'SNL' makes cheeky reference to Trump's late-night TV crackdown in season opener: 'Daddy’s watching'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Saturday Night Live’ started its 51st season with a skit making fun of President Donald Trump’s actions against late-night TV, where James Austin Johnson, the actor playing Trump, warned that “daddy’s watching.”

The sketch referenced 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' whose comments led ABC to suspend the show.

'Saturday Night Live' mocks Trump's TV crackdown and FCC pressure

Along with Johnson as Trump, the skit also featured Mikey Day as FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who was known for warning that the agency might take action over the comments made by Jimmy Kimmel on his show.

However, ABC cancelled the show, only to return it several days later following a backlash accusing the network of giving in to pressure from the Trump administration. 

On show, Johnson said, “I’m just here keeping my eye on SNL, making sure they don’t do anything too mean about me, and they better be careful, because I know late-night TV like the back of my hand.”

He then held it up, showing the strange discoloring on Trump's hand. “Not looking great right now,” he said. “Gonna cover this up for the rest of my life.”

Spoof on Pentagon rules and Donald Trump's speech

The premise of the 'SNL' cold open was a spoof on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, played by Colin Jost. Hegseth summoned generals to Quantico, Virginia, this week, where he spoke about the warrior ethos and his obsession with the appearance of Pentagon personnel. 

“In summary, this is the whole meeting: No fuggos, no fatties, no facial hair, no body hair — just hot shredded, hairless men who are definitely not gay,” Jost said, in a tight-fitting suit, said.

After Hegseth’s speech, Trump gave a highly political address that jumped from topic to topic, while the generals remained expressionless. As Jost froze in character, Johnson turned to the audience, joking about the Weekend Update co-host.

“I’m surprised Colin’s here,” Johnson said. “I thought he would be with his friends at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.” Jost then cut in, saying, “I didn’t get an offer.”

“Well, that’s sad. We like the Saudis because they like to saw deez journalists in half,” he said, which earned some groans in the audience.

'SNL' mocks Donald Trump's claims about ending wars

Trump’s appearance seemed aimed at catching up on what happened over the summer, not just his attacks on the late-night TV, but also his claims of ending wars while starting new conflicts with Venezuela. 

“They all say to me, ‘Sir, how will you pay for all of this?’ And I tell them, with my scams! My beautiful scams!” Johnson said. In finishing up, he said, “Well, here we go, and remember, daddy’s watching.”