Viewers can watch live online as Donald Trump makes his much-awaited Saturday Night Live appearance, one that has drawn plenty of criticism and controversy in the past weeks.
Trump was originally slated to make an appearance on the show, but with the anticipation building he will now take a full swing, acting as host for the week. It’s leading to what will be the most-anticipated episode of the late-night sketch show in years.
This appearance isn’t sitting well with everyone, however. Many viewers have spoken out, noting Trump’s controversial views on things like immigration. There were even protesters outside the NBC studios in New York in the hours leading up to the show.
Actor John Leguizamo was among those unhappy with Trump’s appearance.
“I won’t watch ‘SNL’ anymore,” he said during an interview with Yahoo! . “I just find it unacceptable.
“I’m all for freedom of speech, [but] this is different,” Leguizamo said in reference to Trump’s hardline stance on immigration. “What he says doesn’t even fall into the category of PC.”
“It is hate-mongering,” Leguizamo added. “I find it hurtful and insulting, and you’re celebrating someone who has said some horrible things.
“If [Trump] had said those things about any other ethnic group, he would not be on ‘SNL.’”
Those who watch live online as Donald Trump hosts Saturday Night Live could see some real-life controversy. One protest group has pledged $5,000 to any member of the audience willing to shout “racist” at Trump during the live performance.
Protest Pac offers $5,000 to anyone shouting ‘racist’ during Trump’s SNL gig https://t.co/76Kv1Nv1Vs
— Gravy Whitta (@garywhitta) November 8, 2015
Trump has been a ratings magnet for NBC, with his reality show The Apprentice once drawing millions of viewers (including a peak of 28 million for the season 1 finale). Trump actually built his reputation as something of a businessman/showman, with as much (or maybe even more) a knack for publicity and personal promotion as he does for real estate.
Many are expecting the ratings to boom again on Saturday night, with the GOP frontrunner returning to host SNL for the first time in 11 years.
The last time Trump hosted #SNL was in 2004 — in four hours, he’s back. pic.twitter.com/iXEOW4vTHB
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 8, 2015
But as Los Angeles Times writer Mary McNamara notes, none of that controversy seemed to bother Trump.
“He is the Honey Badger of the race. Like the weirdly impervious animal of YouTube fame — Honey Badger also has a big audience and a signature coif — Trump does what he wants. His biggest strength is his belief in his own indestructibility. Let the bees sting him! He does not care.
“Where other candidates spend precious minutes humbling themselves before voters — ‘This campaign is about you! And what I can do for you?!!’ — Trump brashly makes it all about him. That’s his brand, and he is all about his brand.”
Viewers who watch live online as Donald Trump hosts Saturday Night Live won’t actually see that unusual of an event. While the show often lampoons politicians, it often draws them into the show as well. In 2008, both Barack Obama and his opponents — John McCain and Sarah Palin — made cameos. President George H.W. Bush showed up after he left office. Even Trump’s fellow poll-leader, Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, appeared on the show last month, playing a bartender.
Those who want to watch live online as Donald Trump hosts Saturday Night Live can click here for streaming video from NBC. The live streaming feature is not yet available in all markets, so those who aren’t able to watch online can check here on Sunday for clips and video from the show.
[Image via Instagram / Saturday Night Live ]