Overview

In the aftermath of a thrilling 50th Anniversary season, "Saturday Night Live" seems to have hit a snag. Last night’s episode, featuring recent Oscar-winner Mikey Madison at the helm, alongside the often-controversial Morgan Wallen as the musical guest, felt notably lackluster. From reviving stale characters to hasty sketch transitions, the episode bore the marks of a cast drained from a truly ambitious season.

Cold Open

The night kicked off with a cold open, sharply addressing a recent gaffe involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, portrayed by Andrew Dismukes. The sketch cleverly juxtaposed Hegseth’s blunder of sharing sensitive information in a group chat with a gaggle of teenage girls. While the moment drew some easy chuckles, the heavy reality behind the humor cast a somber shadow over the light-heartedness of the show.

Sketch Highlights

Marcello Hernandez continues to shine this season; however, the first live sketch fell short of expectations as it revisited his acting teacher character from a previous episode with Charli XCX. The concept of an acting class for commercials led by an over-the-top instructor felt uninspired, almost as if the writers had run out of steam and simply recycled old material. Though Hernandez delivered some entertaining moments, the humor felt forced and awkward.

Pre-taped segments were scattered throughout the night, with the standout being "Big Dumb Line". Starring Madison, Chloe Fineman, and Bowen Yang, this sketch cleverly mocked the recent social media trend where friends stand in line for hyped-up experiences. The commentary on our culture's obsession with fleeting fads resonated well, even if Joe Jonas's cameo didn’t quite elevate the humor.

Live Sketches

Sadly, many live sketches struggled to hit the mark last night. The sketch "Jury Duty" stood out as a candid reminder of the unpredictability of live performances, showcasing both the charm and chaos that comes with such endeavors. The sketch's premise allowed cast members, including Nwodim and Madison, to explore their impersonation skills while humorously depicting the absurdity of jury selections in today’s world.

Looking Ahead

While fans eagerly anticipate the show's return on April 5, featuring hosts like Jack Black and musical legends Elton John and Brandi Carlile, last night's episode serves as a reminder that even the most beloved shows can have off nights. As "Saturday Night Live" continues to evolve, one can only hope that the creativity and magic of earlier seasons will reignite the spark that keeps audiences tuning in week after week. Whether it’s new skits or fresh takes on recurring characters, it’s clear that more needs to be done to captivate viewers again. Stay tuned for what’s next!