'Aaron Rodgers' stars in Russian propaganda in new SNL cold open
In the most recent Saturday Night Live cold open, a military officer and two White House advisors (Kenan Thompson, Alex Moffat, and Ego Nwodim) assembled in the Oval Office to brief President Biden (James Austin Johnson) on the crisis in Ukraine.
"We're even getting some reports that Russia has already invaded, but those are from the same people who said Tom Brady retired," Nwodim said.
ESPN announced Saturday that seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady had decided to retire after 22 seasons, but other sources — including Brady's own father — quickly contradicted the story in statements to The Associated Press and other reporters. Brady, they said, has not yet made up his mind.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Moffat and Nwodim went on to explain that, in addition to Russia's military threat, Ukraine has also been inundated with Russian disinformation. They came prepared with a slide show of examples.
"Ukrainian President Horny for Drama, Wants War: 'Slap Me Harder, Daddy,'" one farcical headline read.
Next up was, "Neil Young To Remove Music from Spotify Unless Ukraine Surrenders," a reference to the "Cortez the Killer" singer's ultimatum forcing the streaming service to choose between Neil Young and Joe Rogan, who Young accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
Russia's "disinformation campaign" also included a TV ad starring NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Pete Davidson). The real Rodgers floated the possibility of retirement after a Jan. 22 loss to the 49ers ended his season.
"Oh no! I am American balltoss player Aaron Rodgers, and my car has broken down in Ukraine," Davidson-as-Rodgers said with a thick Eastern European accent. To save himself, he sang a version of the State Farm jingle: "Like a good neighbor, Russia is there!"
As an agent (Chris Redd) appeared to rescue Rodgers, the State Farm logo appeared on the screen, revealing State Farm's Russian name to be Колхоз, a term referring to Soviet-era collectivized agriculture.
SNL writer Colin Jost studied Russian literature at Harvard.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
The World War Two experiments that made D-Day possible
Under The Radar Scientists performed gruelling tests on themselves paving the way for the iconic invasion
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Is the Supreme Court about to criminalize homelessness?
Talking Points The court will decide if bans on outdoor camping are 'cruel and unusual'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fall into the groove at these delightful record stores
The Week Recommends Each one strikes its own chord
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published