'Saturday Night Live' spoofs Johnny Depp, Amber Heard trial

Depp vs. Heard trial returns from hiatus – sort of. Photo: Reuters

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's ongoing defamation trial got the cold-open treatment on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live.

Hosted by Selena Gomez with musical guest Post Malone, the latest instalment of the comedy series included sketches about Heard and Depp, clueless boyfriends and the Los Angeles city of Pico Rivera, as well as a cameo from SNL veteran Steve Martin.

"I'm on a show called Only Murders In The Building, and I'm so honoured to work with Steve Martin and Martin Short – especially after I googled them to find out who they were," Gomez joked in her opening monologue.

As for Depp and Heard's defamation trial went on hiatus last week, SNL moved to fill the void with a cold open featuring cast member Kyle Mooney as the Pirates Of The Caribbean star.

In the parody of the legal battle, Judge Penney Azcarate (Cecily Strong) reviewed footage of Depp's property manager (Kenan Thompson) discovering "boo-boo" in the actor's bed. (In real life, Depp has accused Heard or one of her friends of defecating on his bed – which Heard has denied.)

Footage of the discovery "wouldn't prove my client is guilty of anything," argued Heard's attorney (Heidi Gardner).

"That's true," ruled the judge. "But I'll allow it because it does sound fun. And this trial is for fun."

Heard will retake the stand on Monday (May 16) after one-week hiatus as she seeks to persuade the jury that Depp physically abused her. The trial will last until early June. – The Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service