NEW YORK — Just weeks after Dr. Anthony Fauci quipped that Brad Pitt should play him on “Saturday Night Live,” it looks like the infectious disease expert’s dream has come true.
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In this week’s episode of the comedy show – the second produced remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic – Pitt’s Fauci jokingly thanked “the older women in America” for their “supportive, inspiring and sometimes graphic emails” before addressing recent controversial comments by President Donald Trump.
“The president has taken some liberties with our guidelines, so tonight, I would like to explain what the president was trying to say,” Pitt, playing Fauci, said. “And remember, let’s all try to keep an open mind.”
In response to a clip of Trump saying a coronavirus vaccine would be available “relatively soon,” Pitt’s Fauci conceded, “Relatively soon is an interesting phrase. Relative to the entire history of the Earth? Sure, the vaccine is going to come real fast.”
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Pitt-as-Fauci then tackled Trump’s recent comments that COVID-19 will eventually disappear “like a miracle."
”A miracle would be great," the actor said while in character. “Who doesn’t love miracles? But miracles shouldn’t be Plan A.”
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Pitt’s version of the doctor also questioned Trump’s description of coronavirus tests as “beautiful."
”I don’t know if I would describe the test as beautiful unless your idea of beauty is having a cotton swab tickle your brain," Pitt’s Fauci said.
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After addressing several other comments and rumors that the real Fauci might be fired from the White House’s coronavirus task force, Pitt broke character to share some words of thanks.
“To the real Dr. Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time, and thank you to the medical workers, first responders and their families for being on the front line,” Pitt said.
