Alec Baldwin made headlines this week with his return to Saturday Night Live, just a few months after winning a significant legal battle.
The actor, who is no stranger to public scrutiny, faced backlash almost immediately after taking the stage.
Emotions Run High
In Santa Fe, Baldwin had previously broken down in tears when a judge dismissed the manslaughter case linked to the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The incident, which occurred on the set of Baldwin’s film Rust in October 2021, has weighed heavily on his conscience.
However, this past Saturday, he seemed to embrace a lighter mood while impersonating Fox News host Bret Baier, who had recently interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris, portrayed by Maya Rudolph.
Mixed Reactions from the Audience
As Baldwin delivered the show’s iconic opening line, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”, many viewers reacted strongly.
Some criticized the decision to feature him, feeling it painted the actor in an unreasonably positive light, considering the gravity of his past actions.
Comments on social media reflected outrage and disbelief, with one user questioning, “Why is Alec Baldwin being allowed on SNL? He shot and killed someone on a movie set.”
Another user sarcastically remarked, “Omg, an actual murderer jokingly talking about murder on #SNL.”
The Sketch and Its Implications
Baldwin and Rudolph’s sketch mocked Harris’s recent 27-minute interview, which led to further criticism.
Many found the portrayal insensitive, especially given Baldwin’s history.
The actor previously faced backlash for his exaggerated impersonations of Donald Trump, which he opted to avoid this time.
Instead, cast member James Austin Johnson took on the role of the former president, riffing on a recent town hall event that took an unexpected turn.
Baldwin was the first familiar face viewers saw when the show began, prompting gasps from the audience.
As Baier, he interrogated Rudolph’s Harris, echoing criticisms that had circulated following the original interview on Fox News.
The skit included a moment where Baier mistakenly segued into the wrong clip, adding a layer of humor but also a hint of discomfort.
A Surprising Absence
After introducing the episode, Baldwin’s presence faded from the show, with no further appearances.
His return marked a notable moment, as it was his first since the fatal incident last year, when he made a surprise cameo during a send-off for then-host Timothée Chalamet.
Just like this time, Baldwin chose not to address the legal matters surrounding Hutchins’ death during his appearance.
Legal Fallout Continues
Meanwhile, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Rust set, received an 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter earlier this year.
Baldwin’s case, however, was dismissed with prejudice, meaning he cannot be tried for the same charges again.
Prosecutors had argued that Baldwin’s conduct contributed to the safety failures that led to Hutchins’ death, but their case was weakened by evidence mishandling that a judge deemed detrimental to the fairness of the trial.
Despite the legal outcome, Hutchins’ family remains hopeful for accountability, with her widow, Matthew Hutchins, expressing a desire for Baldwin to face consequences for his actions.
Baldwin’s legacy on SNL is significant, as he holds the record for the most times hosting the show—17 episodes, dating back to his debut in 1990.
His last appearance before the Rust tragedy was in 2017, leaving fans to wonder what his future holds.
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