SNL101

In this episode, we unanimously declare Colman Domingo's April 11, 2026 hosting debut the best episode of the season. Praised for his warm charisma, versatility, and what fans called "uncle energy," Domingo appeared in every sketch — each one distinct, absurdist, and culturally grounded. We discuss closely Fashion District Robbery , a sharp, unapologetically queer sketch about fashion-world subcul...

In this episode, we discuss Jack Black's fifth time hosting on April 4, 2026 , which also featured five-time musical guest Jack White. The episode was fun and energetic — if not particularly deep — with standout moments including the NCAA Post Game Show Code Open f/ Charles Barkley , the Five-Timers Monologue , and Husbands . We unpack Kathy , which features Ashly Padilla as an awkward coworker de...

This week, we discuss Harry Styles' second time as host and musical guest on March 14, 2026 . We push back against mainstream critics who called Styles' appearance dull or low-energy; it was genuinely fun, and sketches like MAHAspital, White Castle drive-through, and "She's an Irish Dancer" were hilarious and on point. The final sketch of the night, " Harry For Him ," opened a broader conversation...

In this episode, we discuss Ryan Gosling's fourth time hosting on March 7, 2026 . One of the season's strongest, the episodes highlighted Gosling's comedic commitment and ability to make political commentary feel entertaining. Charisse frames the episode through a "pre-apocalyptic" lens, arguing that SNL is reflecting society's tipping point, while Luvell reads the Monologue featuring Harry Styles...

We discuss Connor Storrie's hosting debut on February 28, 2026 . Although his performance was memorable, we unpack the first sketch, Mr. Fronzi for its ethnic stereotyping and insider humor. We also include an important counter perspective from one of Charisse's students who loved the sketch. We also debate the controversial cut-for-time sketch Tourette's , and discuss disability representation, a...

In this episode we discuss Alex Skarsgård's hosting debut on SNL's historic 1000th episode, which aired January 31st, 2026 . We offer mixed reviews — Chuck and Luvell found it enjoyable and a step up from recent weeks, while Charisse found it somewhat boring. We dive deep into two standout sketches: " Mom's Confession ," in which a mother admits she may have been wrong about Trump, sparking discus...

This week, we are joined by TV writer Cameron Johnson to talk about Teyana Taylor's hosting debut on January 24, 2026 . Although Teyana brought charisma, style, and joy, the episode itself felt uneven and "underbaked," with writing that didn't fully use her musical and comedic strengths. We talk about the corporate synergy with NFL on ESPN , linguistics and cultural appropriation in Weekend Update...

We discuss Finn Wolfhard's January 2026 SNL hosting debut on January 17, 2026 . Known for Stranger Things , It , and Ghostbusters. Finn's monologue featured former castmates, sparking nostalgia and strong audience energy, but the episode was uneven with many underdeveloped sketches. We talk about the clever genre blending and figurative language, as well as slash fiction and fan creativity in " He...

In this episode, we discuss Ariana Grande's third time hosting on December 20, 2025 . She aced the assignment, seamlessly fitting in with the cast, vocal talent, and playful, theater-kid energy. Coupled with the Bowen Yang's final appearance and Cher as musical guest, the episode was one of the best of the season. We discuss " Black Santa " and race, sentimentality, white guilt, and humor's role i...

We discuss Josh O'Connor's hosting debut on December 13, 2025 . He was charming but the episode was uneven. We discuss how " Bachelorette Party Strippers " plays on the "soft boy" aesthetic as well as the complexity of masculinity and how desire, gender norms, and emotional authenticity are negotiated in popular culture. We also talk about how " Uber Eats Wrapped " can be used for a deep dive into...

Online comments hailed Melissa McCarthy's sixth turn hosting on  December 6, 2025 as comic genius, but our collective take was more mixed. We discuss Pentagon Press Conference Cold Open and Jost's growing confidence as a performer as well as A Helping Hand , which showcased McCarthy's dramatic range. We focus on Free Sample to discuss fat humor, embodiment, loneliness, and attachment theory. Readi...

We discuss Glen Powell's November 15 2025 hosting debut, one of the season's strongest thanks to his full commitment, physicality, and enthusiasm. Luvell explores how " AI Photos " taps into concerns about AI ethics, memory, and "enshittification," Charisse praises " Norwegian Movie " for illustrating cultivation theory and how media shapes perceptions of entire cultures, and Chuck highlights " Bo...

We discuss Nikki Glaser's first time hosting on November 8, 2025 . bringing her bold, boundary-pushing comedy to network broadcast television. Glaser's Stand-Up Monologue —filled with taboo humor about rape, trafficking, and pedophilia—was a masterclass in "gross-out" comedy where Glaser targets herself rather than others. Charisse compares Glaser to John Waters, Luvell connects the episode to phi...

We discuss Miles Teller's second time hosting on  November 1, 2025 . The episode was uneven, it was technically good but lacked "flavor." We discuss how we could use " Missing Wives " in class to discuss the true crime genre, strategic use of archetypes in comedy, and using gendered dynamics in screenwriting. Readings feature Ralph Ellison, Richard Butsch, and a history of true crime from Jstor Da...

Charisse chats with Michelle Santosuosso, a pioneering voice in hip-hop radio, a music industry veteran, about Sabrina Carpenter's recent SNL appearance and album rollout. They analyze the performance's marketing strategy, sanitized humor, and sexuality themes, comparing Carpenter's authenticity to Taylor Swift's image control. The discussion also examines SNL 's evolving cultural risks, streaming...

There were a lot of thoughts on Sabrina Carpenter's first time hosting on October 18, 2025 . This iteration may have hit its stride, but may have underutilized Sabrina's talents. We discuss Boys Podcast as well as Jost's joke about Trump and Argentina . We also hear from Michelle Santosuosso , Professor of Practice at Newhouse's Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries, about Sab...

We discuss Any Poehler's second time solo hosting on October 11, 2025. We talk about Emo Mom through the lens of liminality on both ends of adulthood, in adolescence and menopause, as well as gendered differences in aging, and representations of grief. Readings include an article about the We Do Not Care Club and Kendrick Lamar's Die Hard.

In this season premiere episode hosted by Bad Bunny on October 4, 2025 , we discuss the Pete Hegseth Cold Open and satirizing authoritarianism. Readings include a new essay from Luvell Anderson and a classic 1940 essay from Rudolf Arnheim reflecting on the effectiveness of Chaplin's seminal satire The Great Dictator (1940). We also include a clip of Carol O'Connor on Dick Cavett in 1971 discussing...

Charisse, Luvell, and Chuck get together before the premiere of SNL Season 50 to talk about hopes, dreams, and fears for the new season. We also discuss Farnsworth's Dream , Bargatze's opening sketch at the 2025 Emmys. 

After a year of celebrations, reflections, and clip shows, Scarlett Johansson hosts the season finale of the 50th season on May 17, 2025 for a record-setting seventh time. We talk about the power of news parody with  Local News Stories and Press Junket , as well as the complexity of humorous gaze with Couples at the Bar and food Ethics in Victorian Ladies Who Lunch . We also discuss Mike Myers Ele...

Walton Goggins' hosting debut on May 10, 2025 was a wild romp that embraced his newfound sex symbol status and delivered hearty guffaws and gasps. We discuss the construction of slapstick with A Guy Who Just Walked into a Spiderweb on Trump's Tariffs and the complexity of racial representation in The Movie Guy on Upcoming Summer Blockbusters , both segments on Weekend Update, as well as the humor...

Quinta Brunson was a delight in her second time hosting on May 3, 2025 . Her presence was refreshing and she carried her sketches with a joy that was infectious. We discuss the inside humor of racial epithets on Weekend Update: Two Applebee's Barflies Duke and Darlene , the complicated experience of laughing at oneself in Two Bitches vs. a Gorilla and Forever 31 , and the racial politics of time i...

Charisse L'Pree and Chuck Hayward keep the conversation going to talk about Lizzo's appearances in S50E18 hosted by Jon Hamm. We discuss Lizzo's quiet-but-loud activism , the writers' limited use of her in the episode, and how celebrity scandal operates in the ecosystem of Saturday Night Live.   Chuck also connects Lizzo's performance to Janet Jackson's post-Superbowl episode 21 years ago on April...

Jon Hamm understood the assignment in his 4th time as host on April 12, 2025 . We discuss satirizing socioeconomic inequality in Check to Check Business News , civil disobedience with Emil Wakim on American Patriotism , and the complexity of roasting and comedy writing via Guess! The Correct! Answer! , Gay Parents , and The White Potus . Readings address psychological impacts of socioeconomic clas...

We talk with Immy Farukhi , an entertainment lawyer and professor at Syracuse University, about the legal frameworks around obscenity, indecency, and satire in media—particularly in the context of Ego Nwodim's appearance on Weekend Update . We discuss the legal distinctions between "obscene" (not protected by the First Amendment) and "indecent" (protected but regulatable). We also the role of sati...