Tom Hanks and Bobby Moynihan Return to Saturday Night Live
- Bobby Moynihan returned as Drunk Uncle during the Weekend Update segment.
- Milwaukee Brewers players and manager Pat Murphy made a surprise appearance.
- Donald Trump interrupted the cold open to deliver a campaign-style message.
- Inde Navarrette hosted the episode with musical guest Gracie Abrams.
Tom Hanks and Bobby Moynihan returned to Saturday Night Live on October 31, reprising their fan-favorite characters during the show’s Halloween episode. Hanks performed as David S. Pumpkins in the cold open while accompanied by skeleton dancers, including Moynihan.
Moynihan also appeared on Weekend Update to revive his recurring character Drunk Uncle. He joined Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy and players Christian Yelich and Brice Turang, who brought the World Series trophy to the segment.
The episode marked the show’s return from a two-week hiatus just three days before the midterm elections.
Donald Trump interrupts the cold open
Donald Trump interrupted the October 31 cold open to deliver a campaign-style message. The character mocked Republican polling numbers and compared the political landscape of Texas to his discolored hand.
Trump urged viewers to support Ken Paxton over James Talarico, whom he labeled “Tala-FREAK-o”.
A Nicki Minaj impersonation also referenced the rapper’s support for the MAGA movement and Trump.
Political satire in the episode remained limited to the cold open and select Weekend Update jokes.
Milwaukee Brewers celebrate World Series win on Weekend Update
The Milwaukee Brewers celebrated their first World Series championship on Weekend Update. Manager Pat Murphy joined players Christian Yelich and Brice Turang for the cameo. They interacted briefly with the character Drunk Uncle.
During the segment, actor Bobby Moynihan mistakenly referred to Yelich as Pete Davidson. Moynihan also delivered jokes about baseball pitch challenges, Mrs. Met, and a hot gay hockey show.
Inde Navarrette hosts with musical guest Gracie Abrams
Inde Navarrette hosted the October 29, 2026, episode with musical guest Gracie Abrams.
During her monologue, Navarrette mocked the gym-comment controversy involving former host Shane Gillis. She told the audience, “Every morning, I put on my ‘little whore outfit,’ and I hit the gym,” which drew cheers from the crowd.
Origins of the returning characters
Bobby Moynihan returned to his skeleton costume for a fresh appearance as David S. Pumpkins. Cast member Mikey Day and former cast member Moynihan performed the skeleton dancers in the sketch. They co-created the sketch with Streeter Seidell.
Tom Hanks first played the character David Simon Pumpkins on the October 22, 2016, episode. The character gained a cult following, inspired a 2017 animated Halloween special, and returned to the show multiple times.
Vulture noted the 2016 origins for both Pumpkins and Drunk Uncle and compared them to the Annoying Orange.
Druski scheduled to host next week
Druski will host the next episode of Saturday Night Live.
Frequently Asked Questions
- David Pumpkins and Drunk Uncle Return to Saturday Night Live (vulture.com)
- Drunk Uncle Got Weepy Over the Brewers' Win in Bobby Moynihan's Weekend Update Return (yahoo.com)
- Tom Hanks' David S. Pumpkins Returned in SNL's October 31 "Scary Halloween Cold Open" (aol.com)
- Trump hijacks SNL and David S. Pumpkins ahead of midterms - Salon.com (salon.com)
- Tom Hanks Wasn’t The Only Surprise Cameo On Last Night’s SNL | Cinemablend (cinemablend.com)
- Gracie Abrams (And David S. Pumpkins) Returns To SNL (stereogum.com)
- David S. Pumpkins (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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