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'Saturday Night Live': Kate McKinnon replaces Brad Pitt as Dr Anthony Fauci, Internet lauds her 'sheer brilliance'

For the cold open, Kate McKinnon portrayed Dr Anthony Fauci and Heidi Gardner was Dr Deborah Birx and the duo appeared in the sketch as experts on CNN

The December 12 episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’ had Timothee Chalamet helming the hosting duties while Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band were the musical guests. For the cold open, Kate McKinnon portrayed Dr Anthony Fauci and Heidi Gardner was Dr Deborah Birx. The duo appeared in the sketch as experts on CNN, with Beck Bennett’s Wolf Blitzer introducing the situation with the vaccine by saying, “It’s just like the PS5: Everybody wants it, nobody can get it and if you’re rich you already had it a month ago.”

The sketch pointed out Dr Fauci’s accomplishments and how beloved he has become because of them and added that he would be joining president-elect Joe Biden’s administration and at one point in the sketch, Mckinnon’s Fauci was interrupted by bras tossed towards him. Meanwhile, Gardner’s Dr Birx pointed out that she has also been involved, although in a less high-profile way. She said, “Remember when Trump said to inject bleach and I did a stanky little face? I almost whispered, ‘No.'” While discussing the vaccine, McKinnon’s Fauci said they were doing it “World War II style: we made England go in first, see what’s what and then we swoop in at the end and steal the spotlight.” Last season, Brad Pitt had played Fauci on the show.

Mckinnon earned a lot of compliments on social media for her portrayal of Fauci. One said, “Ok, just started. Kate McKinnon as Dr. Fauci is terrific. I also loved it when Brad Pitt played him. That was pretty cool.” One concurred, “Kate McKinnon is brilliant as Dr Fauci!!!” Another said, “Kate McKinnon is a treasure. Her Dr Fauci on @nbcsnl was priceless!” A user opined, “Kate McKinnon as Dr. Fauci was so much better than Brad Pitt. Now, they just have to find someone else to play Biden. @nbcsnl @katemckinnon.” A user stated, “Kate McKinnon as #DrFauci. Sheer brilliance. Now that's why #SNL has been Must-See-TV since 1975.”

Meanwhile, Timothee Chalamet, who made his ‘SNL’ debut, during his monologue shared that he’s not the first Chalamet to be on the show. He revealed that his mother had done background work for the late-night sketch show and appeared alongside the late Chris Farley in a sketch. He also sat down at the piano and recited various memories, noting “there’s nothing like Christmas in New York when you grow up here". For the latter part of his monologue, Chalamet was joined by Pete Davidson who remembered his time growing up in Staten Island.

He also starred in a skit – A Rona family Christmas. Chalamet played a rebellious coronavirus molecule that drank Purell and praised New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, which made him a disappointment to his parents – played by Beck Bennett and Cecily Strong – who had spent the year traveling from China to Italy to Florida. They even said, "How great is Florida!?" and added that the only leader they recognized in their household was Donald Trump because “he introduced us to everyone he knows, even after he was infected". Chalamet’s molecule declared, “I’m getting the vaccine" and blamed his parents for his attitude. “Dad’s been so focused on the second wave he can’t even hear his first-born son crying out for help.”

‘Saturday Night Live’ airs on NBC at 11.30 pm ET.