Although the legendary actress had never hosted or appeared on the show before, she joined the special for the first time on Sunday.
Streep participated in a recurring “Close Encounter” sketch, alongside SNL alum Kate McKinnon, who plays a character recounting a NSFW alien abduction. In the sketch, Woody Harrelson and Pedro Pascal also get abducted by aliens, but their experience is far more pleasant. The two are questioned by military officials portrayed by Jon Hamm and Aidy Bryant.
Streep appeared as McKinnon’s character Colleen Rafferty’s mother, wearing a pastel Hawaiian shirt similar to Colleen’s iconic look, with a cigarette in one hand and a styrofoam cup in the other. Colleen Sr. shares her own outlandish alien abduction story, humorously mentioning how the aliens “lost interest” and shoved her into a closet.
When Streep-as-Colleen Sr. finishes her story, Pascal flirts with her, telling her she’s a “good mother.” Streep replies with, “Yeah, well, a good mother can also be a bad girl,” as she turns toward him suggestively.
The special also featured a surprise cameo from Oscar-winner Jack Nicholson, who introduced Adam Sandler. Sandler performed an original song celebrating the 50-year history of SNL. Nicholson, 87, has made few public appearances in recent years.
Story by Obaapa Janee
