SNL faces backlash for bringing back Alec Baldwin after he shot, killed cinematographer on Rust set

Disgraced actor Alec Baldwin returned to Saturday Night Live this weekend after having recently beaten his manslaughter case for the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin returned to the show to portray Fox News host Bret Baier, who recently conducted an interview with Kamala Harris. SNL alumna Maya Rudolph depicted VP Kamala Harris. His appearance, though, did not go without controversy, with some pointing out that Baldwin should be barred from the show for having shot and killed an innocent woman.

One critic posted, "Even if it was an accident, that person is dead. Her family and friends will never see her alive EVER again. Alec Baldwin should show some respect by not showing his face on TV let alone #SNL ever again."

Baldwin, who is known for his previous depictions as former President Donald Trump, stayed away from the role this time and instead let cast member James Austin Johnson play him. The skit lampooned a recent town hall that turned into Trump playing several songs from a playlist after two attendees collapsed.

Baldwin as Baier would kick off the show, prompting audible gasps and reactions from the live studio audience. In the skit, Baldwin pressed Rudolph, mirroring the real-life interview that aired on Fox just a few days prior.

The skit also mocked a moment from the broadcast where Baier mistakenly introduced an incorrect clip. This misstep was used by SNL to include Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden, before returning to the interview between Baldwin and Rudolph. 

After introducing the episode with the famous tagline, Baldwin did not reappear throughout the rest of the show.

Regarding the Halyna Hutchins case, Baldwin saw his charges dismissed while Hannah Gutierrez Reed, 26, the armorer on the set, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to 18 months. 

Prosecutors in New Mexico argued that Baldwin’s behavior contributed to “safety compromises” that led to the incident, but failed to do so after errors in the handling of evidence that “impacted the fundamental fairness of the case,” according to the judge. Hutchins’ widow has said that he hopes Baldwin faces justice for his actions.