SNL Cold Open March 8, 2025: Mike Myers Returns as Elon Musk in Trump-Rubio Skirmish

 

SNL Cold Open March 8, 2025: Mike Myers Returns as Elon Musk in Trump-Rubio Skirmish

March 9, 2025 | 6:08 PM IST |

Last night’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) episode on March 8, 2025, kicked off with a cold open that brought the house down, featuring a surprise cameo from alum Mike Myers as Elon Musk. Season 50, Episode 14, hosted by the multi-talented Lady Gaga (who also pulled double duty as musical guest), dove straight into the political deep end with a satirical take on a fictional Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Tesla titan himself. With James Austin Johnson reprising his spot-on Trump impression and Marcello Hernández stepping into Rubio’s shoes, the sketch delivered laughs, jabs, and a dose of absurdity that’s already making waves online. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights, the latest updates, and what it all means for SNL’s milestone 50th season.

Cold Open Highlights: A Trump-Musk-Rubio Showdown

The sketch opened with Johnson’s Trump attempting to mediate a tense exchange between Rubio and Musk—two figures vying for influence in the incoming administration. Set in the Oval Office, the scene was a masterclass in SNL’s signature blend of political parody and over-the-top characterization.

Mike Myers as Elon Musk: Myers, last seen in a regular SNL episode in 2015, stormed back as a chaotic Elon Musk, proudly dubbing himself “tech support” (a nod to Musk’s real-life quips). Brandishing a chainsaw in last week’s cold open, Myers toned down the props this time but amped up the eccentricity. His Musk needled Trump with lines like, “Donald, what are you doing in my office? I’m the president now, right? I’m kidding—maybe not?” (Variety). The delivery was pure Myers—equal parts awkward and menacing—reminiscent of his Dr. Evil days, and it stole the show.

James Austin Johnson’s Trump: Johnson’s Trump was as scattered and bombastic as ever, tossing out real Trump-isms like “beautiful trap” and offering Rubio a lesson in insults (Deadline). His portrayal leaned into Trump’s penchant for self-aggrandizement, imagining the President trying to keep Musk and Rubio from stepping on his toes. Johnson’s impression remains a cold open staple, grounding the absurdity with uncanny accuracy.

Marcello Hernández as Marco Rubio: Hernández brought a fresh face to the political roster, playing Rubio as a nervous yet ambitious Secretary of State. His Rubio daydreamed about being a “two-time, long-speech-giving Oscar winner” (Deadline), a subtle dig at Rubio’s verbosity and political aspirations. Hernández’s performance added a layer of awkward charm, contrasting with Myers’ wild energy.

The Premise: The sketch poked fun at Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s circle and Rubio’s jockeying for position, imagining a power struggle where Trump tries to play peacemaker. Inner thoughts, revealed Curb Your Enthusiasm-style, gave viewers a peek into the characters’ insecurities—Trump’s fear of losing control, Rubio’s longing for relevance, and Musk’s gleeful chaos (CNN). It was a timely riff on real-world headlines about Musk’s role in the Trump administration (NBC News).

Latest News Updates

As of 6:08 PM IST on March 9, 2025, here’s what’s buzzing about the cold open:

Myers’ Return Steals Headlines: Outlets like CNN and Variety are calling Myers’ Musk the highlight of the night. His second consecutive cold open appearance (following last week’s Trump-Zelensky spoof) has fans buzzing about a potential recurring role. Myers even stuck around for the goodbyes, sporting a “Canada Is Not For Sale” shirt—a quiet political statement (Variety).

Critical Reception: NBC News notes the sketch “pokes fun at Musk and Rubio,” with Johnson’s Trump tying it all together. Early reviews on X praise Myers but call the episode uneven overall, with some sketches (like a funeral home bit) falling flat (@Fcsnvaon X).

Contextual Timing: The March 8 episode follows SNL’s first post-50th anniversary special show on March 1, hosted by Shane Gillis. That cold open also featured Myers as Musk, signaling a hot streak for political satire as Trump 2.0 unfolds (Deadline). The Gaga-hosted episode drew 4.9 million viewers in live+same-day ratings (Variety), a dip from the anniversary special’s 14.8 million but solid for Season 50.

In-Depth Analysis: What Worked and What Didn’t

Strengths

Myers’ Star Power: Myers brought a nostalgic jolt to the cold open, proving he can still command a sketch. His Musk is less caricature than Dana Carvey’s earlier take, leaning into awkward humor over bombast—a perfect fit for SNL’s current vibe (The Guardian from March 2).

Johnson’s Consistency: James Austin Johnson’s Trump remains a reliable anchor, blending real quotes with exaggerated flair. His interplay with Myers was the sketch’s comedic engine.

Topical Bite: The Musk-Rubio-Trump triangle tapped into real-time political intrigue, with Musk’s advisory role and Rubio’s cabinet nod dominating headlines (NBC News). It’s SNL doing what it does best—skewering the moment.

Weaknesses

Rubio’s Underdevelopment: Hernández’s Rubio felt like a supporting player, overshadowed by Myers and Johnson. The “Oscar winner” gag landed, but the character lacked depth (Deadline).

Repetition Risk: Myers as Musk twice in a row risks overexposure. While brilliant now, SNL must evolve the political roster to keep cold opens fresh (The Guardian critique of Gillis episode).

Pacing: Some X posts (@Fcsnva) called it “stale” compared to Gaga’s later sketches, suggesting the cold open leaned too hard on familiar tropes without enough surprises.

Cultural Impact and What’s Next

This cold open underscores SNL’s knack for capitalizing on Trump-era chaos, with Myers’ return amplifying its nostalgic pull in Season 50. The sketch’s focus on Musk reflects his outsized presence in 2025 politics—a theme SNL seems keen to mine (Rolling Stone from March 2). Gaga’s hosting stint, meanwhile, boosted the episode’s star wattage, with standout sketches like “Killah” earning praise (@Fcsnvaon X).

Looking ahead, SNL’s next episode on March 15 could pivot to fresh political fodder—perhaps Trump’s latest moves or global headlines—or lean on another alum cameo. With Myers proving a ratings draw, don’t be surprised if Lorne Michaels keeps the nostalgia tap flowing. For now, this cold open reaffirms SNL’s relevance, blending legacy talent with biting commentary.

What did you think of Myers’ Musk? Drop your take below—this season’s just heating up!