SNL101

Joined by poet and critic Joy Priest, we discuss Inde Navarrette's Halloween debut on October 31, 2026 . We discuss her monologue's callback to Shane Gillis' gym joke through the lens of counter-speech and persona versus performer in stand-up, "Bootygate" Trump jokes from the Scary Halloween Cold Open regarding audience knowledge and Black satire's refusal to take power seriously. We also talk abo...

We discuss Shane Gillis's third turn hosting SNL on October 10, 2026 . After reviewing the harsh critical response, including Dan Levy's condemnation of Gillis's gym monologue, the hosts debate whether Gillis is playing a self-aware version of "bro" comedy and how much nuance his sketches actually contain. Luvell examines how fans and critics alike respond to Gillis the person rather than the humo...

Dakota Johnson hosts for the third time on October 3 2026 , and we are joined by writer, director, and educator Ashleigh Akilah Rucker. To put it nicely, the night was uneven; many sketches seemed to lack purpose, but there were high moments in the Weekend Update, including Che's analysis of toxic masculinity in the wake of the sexual assault scandal at Cornell, Zelda vs. GTA , and Kam Patterson o...

Jalen Brunson's hosting debut on September 26, 2026 generated a split reaction: sports fans were thrilled, while SNL purists found the show formulaic and too reliant on basketball metaphors and sexual innuendo, but there were highlights. We explore whether ridicule, contrasting Hobbes with Frederick Douglass, effectively counters "uncivil" public figures in Tucker Carlson Reviews the Summer's Bloc...

In the Season 51 finale, we debate when Will Ferrell's sixth hosting stint on May 16, 2026 felt nostalgic and when it felt dated. Although the " Jeffrey Epstein Ghost Cold Open " was a bold timely swing, " Cast List 2 ," a near-identical rerun of a 2019 cut sketch, demonstrates how humor around teacher misconduct hasn't evolved since the Me Too movement." Nudemans " sparks a discussion of public n...

We discuss Matt Damon's third time hosting on May 9, 2026 , which was a strong bounce back from the prior week. We highlight Damon's versatility across sketches and praise his comic timing and professional presence. We unpack Godzilla Movie and the context of disgust, the psychology and ethics of time with Jane Wickline on Being Chronically Late , and the power of words and stagecraft in Auctionee...

We discuss Olivia Rodrigo's debut as host and musical guest on May 2, 2026 . While digital press praised Rodrigo's full commitment to bits, we were more split, echoing an MSNBC critique that SNL is still "figuring out" Rodrigo's comedic voice by slotting her into a pop-star template rather than building around her own sensibility. We gush over Aziz Ansari's Kash Patel in the Iran Press Briefing Co...

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...