Alec Baldwin found himself the subject of social media hilarity during the latest episode of Saturday Night Live this past weekend. After successfully impersonation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the 66-year-old actor inadvertently provided the audience with even more laughter when it was revealed he had left his fly down during the curtain call.
Saturday night's episode, hosted by Charli XCX, featured Baldwin’s return to the show where he humorously depicted Kennedy, who has recently been named the Secretary of Health and Human Services by President-elect Donald Trump. Baldwin confidently took the stage as Kennedy, addressing the audience with jokes about his opening appointment and commenting on his own past health issues.
After the episode concluded, Baldwin, accompanied by the host and cast members, took their traditional bow. Little did the actor know, his pants had become part of the punchline. Social media users quickly snapped screenshots of Baldwin’s wardrobe mishap, igniting a frenzy of memes and comments on platforms like Twitter.
Comments ranged from the light-hearted—"Hey @AlecBaldwin, learn how to zip your pants!"—to the more blunt, with one user questioning whether Baldwin was intoxicated during the show. Another took the opportunity to manifest their mockery, stating, “Alec Baldwin just showing up in the outro for SNL with his fly down, and he didn’t even do anything this whole show. LMFAO what is going on?”
The curtain call incident didn’t overshadow Baldwin’s performance earlier. During the cold open of the show, he joined fellow cast members to poke fun at Trump’s cabinet picks and Kennedy's health claims. His impersonation of Kennedy came complete with quips about the former Democratic candidate’s controversial stances on vaccinations, adding to the tone of dark humor the sketch was aiming for.
Social media reactions weren't just limited to Baldwin's fly-down mishap; they also addressed the quality of his impression. Several viewers criticized Baldwin's performance, citing it as “lousy” and not up to the usual standard expected from the actor who has made his mark on the show throughout the years. Some die-hard fans of Baldwin remarked on the unfortunate timing of his return to SNL, especially considering his legal troubles stemming from the tragic shooting incident involving cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust back in 2021.
Indeed, Baldwin’s return to the iconic show has been marked with mixed feelings. While some praised his comedic talent, others were quick to remind him of the spectre of prior events shading his public interactions. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter following Hutchins' death, but earlier this year the court dismissed those charges due to the mishandling of evidence by the prosecution.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Baldwin did attempt to inject humor where he could, joking about Kennedy’s alleged strange claims about having parasites. Baldwin’s ability to elicit laughter later turned against him when his fly was noticed, proving again how quickly the entertainment world can pivot from admiration to ridicule.
This wardrobe mishap sparked the hashtag #ZipperGate across Twitter, prompting ridicule and playful banter. Even users who might not typically comment on celebrity antics chimed in, showing just how quickly the tide of public sentiment can shift against even the most seasoned of performers.
Overall, Baldwin's latest stint on SNL has once again captured viewers' attention, both for its comedic moments and the unexpected wardrobe malfunction. Whether this will lead to continued engagement with Baldwin remains to be seen. People seem eager to tune in, perhaps wondering if more awkward or hilarious moments will follow.
Yet, it raises the question: will Baldwin be able to redeem himself, or will he become defined by this slip-up? Perhaps only time will tell as audiences maintain their sharp gaze on the next episode of SNL.
