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A quick history of politicians on SNL

Posted at 3:38 PM, Oct 13, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-13 16:38:09-04

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will host "Saturday Night Live" on Nov. 7.

Though it won't be Trump's first time hosting the show — he appeared on the show in April 2004 during the height of his reality show, "The Apprentice" — it will be his first time hosting since jumping into politics full-time earlier this year.

Trump's appearance continues a long tradition of politicians appearing on the weekly sketch show. How will his performance rank among these notable appearances from fellow politicians?

Hillary Clinton — Oct. 4, 2015

Donald Trump won't even be the first presidential candidate to appear on SNL this season. Two weeks ago, during the show's season premiere, Clinton appeared in a sketch as a bartender alongside Kate McKinnon — this season's resident Clinton impersonator.

Clinton also appeared in a sketch with Amy Poehler during her 2008 campaign. 

 

Barack Obama — Nov. 7, 2007

Then just a rising star looking for exposure, Senator Obama appeared in a Halloween party sketch where he wore a mask of his own face. Less than a year later, he was elected President of the United States.

Mike Huckabee — Feb. 23, 2008

During his 2008 Republican primaries, Huckabee appeared on "Weekend Update" to discuss his campaign — despite it being a mathematical impossibility for him to receive the nomination. Surely, Huckabee hopes he won't have to make a similar appearance this year.

Rudy Giuliani — Sept. 29, 2001

In SNL's first episode following the September 11 terrorist attacks, New York City's mayor served as the show's host. After a touching speech during the cold open, SNL producer Lorne Michaels asked Giuliani "Can we be funny?" Giulani's response? "Why start now?"

Giuliani also hosted in 1997, and fought Janet Reno, portrayed by Will Ferrell.

Gerald Ford — April 17, 1976

Original cast member Chevy Chase helped make a name for the fledgling sketch show in the mid-70's with his impression of the 38th president, often depicting him as klutz. However, Ford found the sketches genuinely funny. When his press secretary, Ron Nessen, hosted the show, the President agreed to pre-record a few lines.

Al Gore — Dec. 14, 2002

Two years after losing one of the closest presidential elections in American history, former Vice President Al Gore hosted SNL, opening the show with a two-minute make-out session with his wife, Tipper.

Jesse Jackson — Oct. 20, 1984

SNL has long faced criticism surrounding the lack of diversity of its cast members. Rev. Jesse Jackson tackled the issue head first when he hosted the program during his presidential campaign in 1984.

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.