As a seasoned gamer with a heart for comedy and politics, I have to admit that Alec Baldwin’s journey as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live has been nothing short of fascinating. His portrayal, which earned him an Emmy, showcases the power of satire in shaping cultural discourse.
Alec Baldwin is no stranger to Saturday Night Live and its presidential impersonations; in fact, he won an Emmy for his depiction of Donald Trump. Despite this familiarity, it doesn’t necessarily mean he feels at ease performing such impersonations or other political skits. Lately, he has revealed the reasons behind his unease and ongoing apprehension about playing characters like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on NBC’s program.
For the first time in quite some time, Baldwin made a comeback on Saturday Night Live during several episodes of its 50th season, which were broadcast in the 2024 TV schedule. In these skits, instead of playing Trump (who is now portrayed by James Austin Johnson), he appeared as Fox correspondent Bret Baier and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. When queried about his return to the show during an interview with Variety, the actor shared his affection for it and discussed the difficulties involved, saying: “I enjoy doing it, and there are certainly challenges that come with it.
My long-standing friends often inquire about my plans, especially on Saturdays mornings, asking, “What are you up to tonight?” While hosting the show previously and for some time, I’d frequently think, ‘How wonderful it would be to be part of the cast!’ Eventually, that dream came true when I joined the cast during my stint with the Trump project. These friends continue to reach out, and one memorable instance is when they put a large wig on me, which I found amusing. By the way, the person under the wig is quite friendly; we recently crossed paths at a restaurant. Another friend of mine was Bobby Kennedy.
During the 50th season of Saturday Night Live, both Michael Keaton and Charli XCX served as hosts. In several presidential cold open skits, Alec Baldwin made appearances alongside Austin Johnson’s portrayal of Donald Trump. Prior to this, Baldwin had been a frequent visitor on the show, portraying the president consistently from Seasons 42 through 46. However, he took a break for three consecutive seasons before returning.
Throughout his time portraying Trump on Saturday Night Live, Baldwin faced criticism from Trump himself but was also lauded by others. In 2017, he received an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his impression, and he was nominated again in both 2018 and 2021. Consequently, the reaction to his portrayal spanned from positive to negative.
Nevertheless, impersonating political figures, such as those in politics, makes Baldwin uneasy. Previously, he declared that he had finished portraying Trump, attributing his decision to family commitments and other ventures. In this recent interview, he elaborated on his concerns about mimicking someone like RFK, stating:
In today’s society, known as cancel culture, there’s a constant concern about making mistakes. For instance, with Bobby having a noticeably raspy voice, I was cautious about exaggerating it too much, fearing backlash from people who share the same condition and might criticize me. Nowadays, one must be vigilant in the United States as even the smallest actions can lead to controversy.
In the start of this fresh presidential term, it’ll be intriguing to observe who Alec Baldwin portrays next, and what reactions his performance will evoke. He’s had plenty of practice, and he’s well-aware of the range of responses that Saturday Night Live impersonations can elicit.
Hey there fellow SNL enthusiasts! As the weekend rolls around, we’re all eagerly anticipating more of Baldwin’s incredible impersonations gracing our screens during Saturday Night Live. Want to catch it live? Tune in every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC or stream it with a Peacock subscription! Don’t miss out on the latest episodes and Baldwin’s unforgettable performances.
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2024-11-26 20:38