Source: Will Heath/NBC
Saturday Night Live (SNL) returned to NBC on September 30, 2017, with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z and the ratings are great. According to a press statement by NBC, Saturday Night Live delivered its second-highest, most watched premiere in seven years. They’re continuing the trend of using live broadcasts from coast to coast and there’s a full lineup of top stars set to host this season. The number one premiere occurred on September 25, 2010, and featured Amy Poehler as host and musical guest Katy Perry.
Drawing as much praise for its political views as criticism, Saturday Night Live has become an outlet for those frustrated by the current Trump administration and source of outrage by those in favor of the presidency. The comedy sketches are often political in nature and Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of the President earned him an Emmy award.
SNL fans were ecstatic to have Alec Baldwin return to his role as Commander in Chief.
You may watch a playlist with videos, clips, and highlights from the Saturday Night Live Season 43 premiere below.
Alec Baldwin wasn’t the only one reprising a role during the episode. In one of Saturday Night Live’s most popular sketches, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, and Cecily Strong each portray victims of alien abduction.
The sketch is called “Close Encounters” and originally aired on December 5, 2015, when Ryan made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut.
Aidy Bryant and Bobby Moynihan played government agents with the CIA who interviewed each abductee about their experience, and the video quickly went viral.
You may watch the original “Close Encounters” sketch below. You’ll notice that Ryan Gosling broke character several times.
During the premiere episode, Ryan Gosling recreated his role and the sketch is called “Another Close Encounter.” Ryan Gosling broke character in the original skit, but you’ll have to see for yourself what causes the Oscar-nominated actor to lose it live on the air in the Season 43 premiere.
Bobby Moynihan didn’t return to Saturday Night Live for the 43rd season. Playing the CIA agent along with Aidy Bryant is Mikey Day.
You may watch “Another Close Encounter” in the video playlist as it is the first video included above.
Though there were plenty of people who tuned in to watch Alec Baldwin, Ryan Gosling, and Kate McKinnon, there’s no question that Jay-Z was another big draw to the premiere episode.
Did you watch Saturday Night Live’s Season 43 premiere? What did you think?
