to the same routine. Talarico’s appearance gave the sketch a fresh target: the show’s own habits. The episode also featured comedian Druski, the first online content creator to host SNL, and musical guest The Strokes.
The October 31 episode hosted by Inde Navarrette averaged 5.2 million viewers, the season’s highest audience so far. John Mulaney is set to host on November 14, with Phoebe Bridgers as musical guest; SNL is then scheduled to return December 4.
SNL’s Trump Routine Draws a Jab From Newly Elected Democrat
Saturday Night Live’s first post-midterm episode opened with a celebratory scene for Democrats, then gave Donald Trump the interruption and punchline. James Austin Johnson played Trump, while Sarah Sherman portrayed Chuck Schumer and Kenan Thompson portrayed Hakeem Jeffries.
Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico joined near the end, joking that viewers knew him from his campaign’s repeated $5 donation requests. He then complained about SNL’s familiar device of freezing the action for a Trump monologue. Johnson’s Trump character responded that the show would keep doing it indefinitely.
The exchange put a Democratic politician’s victory lap alongside a jab at the show’s political comedy. Instead of leaving the recurring Trump routine unchallenged, Talarico made it the target, turning the sketch’s formula into the joke. Comedian Druski hosted the episode, becoming the first online content creator to host SNL; The Strokes performed as musical guest.
The October 31 show, hosted by Inde Navarrette, averaged 5.2 million viewers, the season’s top audience at that point. John Mulaney is scheduled to host the November 14 episode, with Phoebe Bridgers as musical guest. SNL is then set to return on December 4.
Reported by Deadline, Variety, The Daily Beast, New York Post, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, NBC News, Daily Mail US.
