‘SNL’ alum blasts show over unfair and biased portrayal of President Donald Trump

Rob Schneider — actor, comedian, and "Saturday Night Live" alum — isn't impressed by entertainer Alec Baldwin's ongoing impression of President Donald Trump on the long-running NBC comedy show.

In an interview published on Friday, Schneider said that he thinks Baldwin's portrayal of the president is biased, to say the least.

What are the details?

Schneider, who served as a full cast member on "SNL" from 1990 to 1994, told the New York Daily News in an interview published Friday that he believes the show is going overboard with their obviously liberal political rhetoric.

"The fun of 'Saturday Night Live' was always you never knew which way they leaned politically," Schneider said. "You kind of assumed they would lean more left and liberal, but now the cat’s out of the bag they are completely against Trump, which I think makes it less interesting because you know the direction the piece is going."

Schneider added that while he is a personal fan of Baldwin, he doesn't quite pull off the Trump role in an effective way.

"Alec Baldwin is a brilliant actor ... he’s not a comedian," Schneider explained, and went on to compare Baldwin's portrayal of Trump to former cast member Dana Carvey's portrayal of former President George H. W. Bush, which Schneider called "genius."

"To me, the genius of Dana Carvey was Dana always had empathy for the people he played, and Alec Baldwin has nothing but a fuming, seething anger toward the person he plays," the entertainer explained, noting that Carvey's impersonation of Bush was done "respectfully."

Schneider added that he simply doesn't find Baldwin's Trump impression to be funny.

"Because, like I said, I know the way his politics lean and it spoils any surprise," he said. "There’s no possible surprise. He so clearly hates the man he’s playing."

Anything else?

Elsewhere in the interview, Schneider — a longtime Democrat — noted that he'd switched his political party affiliation to independent.

Of his decision to switch from Democrat to Independent, Schneider said that he finds the current "PC culture" far too concerning.

According to the Daily News, "[Schneider] enjoys finding humor in making fun of liberals so they can find the 'hypocrisy' in their actions."

"Literally if you don’t go the party line — you’re out," he said. "There’s a real ugliness to it."

Schneider did not reveal if he is a Trump supporter, but noted that he's always had a cordial — if not friendly — relationship with Trump.

Did Baldwin respond to Schneider's comments?

He did. Baldwin shared the Daily News' story on Twitter and wrote, "I must admit, @RobSchneider does have a point."

I must admit, @RobSchneider does have a point:

Former SNL Cast Member Rob Schneider on the Show’s Portrayal of Trump: ‘I Feel Bad for Alec’ - Peoplehttps://t.co/B77sYQRUaA

— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) April 26, 2018

Schneider responded to Baldwin's tweet, and wrote, "Alec, I love you! You are beyond brilliant. We are both still trying to maneuver in trying times. Your talent & humanity will always shine."

Alec,

I love you! You are beyond brilliant.

We are both still trying to maneuver in trying times. Your talent & humanity will always shine. https://t.co/YSEnbc0Dof

— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) April 27, 2018

Schneider later tweeted a longer statement, which he captioned, "Today, I was asked about SNL & their political satire. I said I believe you must have empathy for those you play ..."

The statement read:

My thoughts on Alec Baldwin, whom I greatly admire. In my humble opinion, when doing political satire if the audience knows how you completely lean politically, there is no chance for real surprise. You are in effect only preaching to the already converted. It's more fun to play the middle against both sides or try to grab the undecided, subvert the other side to yours, or better yet show the hypocrisy of your own side.

Much love,

Rob

Today, I was asked about SNL & their political satire. I said I believe you must have empathy for those you play... pic.twitter.com/E5Y8VekN4M

— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) April 27, 2018