Among the highlights was a chaotic lineup of mic-sketches featuring zany characters, including Marcello Hernández as an acting teacher, alongside a heartfelt moment juxtaposed against the chaos of a character looking out a window reminiscent of “The Waffle House.” Additionally, we saw an unexpected return of Bowen Yang’s midwife character from two years ago. This revival caught audiences off-guard, showing just how close it mirrored the original sketch, possibly more so than any other recurring bits this season.

While we observed diminishing returns from some recurring sketches, the latest SNL Animated Short made a triumphant return, delivering sharp critiques of New York City and viral health influencer Ashton Hall. Additionally, the Weekend Update segment struck a chord, showcasing solid performances from newer cast members, always refreshing to witness. Notably, Joe Jonas made a surprise appearance in a recent music video, adding an unexpected twist to the evening’s entertainment.

As for Mikey, her performance showcased a bit of inconsistency. It took her a moment to find the rhythm and cadence essential for live television, revealing her strengths as a dramatic actress rather than a comedic one. Nevertheless, she managed to find her footing and maintained composure throughout. While she may not be remembered as a standout surprise, she certainly held her own and allowed the rest of the cast to shine more brightly this week.

In a surprising turn of events, musical guest Morgan Wallen appeared somewhat disengaged during the farewell moments of the show, leaving the stage shortly after Mikey expressed her gratitude. This unexpected exit left the cast watching him depart as the credits rolled. Notably, TMZ reported that he followed this with a post of his private jet on Instagram, captioning it, “Get me to God’s country.”

A source close to the country singer informed TMZ that the situation was a simple misunderstanding. He reportedly exhibited the same excitement during dress rehearsal and the camera blocking, leading him to believe that was the expected behavior. This was Morgan’s second appearance on the show, following an earlier cancellation due to his Covid maskless partying that scrapped his planned 2020 debut.

In our typical format, we’ll be ranking all the sketches from least to most successful, including the Monologue, Cold Open, “Weekend Update,” and any sketches that were cut for time but made their way online. We won’t be covering the musical guests, as they are rarely comedic — unless Ashlee Simpson makes an appearance. We will conclude with a look at the cast member who had the strongest week.

Mikey seemed to struggle with the live performance aspect, possibly due to either a lack of experience or being advised to overlook audience reactions. This led to some of her lines getting buried beneath the audience applause and cheers. Overall, the monologue lacked engagement, with Mikey delivering some flat line readings. Her discussion about her movie “range” and horse backstory failed to land humorously, leaving the only notable moment being her attempted pole-dancing showcase, which featured a surprisingly fit body double. Contrary to her claim of having a relaxed vibe, she appeared tense and uncomfortable throughout her performance.

It was expected that SNL would tackle the major political narrative of the week, dubbed “Signalgate.” However, the execution was rather lackluster. The teenage girls involved felt like mere background characters in the humor, only occasionally reminding the government officials sharing classified information that they were, in fact, teenagers. Their only humorous moment came when Mikey Madison’s teenage character mentioned her date, Matt, had just arrived — and it turned out to be Matt Gaetz. Outside of that, the sketch became awkwardly focused on how the government was using a social media app to discuss serious issues, complete with eggplant emojis and GIFs. This could have been much more comedic had they integrated the youth into the narrative effectively.

Viewers are somewhat familiar with Barry the midwife, but was the spelling of “Glases” incorrect in the text overlay? “Hillary” Duff seemed to be misrepresented as well. The purpose of this bizarre sketch was unclear; it felt more odd than funny. Moreover, much of tonight’s performance mirrored Barry the midwife’s previous interactions with Quinta Brunson as the doctor two years ago. While the details had changed, the basic premise of the doctor forgetting Barry from an obscure past encounter remained the same, alongside the overall beats of the sketch. Unfortunately, this iteration lacked the humor necessary to justify a repeat.

There were several amusing moments in the sketch, but the return of Marcello Hernández’s acting coach might not have been as anticipated. Mikey Madison appeared more engaged in her role as the “star” student, but ultimately, this piece focused on Marcello’s flamboyant, over-the-top performances. His high-stepping walk and infectious laughter at one point were entertaining, yet the material felt repetitive and uninspired. The ending seemed to fizzle out rather than deliver a punchline, making it less memorable than desired.

A quintessential New York experience unfolded in a sketch featuring new musical performers like Chloe Fineman, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and Ego Nwodim, who wait in a “big ol’ line” for an experience that ultimately leaves them underwhelmed. This reflected the universal human desire to be part of something bigger, while also highlighting the disappointment that often accompanies such experiences. The sketch humorously explored the idea of waiting in line only to feel let down, while Joe Jonas’s cameo added an unexpected flair to the mix.

Centering on life’s regrets, this sketch featured two sons reflecting on their mob boss father’s dramatic demise, portrayed by Andrew Dismukes. He lamented missed opportunities, such as never marrying their mother or trying stand-up comedy. The sketch cleverly explored some of the material he wished he could have shared, posing deep philosophical questions like, “Why do birds cross the road?” The simplicity of the premise, combined with Andrew’s absurd performance as the father and Mikey Madison’s role as his wife (and writer), allowed them to extract humor from some rather bad jokes.

Mikey Madison assumed the role of a game show host, grilling a man she met on Hinge, with Michael Longfellow expertly portraying someone seeking casual hookups with no serious intentions. This sketch had ample comedic potential, though it could have been pushed even further. The ending, while well-executed, felt slightly predictable. The struggles of dating are clearly relatable for many!

This sketch took an unexpected turn. Mikey Madison entered the boys’ office fully dressed as Squidward, providing a humorous surprise. What followed was an HBO-style dramedy interpretation of Spongebob Squarepants, resonating with the childhood experiences of countless adults today. The cast members embraced their roles as Spongebob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs, blending the challenges of life in your twenties with the eccentricities of their characters. Finally, Patrick is getting some clarity about which condiments are not tools! This sketch was so delightfully unexpected that it left us both amused and a little bewildered.

The success of lineup-type sketches hinges on the vibrant characters the cast brings to life. This particular sketch featured a wonderfully absurd mix of personalities. From Kenan Thompson as the judge to Chloe Fineman desperately trying to make an impression, we enjoyed the delightful randomness and chaos throughout, highlighted by Bowen Yang’s “Back to the Future” routine that hilariously knocked down the microphone, followed by Michael Longfellow’s furious white character doing it again, which received perfect comedic timing. A surprise cameo by Luigi Mangione (Emil Wakim) added another layer of delight. When these sketches hit the mark, we could watch zany characters interact endlessly.

Marcello Hernández closed the sketch with impressive acrobatics while wearing Benson Boone’s iconic bodysuit, belting out “Beautiful Things.” This moment even caught the attention of the singer, who jokingly commented on a clip shared on SNL’s TikTok, saying, “Listen. This is exactly how I would behave in court.”

What if…? Michael Longfellow and Bowen Yang delved into the quirks of New York City as two planners contemplating the chaos they could create. We loved the meticulous details, from haphazard street planning to Central Park, the subway system, and Broadway producing chaotic intersections. They also captured the essence of the city’s residents, a true melting pot of individuals who often seem to disdain one another. This sketch resonates with anyone familiar with NYC, highlighting its unique culture and comedic potential.

This recurring sketch continues to impress, delivering a fair yet earnest slice-of-life depiction set against escalating madness behind the glass. This time, the chaos unfolded at a resort pool, with Chloe Fineman and Marcello Hernández perfectly capturing the innocence of young love. Meanwhile, Mikey Day’s outrageous redneck character led a series of wild antics, from projectile vomiting to disturbing injuries and even live alligators. The background narrative is worth the watch alone, making it a challenge to focus on the dialogue in the foreground.

Colin Jost and Michael Che faced a lively audience as Che attempted to portray Diddy as a “billionaire oil man,” while Jost argued that Pete Hegseth and Forrest Gump have more in common than we realize. The duo delved into “Signalgate” before addressing other pressing topics like Trump’s tariffs, Kristi Noem’s prison visit, and that controversial Trump painting featuring a hamburger in his mouth.

This critique of influencer Ashton Hall’s unlikely morning routine, crafted by Devon Walker, didn’t necessitate prior knowledge of the influencer. Anyone familiar with absurd morning routines on social media could relate. Devon’s performance, filled with sharp jabs at Che for his absence from work, showcased his comedic prowess in what was perhaps his strongest appearance yet.

Will Smith recently released a new album, and as Che humorously noted, “paradoxically, the album does not slap.” Jost and Che also entertained the audience by venturing beyond political matters, exploring the 23andMe saga, a food dye ban in West Virginia, and the amusing tale of a mother chased by her teenage daughters for turning off the Wi-Fi (“Get them before they get you!”). However, the highlight may very well have been Jost’s takedown of Paddington Bear in his latest “Hear Me Out!” segment. Let’s just say, “Yikes!”

Ashley Padilla continues to impress as she showcases her formidable comedic acting skills in her role as the Joann from Joann Materials, attributing the failure of her stores to everything from feminism to Michaels after their bankruptcy declaration. Her performance was a blend of over-the-top emotion, anger, and a touch of endearing charm. Ashley is undoubtedly on a promising trajectory at SNL with her contributions to sketches and the Update desk.

While Marcello Hernández likely had the most prominent night, we still find ourselves less enamored with his role as the acting coach. He shone in the Varsity piece and captured Benson Boone’s essence in the jury selection sketch, even earning a shout-out from Benson himself, but that wasn’t quite enough to elevate him to the top this week.

In our view, Andrew Dismukes, Sarah Sherman, and Ego Nwodim have solidified their roles as the backbone of this cast, consistently delivering character and dedication. Veterans like Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, and Mikey Day continue to be reliable scene-stealers with each appearance, while newer members Ashley Padilla and Devon Walker made strong impressions during the Update segment.

Ultimately, our MVP for the week goes to Bowen Yang, who has emerged as an essential player in the cast. His versatility shines through as he transitions from portraying J.D. Vance to participating in musical pieces and bringing chaos and camp throughout the evening, including a standout animated voiceover. Bowen has truly become the embodiment of humor on the show.

Saturday Night Live will return next week with host Jack Black, alongside musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile.