USA Update

ALEC Baldwin’s Saturday Night Live return has left fans well and truly divided.

The Hollywood actor, 66, starred alongside Bridesmaids favorite Maya Rudolph, 52, in a political skit to open the show.

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Alec Baldwin’s Saturday Night Live comeback has divided viewers[/caption]

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One fan praised his ‘fantastic’ opening skit as he played a FOX News anchor[/caption]

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Alec starred alongside Bridesmaids actor Maya Rudolph who played Vice President Kamala Harris[/caption]

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It came after a judge sensationally threw out his Rust manslaughter case in July[/caption]

It was Alec‘s first Saturday Night Live stint since a judge sensationally threw out his Rust manslaughter case after new evidence emerged.

He was on trial for allegedly fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on the set of the film in October 2021.

In July Alec, who was facing up to 18 months in jail if convicted, made his first red carpet appearance following the trial.

Now he has divided telly fans across America after starring on Saturday Night Live as FOX News anchor Brett Baier alongside Maya as Vice President Kamala Harris.

They discussed policy topics including abortion but Alec’s Brett kept interrupting Maya’s Kamala while she was in full flow.

He then said she looked “very sexy” when she was angry – to which Maya’s Kamala admitted she did.

Fans took to X to muse on the star’s comeback, after he previously impersonated former POTUS Donald Trump on the show.

One defended the Miami Blues star and put: “I’m sorry people can’t seem to grasp the fact that Alec Baldwin has moved on from his troubles, and just continued to just be the man that he is today – one with a huge heart for so many out there, and his family.”

A second pleaded: “Quit b***hing about him coming back to the #SNL spotlight.”

A third, along the same lines, put: “All these salty comments asking why Alec Baldwin is ‘allowed’ on #SNL.”

Another cheered: “Nice to see Alec Baldwin back on SNL. Opening skit was fantastic!”

Yet others took an opposing stance.

One wrote of the My Sister’s Keeper star: “Oh, Alec Baldwin is back?”

Another directly quizzed: “Why is Alec Baldwin back on SNL?”

Read our Alec Baldwin shooting live blog for the very latest news and updates…

One then wrote: “SNL bringing Alec Baldwin back was really gross.”

Another simply noted: “I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting Alec Baldwin.”

The political nature of the skit came just a week after Ariana Grande made a political statement on the show in her role as host.

TRIAL UPDATE

Earlier this summer, involuntary manslaughter charges were dropped against Baldwin, who held the gun which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the Rust movie set in 2021.

The Academy Award-winning actor hugged his lawyers and wife after the case was dismissed by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who delivered her ruling.

Photos showed the couple, who have been married since 2012, in a tight embrace with both brought to tears.

“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” the judge said.

“The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy.”

The actor did not address the media when leaving the courthouse.

Shortly before the verdict, Baldwin’s trial was put on hold after his defense team issued a motion calling for the case to be dismissed over hidden evidence, according to the Associated Press.

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He was on trial for allegedly fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on the set of the film in October 2021[/caption]

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Alec is seen on the set of the Rust movie[/caption]

BEST Buy has announced that all of its stores will be closed for 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day 2024, forcing shoppers to switch up their plans.

The electronics giant wants to give employees a much-needed break and its closure is now marking a return to a growing trend among major retailers. 

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Best Buy will be closing all its stores on Thanksgiving Day 2024[/caption]

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The company wants to give its staff a break during the holiday[/caption]

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Shoppers can still get the best deals online despite the store closures[/caption]

The decision follows a decade in which retailers like Walmart and Target kicked off Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving itself, creating a shopping frenzy even before the holiday had officially ended.

But in recent years, that trend has reversed, with most retailers opting to close their doors on Thanksgiving Day since 2020.

Best Buy’s closure is part of a broader industry movement to prioritize the well-being of employees and recognize the importance of family time during the holiday season.

Shoppers hoping to snag early Black Friday deals will need to adjust their plans, but they won’t miss out entirely.

The electronics giant is expected to offer its biggest deals online, with options for free delivery and contactless curbside pickup, allowing customers to enjoy the convenience of shopping from home.

While in-store shopping will be off the table, Best Buy’s extensive online offers are designed to keep the holiday spirit alive for deal hunters.

Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these online options to ensure they don’t miss out on the tech and electronics savings that Best Buy is known for.

This move echoes similar decisions by other major retailers who have decided to prioritize employee well-being and adapt to shifting consumer behavior.

Many shoppers have become accustomed to online deals and contactless shopping methods, which spiked in popularity during the pandemic.

For those still planning their holiday shopping, it’s important to note that Best Buy won’t be the only store closing its doors for Thanksgiving 2024.

Other retailers, including Walmart and Target, have made similar announcements.

So while Best Buy’s in-store locations will be dark on Thanksgiving, shoppers can still look forward to an abundance of Black Friday deals that will roll out shortly after the holiday—both in-store and online.

It comes after angry shoppers slammed Best Buy for its 15-day return policy, claiming the time frame is too short.

However, the retailer has multiple ways around its two-week refund rule.

Earlier in the year, Best Buy shook up its return policy by changing its 30-day time frame to just 15 days.

The new rule has left shoppers fuming as they called the new policy “ridiculous.”

“Best Buy return policy is 15 days?!” questioned one customer on X. “@BestBuy this is ridiculous.

“They won’t even let me exchange it for a different color. Not shopping here anymore…”

While Best Buy’s return policy only allows a 15-day window for a full refund, the retailer has other options that make it easier.

However, the other options come at a price.

When the electronics giant changed its refund policy, Best Buy pushed its three-tier membership program as an appealing alternative.

The My Best Buy basic plan is free, including 15 days for a refund and store credit past the two-week time frame.

They also have a My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total membership, which offers a 60-day return window on most products, among other benefits.

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