Maya Rudolph Channels Beyoncé and Madonna in ‘SNL’ Opening Number ‘Mother’
variety.comAlison Herman TV Critic Maya Rudolph opened the Mother’s Day episode of “Saturday Night Live” with a tribute to mothers — in every sense of the term.
Hosting the sketch show’s penultimate episode of the season, Rudolph began her monologue by noting she’s a four-time mom herself. “You’re not just a mom,” cast member Bowen Yang reminded her. “You’re mother,” invoking the term’s use in queer slang to describe powerful, aspirational women. “Who me, mother?” Rudolph asked, feigning shock. “You’re right!” The host then launched into a propulsive dance number, strutting through Studio 8H in a reflective bodysuit while delivering lyrics like “Oops, I made you dance / Remember that movie where I pooped my pants?” The monologue also featured appearances from cast members Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Chloe Fineman (and her dog), and Punkie Johnson, who stepped in to deliver “a message from the gays.” The performance ended on the main stage, where Rudolph unfurled a fan in one of several nods to drag aesthetics, including Thompson’s MC.
The song alluded to pop cultural touchstones like Madonna’s “Vogue” and Beyoncé’s “Renaissance: Part I,” which also drew on ballroom culture.
Rudolph currently stars in “Loot,” the sitcom currently airing its second season on Apple TV+. Rudolph plays Molly Wells, a woman whose divorce from a Jeff Bezos-like billionaire inspires her to channel her wealth into nonprofit work.
Read more on variety.com
