In preparation for hurricane Sandy, New York City Mayor Bloomberg gave numerous addresses but ironically no one could hear him over the grand gesticulations of his sign language translator, Lydia Callis.

This week’s Saturday Night Live opening featured Michael Bloomberg (Fred Armisen) thanking firefighters, police and doctors, who Lydia Callis (Cecily Strong) pantomimed with an imaginary fire hose, guns, and a defibrillator.

“I’d also like to thank my staff with special thanks to my sign language translator, Lydia Callis, who brought some pizazz to what would otherwise have been a dour occasion,” he added. “Thank you Lydia for your pizazz.”

Not to be overshadowed, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (Bobby Moynihan) showed up with his own distinctly Jersey translator (Nasim Pedrad).

There was even an appearance by El Bloombito, whose Spanglish needed no translation.

DONATE TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY VIA THE RED CROSS