Saturday Night Live’s first episode of 2025 kicked off with a spoof of MSNBC’s coverage of “inauguration weekend.” In the cold open sketch, cast member Sarah Sherman took on the role of out anchor Rachel Maddow, leading a panel discussion on topics like the upcoming inauguration, the Los Angeles wildfires, and the TikTok ban that may or may not happen.
The panel featured Marcello Hernandez as Ari Melber, Ego Nwodim as Joy Reid, Heidi Gardner as Stephanie Ruhle, and Andrew Dismukes as Chris Hayes. Just as the anchors delved into the day’s pressing topics, Sherman interjected with “breaking news” updates, like, “Trump has apparently just told reporters that he would like to quote ‘trade Connecticut.’”
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“You see, this is what he does to keep us from talking about disaster relief or the impacts of climate change,” Sherman’s Maddow continues. The gag, of course, is the idea that mainstream news feels obliged to cover every bizarre update from Trumpworld with urgency. As season two of the Trump presidency gets underway, here’s hoping the networks carve out space for those serious discussions, too.
This episode, hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle in his fourth appearance, also featured Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla making her SNL debut as the musical guest.
Sarah Sherman became a featured player on SNL in October 2021, during its 47th season. Two years later she was elevated to repertory status, marking a significant milestone in her SNL career.
Although Rachel Maddow has never appeared on the weekly sketch show, she has been impersonated by several cast members:
Abby Elliot
Abby Elliott portrayed Maddow four times between January 10, 2009, and May 21, 2011. The daughter of former SNL cast member Chris Elliott was part of the ensemble from 2008 to 2012. Following her time on the show, Elliott featured in various TV series, such as Odd Mom Out (2015–2017) and Indebted (2020). In 2022, she earned widespread acclaim for her role as Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto on the hit series The Bear.
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Cecily Strong
Cecily Strong impersonated Maddow during the 2012 sketch “Three Days Later: A Look Back At The Obama Debate Disaster.” Strong was a member of the SNL cast from 2012 to 2022 and has pursued stage and screen projects since leaving the show. One notable highlight was her starring role in the Apple TV+ musical comedy Schmigadoon! (2021–2023), a series she also co-produced.
Melissa Villaseñor
Before Sherman, Melissa Villaseñor took on the role of Maddow as the host of the 2020 Democratic Primary Debate, adding her flair to the popular journalist. Villaseñor was a cast member on SNL from 2016 to 2022. She has continued to perform stand-up comedy, voiced characters in animated projects like Toy Story 4 and Ralph Breaks the Internet, and hosts the podcast Laughing With Myself.
As Maddow continues to be a major figure in political journalism—she’s back on nightly prime time for the next hundred days, if you haven’t heard—her place in SNL’s satirical spotlight seems secure.