Last night, as the Russian military assault on Ukraine continued, Saturday Night Live opted to skip its typical “cold open” segment in favor of a message of peace. Rather than opening up on the customary topical comedy sketch, Saturday night’s episode opened on a not-in-character Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong, who introduced the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York.
Dressed in traditional Slavic garb in front of a table adorned with yellow flowers and candles spelling out the name of the Ukrainian capital city, Kyiv, the choir went on to perform a melancholy “Prayer for Ukraine”. While they never explicitly referenced the ongoing violence in Ukraine, McKinnon and Strong’s somber tone spoke volumes as they closed the segment with a subdued “live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.” Watch the clip below.
Ukraine Cold Open – Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York – Saturday Night Live – 2/26/22
The Saturday, February 26th episode of SNL featured host John Mulaney, who officially joined the show’s “Five-Timers Club” with the appearance, musical guest LCD Soundsystem, who performed “Thrills” and “Yr City’s a Sucker”. Watch LCD Soundsystem’s performances and check out their cameo in the episode’s “Subway Churro” musical sketch here.