'SNL' cut-for-time skit with Michigan Gov. urges people to stay home: It's 'not live free and die'
A skit about Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer didn't make the aired version of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. But "SNL" did share the segment online, giving a fake version of the state's in-the-news leader a chance to vent about her week.
"Governors are kinda having a moment right now," explained "SNL" star Cecily Strong, who played Whitmer in the cut-for-time sketch.
Standing outside near a woodsy backdrop, wearing a parka and holding a beer, Strong's Whitmer vented frustration at the recent protest in Lansing, Michigan, against her stay-home order.
"Yeah, I'm nursing a Labatt's," said Strong's Whitmer.
After describing the protest as "Ted Nugent cosplay," she said, "Look people, it's live free or die, not live free and die."
The fake Whitmer also brought up Trump adviser Stephen Moore's comparison of stay-home protesters to Rosa Parks.
"Yeah, if Rosa Parks was fighting for her right to get hit by a bus!" Strong said. "Sorry, it's the Labatt's talking."
Strong's Whitmer offered some pointed advice for protesting safely, the number-one tip being stay home: "I promise you can call me a (expletive) from the safety of your couch. It's called Twitter."
She also addressed the buzz that she'll be chosen for the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket.
"Now, like you, I have heard the rumors that I'm on the short list to be Joe Biden's vice president, the V.P.'s veep, because if it's going to be a woman, it might as well be that woman," she said, taking a jab at President Donald Trump's reference to her as "the woman in Michigan."
Strong's Whitmer insisted, however, that her sole priority is her home state.
"And to anyone that stands in the way of the health and safety of my constituents, I"ll remind you that Michigan is the Mitten, right, and this, this is where I live," she said, holding up her hand, palm forward, in the universal Michigander gesture.
Then her hand was blurred as she raised her middle finger.
Sorry, it was the Labatt's gesturing.
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.
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