The 2016 presidential election and the year 2016 were insane. I, personally, have called both some variation of "dumpster fire."
However, one positive thing about both the year and the election was that it created ample fodder for the writers of Saturday Night Live. Since the beginning of the year and Trump's inauguration, the president's missteps and twitter tantrums have continued to inspire the comedians behind SNL. In fact, SNL is probably the best it's ever been, thanks to our president.
With that in mind, here are four of my favorite SNL skits from this year.
1. Oval Office Cold Open (A.K.A "Trump Calls World Leaders")
A bored president Trump decides to call several world leaders on the advice of Steve Bannon (portrayed above as the Grim Reaper). He calls the leaders of Australia, Mexico, Germany and Zimbabwe. Each call ends with Trump floundering, threatening the leader with war and then hanging up.
Choice quotes:
TRUMP:Guy who's gonna pay for the wall says what?
NIETO: ¿Qué?
TRUMP:No! Guy who's gonna pay for the wall says what?
NIETO: ¿Qué?
TRUMP:No, no! You have to say what!
NIETO: You said what! You're paying for the wall!
MUGABE: Is this Donald Trump? You think you're a big, tough dictator? I WILL RIP OUT YOUR SPINE, AND DRINK FROM YOUR SKULL.
2. Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer
Melissa McCarthy plays a hilariously aggressive Sean Spicer and, during a press conference, addresses such issues as attendance at Trump's inauguration, his pick for the Supreme Court, his schedule (which includes a screening of Finding Dory and later abolishing the National Park system), Trump's first travel ban and Betsy DeVos. The reporters also learn it is very unwise to ask if Spicer is okay.
Choice quotes:
SPICER: When he [Trump] entered the room, the crowd greeted with a STANDING ovation which lasted a full FIFTEEN MINUTES. And you can check the tape on that. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. The men all had erections, and every single woman was ovulating left and right.
SPICER:I WILL PUT YOU IN THE CORNER WITH CNN!
CNN REPORTER(in a cage, wearing a diaper): We're not fake news!
3. Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer Part 2
Melissa McCarthy returns as Sean Spicer to give another press conference to address a myriad of issues including: the Supreme Court's refusal to reinstate Trump's first travel ban, the definition of "extreme vetting," Nordstrom dropping Ivanka Trump's clothing line and the appointment of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. The reporters are also reminded of why it is never a good idea to ask if Spicer is okay.
Choice quotes:
JEFF SESSIONS: We all know there are two kinds of crime: regular and black-
SPICER: (shoving Sessions away) Alright, that's good, case made!
SPICER: 80% OF THE PEOPLE IN CHICAGO HAVE BEEN MURDERED AND ARE DEAD!
REPORTER: I'm looking at the real numbers here, and they directly contradict everything you say.
4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Not Retiring
This one was my absolute favorite. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (played by the magnificent Kate McKinnon) appears on the Weekend Update, where she explains her decision to put off retirement, her plans to remain alive and healthy through Trump's presidency and her opinions about Trump and Pence's legislative decisions so far.
Choice quotes:
RBG: You're damn right I was gonna retire. Clinton was gonna win, and I was gonna go straight to the Dominican Republic. Now, I gotta stay alive and healthy, damn it. *dumps a packet of Emergen-C into her mouth*
RBG: Ya just got Gins-BURNED! *breaks into an enthusiastic dance*
RBG: Hey, Mike Pence! Sorry you looked at Magnum P.I. once and got a quarter chub, and you've been haunted by it ever since.
Those were my top four SNL skits so far this year, and presumably, there is much more to come. With all the uncertainty under President Trump, hilarious content from SNL is pretty much the only guarantee.
