It's a good thing Gravity was shot before the government shutdown.
In Saturday Night Live's cold open Taran Killam and Cecily Strong took on the roles of George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Only this time, when they call Houston for help, there's no one there – save a loan janitor (Kenan Thompson).
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"Well, this is awkward. But the government has shut down," Thompson said. "It turns out I'm the only essential employee in the place."
He offered to take a message, but the astronauts implore him for coordinates to the international space station, or some sort of plan of action to return to earth.
His idea?
"In Willy Wonka. Charlie and Grandpa use a series of small burps to get down," Thompson said.
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Another janitor (Kate McKenon), whom Thompson's character said knew a lot about space, came by. But she was no more help, merely mangling the names to for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Battlestar Galactica, her son's favorite shows.
Things get worse from there. News is better for the actual Gravity crew. The film, from director Alfonso Cuaron, is headed for a $45 million second weekend.
We'll post video as soon as its made available. SNL was hosted by Bruce Willis this week.
E-Mail: Aaron.Couch@THR.com
Twitter: @AaronCouch
