‘SNL’ Brings Back Mid-Day News Skit That Riffs On Race

After a lengthy absence, SNL regulars Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim brought back their memorable Mid-Day News sketch on Saturday, with host Shane Gillis joining Heidi Gardner in the awkward competition to see whether Black or white perpetrators were involved in a crime.

The bit hasn’t changed much since it first surfaced in 2019: Thompson and Nwodim play WANU newsreaders who cheer when they learn that whites were responsible for local shootings, the bust of a local meth ring, and looters after a local wildfire. Even their “eye in the sky” traffic reporter (played by Devon Walker) couldn’t help but contain his excitement over how three of the top stories involved caucasians.

“This is looking like a sweep, y’all,” he exclaimed from his helicopter.

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His joy is short-lived, however, when Gardner revealed “mayhem at a barbershop.” Thompson and Nwodim moaned as Gardner said a customer was shot during an argument over Drake and Kendrick.

“Yeah, that’s us,” said Thompson.

Nwodim then shares a story about violence in a parking lot of a concert, “where Shaboozey was performing.”

“Who the hell is Shaboozey?” asked Thompson.

“He’s a genius but this sounds like us,” replied Gillis, who was suddenly all smiles when he realized the crime involved a man selling bootleg T-shirts who opened fire.

Watch below.