SNL101

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 “Heated Wizardry” and expand into how reboots, remakes, and fan-inspired storytelling function in corporate media with “Stranger Things Promo.” Readings include a primer on figurative language from the poetry foundation and Textual Poachers by Henry Jenkins, as well as examples of great remakes, reboots, and requels – oh my!

Readings

Floegel, D. (2020). “Write the story you want to read”: world-queering through slash fanfiction creation. Journal of documentation, 76(4), 785-805. https://www.emerald.com/jd/article-abstract/76/4/785/205118/Write-the-story-you-want-to-read-world-queering

Hazelton, R. (2015). Learning about Figurative Language. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/70215/learning-about-figurative-language

Jenkins, H. (2012). Textual poachers: Television fans and participatory culture. Routledge. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Textual_Poachers/xxwAZj22IdoC?hl=en

Verevis, C. (2017). Remakes, sequels, prequels. The Oxford Handbook of Adaptation Studies, 267-84. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Oxford_Handbook_of_Adaptation_Studie/3FkjDgAAQBAJ

Resources

Allain-Marcus, W. (Director). (2024). Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead [Film]. Iconic Events Releasing; BET+ Original Film; Spiral Stairs Entertainment; Treehouse Pictures; SMiZE Productions.

Cooper, M., Spellman, M., Brady, T. J., & Newson, R. (Creators). (2022–2025). Bel-Air [TV series]. Peacock.

Gormican, T. (Director). (2025). Anaconda [Film]. Sony Pictures Releasing.

Johnson, R. (Director). (2019). Native Son [Film]. HBO Films; A24.

Sullivan, K. R. (Director). (2005). Guess Who [Film]. Sony Pictures Releasing.