‘SNL50’ reunites ‘The Californians’ with Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen for Volkswagen ad
“Stuart!”
Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen reunited just in time for the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special. The trio teamed up for a Volkswagen commercial, which aired before the big event on Sunday night.
“The Californians” sketch debuted in 2012 on the NBC variety show. It was brought back for SNL’s 40th anniversary special in 2015 and when the “Barry” alum, 46, hosted “SNL” in 2018.
In the ad, Wiig’s Karina — in her Valley Girl accent — meets Hader’s Devin as a preview for the next episode of the soap opera parody.
“Devin, thanks for meeting me at Malibu beach off the 1. I’ve really missed you,” she says.
“You saw me this morning in Marina Del Rey,” Devin says, as Karina notes: “But not in Malibu beach.”
The two go in for a kiss, but get interrupted when Fred Armisen’s Stuart pulls up in Volkswagen’s new electric van, the ID.Buzz.
“Wait, Stuart? What are you doing here?” Devin asks.
Stuart replies: “I’m out enjoying life in my new Volkswagen ID Buzz. What are you doing here? … I’ve been approaching life with positive vibes!”
Devin exclaims that’s so “rad,” as the trio dramatically gaze into the camera together.
“I know it’s rad, Devin! I drove up the 5 got on the 405, and took the 10 to the PCH,” Stuart explains.
The group then hop into Stuart’s ride and — naturally — all stare into the rearview mirror to admire themselves.
Writers of “SNL” — which is celebrating its big milestone with a three-hour special with creator Lorne Michaels on Sunday — helped create the new ad. Original costumes from the “SNL” sketches were used, too.
“The idea for ‘The Californians’ sketch was inspired by a bit we used to do at SNL, where we’d explain how we got to places in L.A. Now, more than a decade later, it was great to have everyone back together again and I feel honored that these characters continue to celebrate our love for California, especially after everything this community has been through,” Hader told The Hollywood Reporter.
Armisen, 58, added: “Volkswagen and ‘SNL’ are both brands embedded into every aspect of culture. Reprising these characters after so long was an incredible experience, and to blend these two legacies together in a way that stays true to the original sketch made it even more special.”
For Wiig, she “never laughed so hard” taping the spot.
“Being with Fred and Bill it was hard to get through a take. Also having the ‘SNL’ crew there just created such a loving atmosphere. I love these characters and seeing them reunite for Volkswagen,” she gushed.
The “Bridesmaids” actress, 51, was a cast member on “SNL” for seven seasons from 2005 to 2012, and has come back to Rockefeller Center to host multiple times.
Hader, for his part, starred for eight seasons from 2005 to 2013, and perhaps was best known for playing Stefon. The fictional character often showed up on “Weekend Update” and is based on people Hader and John Mulaney encountered in real life, including a club promoter and a barista.
“When I was on ‘SNL,’ I was a bit of a basket case,” Hader told Variety in 2019. “It could not have been easy on my wife at the time. I was so consumed with work and anxiety.”
Hader also had panic attacks on and off stage. “Sometimes I felt like people thought, ‘Oh, he’s just wanting attention or something.’ It was like, ‘No, man, I’m legit. I’m freaking out right now,’” he shared.
Armisen overlapped with Wiig and Hader for several years on the NBC series from 2002 to 2013.
Armisen and Wiig took part in the “SNL50” anniversary special on Sunday night, while Hader was noticeably absent.
