RIVALS

‘SNL Finale’: Larry David’s (Probably) Final Performance as Bernie Sanders Doesn’t Disappoint

The inimitable Larry David returned as Bernie Sanders to take on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) in a war of words at a bar—followed by a must-see dance-off.

“Well, bartender, I’ve done it! I’ve won the nomination! I mean, no I haven’t—I keep losing states—but mathematically, I’ve done it! To math!” exclaims Hillary Clinton, played expertly by Saturday Night Live's Kate McKinnon.

The cold open of the late-night NBC sketch comedy show’s 41^st season finale opened at a caliginous, near-empty piano bar, with the Democratic frontrunner parked at the bar downing booze. That’s when the bartender (Kenan Thompson) sounds last call, announcing that everyone’s gotta go—including the crotchety man sulking in the corner: Bernie Sanders.

Of course, SNL’s version of Bernie equals none other than comedy legend Larry David, who’s been regaling us with his impression of the curmudgeonly Vermont senator for months during this increasingly heated election campaign—one where, factoring in superdelegates, Hillary currently has a heavy lead over Bernie: 2,293 to 1,533 (you need 2,383 delegates for the Democratic nomination).

“No freaking way! I’m not going anywhere! I can stay here as long as I want!” shouts Bernie, with the statement serving as a metaphor for his campaign. He then adds, “No! It’s not over! It’s not over till I say it’s over!”

Bernie then sidles up next to Hillary at the bar, where they exchange barbs at one another—about everything from Hillary’s Nehru jackets (“It looks like you were just elected by the Galactic Council”) to Bernie’s eventual role in the future Clinton administration: “Don’t worry! I promise I’m going to have a very special role for you in my administration. How would you like to be—wait for it—the Senator from Vermont!”

Then, Hillary reveals that, with her handsome lead, she’s “started pivoting towards the general” against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. This, naturally, irks Bernie.

“Ehhhh and I’ve gotta say, I’ve, uh, I’ve noticed the pivot!” he exclaims, channeling his inner Costanza. “Not a fan of the pivot. Way too early for the pivot.”

“Oh, and remember all those states like Wyoming where you beat me by a lot and I got most of the delegates!” cracks Hillary, pouring salt on Bernie’s wounds.

“It’s rigged!” screams Bernie.

“It’s so rigged!” admits Hillary.Then they cheers their beers to DNC head Debbie Wasserman Schultz, before ending things in a hilarious dance through the SNL audience.

Needless to say, this satirical encounter went a lot smoother than any real-life encounter would have between the testy rivals. And, since Saturday Night Live doesn't return until the fall, this is probably the last we will see of David as Bernie.Now that is a damn shame.

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Marlow Stern

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