Saturday Night Live consistently captures the cultural zeitgeist, and its November 1, 2025 cold open proved no exception. Set against a backdrop of national challenges – a federal government shutdown, widespread food stamp cuts, and a thrilling World Series Game 7 – the sketch plunged audiences into a fictional, chaotic New York City mayoral debate. This particular SNL Cold Open served up sharp political satire, featuring a dynamic lineup of guest stars and cast members impersonating prominent political figures, all under the looming shadow of Donald Trump.
Diving into the Big Apple’s Fictional Mayoral Debate
The cold open kicked off with Kenan Thompson’s portrayal of New York newsman Errol Louis. Louis, humorously dubbed “the least famous person to be impersonated on SNL,” immediately set a cynical tone. He questioned the very desirability of the mayoral office, asking aspiring candidates, “Why would you want the worst job in the world?” This biting observation established the stage for a parade of New York personalities vying for power.
Returning host Miles Teller, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick, showcased his versatile acting. He channeled former Empire State Governor Andrew Cuomo, delivering a memorable line about knowing the city “like the back of a women’s back.” This impression, steeped in Cuomo’s public persona, added a layer of familiarity and humor for many viewers. Adding to the star power, Shane Gillis, who had previously been fired from SNL but later hosted, made a notable appearance. Gillis, donning a signature red beret, embodied the low-polling Republican candidate and Guardian Angel CEO Curtis Sliwa, bringing a distinct, rough-around-the-edges energy to the debate.
Ramy Youssef’s Viral Zohran Mamdani
A central figure in the debate was Ramy Youssef, who stole the spotlight as front-runner Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Youssef’s Mamdani was depicted as a character whose name was “much mispronounced.” He presented his political platform with a blunt yet smooth delivery, described as having a “TikTok kinda way” that resonated with the long-shot race he was predicted to win. Mamdani’s pitch to New Yorkers was both relatable and satirically poignant. He promised, “Once you vote for me, you know you’ll feel a little less bad about that chicken and rice shop getting turned into a Sweetgreen, so why don’t you hit me up on the ballot box, girl?” This line perfectly encapsulated the rapid gentrification and cultural shifts within New York City.
The Inevitable Donald Trump Factor
No political satire involving New York City feels complete without an appearance by Donald Trump, and this SNL Cold Open delivered. Cast member James Austin Johnson, celebrated for his uncanny Trump impression, quickly injected his distinctive brand of chaos into the sketch. Johnson’s Trump, claiming his go-to bagel order was a “Big Mac with a hole in the middle,” cut straight to the core of his perceived political strategy. He famously declared, “this election is about housing and taxes, but we all know it’s about me, right?” This statement, as the original article noted, sadly applies to “almost everything in America nowadays,” underscoring Trump’s pervasive influence on the national conversation.
The cold open also featured Johnson’s Trump launching into a brief “Phantom of the Opera” bit, complete with a mask, before the sketch concluded. This moment highlighted the often theatrical and unpredictable nature of the former president.
Broader Trump Satire in the Episode
Beyond the mayoral debate, the episode further delved into Donald Trump SNL portrayals. Miles Teller, also the host, featured in a pre-taped “Property Brothers” sketch. Here, he played twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott, tackling their “biggest challenge yet”: renovating the White House East Wing for President Trump, again played by James Austin Johnson. This sketch was a masterful display of Trump’s exaggerated demands, showcasing his affinity for “gauche golden urns” and his plan to transform the Rose Garden into “outdoor seating for an Olive Garden.”
The “Property Brothers” sketch brilliantly satirized the logistical nightmares of dealing with Trump. It touched upon the government shutdown, with “Park Rangers and astronauts” carrying out demolition, and Trump’s contentious immigration policies, as construction workers were “deported.” His infamous line, “‘Just give me the whites!'” when seeking day laborers, underscored his racial biases. The sketch culminated with Trump chillingly declaring, “We’re not leaving. We’re gonna be doing something called ‘coup!'” This echoed Jon Stewart’s earlier commentary on The Daily Show, where Stewart alarmingly highlighted Trump’s “flirtation” with an unconstitutional third term and his physical alterations of the White House as evidence of long-term intentions.
Real-World Echoes and the Impact of Satire
The SNL Cold Open and the subsequent Trump sketches gain additional depth when considering the former president’s real-world reactions to late-night comedy. Donald Trump has a documented history of publicly criticizing hosts who satirize him, often on TruthSocial. For example, he recently slammed Seth Meyers, calling his mockery “probably illegal” and Meyers himself “the least talented person” on television. While such attacks are aimed at discrediting his critics, they often ironically boost ratings and draw more attention to the satire, reinforcing its cultural impact. SNL, therefore, operates in a space where its political commentary directly engages with and often provokes its subjects, creating a feedback loop between comedy and reality.
A Critical Lens: Topical but Forgettable?
Despite its timely political references and impressive guest lineup, the original article’s author, Dominic Patten, critically assessed this SNL Cold Open as “ultimately one of the most topical but forgettable cold opens in ages.” Patten also noted it seemed “shorter than usual.” This observation prompts a deeper analysis: why might such a topical sketch fall flat? Perhaps the sheer volume of real-world absurdity makes satire a challenging endeavor. When reality itself feels like a parody, comedic exaggeration can sometimes struggle to stand out, leading to content that, while relevant, doesn’t quite stick in the audience’s memory. The challenge for SNL is to not just reflect the news, but to elevate it with unique comedic insight.
Beyond the Cold Open: The Episode and Upcoming Highlights
This episode, the fourth of SNL’s 51st season, marked Miles Teller’s second time as host. The Eternity star was joined by musical guest Brandi Carlile, an 11-time Grammy winner, making her third solo appearance on the show. Carlile previously shared the SNL stage with Elton John in April, adding significant musical credibility to the night.
Looking ahead, SNL continued to bring in fresh talent. The following week was set to feature Nikki Glaser in her SNL host debut, with Glen Powell of Chad Powers fame hosting for the first time on November 15. The network also planned a double punch of Thanksgiving and Christmas specials later in the year, signaling a robust schedule of holiday programming.
The Enduring Power of Political Satire on SNL
Saturday Night Live has long served as a crucial mirror reflecting America’s political landscape, especially during election cycles. Its cold opens, in particular, often become the most talked-about segments, setting the tone for the week’s comedic discourse. The November 1, 2025 episode, with its NYC Mayoral Debate and extensive Donald Trump SNL portrayals, continued this tradition. The sketch’s blend of celebrity impressions, sharp political commentary on local issues like gentrification, and national concerns like government shutdowns, demonstrates SNL’s ongoing commitment to challenging power through humor. While the effectiveness of individual sketches can vary, the show’s consistent presence in the political conversation solidifies its role as a significant cultural touchstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main theme of the November 1, 2025 SNL cold open?
The central theme of the SNL Cold Open on November 1, 2025, was a fictional New York City mayoral debate. This sketch satirized local political races, urban issues like gentrification, and national concerns such as a federal government shutdown and food stamp cuts. It served as a comedic platform for various celebrity impressions, notably featuring a contentious clash between different political figures, with the overarching influence of Donald Trump.
Who were the key celebrity impressions and guest stars in the SNL cold open?
The SNL Cold Open featured several notable impressions and guest stars. Kenan Thompson played newsman Errol Louis, while returning host Miles Teller portrayed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Shane Gillis appeared as low-polling Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, distinguishable by his red beret. Ramy Youssef was a highlight as the front-runner Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Finally, James Austin Johnson delivered his acclaimed impression of Donald Trump, bringing a familiar comedic disruption to the debate.
How did the SNL cold open and other sketches satirize Donald Trump and current political events?
The SNL Cold Open satirized Donald Trump through James Austin Johnson’s impression, highlighting Trump’s self-centeredness with his “it’s about me” quote. The episode further extended this satire in a “Property Brothers” sketch, where Miles Teller’s characters faced Trump’s (Johnson) absurd White House renovation demands, including plans for an “Olive Garden” in the Rose Garden and a “coup.” This extensive Donald Trump SNL coverage, set against a backdrop of a government shutdown, mirrored real-world political controversies and Trump’s documented reactions to late-night comedy, reinforcing the show’s role in political discourse.
Conclusion
The November 1, 2025 SNL Cold Open provided a complex blend of timely political satire and celebrity impressions. From Ramy Youssef’s memorable Zohran Mamdani to the ever-present shadow of James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump, the sketch tackled pressing issues with a distinctly New York flavor. While its comedic impact was debated, the episode as a whole, featuring Miles Teller’s hosting and Brandi Carlile’s musical performance, underscored Saturday Night Live‘s enduring role as a platform for political commentary and pop culture reflection. As the show continues its long run, it consistently demonstrates its unique ability to capture and lampoon the events that shape our world, even if some moments resonate more than others.
