People want pandas, so 'SNL' opens with a panda at Biden's press conference

Last night's episode of Saturday Night Live began by laughing at the priorities of the media and its consumers in Biden Panda Cold Open.

President Joe Biden (Mikey Day) holds a press conference after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Watching the reporters being more interested in Bowen Yang's panda then Mikey Day's Biden using that interest to deflect from inconvenient questions reminds me of what my friend Nebris says is one of my great insights.

"America is quite clear about its screwed up priorities­. My experience has convinced me that the surest way to get Americans to act is to mess with their entertainm­ent" and "Americans want their entertainment, and will do just about anything to keep it going."

China taking its pandas back messed with a lot of Americans' entertainment and they want new pandas. The media are happy to cater to this desire, which draws clicks and views. Should the Chinese lend pandas back to U.S. zoos, it will make both China, if not Xi, and Biden more popular in the U.S. That's a win-win. Now to see if it actually happens.

Weekend Update: Biden Calls Chinese President a Dictator, Trump Jr. Testifies in Fraud Trial mentioned one of the reasons that deal might not happen.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin challenging the Teamsters union president to a fistfight.

I agree with Biden; Xi's a dictator. Just the same, that's not helpful in getting what we want out of the U.S.-China relationship.

I haven't been at all diligent about coming up with drinks and memes for Republican candidates, let alone writing farewell posts when they drop out, so I'm relieved that Tim Scott dropped out. It saved me the trouble. Bye!

Colin Jost rephrased my recycled comment.

My wife used to work for the Teamsters and we live three miles away from the last place Jimmy Hoffa was seen alive, so we know anyone asking to fight that union's president is asking for trouble. I wonder if Senator Mullin has a clue about that.

Based on the way we bragged about it on right-wing televison outlets, I'd say Mullin either doesn't know or doesn't care.

I don't know if Senator Markwayne Mullin has a death wish or not, but I agree with Jost — never mess with the Teamsters!

The next clip returns to the topic of George Santos not running for re-election after ethics report, closer looks from Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel, Weekend Update: Colin Jost Interviews Rep. George Santos Again - SNL.

Rep. George Santos (Bowen Yang) stops by Weekend Update to discuss the House Ethics Committee's report claiming he used campaign funds for personal spending.

One of my best and easiest predictions was that George Santos will be a great inspiration for comedy as long as he stays in the news. That's continuing to come true.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the highlight's from last night's episode.

I return to Weekend Update for Rupert Murdoch Steps Down from Fox, Six Flags Unveils New Roller Coaster.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Disneyland permanently closing the Beast's Library attraction.

I don't know if Rupert Murdoch stepping down in favor of his son Lachlan will be any improvement in how NewsCorp in general and Fox News in particular operates. A more effective and hands-on leadership might just make things worse.

The theme park updates alone justify this as the Sunday entertainment feature, although I'm guess the merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair didn't make the cut for comedy. By the way, NBCUniversal operates theme parks, so SNL taking shots at both the new Six Flags and Disney helps the parent company. As I wrote recently in 'The Territory' leads nominees for Exceptional Merit In Documentary Filmmaking at the 2023 Emmy Awards, "It's not just news value that's driving it."

I concluded A late celebration of RuPaul's birthday with the Emmy nominations for 'Drag Race' by asking "Anyone expecting [Jason Momoa] to play or at least reference Aquaman?" He lived up to my expectations during last night's monologue.

Second-time host Jason Momoa talks about living out his marine biologist dream by playing Aquaman and his goal to keep Earth's oceans clean.

Momoa is not kidding about being an environmentalist. The United Nations describes his environmental work.

Award–winning actor, entrepreneur, and filmmaker Jason Momoa has long advocated for environmental issues and social justice. Of Polynesian and Hawaiian descent, he has lent his voice and platform to protecting the oceans and the rights of indigenous peoples and island nations. Momoa’s entrepreneurial pursuits focus on advancing sustainable practices, products and packaging, including development of Mananalu, a water packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum. His passion for environmental conservation is evident through his collaborations with organizations like Ocean Unite, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Lonely Whale, and Kumano I Ke Ala. He advocates for marine protection, coral reef preservation, and global initiatives against plastic pollution and waste. Moreover, in addition to his direct involvement with SDG 14, “Life Below Water,” and his profound dedication to ocean health and the protection of marine life, Momoa is actively involved in raising awareness of the issue of intersectional environmentalism and social justice through his production companies, Pride of Gypsies and On The Roam, which produces scripted and unscripted original content, branded content, and product collaborations.

Aquaman really did deserve its nomination for Feature Film at the 2019 Environmental Media Association Awards. That reminds me that it's time to see who this year's nominees are.

I love holiday parades, so I close with Thanksgiving Week Airport Parade.

Two TSA agents (Ego Nwodim, Bowen Yang) introduce random travelers as they host the Thanksgiving Week Airport Parade.

I haven't flown since the pandemic and clips like this make me not miss the experience. Just the same, this sketch was hilarious!

SNL's YouTube channel has many more funny clips, but I think this is enough for today. I plan on another entertainment-related entry tomorrow, so stay tuned.