Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico made a surprise appearance in this week's 'Saturday Night Live' cold open, showing up near the end of the sketch to cheers from the studio audience with a familiar line: 'I'm the guy who's been texting you every day asking for $5.'
The episode was the show's first since the midterm elections, and the cold open featured Sarah Sherman as Chuck Schumer and Kenan Thompson as Hakeem Jeffries celebrating what the sketch called a 'blue tsunami,' while pointedly refusing to acknowledge that energized young Democrats might want them to step aside and pass the torch to the next generation.
James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump then froze the frame to weigh in on the results. 'The Democrats never would have won without this horrible economy and terrible war,' he said, adding, 'So, in the words of Moana's big fat friend, "You're welcome."' He also addressed speculation about his political future, noting that 'they're saying the era of Trump is over,' which prompted a J.D. Vance character to pop in and declare that 'the era of Vance has just begun.' Trump shot back, 'No, no way.. Who the hell was that?'
The sketch's Trump also claimed he accepted the election results without calling them rigged, which he described as 'almost scarier in a way,' before pivoting to an extended bit about his plans for a ballroom and a riff on the millennial-favorite sitcom 'New Girl,' praising how the show unlocked stories for the character Winston once he was given a cat.
Colin Jost then appeared as Pete Hesgeth, declaring, 'You think some election is going to stop me? Do I look like a person who gets less crazy when backed into a corner? I live a YOLO lifestyle. You only lose often, so I'm gonna keep losing for you, sir, unless Congress impeaches me.' The bit ended with the character saying he had to 'go weigh the female soldiers.'
Talarico arrived toward the end of the sketch, and after Johnson's Trump responded to his $5 fundraising line with 'In this economy, who can blame you?' the senator got to the real point of his visit. 'But I think, Mr. President, if we can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans. It's clear people want something new. They want something different. I'm talking, of course, about SNL's cold opens. How many of these Trump freezers are they going to do?' Trump's answer: 'Infinity!'
Saturday's episode also marked a milestone for the show, with comedian Druski serving as host and becoming the first online content creator to host the sketch series. Druski, whose real name is Drew Desbordes, was joined by musical guest The Strokes.
This season's hosts so far have included New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson on Sept. 26, 'Verity' actress Dakota Johnson on Oct. 3, comedian Shane Gillis on Oct. 10 and 'Obsession' star Inde Navarrette on Oct. 31. Musical guests have included Katseye, Turnstile, Rosalía and Gracie Abrams. The Halloween episode hosted by Navarrette averaged 5.2 million viewers, the biggest audience of the season to date.
John Mulaney is set to host the Nov. 14 episode, with Phoebe Bridgers as the musical guest.
