In a season brimming with standout performances and celebrations for its 50th anniversary, “Saturday Night Live” appeared to hit a wall this past weekend. Hosted by the fresh Oscar-winner Mikey Madison and featuring the polarizing country star Morgan Wallen—who controversially walked off during the show's wrap-up—the episode struggled to deliver meaningful laughs. Rather than fresh material, viewers were met with recycled characters and sketches that felt rushed, leaving the audience wondering if the SNL team was simply running on fumes.

Cold Open Falls Flat

The show kicked off in typical fashion with a cold open addressing a recent faux pas from the current administration. This time, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, portrayed by Andrew Dismukes, accidentally sent military plans to a group chat that included a teenage girl’s texting group. Although it tapped into timely issues, the humor felt flat, lost amidst the gravity of the real-world implications.

Recycled Characters

Standout cast member Marcello Hernandez has made a name for himself this season, yet his return to a familiar character introduced during the “SNL 50” episode raised eyebrows. An acting teacher sketch, which revolved around over-the-top commercial auditions, left many wondering if the writers had exhausted their creativity. While Hernandez's performance brought some much-needed energy, the overall concept felt stale, leaving viewers with a few chuckles that seemed more polite than genuine.

Highlight of the Night

Among the pre-taped segments, “Big Dumb Line” emerged as the highlight of the night, capturing the modern obsession with social media trends where friends enthusiastically wait in line for hyped locations. Featuring Madison, Chloe Fineman, and Bowen Yang, this skit effectively lampoons this contemporary craze, although the inclusion of Joe Jonas felt like an unwelcome distraction. Nonetheless, the segment resonated with anyone who's ever partaken in the latest viral phenomenon.

Diminishing Returns with Live Sketches

Live sketches faltered as well, with “Jury Duty” serving up diminishing returns. While reminiscent of SNL’s classic “Audition Tape” segments that showcase the cast's impersonation skills, this bit leaned more into the chaotic wit of live performance. With Ego Nwodim as the judge, each cast member offered wildly inappropriate personas for jury selection, humorously highlighting how farcical the justice system could appear when faced with such outlandish characters.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, "Saturday Night Live" is set to return on April 5 with hosts and musical guests that promise a more electrifying atmosphere—Jack Black alongside Elton John and Brandi Carlile. Fans are left hoping that this upcoming episode can recapture the show's former glory and deliver the sharp, timely humor that SNL is renowned for. Will the next installment breathe life back into the weary franchise? Stay tuned!