Editor’s note: This article was first published in March 2014 and refers to the Saturday Night Live cold open of 8 March 2014, broadcast during the Russian takeover of Crimea; the events described were current at that time.
The TV show Saturday Night Live opened with a message for Vladimir Putin, given how hard it has proved to get him to halt the invasion of Ukraine.
Barack Obama, brilliantly played by Jay Pharoah, enlisted the help of the real Liam Neeson to deliver the message, since the actor has experience in resolving personal international conflicts, at least in some of his roles. The message Neeson sends Putin will probably sound familiar.
“Vladimir, we’ve never met. I have no experience in international diplomacy, but what I do have is a set of skills I’ve acquired, skills that would make me a nightmare for you. What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m a Hollywood actor with an awful lot of connections.”
Watch: Cold Open – Liam Neeson & Obama – SNL 3-8-14
See also: 10 companies that profit from war
Featured image: Karen Seto, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
