Sarah Sherman kicked off the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” in 2025 with a hilarious portrayal of political commentator Rachel Maddow. In the sketch, Maddow hosted an MSNBC panel featuring Marcello Hernandez as Ari Melber, Ego Nwodim as Joy Reed, Heidi Gardner as Stephanie Ruhle, and Andrew Dismukes as Chris Hayes.
The panelists dove into discussions about the upcoming presidential inauguration, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and the controversial TikTok ban. Sherman, in character as Maddow, greeted viewers with her signature wit, saying, “Hello, and welcome to MSNBC. I am Rachel Meadow, and dads, you better hide your older bookish lesbian daughters because yeah, I’m back on TV tonight for our special inauguration weekend coverage.”
Before the panelists could delve into the day’s topics, Sherman interrupted with a fake breaking news alert, claiming that President Trump had made outlandish comments about various unrelated topics. The satire highlighted the absurdity of Trump’s distractions from pressing issues like disaster relief and climate change.
James Austin Johnson made a cameo appearance as President Donald Trump, discussing the TikTok ban with his usual bombastic flair. Johnson’s Trump character rambled about his love for TikTok, his admiration for Mark Zuckerberg, and his upcoming inauguration plans, including a controversial cabinet pick.
Bowen Yang joined the sketch as a disgraced former U.S. Representative, adding another layer of comedy to the political satire. Yang’s character humorously navigated through various absurd scenarios, showcasing his comedic talent and wit.
The episode was hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, marking his fourth appearance as host on the iconic sketch comedy show. Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla made her “SNL” debut as the musical guest, adding a fresh and exciting energy to the show.
Fans can watch the full sketch on the official “Saturday Night Live” YouTube channel, where the comedic brilliance of the cast shines through in this satirical take on current events and political figures.
Overall, the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” in 2025 delivered a mix of sharp humor, clever satire, and entertaining performances, setting the stage for a successful season ahead.
