US sketch series Saturday Night Live has gone political with a parody of the first presidential debate, Chris Rock's jab at President Donald Trump and Megan Thee Stallion's message supporting black people during her performance.
The NBC late-night show jumped into the re-enactment of the recent debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The series opened its 46th season, returning to the studio this week after the coronavirus pandemic halted production.
Alec Baldwin returned to play Trump before the president's COVID diagnosis, while Jim Carrey made his feature debut as Biden.
In the sketch, Baldwin's Trump commandeered the debate in the same fashion as on Tuesday, trying to trip up Biden by interrupting and insulting him. Meanwhile, Carrey's Biden tried to maintain his anger by breathing into a paper brown bag and talking to himself.
Maya Rudolph made a cameo appearance as senator Kamala Harris before Carrey's Biden pulled out a remote control to pause Trump.
"Let's bask in the Trumplessness," Carrey said.
The show was hosted by Chris Rock, who stepped on stage with a mask before snatching it off to perform his set. He opened in front a live audience, which included about two dozen first-responders who all wore masks.
Rock joked about how the coronavirus pandemic ruined much of 2020. The actor-comedian also sarcastically showed empathy toward Trump being hospitalised after his virus diagnosis.
"President Trump is in the hospital from COVID and I just want to say that my heart goes out to COVID," he said.
Megan Thee Stallion hit the stage as the musical guest performing her hit single Savage. While wearing a black-and-white ensemble, the rapper delivered a message calling for black women's protection.
Australian Associated Press