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'Saturday Night Live': Why did Alex Moffat replace Jim Carrey as Joe Biden? Fans call role a 'major improvement'

Just before the show started, the news arrived that Jim Carrey will not be returning as Joe Biden

Most people have slipped into the holiday spirit already. To add to the excitement, ‘Saturday Night Live’ is back with another fresh episode. While last week, popular actor Timothee Chalamet made his debut as ‘SNL’ host, this week it was ‘SNL’ alum Kristen Wiig’s turn to helm the show. Fans were extremely excited when Wiig’s name was announced as the host for December 19 show. She was with ‘SNL’ from 2005 to 2012. The musical guest for the evening was Dua Lipa. And just before the show started, the news arrived that Jim Carrey will not be returning as Joe Biden. Then who?

The question was answered, at least for this episode, since cast member Alex Moffat stepped into the shoes of Carrey. Moffat took on the president-elect role, appearing in the December 19 cold open sketch alongside Beck Bennett as Vice President Mike Pence, Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, Kenan Thompson as Dr. Ben Carson and Maya Rudolph as Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. However, it is not known if Moffat will play Biden for the rest of the season or not.

Carrey had tweeted informing the audience that he wouldn't be showing up to play Biden as he tweeted: "Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks,I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President...comedy’s highest call of duty. I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that shit. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!". ‘SNL’ quote tweeted Carrey’s tweet and wrote: “Thank you to Jim Carrey for showing up when it mattered.”

The cold open began with Bennett’s Pence receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. “I’m sure all Americans are excited to see me, the guy who let Covid spread everywhere, get one of the vaccines,” he said. Rudolph’s Harris showed up, right after the vaccine was given, Bennett’s Pence asked her how she “even got into the White House,” to which she replied, “I won more votes” and then slapped him when he said she and president-elect Biden would only “be in here soon if those election results hold up.” 

Moffat’s Biden entered with a boot on his foot to signify his recent injury, but quickly did a somersault to prove he was fine. “You look different somehow,” Bennett’s Pence said, in reference to the recasting. “I’m like Colonel Sanders: every time you see me, I’m a different guy,” Moffat’s Biden responded. “There’s a good chance the next time you see me I’ll be Mario Lopez.” “I just want to let the American people know one thing. You’re about to have a real leader again, and you’re going to have the most diverse cabinet in the history of American politics,” he said.  “And I will make sure that Joe never specifies what he means by diverse,” Rudolph’s Harris added.

Twitter also discussed the recasting. One user said, “Alex Moffat is a million times better as Biden #snl.” Another said, “Alex Moffat as #Biden on @nbcsnl was perfect! #AlexMoffat #BidenSNL #snl.” One commented, “Alex Moffat securing employment for as long as Joe Biden is president #SNL.”A user tweeted, “LOVE THIS CHOICE. My man Alex Moffat stepping the HELL UP #snl.” One said, “Happy to see Alex Moffat as @JoeBiden on #snl MAJOR improvement!”