Amy Poehler and Tina Fey’s latest SNL cold open hilariously skewers Pam Bondi’s Senate hearing and Kristi Noem’s dog-shooting scandal, blending sharp political satire with laugh-out-loud comedy.
Saturday Night Live cold open brought laughter and sharp satire as host Amy Poehler and her longtime friend Tina Fey tackled current political controversies with their signature wit.
Poehler took on the role of Pam Bondi, while Fey portrayed Kristi Noem, delivering a performance that mixed humor with pointed social commentary.
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey chose these political figures for a reason — both Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem have recently been at the center of public controversy. Bondi, a Florida attorney general, made headlines after her hesitant and vague responses during a Senate hearing involving the Jeffrey Epstein files and other sensitive issues. SNL turned that awkwardness into comedy gold.
Poehler’s version of Bondi was exaggerated yet spot-on, poking fun at her evasive answers while reminding viewers of the seriousness behind the satire.
Meanwhile, Tina Fey spoofed Kristi Noem following the backlash over Noem’s “dog-shooting scandal” and her string of controversial comments. Fey’s dramatic entrance — complete with an automatic weapon — was a hilarious jab at Noem’s tough public persona.
Her line, “I spelled my name with an ‘I’ because that’s how I thought it was spelled,” mocked Noem’s overconfident attitude and viral soundbites that have kept her in the headlines.
The sketch opened with a recreation of Bondi’s recent Senate hearing, where questions about the Epstein files and other topics were flying.
When asked whether President Donald Trump directed her to indict James Comey, Bondi refused to give a straight answer — and that hesitation became the centerpiece of SNL’s humor. Poehler, in character, quipped, “I’m not going to discuss my private conversations with the president. I’m not telling you who fell asleep mid-sentence, or who kept calling me Ivanka while patting his lap.”
The line drew roaring laughter from the audience, blending absurdity with political bite.
Moments later, Fey stormed in as Noem, automatic weapon in hand, declaring, “That’s right, it’s me, Kristi. I spelled my name with an ‘I’ because that’s how I thought it was spelled.” Her over-the-top performance was a perfect send-up of Noem’s bold and controversial image.
The sketch also took aim at topics like the Jeffrey Epstein files, ICE agents, and the dog-shooting scandal — mixing humor with sharp criticism in a way only SNL can. The balance between laughter and truth has long been the show’s signature style, giving viewers both something to laugh at and something to think about.
Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee pic.twitter.com/TGU9tUUBXT
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 12, 2025
This cold open didn’t just bring the laughs — it delivered a clever, biting take on modern politics and the public figures at the center of it all.
What did you think of the sketch? Did SNL nail the satire, or did it go too far? Share your thoughts below!
