Even the most seasoned performers can’t always keep a straight face when it comes to Saturday Night Live’s legendary sketches. During SNL50:
The Anniversary Special, which aired on February 16, Hollywood icon Meryl Streep made her long-awaited SNL debut,
proving that even an Oscar-winning actress isn’t immune to the show’s side-splitting humor.
Meryl Streep Joins a Star-Studded Cast for ‘Alien Abduction’ Sketch
The special, which celebrated 50 years of SNL, was packed with unforgettable moments, and Streep’s performance in the Alien Abduction sketch was one of the highlights.
The recurring bit, which has featured SNL veterans Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant in past iterations,
centers around a trio of individuals recounting their bizarre extraterrestrial encounters to skeptical authorities.
This time, the sketch began with Jon Hamm as a no-nonsense Space Force officer and Bryant as a doctor, questioning three abductees—played by Woody Harrelson, Pedro Pascal, and McKinnon. Each character recounted their strange experiences, but the laughs escalated when Streep entered the scene as Colleen Rafferty Sr., McKinnon’s equally outrageous mother.
Streep’s Entrance Sets the Tone
Dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and sporting a short gray wig while puffing on a cigarette, Streep immediately commanded attention. Her first line alone had the audience roaring. “Sorry, my bathroom break took longer than I thought,” she said with a perfectly timed pause. “My No. 1 turned into a No. 3.”
Her comedic delivery set the stage for a hilarious take on the Rafferty family’s apparent tendency to attract “freaks.” “Us Rafferty girls, we always attracting the freaks,” she declared, before making a cheeky reference to her character’s past relationships. “For years, I thought Colleen’s father was part alien, but turns out he was just uncircumcised.”
McKinnon, a master of maintaining composure through the most absurd jokes, could barely hold back laughter as her on-screen mother delivered one outrageous line after another.
A Family Trait of Over-Sharing
The sketch’s humor leaned heavily into the Rafferty family’s unapologetic bluntness. Earlier in the segment, McKinnon’s character had already shared a bit too much about her personal grooming habits, and Streep followed suit without hesitation.
“Much like her, I got an Into the Woods sort of situation,” Streep quipped, making a reference to the 2014 film in which she played the Witch. Struggling to keep a straight face, she continued, “My ex used to say it was like trying to hack his way through the Black Forest.”
Her co-stars, particularly McKinnon and Bryant, could barely contain their laughter as Streep kept going with increasingly wild details.
A Wardrobe Malfunction and a Well-Timed Punchline
The ridiculousness of the sketch only grew as the abductees described their escape from the alien ship. Streep’s character had the most outlandish exit of all, claiming she had lost her pants in the process.
“My pants got snagged on a piece of metal, so they’re gone,” she deadpanned, before adding, “And then as for underwear, underwear-wise, this devil wears nada.” The cheeky nod to her famous Devil Wears Prada role had the audience howling.
But the biggest laugh of the night came when she revealed what happened upon landing back on Earth. Streep struggled to deliver the punchline, laughing as she said, “We landed on top of Phil McDermott.”
When Bryant’s character asked who Phil McDermott was, Streep completely lost it, barely getting the words out: “He’s a gentleman whose family I bet wished they went with the closed casket funeral.”
At that moment, even seasoned pros like Pascal and Harrelson couldn’t hold back their laughter. The combination of Streep’s delivery and the absurdity of the situation made it one of the sketch’s most memorable moments.
Meryl Streep’s SNL Debut and Her Rumored Romance
Surprisingly, despite her decades-long career, this was Streep’s first-ever SNL appearance. The timing of her debut has sparked even more interest, as it comes amid rumors of a romance with former SNL cast member Martin Short.
Just two days before the SNL50 special, Streep and Short attended SNL50: The Homecoming Concert in New York City. Their chemistry at the event was noted by many, including fellow comedian Amy Schumer, who hinted at their potential relationship.
“I think Marty might be off the market. That’s what I’m seeing,” Schumer said in an interview. “Maybe by just like the greatest actor of our time, I don’t know.”
Streep and Short had also attended the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards together in January, further fueling speculation. Whether or not there’s truth to the rumors, their close friendship has certainly been a topic of conversation among fans.
A Legendary First-Time Performance
Meryl Streep’s SNL debut proved that even the most critically acclaimed actors can’t always keep a straight face when faced with the show’s signature absurdity. Her impeccable comedic timing, combined with her willingness to fully embrace the outrageous humor, made her performance one of the standout moments of SNL50: The Anniversary Special.
For a night filled with nostalgic tributes and surprise cameos, Streep’s riotous portrayal of Colleen Rafferty Sr. added an unexpected and unforgettable touch to SNL’s 50-year legacy. Whether she’ll return for another go remains to be seen, but if this performance is any indication, audiences would certainly welcome her back with open arms—and plenty of laughter.
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