Is Alex Baldwin preparing for Saturday Night Live swan song?
In a new interview with Extra, Baldwin suggested that he will “hopefully go out with a bang” on the upcoming May 20 finale, which is set to be hosted by none other than Dwayne Johnson. He also confirmed that he will be appearing in the May 13 episode hosted by Melissa “Sean Spicer” McCarthy to go along with it. Based on Alec’s commentary here, it seems unlikely that he will be in this weekend’s episode hosted by Chris Pine.
If the finale marks the final time we see Baldwin on the show as Trump, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise. He is not a full-time cast member, and he’s really paid pennies on the dollar for how much buzz he brings in to the show. More than that, though, he’s got a heck of a lot going on in terms of his schedule, with several different movies and TV projects in the work. His career hasn’t been better in years, and he will likely want to take advantage of some of these opportunities.
Also, you don’t want to drive something so far into the ground that it’s no longer funny, and as of late Baldwin’s Trump has teetered on that already since there is only so far you can go with it. The last time we were dying with laughter over the impersonation was with the People’s Court sketch, which you can see below.
If Trump does go, we figure that the NBC show will look to either someone else from their cast or elsewhere to fill the void — and our heart goes out to them trying to fill these shoes. If he does return in the fall, maybe Lorne Michaels will just structure things where we see Baldwin’s Trump maybe three or four times over the course of the season rather than on a biweekly basis.
Either way, the show will go on. SNL has withstood significant departures over the years, and if Baldwin decides that he’s done playing Trump, this too shall pass.
What do you think: Should the end be near for the impression? Sound off now with some more of your thoughts with a comment below!
Meanwhile, be sure to head over here in the event that you want to get some additional news right now pertaining to the series, including a preview for this weekend’s Chris Pine episode. (Photo: NBC.)