Saturday Night Live’s October 11, 2025 episode featured a cold open reuniting former cast members Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who portrayed Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem respectively. The sketch parodied Bondi’s contentious Senate hearing that occurred earlier that week on Capitol Hill[1][2][3].
Poehler and Fey Portray Trump Officials
- Poehler portrayed Attorney General Pam Bondi in cold open[8]
- Fey played Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
- Sketch recreated Bondi’s Senate hearing from earlier that week
- Democratic senators questioned Bondi about ICE, Jeffrey Epstein files, James Comey indictment, government shutdown
- Poehler’s Bondi opened testimony stating she wanted to “insult you personally”
- Fey’s Noem entered carrying automatic weapon[6]
- Sketch referenced Noem’s controversial memoir about killing a dog
- Cold open among shortest in recent SNL history[15]
Poehler’s Bondi boasted about her “many roast-style jabs” prepared for senators. Fey’s Noem declared herself “the best type person in DC, a brunette that Donald Trump listens to”. The sketch referenced Noem’s controversial memoir in which she wrote about killing a dog, an incident that reportedly contributed to her removal from Trump’s Vice Presidential shortlist.
Fey’s character joked that Democrats wanting the shutdown to end “makes me laugh more than the conclusion of Old Yeller,” adding “Dogs don’t just get shot. Heroes shoot them”. Poehler’s Bondi declined to discuss private conversations with the president, refusing to reveal “who dozed off mid-sentence or who kept addressing me as Ivanka while patting his lap”.
Role Model Musical Performance Debut
- Role Model made SNL debut as musical guest[10][11][18]
- Performed two tracks from Kansas Anymore album, released February 2025[18]
- Opened with “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” viral hit online
- Charli XCX joined Role Model on stage as Sally character
- Charli XCX served as SNL musical guest in November 2024
- Second performance: subdued track “Some Protector”
- Real name: Tucker Pillsbury
- Scheduled to perform at Rolling Stone Musicians on Musicians event October 23, 2025
For the “Sally” performance, British pop star Charli XCX received enthusiastic cheers from the audience. She danced during the song’s bridge, placed her sunglasses on Role Model’s face, blew him a kiss, and walked off stage.
The artist stated his recent album marks significant progression in his career. Role Model previously opened for Gracie Abrams on tour and headlined his No Place Like Tour in spring 2025. He will be paired with María Zardoya from The Marias at the upcoming Beacon Theatre event.
Episode Airs on Diane Keaton Death
- Diane Keaton passed away October 11, 2025 at age 79 [7][12]
- Found unresponsive at Brentwood home early that morning [9][12]
- Los Angeles Fire Department responded at 8:08 a.m. local time
- Transported to local hospital, pronounced dead [12][13]
- Family requested privacy, no official cause of death released
- Rose to fame in 1970s through The Godfather films
- Won Academy Award for Best Actress in Annie Hall (1977)[16]
- Survived by two children: daughter Dexter (29), son Duke (25)
Keaton rose to fame in the 1970s through roles in The Godfather films and collaborations with director Woody Allen. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Annie Hall in 1977.
Her health reportedly declined suddenly in the months leading up to her death, though her family kept matters private. The October 11, 2025 SNL episode aired on the same day as her passing.
Poehler Hosts During Anniversary Season
- Amy Poehler returned to host SNL for third time[1][8][15]
- Episode marks SNL’s 51st season, 50th anniversary year
- Poehler served as SNL cast member from 2001 to 2008
- October 11 episode was second show of Season 51
- Poehler appeared during Weekend Update segment
- Appeared alongside Seth Meyers, her former co-anchor
- Aubrey Plaza made appearance during episode
- Poehler returned to Studio 8H for hosting duties
Poehler served as an SNL cast member from 2001 to 2008. In addition to the cold open, Poehler appeared during the Weekend Update segment alongside Seth Meyers, her former co-anchor. Aubrey Plaza also made an appearance during the episode.
