“Saturday Night Live” is famous for its bread and butter sketch, the politically-tinged cold open, in which the NBC variety show stalwart reliably pokes fun at the major current doings of (usually) whoever sits behind the Resolute Desk. So it was a surprise when they opted to take something of a U-turn this week.
Unlike the satirical route, like they went with on President-elect Donald Trump winning the election, as my colleague Bob Hogue wrote about, for this week’s elephant in the room–President Joe Biden’s pardoning son Hunter– the writers reached back to resurrect one of the long-running program’s funniest characters–“Church Chat” host, the Church Lady. If you aren’t familiar with it (not every reader is a Gen Xer or older, after all), the school marm-esque, holier-than-thou, Christian talk show host character sits down with several guests from either politics or entertainment/pop culture.
Oh yeah, and by the way (couldn’t resist!), former SNL castmate Dana Carvey, who’s been portraying Biden this season, played the character during the 1986-1990 seasons. (I think the only other appearance was for “Saturday Night Live”s 15th anniversary special in May 2016.)
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As I mentioned, SNL, after nearly four years, has finally included Hunter Biden in a sketch.
The Church Lady’s “program” this time is a “year in review” for 2024, with the usual mix of hot topics predominating. And while the part with Yankees free agent Juan Soto was slightly funnier than the mean-spirited bit on former GOP congressman Matt Gaetz (played by cast regulars Marcello Hernandez and Sarah Sherman, respectively), it was the third guest who won the most laughs.
Listen for the two rounds of cheering/applause from the audience–one that is likely cued by a sign, and the second one of delight in recognition of who is playing Hunter, former cast member and actor/comedian, David Spade.
Dana Carvey’s Church Lady returns, with special guest Hunter Biden (David Spade). #SNL pic.twitter.com/KK3vnckm1G
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) December 8, 2024
Now, for my money, Spade truly brings it here, drawing genuine laughs with his take on “Hunter” (a very tone-down character for someone who is known for playing things up as brash and…loud).
It’s also great to see Carvey flourishing in his guest gig at 30 Rock, and getting more of a leash to take part in sketches beyond just Biden.
This might not be of interest to everyone, but I think it makes a nice bonus: What’s cool about this sketch is that both Carvey and Spade dropped veiled hints that the Church Lady might appear, during their “Fly on the Wall” podcast this week. (Warning: During the podcast (linked above), the duo delves into some adult topics/sometimes uses coarse language.)
And sure, they did throw out a tone deaf, unfunny joke about President-elect Trump at the end, but as The Church Lady might say to whichever member of the woke cast wrote it, “We like ourselves, don’t we?”
You can watch the full sketch below:
“Live From New York, It’s Saturday Night!”
SNL: Cold Open Church Lady…..https://t.co/MlVOhxXJcR pic.twitter.com/PzpySyZMll
— Brian Harrod (@GetTheDailyDirt) December 8, 2024
Read related: MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart Offers Most Comical Reason Yet Why Hunter Biden Pardon Was ‘Justified’
