Donald Trump has spent some time in the UK these past few years but tonight he finally made his debut on Saturday Night Live UK.
James Austin Johnson brought his POTUS to Sky’s hit UK version of the NBC show in a job swap cold open alongside Andy Burnham (George Fouracres) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Freddie Meredith).
“I will raise with Trump at the first opportunity,” said Burnham to Zelenskyy over issues the Ukrainian leader had been having in his home country, at which point Trump appeared.
“You say my name and I appear,” said Trump. “I got the idea from my very close friend Beetlejuice, the great Beetlejuice. It’s one of the two reasons I like him. The other is that he’s a sex pest… It’s alleged, they can’t prove that stuff.”
Trump went on to give Burnham an offer, that they do a job swap. “It’s an awful job,” he said of being President of the U.S. “It’s a terrible place full of disgusting people. I don’t know why I do it.”
Trump went on to poke fun at big UK news stories including Manchester City soccer club’s controversy, the small boats crisis and the recent mauling to death of a man by a tiger.
He also had some comedy reserved for an acquaintance, Russell Brand, who is currently on trial for rape and sexual assault.
“I’m in town to see my favorite comedian. He’s performing live at the High Court in the role of defendant.”
Before signing off, he said British comedy is in a “bad situation” because SNL UK “doesn’t have anyone who can play Trump.” (You can watch the sketch below.)
Austin Johnson has been playing Trump on SNL for five years, having replaced Alec Baldwin.
Trump has been referenced plenty in SNL UK but hadn’t appeared until tonight.
James Norton is hosting tonight’s SNL UK, the fifth episode of the first half of Season 2. Music comes from The Streets. Next week, this tranche of Season 2 episodes will conclude with Cynthia Erivo.
All of SNL UK’s cast members have returned for Season 2, including Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Dring, Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young, with James Meredith making his debut.
SNL UK is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team and Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels serves as executive producer. James Longman is lead producer.
Here is the sketch:
