Sarah McCall ’26

by Sarah McCall ’26 on November 7, 2024

Sarah McCall ’26

Hosted this week by John Mulaney and featuring musical guest Chappell Roan, episode five of Saturday Night Live’s 50th season was a hit. Airing mere days before a historic election, there was pressure to deliver great sketches and a memorable cold open following the political theme this season’s cold opens have maintained. Episode five had a surprise guest appearance from Vice President Kamala Harris to kick off the episode, where she gave a pep talk to Maya Rudolph’s depiction of Harris through a mirror. This tried and true approach, also used in episode three of season 50 by Ariana Grande for the Jennifer Coolidge “Maybelline” sketch, was key in introducing Harris. Rudolph’s strikingly accurate portrayal of Harris has created significant online discourse which created the grounds to include the self-talk mirror bit as an introduction. The wait until the end of the segment to introduce Harris allowed Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan, Dana Carvery, Bowen Yang, and James Austin Johnson to continue their political figure depictions without being overshadowed by the vice president’s appearance 

The best sketch of the night has to go to Mulaney’s “Port Authority Duane Read.” While nothing could ever top the original musical-themed sketch “Diner Lobster,” Mulaney knocked it out of the park with a fifth musical-themed sketch, featuring parodies of songs from The Lion King, Hamilton, and The Sound of Music. Pete Davidson is featured again as the catalyst customer, this time at a Duane Read in the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Mulaney, as the cashier, is upset by Davidson’s choice to buy milk at a Duane Read in Port Authority. Playing on the experiences of New Yorkers in Port Authority, the situation becomes a musical production, featuring songs from multiple Broadway shows. Mulaney, now a six-time host, continues his legacy as an SNL writer from 2008–2012.

Weekend Update, hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che, is the best segment for memorable one-liners and this episode was full of them. There was a primary focus on the election, as there consistently has been throughout this season. Che decided not to engage with a headline mentioning the New York Yankees’ loss in the World Series, but did make some controversial jokes, noting he was going to “get a lot of letters tonight.” Heidi Gardner made an appearance at the Weekend Update desk as Reba McEntire giving her endorsement, or lack thereof, for president. Gardner, always a consistent cast member, had a solid portrayal of McEntire and delivered as well as always. Marcello Hernandez and Jane Wickline were the next feature at the desk, portraying the “Couple You Can’t Believe Are Together.” Wickline, a new featured cast member, took this sketch and ran with it. After a shaky first appearance on Weekend Update, her second feature gave her the opportunity  to show more of her range while staying true to her consistent monotone delivery. Hernandez, who has created a lot of public attention with his recent SNL sketches, has become a fan favorite, and this sketch with Wickline emphasized both of their comedic abilities.

Roan’s performance of “Pink Pony Club” was one for the books. Her engagement with the audience and the crowd’s singing along made this a stellar performance. After her breakout year as an artist, Roan’s SNL debut was just what she needed. Episode five was a fairly solid episode, with hard hitting sketches and a great outlook for cast members like Wickline as well as musical guest Roan. On Nov. 9, Bill Burr will host with musical guest Mk.gee, followed by Charli XCX, who will host and perform Nov. 16.