Amy Poehler’s recent hosting gig on Saturday Night Live was made even more special by the surprise appearance of her former Parks and Recreation co-star Aubrey Plaza. The two have maintained a close friendship since their time on the beloved NBC sitcom, where Plaza played the quirky April Ludgate to Poehler’s ambitious Leslie Knope. This marked Poehler’s first time hosting the show in a decade, and her episode was filled with familiar faces and new sketches.
While fellow friends Tina Fey and Seth Meyers were present in the studio audience, Plaza’s contribution came in the form of a pre-recorded sketch that humorously parodied Netflix’s The Hunting Wives, described as “the straight-but-lesbian horny Republican murder drama.” During this sketch, Plaza joined Poehler, Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, and Ashley Padilla as they assumed the roles of the titular hunting wives.
The SNL audience in Studio 8H erupted with enthusiastic applause when Plaza made her entrance. As the parody unfolded, Fineman’s character playfully offered to teach Plaza’s character how to make mimosas, leading to a comical and sensual mixology session among the women. The twist comes when it’s revealed that Plaza’s character is openly queer, prompting the others to turn their guns on her and exclaim, “Lesbian! This is Texas!”—a cheeky nod to the sketch’s satirical tone.
Though 2023 has seen Plaza keep a lower profile following the passing of her husband, Jeff Baena, she made a rare media appearance in August during an interview on Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. In that conversation, Plaza expressed her gratitude for navigating through challenging times while celebrating meaningful moments with friends.
Overall, Poehler’s SNL episode was a heartfelt reunion that not only delighted fans but also highlighted the strong bonds of friendship that persist beyond their time on-screen.