Steve Martin has a talent for over-the-top character acting, and the comedian went all out channeling former Trump advisor and self-described “dirty trickster” Roger Stone on this week’s Saturday Night Live cold open.
The real Stone made headlines this week when he was arrested by the FBI at his home in Florida on Friday morning and charged with seven counts in federal court, included one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering.
Martin-as-Stone appeared Saturday night in a Fox News parody hosted by Tucker Carlson (Alex Moffat), where he blinked, yelled and soaked up attention even as he tried to portray himself as a victim rather than a key player in the ongoing Trump-Russia investigation.
In the skit, Moffat’s Carlson tried to steer the conversation towards Stone’s age and the FBI tactics used in arresting him, a parody of talking points used by some in defending the longtime political strategist.
“Mr Stone, what I think you’re really trying to say is that you’re a feeble old man, right?” said Moffat-as-Carlson.
“Oh right, the pity thing… I’m just a poor, helpless old man.” Martin replied. “The whole experience was so harrowing. And afterwards I could only manage one radio interview, and a speech from the steps of the courthouse… It’s horrible!”
The SNL skit also included an appearance from Kate McKinnon as Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who elaborated on comments Ross made on Thursday in which he suggested furloughed federal workers take out loans instead of turning to services like food banks.
Watch the full SNL sketch here:
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Alejandro de la Garza at alejandro.delagarza@time.com