Episode 62: Will Ferrell (S51E20)
SNL101
In the Season 51 finale, we debate when Will Ferrell's sixth hosting stint on felt nostalgic and when it felt dated. Although the “” was a bold timely swing, “,” a near-identical rerun of a 2019 cut sketch, demonstrates how humor around teacher misconduct hasn't evolved since the Me Too movement."" sparks a discussion of public nudity laws, drawing on Bouke Frese's philosophical defense of nudism to examine American body shame versus European norms and “" becomes a case study in villain/hero character arcs, referencing The Godfather, Scrooged, and wrestling heel turns. We also dig...
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Episode 61: Matt Damon (S51E19)
SNL101
We discuss Matt Damon's third time hosting on , which was a strong bounce back from the prior week. We highlight Damon's versatility across sketches and praise his comic timing and professional presence. We unpack and the context of disgust, the psychology and ethics of time with , and the power of words and stagecraft in . Resources include "Gag Cinema" and the Psychology of Time as well as another of Charisse’s favorite films, Clue (1985).
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Episode 60: Olivia Rodrigo (S51E18)
SNL101
We discuss Olivia Rodrigo's debut as host and musical guest on . While digital press praised Rodrigo's full commitment to bits, we were more split, echoing an MSNBC critique that SNL is still "figuring out" Rodrigo's comedic voice by slotting her into a pop-star template rather than building around her own sensibility. We gush over Aziz Ansari’s Kash Patel in the before exploring as a case study in white performers adopting Black cultural affect, the deployment of bedroom culture and the collapse of private spaces in , as well as the absurdity of TikTok surveillance and...
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Episode 59: Colman Domingo (S51E17)
SNL101
In this episode, we unanimously declare Colman Domingo's hosting debut the best episode of the season. Praised for his warm charisma, versatility, and what fans called "uncle energy," Domingo appeared in every sketch — each one distinct, absurdist, and culturally grounded. We discuss closely , a sharp, unapologetically queer sketch about fashion-world subculture and , an absurdist riff on inspirational teacher films that opens a philosophical discussion on the nature of knowledge. Luvell shares an essential essay on epistemology and making knowledge and Chuck assigns two of Charisse’s...
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Episode 58: Jack Black (S51E16)
SNL101
In this episode, we discuss Jack Black's fifth time hosting on , which also featured five-time musical guest Jack White. The episode was fun and energetic — if not particularly deep — with standout moments including the , the , and . We unpack , which features Ashly Padilla as an awkward coworker desperately inserting herself into office conversations, to explore themes of social exclusion, belonging, and the psychology of prying. Readings include philosophical ethics, psychological research on ostracism, and critically acclaimed films.
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Episode 57: Harry Styles (S51E15)
SNL101
This week, we discuss Harry Styles' second time as host and musical guest on . We push back against mainstream critics who called Styles’ appearance dull or low-energy; it was genuinely fun, and sketches like MAHAspital, White Castle drive-through, and "She's an Irish Dancer" were hilarious and on point. The final sketch of the night, ",” opened a broader conversation about masculinity, makeover culture, and style identity, drawing on Brenda Weber's academic work on male makeover shows, films like Crazy, Stupid, Love and Class Act, and the philosophical question of whether style can ever...
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Episode 56: Ryan Gosling (S51E13)
SNL101
In this episode, we discuss Ryan Gosling's fourth time hosting on . One of the season's strongest, the episodes highlighted Gosling's comedic commitment and ability to make political commentary feel entertaining. Charisse frames the episode through a "pre-apocalyptic" lens, arguing that SNL is reflecting society's tipping point, while Luvell reads the featuring Harry Styles as a metaphor for political distraction. We explore late-stage capitalism and labor exploitation in , a Willy Wonka parody, as well as Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth in the as an example of sneering satire undermining...
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Episode 55: Connor Storrie (S51E13)
SNL101
We discuss Connor Storrie’s hosting debut on . Although his performance was memorable, we unpack the first sketch, for its ethnic stereotyping and insider humor. We also include an important counter perspective from one of Charisse’s students who loved the sketch. We also debate the controversial cut-for-time sketch , and discuss disability representation, audience responsibility, and comedic framing. Resources include film and television episodes that address stereotyping and discriminatory behavior as well as a flow chart from Charisse on when to embrace or avoid doing ethnic...
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Episode 54: Alex Skarsgård (S51E12)
SNL101
In this episode we discuss Alex Skarsgård's hosting debut on SNL's historic 1000th episode, which aired . We offer mixed reviews — Chuck and Luvell found it enjoyable and a step up from recent weeks, while Charisse found it somewhat boring. We dive deep into two standout sketches: "," in which a mother admits she may have been wrong about Trump, sparking discussion about cognitive dissonance, forgiveness, face-saving, and political reconciliation; and "," which explores themes of belonging, friendship, power dynamics, and psychosocial needs through an absurdist comedic lens. Readings and...
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Episode 53: Teyana Taylor (S51E11)
SNL101
This week, we are joined by TV writer to talk about Teyana Taylor’s hosting debut on . Although Teyana brought charisma, style, and joy, the episode itself felt uneven and “underbaked,” with writing that didn’t fully use her musical and comedic strengths. We talk about the corporate synergy with , linguistics and cultural appropriation in , white guilt in turbulent times with , and the strategic deployment of innocence in . Resources include several scholarly articles on language, culture, and identity as well as popular satirical texts including Black No More by George Schuyler...
info_outlineIn Charlie XCX’s debut as host on November 14, 2024, 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. Readings include reflections on prison abolition, a new chapter from Charisse on the intersection of entertainment and journalism, and the connection between patriotism and xenophobic jingoism.