Some of Saturday Night Live’s biggest alumni are back in the spotlight—not for their old sketches, but for their takes on history, politics, and media narratives. Bill Murray, Dana Carvey, and Rob Schneider are mixing humor with sharp-edged skepticism, taking aim at everyone from Bob Woodward to Anthony Fauci. And with SNL’s 50th-anniversary special airing on February 16, 2025, their comments are getting major traction.
Bill Murray Thinks Nixon Got Framed?
Over the weekend, Bill Murray appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and reignited an old grudge against Bob Woodward, the legendary journalist behind the Watergate scandal.
“So when I read Wired by whatshisname, Bob Woodward, about John Belushi, I read like five pages and I went, ‘Oh my God, they framed Nixon,’” Murray said.
The book he’s referring to, Wired: The Short Life & Fast Times of John Belushi (1984), has long been criticized by Belushi’s friends, family, and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd and Judith Pisano (Belushi’s widow), for misrepresenting the late comedian. Murray—who refused Woodward’s request for an interview back then because the whole thing “smelled funny”—suggested that if Woodward could misrepresent Belushi, maybe his Watergate reporting wasn’t airtight either.
Murray didn’t offer hard evidence, but his take fits a growing wave of skepticism toward establishment journalism. X (formerly Twitter) users like @SNLFanatic25 responded with:
“Murray’s protecting Belushi’s legacy and calling BS on Nixon—wild combo.”
Weirdly, Murray didn’t even know who Rogan was before appearing on his podcast.
Dana Carvey & David Spade Roast Fauci
Dana Carvey has been perfecting his Fauci impression for years, and on the Fly on the Wall podcast with David Spade, it’s gone from parody to full-on political satire.
In a June 28, 2023, episode Carvey’s Fauci pitches a “sixth booster shot” and “daily COVID shot”, while smugly declaring:
“Trust me, I’m science!”
Spade plays the perfect hype man, joking that Fauci dodges tough questions “like a politician.”
Then, in a July 24, 2024, episode, Carvey’s Fauci delivers some biting lines:
“I didn’t tell anyone to lock down, I just strongly suggested it.”
“I pushed the vaccine pretty hard.”
“That’s why I gave $5 million to those Chinese labs.”
Spade finishes it off with:
“He’s like, ‘Trust me, I’m the science!’”
These quips tap into real-life controversies surrounding Fauci, including:
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His lockdown guidance in March 2020
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His 2021 statements on vaccine mandates
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Debates over NIH funding and gain-of-function research
While Fauci’s defenders call the satire oversimplified, others see Carvey and Spade’s routine as a rare comedic critique of COVID-era policies.
Rob Schneider Keeps Piling On
Rob Schneider, an SNL alum from the early ‘90s, got a nod from Carvey in that July 2024 episode, reinforcing his position as one of the show’s most outspoken skeptics.
Schneider has been publicly critical of vaccine mandates for years. Back on August 27, 2022, he told Glenn Beck:
“The folly of vaccine mandates—it’s control, not science.”
He’s also been harsh on modern SNL, lamenting:
“I hate to crap on my old show,”
while implying it’s lost its edge. His COVID skepticism and critiques of SNL’s direction align with the kind of outsider stance Carvey and Spade are taking with their Fauci bits.
Why Now? Nostalgia and the SNL 50th Anniversary
With Saturday Night Live celebrating 50 years on February 16, 2025, fans are looking back at its golden years—and that means revisiting the icons that made the show what it was.
Murray, Carvey, and Schneider aren’t just sitting on the sidelines; they’re taking on media narratives, public health policies, and establishment institutions—all topics that have become major flashpoints in the post-2024 election landscape.
Social media users, including @TruthSeekerX, have been buzzing:
“SNL OGs are back with edge.”
Even Elon Musk recently fueled skepticism on Rogan’s podcast, alleging government cover-ups and media manipulation, making this kind of discourse even more relevant.
SNL’s Last Great Skits About Political Anxiety?
While Saturday Night Live has a long history of political satire, one of its most eerily relevant sketches in recent years aired just before the 2016 election. The skit, titled “Election Night”, featured a group of liberal friends confidently sipping wine at a dinner party, fully expecting Hillary Clinton to win—until the results start rolling in.
Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Aidy Bryant played the increasingly panicked dinner guests, while Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock—playing the only Black guests at the table—remained unfazed, pointing out that American politics has always been disappointing for some groups. The sketch worked because it perfectly captured the media bubble, the sense of denial leading up to Trump’s victory, and the growing discomfort around discussing politics openly.
Another standout was a 2021 skit starring Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant where a group of friends tries to talk about COVID mandates, Fauci, and vaccine hesitancy over dinner—only to have every attempt devolve into awkward, terrified glances and someone muttering “careful…”
The sketch didn’t take a hard stance for or against any particular viewpoint; instead, it hilariously highlighted how exhausting and impossible it had become to discuss real issues without stepping on a social landmine.
These moments showed that SNL could still hit a nerve, tapping into real-life anxieties in a way that felt authentic, rather than preachy. But as comedy continues to evolve, it’s clear that some of its biggest alumni—like Bill Murray, Dana Carvey, and Rob Schneider—are more comfortable taking risks outside of the show than within its modern framework.
SNL Roots: A Look Back
Bill Murray (1977-1980)
Took over after Chevy Chase left and quickly became one of SNL’s most deadpan and unpredictable stars. His Nick the Lounge Lizard character and chemistry with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi helped define the show’s early days.
Dana Carvey (1986-1993)
A master of impressions, from George H.W. Bush to the Church Lady. His seven-season run earned him a 1993 Emmy and made him one of the show’s all-time best performers.
Rob Schneider (1990-1994)
Started as a writer, then became a fan-favorite performer. His “Richmeister” office guy sketches were a staple, and his transition to comedy films (Deuce Bigalow) cemented his post-SNL success.
Final Thoughts
What do you get when you mix SNL legends, political hot takes, and a dash of conspiracy? Apparently, a viral moment.
Whether it’s Murray questioning Nixon’s guilt, Carvey skewering Fauci, or Schneider trashing mandates, these guys aren’t shying away from controversial topics.
And with SNL’s 50th anniversary in the rearview mirror, don’t be surprised if more old-school legends jump into the fray.
Sources:
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MSN News: “They Framed Nixon”: Bill Murray Reveals Outrage Over Bob Woodward’s Book
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Fox News: Dana Carvey Mocks Fauci on Fly on the Wall Podcast
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Defiant World (X): Carvey’s Fauci Bit Goes Viral
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The Glenn Beck Podcast: Rob Schneider on Vaccine Mandates
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