Launching a season that introduces some new faces in the cast, the show’s cold open featured a sketch mocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s presentation to generals earlier this week.
“No fatties, no facial hair, no body hair,” Jost’s Hegseth said. “Just hot, shredded hairless men who are definitely not gay … Because this is serious, we are facing the greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known. And we all know what that threat is.”
“Late night TV!” replied James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump, bursting in.
“‘SNL’ 51 off to a rough start,” Johnson’s Trump added. “Seventeen new cast members and they got the ‘Update’ guy doing the open.”
His moment in the spotlight hasn’t come without some political discourse. The Puerto Rican artist has said one of the reasons his residency bypassed the continental U.S. was a concern that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials could target immigrants for deportation outside his shows.
Asked Friday by a podcaster whether ICE officials would be conducting enforcement at the Super Bowl, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they would, because DHS “is responsible for keeping it safe.” She didn’t specify whether the officials would be conducting immigration enforcement or other law enforcement duties that are typical at the event.
The issue made for a key joke in the “Weekend Update” segment. “A Trump adviser said ICE agents will attend the Super Bowl after Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime performer,” noted co-host Michael Che, then quipping: “You know, to catch all those farmworkers who can afford Super Bowl tickets.”
In his second “SNL” hosting gig, Bad Bunny was joined by musical guest Doja Cat, making her debut in that role.
Nwodim, Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow all confirmed last month on their social media accounts that they are leaving the show.
