Saturday night live kicked off the premiere of its 50th anniversary season with a mix of political satire and star power, thanks to host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll.
Fans had been eagerly anticipating how SNL would be in charge of the reorganization of the Democratic candidacy after the departure of President Biden on July 21 from the 2024 presidential race. The answer came openly, with the expected return of Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris and the debut of Jim Gaffigan as companion Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, bringing a perfect dose of Midwestern dad joke humor.
While the episode didn't focus too much on SNLAt the 50-year milestone, there were nods during the monologue and weekend updatewhich also covered the biggest stories of the summer, from the famous hippo Moo Deng and New York City Mayor Eric Adams' legal drama to the Harris-Trump debate and the criminal case against Diddy.
But there's no need to worry, SNL fans! You can expect a longer celebration with a three-hour primetime special scheduled for February 15, while a biographical film about the show, starring Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd, hits theaters this weekend.
In the meantime, here's a recap of last night's episode.
Who were the political actors?
The 13-minute cold open introduced a new group of political figures, with Maya Rudolph reprising her role as Harris, Jim Gaffigan debuting as Walz, Dana Carvey returning as Biden and Andy Samberg playing second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Meanwhile, cast members James Austin Johnson and Bowen Yang played Donald Trump and JD Vance, respectively.
Andrew Dismukes, as ABC News anchor David Muir, began by monitoring each candidate's rally.
“Well, your funny aunt is back,” Rudolph's Harris announced at the beginning. “I'm very happy to campaign in whatever swing state I'm in, which I'll just refer to as Wisconsin-Pennsylv-Georgia, because I'm going to protect your Virginia-Georgia.”
He added: “This election is about moving forward. You see, Donald Trump is stuck in the past, but it's like I tell my husband, Doug, when he leaves his phone at Chili's: 'We're not going back!'”
Gaffigan's Walz leaned into his “Big Dad Energy” and joked, “I haven't been this excited since I got 10% back on a leaf blower from Menards.”
Rudolph kept the laughs going: “My campaign is like the song 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter,” he joked. “The lyrics are vague, but the vibe is impactful.”
Samberg's Emhoff delivered a memorable line directed at Republicans who have questioned his masculinity: “If supporting my wife means being a little spoon, then you can kiss my ass.”
Meanwhile, Johnson's Trump lamented Biden's absence, saying: “Oh Joe, we miss Joe Biden. What we would give to have him by my side and be old. “We had this in the bag, but then they made a change.”
Yang's Vance chimed in with jokes about Trump's relationship with his children: “Trump told me, 'JD, you're like a son to me because I don't like you, but I'm stuck with you.'”
The sketch ended with Carvey's Biden mocking his outgoing presidency, saying, “A lot of people forget that I'm president, including me.”
'Weekend Update' Tackles Diddy, Eric Adams, Chappell Roan & More
To the weekend update At their desk, Colin Jost and Michael Che dove straight into the 2024 presidential race and the impeachment of Adams.
Jost highlighted Trump's latest rally, where the former president insulted Harris and joked, “I can't believe Trump admitted he lost a debate to a mentally disabled person.”
The segment also featured Devon Walker as Adams, defending himself against charges of accepting lavish gifts by saying, “New York City needs me in first class.”
Bowen Yang appeared as Moo Deng, a viral baby pygmy hippo from Thailand, who laments the pressures of newfound fame. Jost compared Moo Deng’s complaints to those of singer Chappell Roan, and Yang’s hippo character cheekily responded: “I’m 10 weeks along, Colin. Of course I know Chappell Roan.”
Later, Che mentioned rapper Diddy's accusation of sex trafficking and extortion. Diddy's attorney, Che noted, said he's not sure he can keep his client off the stand if his case goes to trial.
“Because you can't stop a guy from using all that baby oil,” Che joked. Jost went on to talk about how Diddy's lawyer tried to distance his client from R. Kelly, who was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking in 2021, adding: “First of all, it's never a good sign that the first person you meet you compare your client It's R. Kelly. I agree, it's true: Diddy is nothing like R. Kelly. I mean, R. Kelly’s songs are good.”
Featured Sketches
'Halloween Spirit'
One commercial highlights Spirit Halloween's ability to take over empty storefronts in low-income communities.
'$100,000 pyramid'
Walker shined as Michael Strahan presenting a parody of $100,000 pyramidwith Kenan Thompson's Mark Robinson stealing the show.
'I love Lucia'
Smart plays a dramatic actress who almost stars in I love Luciahilariously showing how the 1950s sitcom would have failed without Lucille Ball's comedic touch.
'Talk Talk'
Yang's Charli
Jelly Roll performs
Musical guest Jelly Roll performed “Liar” and “Winning Streak” from her upcoming tenth studio album. beautifully broken. It was presented by her and Smart. tricks co-star Hannah Einbinder.
Who will be the next host?
October 5: Nate Bargatze with musical guest Coldplay
October 12: Ariana Grande with musical guest Stevie Nicks
October 19: Michael Keaton with musical guest Billie Eilish
November 2: John Mulaney with musical guest Chappell Roan