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Will Ferrell Returns to ‘SNL' as George W. Bush in Cold Open

It was the actor's fourth time hosting "SNL" since leaving the cast in 2002

No, it's not a rerun. 

"Saturday Night Live" alum Will Ferrell returned to perform his trademark impression of former President George W. Bush. 

"I know what you're thinking: 'What the heck is this handsome devil doing back in the Oval Office?' Well, the truth is, this is just a set," Ferrell's Bush said in the cold open. "I had it built in my basement in Texas so I could pretend to still be president sometimes."

After commenting that he's been too busy with his oil paintings to keep up with politics, he noted that he's "suddenly popular AF."

But before everyone could start yearning for the early 2000s, the former commander in chief offered a message: "I was really bad. Like, historically not good."

At the end of the sketch, Ferrell's Bush was joined by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (Leslie Jones) to sing a parody of the "All in the Family" theme song, in which they poked fun at the Bush era.

"Boy the way the game was played," the sang. "Everybody knew their place. Cheney shot a guy in the face."

They also nodded to the present day: "The housing market went to hell. Nazis kept it to themselves."

Despite it being the actor's fourth time hosting "SNL" since leaving the cast in 2002, Ferrell pretended to have amnesia after saying he had hit his head on a steel beam: "I can't remember a thing. Except that I was going to sing."

As he took to the stage for his monologue, blood trickled down his forehead. He then stumbled through a version of  "I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here," from the musical "Annie," while co-stars Kenan Thompson and Cecily Strong tried to restrain him. 

While staying in character, he mumbled a critique about how the show does too many singing monologues. 

Musical guest Chris Stapleton performed two songs, "Midnight Train to Memphis" and "Hard Livin" with surprise guest Sturgill Simpson. Stapleton is up for three awards at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards: best country album, best country song and best country solo performance.

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