Comedic actress Tina Fey returned to Saturday Night Life to reprise her role as former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Fey nailed her impression of Palin, using the former Alaska's governor's recent endorsement of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump as prime material for the episode's cold open.

The sketch opens up with Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump as he introduces Fey (Palin) to the stage. "I am so honoured to introduce my guest today. She's great," he says, adding, "Course she's great, she's endorsing me, all right?" Fey then walks out wearing a shimmering sweater reminiscent of Palin's much-talked about number.

"I wanted to take a break from my full-time career of writing things on Facebook to fly down here and lend my support to the next president of the United States, Donald J Trump," she begins. Hammond (Trump) interjects throughout her speech with some choice commentary and a bit of sexism.

"Isn't she just the total package: smart, legs, yelling, everything," he says. "I haven't seen a woman this impressive since Jeb Bush."

Fey then takes a stab at Palin's eldest son, who was arrested for domestic violence on the same day she endorsed Trump. "We've seen our own children targeted by the police for no reason other than they committed some crimes," she quips.

After dropping some rhymes and cawing like a bird, she continues with a series of sexually suggestive comments that include some of Palin's favourite key words: "crony capitalism". Fey wraps up her sketch by delivering this gem: "Guess what, America? I don't really think this guy should be president. I'm just here 'cause he promised me a spot in his cabinet. And I belong in a cabinet 'cause I'm full of spice and I got a great rack!"