Robert De Niro Tries To Murder Debbie Downer on 'SNL50'

If you were to ask someone who their favorite Saturday Night Live character is, the name Debbie Downer could certainly be their answer. So, it’s no surprise that Rachel Dratch returned to the SNL stage as the iconic sad-sack during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special.

The scene opens on Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore and Ayo Edibiri trying to get a drink at the bar, only to find that it’s Debbie making their drinks and serving up some of the most depressing facts you’ve ever heard. As the trio of celebs cheer to the sketch show’s big night, Dratch can’t help but interject. “Have you seen the latest study on alcohol?” she asks, “Even one drink can significantly slash life expectancy.” Cue the sad womp-womp-womp trombone.

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After bringing the mood down further with bomb-drops about the avian flu and the possible extinction of the white rhino, Robert De Niro enters the bar, prompting Barrymore to get nose-to-nose with the actor as she tells him what a big fan she is, seemingly poking fun at herself for how cozy she gets with her guests on her daytime talk show. When De Niro is finally able to order a drink from Debbie, she’s surprised that he wants a straw because of microplastics. “At this point we’re all walking landfills,” she says, “Odds are they’ve already taken up residence in your testes.” The news is not well received by De Niro. “I don’t want to talk about plastic in my balls… I came here to get a friggin’ break from our world right now.” But Debbie can’t help herself, and delivers one devastating fact too many, prompting the Taxi Driver actor to hop across the bar and choke her.

After being saved by Fallon, the sketch wraps up with Dratch telling the group, "It's official, I can't have children," a line from the infamous Downer sketch featuring Lindsay Lohan where no one in the cast could get through the scene without laughing. "But I told you that once, Jimmy," she says with a knowing wink to the camera." Never change, Debbie, never change.

You can watch the full sketch here:

Related: Kim Kardashian Takes on Iconic Sketch Role for 'SNL50'