MSNBC was the target of an epic roast on “Saturday Night Live” of all places as leftist host Rachel Maddow and other network personalities were mocked in a skit over the weekend.
The comedy show that has delighted in bashing former and future President Donald Trump over the years took a decidedly different turn as it set its sights on mocking the left-wing cable news network.
The first “Saturday Night Live” episode of 2025 opened with comedian Sarah Sherman as Maddow, complete with the MSNBC host’s hairstyle and glasses.
(Video Credit: Saturday Night Live)
“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,” Sherman said as Maddow who is returning to a five-nights-a-week schedule at MSNBC for Trump’s first 100 days in office.
The segment included Heidi Gardner as Stephanie Ruhle, Ego Nwodim as Joy Reid, Marcello Hernandez as Ari Melber, and Andrew Dismukes as Chris Hayes. Sherman described the panel as “basically like ‘The Avengers’ for your aunt.”
“This time around, we’re not gonna get sucked in by every new shiny, crazy statement from Trump. We need to focus on what he does, not what he says,” Nwodim as Reid said.
Sherman interjected as Maddow to announce breaking news that Trump wants to “trade Connecticut for Italy.”
The skit continued with other “news” and stinging mockery of the network hosts.
Trump was portrayed by James Austin Johnson at one point, discussing the TikTok ban, among other things.
“What do you think, Rachel?” Nwodim’s Reid said in one brutal shot at Maddow.
“Oh, I’m not Rachel. I’m Chris Hayes,” Dismukes responded in a nod to countless memes about the hosts’ appearances.
Oh I thought that was Mark Cuban!
— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) January 19, 2025
Hell, I think we’ve all made the Chris Hays Rachel Maddow joke for what, 10+ years? Not so savage for being that old.
— Last Sane Man Left (@ericsco21322522) January 19, 2025
The SNL roast of MSNBC and Maddow in particular caught plenty of attention on X.
Trump winning is even bringing comedy back
— Freedom Nexxus (@InfirmaPeribit) January 19, 2025
The funniest part about this clip is the idea that either MSNBC or SNL won’t get sucked in by everything Trump says. That might be the funniest thing SNL has said in 20 years.
— 2AJames (@2AJames_) January 19, 2025
SNL could have done this years ago, now when it’s safe they decide to be funny again. Give me a break @nbcsnl where was this content 8+ years ago. You took a stand against Trump and conservatives in general now you want to be relevant again now that it’s safe?
— Dadof5 (@MattB025) January 19, 2025
This wasn’t funny at all but I appreciate how accurate they were in MSNBC coverage on Trump.
— Pedro Acosta (@pacosta613) January 19, 2025
lol SNL roasting MSNBC for being obsessed with Trump? That’s like Starbucks roasting Dunkin’ for selling coffee. The irony’s so strong it needs its own late-night sketch!
— CMG$$ (@BoomerG2892) January 19, 2025
MSNBC is comedy as it is. No parody is needed.
— Jefferson Bailey (@JeffersonBaile6) January 19, 2025
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