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'Saturday Night Live': Kate McKinnon paying tribute to RBG after 'Weekend Update' gets viewers all teary-eyed

Kate McKinnon has been portraying the role of Ruth Bader Ginsberg for quite some time on SNL

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an iconic figure who passed away on September 18. On October 3, ‘Saturday Night Live’ debuted its 46th season. In the show, Kate McKinnon is known to portray Ginsburg, so many were wondering will there be a tribute or a send-off for the legend on the show. And, SNL didn’t disappoint.

McKinnon donned signature pair of glasses and a black robe and transformed into Ginsburg (RBG) for what looked like a last time on the show. Right after the ‘Weekend Update’ section was over, the camera zoomed onto the audience and we saw McKinnon in her costume, sitting in the front row of the audience. She was surrounded by audience members — wearing masks — McKinnon put her right hand on her chest and bowed her head slightly. The scene then shifted to a “rest in power” graphic before the commercial break. McKinnon has been portraying RBG’s character for quite some time now.

After Ginsberg passed away, as Variety reported, McKinnon had said in a statement, “For so many of us, Justice Ginsburg was a real-life superhero: a beacon of hope, a warrior for justice, a robed crusader who saved the day time and again. I could always feel the overwhelming love and gratitude that the audience had for her. It was one of the great honors of my life to meet Justice Ginsburg, to shake her hand, and to thank her for her lifetime of service to this country.”

Fans also reacted to the tribute on the show and expressed it on Twitter. One user said, "Oh and #KateMcKinnon .... thank you especially. I first thought...gee, we don’t usually see this audience long shot after Weekend Update... Why is that lady not clapping... Then....OMG". Another said, “This week's Weekend Update was good but the best part was Kate Mckinnon's RBG tribute.” One concurred, “Kate  McKinnon as RBG just acknowledging the camera after weekend update on @nbcsnl made me lose it. A beautiful moment for a women who deserves all the respect we can give. RBG is an icon.”

One said, “Kate Mckinnon dressed as RBG at the end of weekend update. I’m crying. rest in power.” Another opined, “Nice touch having Kate McKinnon as RBG seated in the audience during Weekend Update.” Another tweeted, “Well thank you Kate McKinnon for that last minute Weekend Update RBG sneak.” A user said, “Kate McKinnon as RBG at the end of Weekend Update on @nbcsnl was all I needed today.”

One user commented, “This is probably the most I've enjoyed SNL in a long time. Having Kate McKinnon as RBG and the rest in power sign at the end of weekend update was sweet.” Another said, “Wow the way I just teared up and got chills at Kate McKinnon sitting in the audience after weekend update as RBG.” Another said, "The emotional rollercoaster of @bowenyang and Aidy on Weekend Update followed by Kate McKinnon paying to homage to RBG... Damn it."

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