"Saturday Night Live" deviated from its usual format this past weekend, delivering a surprising twist to its politically charged cold open sketches.

Known for lampooning current events and the occupant of the Oval Office, the long-running NBC show took a different route by reviving one of its classic characters: Dana Carvey’s iconic "Church Lady."

The sketch marked a rare moment for "SNL," as it finally included Hunter Biden in its satire—a topic it had largely avoided for nearly four years.

The episode aired just days after Joe Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son, a decision that has sparked widespread debate and criticism.

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The sketch featured Dana Carvey reprising his role as the self-righteous "Church Lady," hosting a fictional “year in review” episode.

The segment touched on several major events of 2024, with the Church Lady sharing her trademark judgmental quips.

Carvey’s portrayal of the character, a fan favorite from the late 1980s and early 1990s, drew enthusiastic applause from the studio audience.

One of the highlights was a comedic bit involving Yankees free agent Juan Soto, played by cast member Marcello Hernandez, followed by a jab at former GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz, portrayed by Sarah Sherman.

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However, it was the appearance of Hunter Biden that generated the biggest reaction.

Former "SNL" cast member David Spade made a guest appearance to play Hunter Biden, delivering a subdued yet effective performance.

Spade’s portrayal of Hunter drew laughs for its restrained approach, a departure from his typically brash comedic style.

The audience’s reaction reflected their surprise and amusement at seeing Spade back on the show, particularly in a role that had long been overlooked by the program's writers.

The sketch poked fun at Hunter Biden’s controversial history, but avoided diving too deeply into the scandal surrounding his father’s pardon.

Wow! After four years, SNL finally decided it's ok to go after that complete joke of a man, Hunter Biden What changed 🤔 pic.twitter.com/KXL6ogd9wd

— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) December 8, 2024

It marked a significant shift for "SNL," which has faced criticism in recent years for sidestepping topics that might cast Democratic figures in a negative light.

Carvey, who has been portraying Joe Biden this season, stepped beyond his usual role to bring back his beloved Church Lady character.

His versatility and comedic timing were on full display, earning praise from viewers.

Carvey’s performance was also teased earlier in the week during his “Fly on the Wall” podcast, co-hosted with fellow "SNL" alum David Spade, where the duo hinted at the Church Lady’s return.

While the sketch received praise for its nostalgic revival of "Church Chat" and Spade’s guest appearance, it also included a parting joke aimed at President-elect Donald Trump.

The jab drew criticism from conservative viewers, who found it tone-deaf in an otherwise balanced segment.

"Saturday Night Live" managed to break new ground by addressing Hunter Biden for the first time, albeit with a comedic touch that didn’t delve too deeply into the controversy.

The inclusion of Dana Carvey’s Church Lady and David Spade’s Hunter Biden added star power to the segment, drawing both laughs and applause.

While the show couldn’t resist taking a parting shot at Trump, the sketch as a whole marked an intriguing moment of levity amid the political chaos of 2024.

For those nostalgic for "SNL’s" classic characters, Carvey’s return as the Church Lady was a welcome throwback.

Watch the full cold open:

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