'SNL' cold open skewers Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr. aboard USS Lincoln
USA Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Saturday Night Live" aired a live cold open from the USS Abraham Lincoln on Oct. 10, spoofing the aircraft carrier's return to San Diego after a 10-month deployment.
- Colin Jost reprised his role as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, delivering satirical commentary on military and political topics, including plans for a live execution and a controversial new Department of War logo.
- The cold open featured James Austin Johnson as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting a comedic take on a meat recall and alternative protein sources.
- Shane Gillis hosted the episode with musical guest Rosalía, marking his third time hosting; his monologue and sketches sparked backlash for controversial jokes and an uncensored profanity on East Coast broadcasts.
- "SNL" will go on a brief hiatus with no new episodes scheduled for Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.
