Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death at age 87 from pancreatic cancer left a massive and arguably unfillable void within the highest court of the land. SNL returned this week to Studio 8H for the Season 46 premiere (hosted by Chris Rock) and gave the liberal firebrand a proper (and suitably understated) sendoff from the cast member who portrayed the Notorious RBG. During the premiere’s “Weekend Update” segment, Kate McKinnon appeared in the audience for a brief moment with a final, robe-clad bow in character. The screen then faded into a “rest in power” graphic.
https://twitter.com/Knope447/status/1312613934109786112
It must be noted that McKinnon’s previous portrayals of Ginsburg often made mention of her refusal to retire, and that’s exactly how RBG went out. She worked until she couldn’t possibly do so any longer, and she crushed her workouts as long as possible as well. On Twitter, people noted the SNL farewell to be a suitably impactful (and emotional) one.
Loving that tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kate McKinnon on @nbcsnl!!
Thank you SNL!
Rest in power, Notorious RBG. pic.twitter.com/2d6LTeeqnZ— Dawn Young-McDaniel ♿️ (@justdawn_) October 4, 2020
me seeing Kate McKinnon as Ruth Bader Ginsburg on snl pic.twitter.com/ndmGXRB58Y
— Laura ྀིྀིྀིྀིྀི (@lust4lifelaura) October 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/GComptroller/status/1312621653818585088
SNL & Kate McKinnon honored the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg 🥺 #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/m8exbsj3qQ
— fulltime military wife 💖💖 (@AnnetteReid247) October 4, 2020
Kate McKinnon honors the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on #SNL with touching tribute. pic.twitter.com/5LHe1YLoYN
— Dave Quinn (@NineDaves) October 4, 2020
It was sad, for sure, but it was also lovely and profound and something that RBG undoubtedly would have loved. Here’s how McKinnon did RBG a few short years ago (how “scandalous,” and very funny).
You've just been Ginsburned. #SNL #WeekendUpdate pic.twitter.com/zd14IcXsBl
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 1, 2015
2020, you’re a doozy. Please have mercy upon all of us soon.