Episode 39: Jon Hamm (S50E18)
SNL101
Jon Hamm understood the assignment in his 4th time as host on . We discuss satirizing socioeconomic inequality in , civil disobedience with , and the complexity of roasting and comedy writing via , , and . Readings address psychological impacts of socioeconomic class, Henry David Thoreau’s essay on the relationships between individual citizens and government, and readings from our cohosts on the ethics of satire and humor. Stay tuned for a bonus conversation with Charisse L’Pree and Chuck Hayward on Lizzo, the paucity of popular protest music, and comedy post scandal.
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S50E17 BONUS: A Conversation with Prof. Immy Farukhi
SNL101
We talk with , an entertainment lawyer and professor at Syracuse University, about the legal frameworks around obscenity, indecency, and satire in media—particularly in the context of . We discuss the legal distinctions between "obscene" (not protected by the First Amendment) and "indecent" (protected but regulatable). We also the role of satire and how SNL's political commentary, even when crude or biting, is protected under the First Amendment despite the inherent political nature of the FCC. Prof. Farukhi emphasizes the importance of nuanced legal education, teaching students to analyze...
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Episode 38: Jack Black (S50E17)
SNL101
Jack Black’s 4th time hosting on was a refreshingly silly reprieve, from current events and a string of underwhelming episodes. We discuss the implications of the call-and-response-gone-wrong in , ethical non-monogamy in , and the potential of framing to disrupt collective memory in . We also discuss through the lens of learning to engage with media, the psychology of heckling, and imaginative resistance. Entertainment attorney and Newhouse TRF Professor also shares his strategy for teaching obscenity and indecency. Readings include developmental and relationship psychology, the context...
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Episode 37: Mikey Madison (S50E16)
SNL101
Mikey Madison’s hosting premiere on was largely unimpressive and was overshadowed by Morgan Wallen’s abrupt departure during the closing credits. We discuss punching down and missed opportunities as well as the art of waiting in , reboot culture in , and the dynamics of inside jokes with . Readings include the cultural and industry significance of reboots and the importance of waiting and patience in an increasingly on demand world.
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Episode 36: Lady Gaga (S50E15)
SNL101
Lady Gaga’s second time hosting (and as musical guest) on generated a lot of feelings, some good, some bad, some funny, some sad. We discuss the power of satire in the , satirizing masculinity and power in , the manic pixie dream girl and commodity feminism in , and language and power in . Readings include the social history of single women in the United States, the effects of income imbalance within marriages, and a 1979 essay by James Baldwin entitled,” If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell me What Is.”
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Episode 35: Shane Gillis (S50E14)
SNL101
Shane Gillis’ second time hosting on March 1, 2025 showcased the potential of a host to “make the show his own;” Gillis was clearly active in the writers room and appeared in every sketch. We discuss how to satirize stereotypes in the and , the difficulty in satirizing Trump in the , the trolley problem in , and the absurdity of direct to consumer drug ads in . Readings include critical analyses of pornography, the complexity of drug ads, and a takedown of a beloved philosophical problem.
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SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Dan Amernick
SNL101
We talk with Dr. Dan Amernick, Senior Professional Lecturer and department chair of Media Arts at Marist University. We discuss the show's transformation from an experimental comedy space to a corporate-driven institution, its role in shaping political discourse, and how it has both reflected and influenced American culture over 50 years. The conversation explores the rise of celebrity cameos, the diminishing space for emerging cast members, and the commercialization of SNL’s once-subversive edge. Is the show still a groundbreaking force in comedy, or has it become a self-congratulatory...
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SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Noël Carroll
SNL101
We talk with Dr. Noël Carroll, distinguished professor of philosophy, film and media cultures at the Graduate School at the City University of New York (CUNY) and a leading figure in contemporary philosophy of art. We discuss SNL’s reinvention of classic comedy formats, its role in shaping political satire, and its connections to countercultural movements. Carroll reflects on whether SNL is truly subversive or simply a product of capitalist entertainment, and the group debates the show's longevity in a changing media landscape. Is SNL an enduring institution or an aging relic? Tune in for a...
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SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Bob Thompson
SNL101
We talk with Dr. Robert Thompson, the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. We discuss its evolution, cultural impact, and role in political satire. From its nostalgic anniversary special to its function as a talent incubator, they explore SNL’s strengths, shortcomings, and digital-age relevance. The conversation critiques the show’s tendency toward superficial political humor, its struggles with inclusivity, and the...
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Episode 34: SNL101 on SNL50 (S50E13)
SNL101
In this special episode of SNL101, we are joined by comedy scholars , , and , as well as friend of the pod Chuck Hayward, to discuss 50 years of Saturday Night Live through the lens of the . We talk about the show’s role in establishing comedy across the 20th and 21st centuries from to , its complicated relationship with representing Blackness and Black humor exemplified in the montage, and how this epic oeuvre can be used to foster conversations in the classroom. We also introduce three featured players who bring a unique skill set: discusses SNL as a comedy innovator, spotlights the...
info_outlinePaul Mescal puts on an adequate performance in his SNL debut on December 7, 2024. 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). Readings including a meta analysis of social comparison, philosophy and psychology of creativity, and a review of genre performances at the box office.