New “SNL” Sketch Cut at Last Minute

“Saturday Night Live” recently made a last-minute decision to cut a political sketch featuring new cast member Tommy Brennan, who is from Minnesota, from its latest episode. This piece poked fun at ICE while also highlighting some local pride.

Brennan, preparing a personal monologue for the episode airing on January 17, was set to share his thoughts on his home state. The Minnesota Star Tribune noted that this four-minute segment was cut between the dress rehearsal and the live show—a common occurrence, as producer Lorne Michaels often truncates segments due to time constraints.

Although the sketch was removed from the live broadcast, a recording was shared later on the official “Saturday Night Live” YouTube channel, as the show sometimes releases sketches that were performed in front of a live audience but didn’t make it to air.

Brennan’s Commentary on ICE

In his now-unreleased sketch, Brennan addressed the controversial ICE raids in his state and humorously showcased a clip of ICE agents slipping on ice, stirring laughter among the audience. “I think this gives me a glimmer of hope,” he remarked, clearly enjoying the moment.

He engaged with the audience’s reactions, noting, “Did you hear how excited those around him were? Minnesotans are known for their kindness. It’s hard to make us feel aggressive!” He playfully compared their joy to that of children meeting a beloved character, claiming their responses were filled with a childlike wonder.

After a few laughs, he added, “Just to clarify, I’m not one to take pleasure in others’ pain. If I were, I might as well join ICE.” This shift between humor and seriousness underscored his complicated feelings about the situation.

Reflecting on a Diverse City

Brennan then adopted a more serious tone, highlighting the immigrant roots of Minneapolis. “This city thrives because of its diversity,” he stated, recalling childhood memories of playing soccer on a team composed entirely of immigrants. He made a point of how different the culture is, quipping that catching those unique players is no easy task.

He also mockingly commented on an ICE officer’s misstep, saying, “We won’t be like them. We’ve been dealing with ice our entire lives—so slipping isn’t really on our agenda!”

Interestingly, ICE has not yet responded to any requests for comment following Brennan’s remarks.