SNL opened its show with this touching tribute to Paris

Saturday Night Live doesn't always succeed in being funny, but the gang of comedians did nail a moment of total seriousness in opening the Nov. 14 show. Veteran cast member Cecily Strong took the stage with a brief, heartfelt message of solidarity for Paris, in light of Friday night's terrorist attacks.

"Paris is the City of Light. And here in New York City, we know that light will never go out," she said. "Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you."

Strong then repeated the same message in French before uttering the show's iconic opening line, "Live from New York, it's Saturday night."

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This isn't the first time SNL has addressed a major tragedy before making jokes. In the first show after 9/11, Rudy Giuliani, then mayor of New York City, paid tribute to victims and responders — with help from Paul Simon — before giving the country permission to laugh again.

Check out Strong's opening below. Julie Kliegman