‘SNL’ views Kyle Rittenhouse verdict through red-state lenses

“Saturday Night Live” tried to see the acquittals in the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse through the eyes of the red state America.

The show reached out to Fox News’ Justice With Judge Jeanine for help. Hostess Jeanine Pirro, played by Cecily Strong, focused on Kenosha, Wisconsin, as the “top story”. Rittenhouse, 18, was found not guilty on all charges Friday of fatally shooting two men and injuring a third during protests in the city last year.

His lawyers have argued that Rittenhouse defended himself from attackers after he went to Wisconsin to protect businesses and provided medical assistance during the August 2020 demonstrations and riots over the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black, by a white officer .

“That lovable bastard went through a nightmare trial just for doing the bravest American can do – protecting an empty used car parking lot in someone else’s town,” Pirro said.

Mikey Day as judge Bruce Schroeder, who led the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, will appear in the opening of “Saturday Night Live” on November 20, 2021.ABC

She introduced Kenosha County District Court Judge Bruce Schroeder, who made headlines during the trial by banning the use of the word “victim” to refer to the deceased Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and survivor Gaige To describe Großkreutz. He also continued his roughly 20-year-old practice of allowing the defendant to select 12 jurors through a blind and random draw.

Schroeder, played by Mikey Day, defended his leadership of what some saw as a barometer of race and privilege.

“It was all standard practice,” said Schroeder. “That’s why I instructed the prosecutor not to use the word victim. They were rioters. “

The judge insisted that his rules and judgments “did not in any way give my client an unfair advantage”.

Pirro brought in Sandra Cummings (Chloe Fineman), described as an NPR legal analyst, and Samuel Fields (Chris Redd), professor of law at Howard University, for some fairness and balance, but the guests seemed to have different opinions.

“We are not,” said Cummings, who is white.

The verdict, she argued, sent a message that “any American with an AK-47 can just roam the streets”.

Fields, who is Black, replied, “Any American? I think you’re missing a key word.”

Cummings continued undeterred. “I was shocked,” she said.

“You were?” the professor said, “Because it wasn’t me.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the legal analyst.

“I have, many, many times,” Fields said.

James Austin Johnson of the show echoed his well-received impression of former President Donald Trump, who was introduced by Pirro as “the sexiest man live” of these people.

Trump meandered, emphasizing the election goals for 2024 while also commenting on popular culture.

“We’ll be back in 2024,” he said. “We’re doing the restart, okay?”

A few bars later he asked, “Why did you restart ‘Gossip Girl’?”

Weekend Update had bad news for President Joe Biden, despite a week of signing a highly competitive $ 555 billion infrastructure bill.

“Yesterday was a strange day for President Biden,” said co-host Colin Jost.

The day included the Rittenhouse ruling and the first time in United States history a woman served as incumbent president. Biden, who turned 79 on Saturday, was anesthetized for a colonoscopy and temporarily transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris.

“You can’t drop all of that [news] on him as soon as he takes off the gas, “said Jost.

Simu Liu moderated and Saweetie was the musical guest of the evening.

Dennis Romero writes for NBC News and lives in Los Angeles.

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/snl-views-kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-red-state-lenses-rcna6261