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‘SNL’ Did an Epic Kim Mulkey Impression in Hilarious NCAA Tournament Sketch, and Fans Loved It

They nailed this.

Kristen Wong

Screengrab on YouTube/ Saturday Night Live

This March Madness, everyone from Hollywood stars to sports legends to “Saturday Night Live” comedians are celebrating what has been a banner year for women’s sports.

In the latest cold open on “SNL", the show’s writers included several jokes on how the women’s NCAA tournament has outshone that of the men’s tournament this postseason. The writers also couldn’t resist throwing in a legendary spoof of none other than LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey. 

SNL cast member Heidi Gardner starred as the controversial LSU coach in the opening skit and perfectly mimicked Mulkey’s mannerisms.

True to Mulkey’s reputation for making a statement with her wardrobe, Gardner was dressed in a snazzy all-pink outfit. Gardner said of her suit, “I got this custom-made. I just told them, ‘Make me look like the Riddler went to Talbots.’”

“People think I’m just mean because I got resting QAnon face,” continued Gardner as Mulkey. “But that’s what it takes to win in the college game. I work my girls hard every day. I make them run 10 miles breathing in Louisiana swamp gas. Then we practice full-contact. And if I don’t see hustle, I’ll throw a live alligator on the court. You better box out that gator, don’t get ate up now!”

Fans thought the impression was totally spot-on.

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Kristen Wong
KRISTEN WONG

Kristen Wong is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. She has been a sports journalist since 2020. Before joining SI in November 2023, Wong covered four NFL teams as an associate editor with the FanSided NFL Network and worked as a staff writer for the brand’s flagship site. Outside of work, she has dreams of running her own sporty dive bar.

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