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“Saturday Evening Dwell” didn’t go for laughs kicking off its first present after hiatus with host John Mulaney on Feb. 26.
After the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, intensified Saturday, “SNL” paid solemn tribute to the individuals of Ukraine with a strong choral model of “Prayer for Ukraine” throughout the usually raucous chilly open phase.
“SNL” members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Sturdy stood on the heart of the silent Studio 8H and launched the Ukrainian Refrain Dumka of New York. The unsmiling duo stepped apart to permit the traditionally-clad refrain to sing in entrance of candles and sunflowers, the Ukrainian nationwide flower.
With out fanfare, applause or laughter, McKinnon and Sturdy returned to heart stage on the track’s finish to introduce the present, revealing that the candles spelled out “Kyiv.” The sunflowers remained seen on the stage throughout Mulaney’s monologue.
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A minimum of 240 civilian casualties have been confirmed by the United Nations, together with a minimum of 64 individuals killed within the Russian assault spearheaded by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Greater than 150,000 individuals have fled Ukraine to neighboring nations. The United Nations has warned that quantity might develop to 4 million.
“SNL” has opted for extra somber openings after main occasions such because the 9/11 terrorist assaults, or after the 2016 election (and singer Leonard Cohen’s demise) when McKinnon sang a tear-jerking “Hallelujah” on the piano.
There have been jokes on “SNL,” even in regards to the Russian invasion. Throughout “Weekend Replace,” host Colin Jost mentioned that many analysts had been shocked that Putin went via with the invasion “regardless that it was clearly going to be a colossal mistake.”
“However he could not again down in any case of that build-up,” mentioned Jost. “Sort of like how NBC nonetheless needed to undergo airing the Winter Olympics.”
The joke referred to NBC’s airing of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics which drew record-low TV rankings.
The Ukrainian Refrain Dumka returned to the stage on the finish of this system as all of the present performers re-assembled with host Mulaney to bid farewell.
The group gave thanks on the official Instagram web page following the present, writing, “It was such an honor representing Ukraine and Ukrainians right now… Please proceed to face with Ukraine and stay sturdy.”
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