Alec Baldwin made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live since his manslaughter charges were dropped in connection to the fatal “Rust” shooting. The 17-time host returned for the show’s 50th anniversary season, portraying Fox’s Brett Baier in the cold open scene. Baldwin’s appearance was met with a mix of screams from the live audience, unsure whether to applaud or gasp at his return to the show.
In the sketch, Baldwin played Baier opposite Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, with his character repeatedly interrupting Harris and echoing criticism of the interview style. Alec even delivered the classic SNL punchline, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” marking the forty-fifth time he has said the phrase on the show and placing him fifth all-time in that category. This marked his second appearance on the show since the incident on the set of “Rust” in 2021.
The episode was hosted by Michael Keaton with musical guest Billie Eilish, and marked Baldwin’s return to the show following the dismissal of his involuntary manslaughter charges last July. The judge in New Mexico denounced the prosecution for withholding crucial evidence in the case, ending the legal battle that could have put Baldwin behind bars for up to 18 months for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident occurred three years ago when Baldwin fired a gun mistakenly loaded with a live round, resulting in Hutchins’ death and the injury of director Joel Souza.
Baldwin’s legal representation during the case was handled by attorney Alex Spiro, who is currently representing Mayor Adams in a federal corruption case. Despite the legal turmoil surrounding the “Rust” shooting, Baldwin’s appearance on SNL was well-received by fans and the live audience. His portrayal of Brett Baier in the cold open scene alongside Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris was a return to the comedic roots Baldwin displayed in his many appearances on the show over the years.
Overall, Alec Baldwin’s return to Saturday Night Live was a memorable moment for fans of the show, marking his first appearance since the dismissal of his manslaughter charges in connection to the “Rust” shooting. As one of the show’s most iconic hosts, Baldwin’s portrayal of Fox’s Brett Baier in the cold open scene garnered a mixed reaction from the live audience. Despite the legal challenges he faced, Baldwin’s return to the comedy sketch series showed his ability to entertain and engage with viewers in a lighthearted and humorous manner.
