SNL, Matt Damon spoof hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Show taps actor to portray judge as angry under questioning
Where there is high drama involving personalities in the U.S. capital, Saturday Night Live is sure to re-enact events.
To kick off its 44th season, the NBC show delivered a spoof ofSupreme Court nominee BrettKavanaugh'stestimony at the Senate judiciary committee on Thursday, in response tosexual assault allegations made byChristineBlaseyFord.
Now its time to hear from Judge Brett Kavanaugh (Matt Damon). #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/dvu1VgJZt5
—@nbcsnl
Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon portraysan angry Kavanaughgiving an animated speech, opening with: "Let me tell you this. I'm gonna start at an 11. I'm gonna take it to about a 15 real quick."
"This is my speech," he continues as the embattled nominee. "There are others like it, but this is mine. I wrote it myself last night, while screaming into an empty bag of Doritos."
The sketch also toyswith Kavanaugh's numerous references at the hearing to liking beer. The 53-year-old nominee has denieddrunkenly assaulting Blasey Ford while they were both in high school.
"I'm usually an optimist," Damon's character says in the sketch. "I'm a keg-half-full kind of guy, but what I've seen from the monsters on this committee makes me want to puke ... and not from beer!"
"Next question, did you ever drink too many beers? - Senator Amy Klobuchar (@TheRealDratch) #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/2U2GcU9i6r
—@nbcsnl
Those posing questions included SNL alumna Rachel Dratch, playing Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, the senator who askedKavanaugh whether he had ever experienced memory loss due to drinking alcohol.
The actors come close to duplicating the tense exchange that took place during Thursday'shearing as the judge threw back his own questionabout whether Lobuchar herself hadever blacked out after drinking.
"I don't know, did you? Huh, huh, huh. Did you ever black out? Damon's character asks, quickly following up with, "Sorry, I didn'tmean it. I think I blacked out for a second."
Atthe actual hearing, Kavanaughhad asked the senator, "You're asking about blackout. I don't know, have you?"
Trump tweets
U.S. President Donald Trump responded on Twitter, calling the show "a political ad for the Dems." Trumpdrew attention toKanyeWest's SNL post-performance rant, during which he wore a "Make America Great Again" hat and spoke out in favour of Trump.
Like many, I dont watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) - no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told no), was great. Hes leading the charge!
—@realDonaldTrump
West, who announced on Twitter Friday he wants to go by the name Ye,was the musical guest. After the show went off air, the musician was capturedon video (by comedian Chris Rock who was sitting in the audience as well as West's collaborator Mike Dean who was backstage)ranting about politics, racism and his support for Trumpon stage while receivingsome boos and a few clapsfrom the stunned audience.
KANYE SNL TALK THAT GOT CUT OFF FREEDOM OF SPEECH SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED pic.twitter.com/IpULoEJxsN
—@therealmikedean
Wowwwww only 3 people clapped. Chris Rock is laughing At @kanyewest pic.twitter.com/jAGP5OwKXD
—@2Cool2Bloggg