“Saturday Night Live” marked a significant milestone with its 1,000th episode, featuring a surprise appearance from former cast member Pete Davidson. The actor-comedian took the stage on March 9, 2024, to portray Tom Homan, a prominent figure in immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. This special cold open drew laughter and critical commentary, characteristic of the show’s long-standing tradition.
In the sketch, Davidson, impersonating Homan, engaged in a fictional meeting with current cast members portraying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, including Kenan Thompson and James Austin Johnson. Davidson’s Homan addressed the audience with biting humor: “Now, I’m sure a lot of you are wondering why Greg Bovino, the last guy, was dismissed. I want to stress that it wasn’t because he did a bad job or publicly lied about the shooting of an American citizen or even — uh-oh! — dressed like a Nazi. It was that he was filmed doing these things. And the president no likey that.”
The sketch took a lighter turn when Davidson asserted that ICE is “not here to intimidate, racially profile, or violate anyone’s rights.” He humorously suggested that the increase in arrests was merely a distraction from the Epstein files, highlighting the blending of comedy and social commentary that “SNL” is known for.
Davidson, who was a cast member from 2014 to 2022, briefly broke character during the sketch, laughingly acknowledging the dissonance between his appearance and that of Homan. “Look, I’m Tom Homan, okay? I am. I’m the ‘separating families at the border’ guy, I’m the ‘on film, taking a $50,000 bribe’ guy, and y’all are making me look like the upstanding, reasonable adult in the room. That’s crazy!”
Homan, a native of West Carthage, New York, has had a notable career in immigration enforcement. He previously served as the director of ICE under Donald Trump and was appointed as the “border czar” for the Department of Homeland Security operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following the dismissal of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino. In a recent interview with Fox News, Homan emphasized that the Trump administration is not retreating from its immigration policies, refuting claims that the president is backing off on promises of mass deportation.
As the episode unfolded, another skit featured a character, played by Ashley Padilla, expressing doubts about her support for Trump, further underscoring the political tone of the evening.
Davidson’s career has continued to flourish since his departure from “SNL.” He has appeared in a variety of films, including “Big Time Adolescence,” “The King of Staten Island,” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” The 1,000th episode of “Saturday Night Live” celebrates nearly five decades of sketch comedy, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock.
With this milestone episode, “SNL” not only entertained but also engaged audiences with topical humor, reflecting current political climates and cultural discussions. The combination of nostalgia and sharp satire remains a hallmark of the show’s enduring legacy.
