Janice R. Andrews
Alec Baldwin made his return to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) for the first time since charges were dropped in the fatal 2021 “Rust” set shooting incident. Baldwin had faced involuntary manslaughter charges after a prop gun he held during rehearsals discharged a live round, resulting in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The case against him was dismissed in July 2024.
In his SNL return, Baldwin took on the role of Fox News host Bret Baier, participating in the opening sketch. The skit parodied Baier’s interview with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, portrayed by Maya Rudolph. Their performance humorously highlighted the interruptions and awkward moments from the actual interview, satirizing political interactions. At one point, Baldwin’s Baier quipped about being unable to hear Harris because he was “talking,” while Rudolph’s Harris retorted, “The pleasure is neither of ours,” following their handshake.
This appearance marked Baldwin’s first on SNL since his legal troubles began. He holds the record for hosting the show 17 times and won an Emmy for his portrayal of former President Donald Trump in 2017.
Baldwin will not face further legal action regarding the “Rust” shooting incident. He maintains that he never pulled the trigger and was unaware of live bullets being mixed with dummy rounds. The trial fell apart after his legal team argued that prosecutors had withheld evidence. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the production’s armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and given a prison sentence for failing to ensure ammunition safety on set.
Baldwin’s SNL comeback showcases his ability to return to comedy following a tumultuous legal battle.
