Tom Hanks hosted SNL’s first-ever remote episode. Here are 5 sketches to watch.
“Saturday Night Live” made history last night with its first-ever episode both hosted and filmed remotely. Here are five sketches that caught our eye:
Tom Hanks’s monologue
Returning host Tom Hanks, who is recovering after being diagnosed with the coronavirus back in March, joined from his kitchen with the opening remarks, “Hey, all you cool cats and kittens” — quoting Carole Baskin from the Netflix hit “Tiger King.” Hanks tried to add a comforting tone to an unusual time, noting, “It is a strange time to try to be funny.” He also thanked essential workers for keeping the country going.
Larry David as a quarantined Bernie Sanders
Larry David appeared once again as Sen. Bernie Sanders — “always the bridesmaid, never the Democratic nominee” — in a special address from his home. David’s Sanders lamented his decision to suspend his presidential campaign and, because he couldn’t get Zoom to work on his Dell computer, started a quick Q&A for his supporters. “To the little bird who landed on my podium during the last election, where the hell were you this time?” he quipped.
Pete Davidson’s ‘Drake’ music video
From his dimly-lit apartment he shares with his mom, cast member Pete Davidson produced a Drake parody rap, singing, “I miss my ex, this is a Drake song.” While it was no “Tucci Gang,” Davidson’s homage to Drake was cutely produced by his mom.
‘MasterClass Quarantine Edition’
For cast members with long resumes of well-rehearsed impressions like Chloe Fineman, who was previously known for her Instagram video impressions, the DIY video format offered the opportunity to shine in familiar element. Appearing as Timothee Chalamet, “viral loud child” JoJo Siwa, and a sardine-oil-less Baskin, Fineman offered a “MasterClass.”
Alec Baldwin returns as Trump
On “Weekend Update” Colin Jost and Michael Che co-hosted over Zoom with a minimal audience on the call. (It was hard not to snoop at Jost’s home setup.) Alec Baldwin joined in as President Donald Trump to give a coronavirus update, calling it “Covfefe-19” and telling the hosts they were asking him “very nasty” questions.
It is unclear whether or not this experimental remote format of “Saturday Night Live” will continue, or how long it will be until cast members can return to their familiar 30 Rockefeller set. At least for now, it’s all “live” from home.
You can watch more of the episode on “Saturday Night Live”‘s website or YouTube page.
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