SNL101

S50 E09: Chris Rock

Chris Rock anchors a largely forgettable episode, interlaced with a few showstopping bangers. We talk about impactful lines from Rock’s Opening Monologue, fan fictionalizing the 2022 Oscars Slap in Simpsons Christmas Gift, as well as racial memory and application with Grandpa’s Magic Car and Mall Santas.
S50 E08: Paul Mescal

We discuss spontaneity, creativity, and social comparison in Italian Restaurant Commercial, representations of masculinity in Please Don’t Destroy: Paul Mescal is Daddy, and the inconsistent appeal of multi and cross genre content in Gladiator II: The Musical and Shaboozy’s A Bar Song (Tipsy).
S50 E07: Charli XCX

We talk about prison abolitionism in Here I Go and the intersection of entertainment, journalism, and social media in Banger Boys, as well as a selection of #chejokes in Weekend Update that hit on national identity, gender, race, and class.
S50 E06: Bill Burr

We talk about the complicated nature of satire and power in SNL for Trump Cold Open, and the complicated nature of meaning and commercial representation in Calling Dad, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Sex Rock CD. We also take time to appreciate Michael Che’s frustration with the election on Weekend Update.
S50 E05: John Mulaney

In our post-election analysis, we consider Kamala Harris’ appearance in the Pre-Election Cold Open, the role of memory in democratic participation with What’s That Name: Election Edition, and what it means to know New York with Port Authority Duane Reade.
S50 E4: Michael Keaton

We discuss the Weekend Update appearances of Sarah Sherman and Emil Wakim and the absurdity of internalized oppression, as well as how the film by Please Don’t Destroy: Skydiving can remind us to be more empathetic in our everyday lives. We also take a brief detour to ruminate on Tony Hinchcliffe’s remarks at a Trump…
S01 E01: Saturday Night (2024)

In this special episode, we are joined by Bob Thompson to talk about Saturday Night (2024). We discuss the viability of historical fiction in a post-modern media ecosystem that has been oral-history’d and behind-the-scene’d to death and how the film continues some of the longstanding critiques of SNL regarding issues of race and gender.
S50 E03: Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande already looks like a 5-timer in her second time hosting. We discuss the struggle for unionization with Monica: A Happy Amazon Employee and magnifying the absurdities of history in Castrati, as well learning and to lose and the relationship between competition and cooperation in Charades with Mom.
S50 E02: Nate Bargatze

Nate Bargatze hosts the second episode of the 50th season with his trademark generous use of social space. We discuss masculinity in the Opening Monologue, the desires of the dead in Water Park, grotesque bodies and food in Sushi Glory Hole and Mile High Burger, and asymmetrical bilingualism in Sabado Gigante.
S50 E01: Jean Smart

In Jean Smart’s first appearance as host after nearly 40 years on television, we talk about repurposing and sustainability in the parody commercial, Spirit Halloween, Black on Black humor in Devon Walker’s Eric Adams, and the privacy of public figures in Bowen Yang’s Moo Deng.