Live from New York, it’s Amy Poehler and Aubrey Plaza delivering a laugh-out-loud parody of Netflix’s The Hunting Wives on Saturday Night Live.
Poehler, hosting SNL for the first time in over a decade, brought along familiar faces like Seth Meyers and Tina Fey. But the standout moment was her Parks and Recreation co-star Plaza joining her for a pre-taped sketch that hilariously mocked the sultry Texas-based drama.
The sketch served as a faux trailer for a fictional second season of The Hunting Wives, poking fun at the show’s mix of murder, toxic relationships, and steamy encounters.
“Millions tuned into season one of The Hunting Wives, the straight-but-lesbian, horny Republican murder drama,” the narrator quips, setting the tone for the over-the-top satire.
Poehler enters the scene in a comically bad wig, delivering the line, “Look what the cat dragged in,” while playfully revealing (blurred) cleavage. The sketch leans into the show’s tropes, from suggestive thigh-touching to dramatic “teaching moments.”
“All your faves are back, and they’re as naughty as ever,” the narrator teases, joking about wigs “doing their best” as Poehler adjusts her red hairpiece mid-scene.
For those unfamiliar, The Hunting Wives follows Brittany Snow (played by Chloe Fineman in the parody) as an East Coast transplant in Texas, entangled in a scandalous relationship with her husband’s boss, portrayed by Malin Akerman in the series and Poehler in the sketch.
The show dives into secrets, drugs, and a local murder, and the SNL spoof captures its campy essence with exaggerated flair.
In the sketch, Poehler, Fineman, Sarah Sherman, and Ashley Padilla play the core “hunting wives,” but Plaza’s arrival as a newcomer steals the spotlight, earning cheers from the live audience.
The women eagerly teach Plaza’s character how to mix a mimosa and handle a gun with sensual flair, amplifying the show’s provocative vibe.
The mood shifts when Plaza’s character reveals she has a girlfriend, prompting the group to recoil in mock horror, shouting, “Lesbian?! This is Texas!” while drawing guns.
Stars of the real Hunting Wives were quick to react. Malin Akerman shared the sketch on social media, calling it “the best thing I’ve ever seen” and hyping a fictional season two premiere.
Jaime Ray Newman, who plays Callie, posted, “SNL?!?!? Mind officially BLOWN,” while Katie Lowes shared a video of the cast reacting together in real time.
Brittany Snow chimed in with a playful, “It’s just us & the beans. My life is made,” showing the cast’s enthusiasm for the parody.
Plaza’s appearance was notable, as she’s kept a low profile in 2025 following the tragic loss of her husband, Jeff Baena, who died by suicide in January, per medical records reviewed by Entertainment Weekly.
She made a rare public appearance on the SNL50 telecast in February and later joined Poehler on her Good Hang podcast in August, where she opened up about her grief.
In the podcast, Poehler expressed support, saying, “You had this terrible, tragic year. You lost your husband.” Plaza responded that she’s living in the moment, grateful to reconnect with her friend and move forward.