In every room and every broadcast Bill Walton is in, he immediately becomes the center of attention. Such was the case on Saturday—well, sort of.
Actor James Austin Johnson took a turn as the eccentric commentator on last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, impersonating Walton during the famous “Weekend Update” segment with SNL mainstay Michael Che. And though it wasn’t the real Walton on the set, you’d be forgiven for being fooled, as Johnson nails the impression from the jump.
“It’s amazing to be here at Saturday Night Live, perhaps the premier comedy show in the history of Western civilization,” Johnson said to open his appearance. “Michael Che, the Wizard of Weekend Update, Lord of the Lower East Side, throw it down, big fella!”
As Che attempted to get Walton’s take on the Lakers’ chances of making the postseason, the tie-dye-clad announcer went on one of his trademarked riffs. That eventually led to him doing a play-by-play for a Lakers game that, according to him, takes place in the future.
“My spirit guide—a headless, Babylonian priestess—sends me flashes of what is, what was and what shall be. So I’m calling a game that takes place next Wednesday.”
Che, ever committed to getting a straight answer out of Walton, asked again whether or not the Lakers could make the playoffs. Walton finally addressed the query, but, of course, added standard Walton flare to his response.
“Yes, the Lakers can make the playoffs, if they can answer one simple question: Is there an afterlife, and what scientific basis is there for the persistence of the soul after death? Oh, foul on Davis, that’s his fourth.”
