Kimmel, Colbert unite in defiance of Trump
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert brought one another onto their respective late night shows in a sign of unity against President Donald Trump.
“SNL” wasted no time before taking on the Jimmy Kimmel controversy in its season premiere.
The sketch show’s cold open on Oct. 4 addressed the recent suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and spoofed the idea that “Saturday Night Live” could be President Donald Trump’s next target.
Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) popped up in the opening sketch to warn he is “keeping my eye” on the show and “making sure they don’t do anything too mean about me.” He went on to declare that “SNL” “better be on their best behavior, otherwise they’ll have to answer to my attack dog at the FCC.” Mikey Day then entered as Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr as the song “Somebody’s Watching Me” played.
Just before the cold open concluded, Johnson’s Trump once again stressed, “Daddy’s watching!”
Kimmel’s late-night show was temporarily suspended last month after Carr pressured ABC to take action over comments the comedian made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel later returned to the air after widespread outcry and accusations of government censorship. Trump has publicly called for the firing of other late-night hosts, including NBC’s Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
Later in the episode, “SNL” referenced Kimmel by name during the “Weekend Update” debut of Kam Patterson. The comedian, a new cast member this season, joked that he wanted to say a racial slur on air, but Colin Jost said this would get the show fined by the FCC.
“Colin, I’m a stand-up comedian from Florida,” Patterson shot back. “Saying that word is what I do. Come on. This is exactly what Jimmy Kimmel fought for!”
The cold open starred Jost in a rare sketch appearance as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivering a speech to the nation’s top generals. Jost portrayed Hegseth as stiff and full of rage as he demanded that members of the military lose weight. “Our military will now have the same rules as any good frat party: no fat chicks,” he yelled.
“We are facing the greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known, and we all know what that threat is,” he said, before Johnson’s Trump interrupted to declare, “Late-night TV!”
The opening sketch also poked fun at the backlash faced by numerous comedians, including Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle, for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. “Frankly, I’m surprised Colin’s here,” Johnson’s Trump said. “I thought he’d be with his friends at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.”
“I didn’t get an offer,” Jost told him.
“SNL” returned for Season 51 following a cast shake-up over the summer, which saw the departure of several stars as five comedians were added to the cast. In a meta moment, Johnson’s Trump mocked the show for adding “17 new cast members” but having “the ‘Update’ guy doing the open.”
Bad Bunny hosted the “SNL” Season 51 premiere and used his monologue to address those who are displeased he’ll be headlining the Super Bowl halftime show next year. “I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News,” he said, before playing a chopped-up montage edited to make it sound as if Fox News hosts were saying, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president.”
Who’s hosting ‘SNL’ next week?
“SNL” will return next week with Amy Poehler as host and musical guest Role Model, followed a week later by Sabrina Carpenter as host and musical guest.