Alec Baldwin returns to SNL in a new role after manslaughter charges were dropped

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Alec Baldwin has returned Saturday Night Live for the first time since 2021 after involuntary manslaughter charges against him were dropped following the fatal murder rust Shoot.

Charges against the actor were dropped by a New Mexico judge in July after it was discovered that the state had withheld evidence that could have shed light on how live bullets got to the film's set, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

Baldwin returned to the show in this Saturday's (October 19) episode, but did not portray Donald Trump, having played the former president from 2016 to 2021. Trump is now played by actor James Austin Johnson.

Instead, Baldwin was given the role of Fox News anchor Bret Baier, who was criticized earlier this week for constantly interrupting Kamala Harris during a rare interview for the Democrat on the conservative network.

In the cold, candid skit in which Maya played Ruldolph Harris, Baldwin received loud cheers from the audience before revealing that he was playing Baier, to whom he joked, “Yeah, I actually look like someone made a businessman.” Minecraft“.

Rudolph's Harris laughed nervously after shaking Baldwin's Baier's hand and said, “The pleasure is not ours.”

The skit poked fun at Baier's real-life treatment of Harris, with Baldwin repeatedly interrupting Rudolph in rapid-fire fashion.

The skit also mocked a moment that Baier acknowledged was a mistake by playing the wrong clip of a Trump response.

The clips allowed SNL to bring in mini-sketts, including one starring Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, who has played the role since the beginning of the comedy sketch show's 50th season.

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The skit ended with Harris asking, “Before I go, can I just say what I've been meaning to say this whole time?” Live from New York, it's Saturday night!” and Baldwin joined her.

This week's episode was hosted by Batman And Beetlejuice Actor Michael Keaton with musical performances by Billie Eilish.

Baldwin had previously hosted SNL 17 times, but stayed away from the show due to the manslaughter case against him.

The film's gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was sentenced in April to a maximum sentence of 18 months after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Halyna Hutchins was rehearsing a scene with Baldwin, the film's producer and star, when he pulled out a replica pistol and fired. However, the gun contained a live cartridge that hit Hutchins, mother of a young son, in the chest, killing her.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.