Saturday Night Live introduced Alex Moffat in the role of President-elect Joe Biden, just hours after Jim Carrey announced he was stepping down.
In a tweet on Saturday afternoon, Carrey said he was only meant to play Biden for six weeks and called himself "just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens."
The role has previously been played by former cast members and guest stars including Jason Sudeikis, Woody Harrelson and John Mulaney.
"Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks, I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President... comedy's highest call of duty," Carrey tweeted. "I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that sh*t. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!"
CNN reported the decision to move on from the NBC sketch show was Carrey's.
After recruiting Carrey, creator Lorne Michaels told The New York Times that he believed what the actor would bring to the part would be "stunning and possibly transcend comedy." However, Carrey's performance ultimately received mixed reviews from critics and viewers.
In Saturday night's cold open, Moffat appeared as Biden in a sketch parodying Vice President Mike Pence receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
"I'm sure all Americans are excited to see me, the guy who let COVID spread everywhere, get one of the first vaccines," Beck Bennett, as Pence, said.
After getting the jab, Beckett's Pence rushes to cover his exposed forearms as Maya Rudolph appears as Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris.
Moffat's Biden turns up moments later, walking with a cane and wearing an orthopedic boot on one foot.
He then drops the cane and does a somersault before fist-bumping Rudolph.
"You look different somehow," Beckett's Pence tells Moffat's Biden.
Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks,I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President...comedy’s highest call of duty. I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that shit. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) December 19, 2020
"Yep, I'm like Colonel Sanders," Moffat's Biden responds. "Every time you see me, I'm a different guy. There's a good chance that this time next year, I'm going to be Mario Lopez."
He then adds: "Now, where the vaccines at?"
"I thought you were getting it on Monday, Joe," Beckett's Pence says.
"Yeah, but Kamala wants me to get it over with," Moffat's Biden replies.
"Well, I'm worried about you Joe," Rudolph's Harris explains. "Especially since you're already in a cast on day minus 40 in office."
Moffat's Biden then addresses the audience. "I just want to let the American people know one thing," he says. "You're about to have a real leader again and you're going to have the most diverse Cabinet in the history of American politics."
Rudolph's Harris quickly adds: "And I will make sure that Joe never specifies what he means by diverse. That is my Christmas present to you, America."
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