‘SNL’ chilly open has ideas on how Biden might counter Russia’s anti-Ukraine memes

Saturday Evening Reside spent its newest chilly open sketch weighing in on the Russian-Ukraine battle, in addition to Russia’s popularity — earned through the U.S. presidential election in 2016 and all of the years that adopted — for producing awkward, stilted, however nonetheless one way or the other efficient memes and social media drops that promote disinformation.

The sketch’s setting is the Oval Workplace, with President Joe Biden (James Austin Johnson) receiving a briefing detailing Russia’s efforts to smear Ukraine and persuade its residents that an invasion is fascinating. It falls a bit flat, given the real-world implications of a probably looming Russian invasion, however there are some strong moments, together with a short look from Pete Davidson and Chris Redd, because the precise Aaron Rodgers and a Russian model of Jake from State Farm.

The actual winner is the sketch’s punchline, a savage, social media-savvy excessive schooler —”Makayla, spelled the worst approach” (Chloe Fineman) — who understands that the psychological warfare of a well-timed backhanded praise will do much more to wreck Russian president, Vladimir Putin, than any CIA-authored meme ever might. It is a weird chilly open to say the least.