Saturday Night LiveThe first episode of 2021 started with a question – what still works in America?
In the cold opening of the episode, Kate McKinnon presents a program – “What Still Works?” – which explores which aspects of American society still work.
“It’s a new year and we have a new president, so some things should work, but do they work?” McKinnon says. “Our first topic is government and I already have my doubts,” he added.
McKinnon then introduced Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is facing a backlash after previous social media posts revealed that she liked and was involved in conspiracy theories and calls for violence against Democrats.
Greene, played by Cecily Strong, sits next to McKinnon and immediately offers her a weapon.
“So, Congressman Greene … hard to say those words together. What are some of the theories you believe in and have you promoted?” McKinnon asks.
“How much time do you have?” Strong’s Greene replied. “Okay, first of all, I believe the shooting in Parkland was a scam. The teachers were actors and the kids were dolls. I believe 9/11 was a scam. Did anyone really see this happening?”
Strong’s Greene adds that he told his supporters to “physically murder Nancy Pelosi”.
“She is the lady I work with,” he added. “Oh, and this is a new one that just launched … I think the California forest fires were caused by Jewish space lasers.”
McKinnon then asks if Greene really believes in these theories and if she is really a representative of the USA. “Do you represent the US? Can people search for you on Google and will that say that she is a real member of the US government?” McKinnon asked.
“This may not be the first thing that comes up, but it does,” replied Greene de Strong.
NBC / Saturday Night Live
“And when your colleagues found out about all the odious and psychic things you said, what did they do?” McKinnon then asks.
“I was promoted to the education committee,” replies Greene de Strong.
McKinnon then thanks Greene for coming. “So the government doesn’t work and, honestly, I regret not getting that gun,” she adds.
After discovering the stock market, social media and the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine also don’t work, McKinnon brings in Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender Tom Brady, played by host John Krasinski.
“Now, Tom, this is your tenth Super Bowl,” McKinnon tells him.
“You still work. You should win football games and keep winning. You can be the only thing in America that still works … So I think everyone must be rooting for you, right?”
“Hardly anyone,” replied Brady de Krasinski.
McKinnon said she would be rooting for him because the country can still count on him.
“It’s not like you’re a strange Trump guy or something, right?” McKinnon adds.
“Thank you for having me,” replied Brady de Krasinski, before immediately getting up and leaving.
McKinnon then turns to the camera and thanks viewers for watching.
“I’ve been Kate McKinnon, like me, slowly losing my mind along with all of you,” she says, before adding the show’s catchphrase: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”