SNL’s John Mulaney Spoofs Real-Life Politician With an Unfortunate Name: Harvey Epstein — Watch Video
John Mulaney’s Harvey Epstein isn’t just a Saturday Night Live character — the man is actually on the ballot!
In this week’s episode of the NBC sketch comedy show, host Mulaney spoofs a political ad for a real-life New York Assemblyman with a name that’s hard to believe: Harvey Epstein.
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“I share names with two of the most notorious sex perverts of all time,” Mulaney’s Epstein reveals. “You think I don’t know that? But thankfully, I’m a different guy!”
The character spends the rest of the advertisement trying to convince viewers that he is, in fact, not associated with either Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein.
“I’m not gonna lie,” he admits. “The name thing has become a bit of an issue. ‘Harvey’ I could almost handle, but ‘Epstein’ — this thing is an albatross.”
Mulaney’s Epstein even tries to work the confusing name to his favor. “Think of it this way, though,” he says. “If my names are this bad and I’m still running for public office, think how much better I’d have to be than everyone else. That’s just math!”
Things get more complicated when the ad announces, “Epstein looks out for miners.” Mulaney’s politician has to clarify he is passionate about coal-workers, not children.
The real Epstein is currently on the ballot seeking re-election as an Assemblyman for New York’s 74th district representing parts of the Lower East Side, East Village and Midtown East neighborhoods of Manhattan.
Politics were at the forefront of the Mulaney-hosted episode, with Kamala Harris visiting NBC’s Studio 8H to offer Maya Rudolph advice and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine stopping by to remind everyone his name. Elsewhere, Pete Davidson joined Mulaney in a music-themed sketch.
Hit PLAY to watch the sketch in full, and give this week’s SNL a grade in our poll.
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