Saturday Night Live returned with a bang on its Season 51 premiere, featuring the talented musician Bad Bunny as the host. The show, known for its sharp political satire, opened with a skit that humorously targeted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, portrayed by comedian Colin Jost.
In the opening sketch, Jost's Hegseth delivered a comical take on the Defense Secretary's recent address to military leaders in Quantico, Virginia. The satire took a jab at Hegseth’s controversial remarks regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. "You don't want to follow the rules? Hey, no problem. You know who's going to want your sick, twisted, fat ass? ICE," Jost quipped, humorously suggesting that Hegseth might find himself on a sign-up sheet for ICE. He continued, "’Cause in here, from now on, we're doing Army and Army only…."
As the sketch progressed, James Austin Johnson made a surprise appearance as President Trump, interrupting Hegseth with a comedic warning about the show. "I'm just here, keeping my eye on SNL, making sure they don't do anything too mean about me," Johnson's Trump declared, humorously holding up a bruised hand. This reference alluded to recent photographs showcasing bruising on Trump’s hands, which the White House attributed to frequent handshakes and aspirin use.
Trump also cautioned SNL to behave or risk scrutiny from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr. Shortly after, Mikey Day, portraying Carr, entered the stage to the tune of Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me," further emphasizing the playful tone of the sketch.
In an exciting segment, Bad Bunny addressed the criticism surrounding his role as the headliner for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. He lightheartedly remarked, "I'm very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News." The Puerto Rican superstar expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy." He went on to emphasize the significance of this achievement for the Latino community, saying, "It shows our footprint, and our contribution to this country, that no one will ever be able to take away or erase."
Switching to Spanish, Bad Bunny acknowledged his appreciation for the Latino audience, stating, "Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the world, and here, in the United States, all those who have worked to open doors." He humorously added, "And if you didn't understand what I just said, you have four months to learn."
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Super Bowl, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted at the possibility of ICE agents being present during the event. In a recent interview, she stated that ICE agents will be "all over that place" in light of potential immigration raids during Bad Bunny's concerts.
In another humorous moment, Johnson's Trump recited a quote, "May every day be another wonderful secret…," allegedly taken from a birthday card he sent to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the comedic delivery, Trump has denied writing in the card, creating a mix of humor and controversy.
Later in the show’s Weekend Update segment, hosted by Jost and Michael Che, the duo shared jokes about the impending government shutdown and the recent decision by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to end his reelection bid. As the show concluded, NPR reached out to the White House for comments, receiving an automatic reply that blamed Democrats for the anticipated government shutdown, which the administration claims is delaying responses.
With its clever satire and timely references, Saturday Night Live's Season 51 premiere established a strong start, showcasing the show's enduring ability to blend humor with current events.
