Alec Baldwin made a surprise return to Saturday Night Live on the Oct. 19 episode, and his appearance comes months after charges against him in the highly publicized Rust shooting case were dropped. Instead of reprising his Emmy-winning take on former President Donald Trump, the actor portrayed Fox News anchor Bret Baier in a parody of his controversial interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Maya Rudolph once again did a marvelous impersonation of Harris for the sketch featured as the show’s cold open, Deadline reports. In the skit, the duo recreated the heated exchange from the viral Q&A between Harris and Baier, which saw them repeatedly speak over each other. Baldwin’s character kicked things off by asking Rudolph’s Harris how many murderers she allowed into the country through illegal immigration. She responded by noting her success rate for prosecuting drug cartels, saying, “If I was in Breaking Bad it would have ended in three episodes.”
Baldwin’s Baier goes on to say, “Tell us why the American people should vote for you,” to which Rudolph’s Harris replies, “Because I have a plan.” He then incessantly interrupts after asking her to elaborate on the plan. “Well, I’m trying to tell you,” she says, prompting Baldwin’s character to respond, “I’m trying to listen.” Rudolph’s Harris claps back and tells him “Then stop talking” and adds “Just shut your mouth.”
Baldwin’s Baier then declares, “That was fun, right?” I had fun. We’re out of time. Thanks for joining me.” The skit ends with Harris asking: “Before I go, can I just say the thing I’ve been trying to say this whole time? Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” Watch the sketch via the YouTube clip below.
Baldwin’s Rust Movie to Honor Late Cinematographer During World Premiere
Baldwin has hosted SNL 17 times, and since 2016, he has played Trump in multiple episodes, earning an Emmy for his performance. In 2018, the father of eight said playing the former host of The Apprentice was “agony.” Trump, who is running against Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, didn’t hold back responding in a tweet at the time, writing in part: “Alec Baldwin, whose dying mediocre career was saved by his terrible impersonation of me on SNL, now says playing me was agony. Alec, it was agony for those who were forced to watch.”
Baldwin’s appearance on Saturday Night Live comes three months after he was cleared on involuntary manslaughter charges related to the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, on the set of the movie Rust. In October 2021, the actor was allegedly unaware that the prop gun he was handling during rehearsal on the movie set was loaded, and it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was ultimately found guilty of negligence during the production and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for involuntary manslaughter. The case against Baldwin was unexpectedly dismissed with prejudice in July because prosecutors withheld evidence.
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Controversial Alec Baldwin Western, Rust, Finally Gets World Debut Date
The movie has now been given a world premiere date almost three years after the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin, the lead actor and a producer on the film, reacted to the ruling in an Instagram post on July 13, writing: “There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.”
Rust is set to have its world premiere in November at Poland’s Camerimage International Film Festival, and the screening will include a panel discussion to honor Hutchins. Souza told Vanity Fair that the movie will exclude the scene where the fatal shooting occurred. “Not just that, but also a few things leading up to it,” he said. “I’m not going back to that.”
A boy left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents’ deaths in 1880s. Kansas goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after he is sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.