SNL101

Saturday Night Live in the Classroom

Episode 52: Finn Wolfhard (S51E10) 01/23/2026

Episode 52: Finn Wolfhard (S51E10) We discuss Finn Wolfhard’s January 2026 SNL hosting debut on . Known for Stranger Things, It, and Ghostbusters. Finn’s monologue featured former castmates, sparking nostalgia and strong audience energy, but the episode was uneven with many underdeveloped sketches. We talk about the clever genre blending and figurative language, as well as slash fiction and fan creativity in “” and expand into how reboots, remakes, and fan-inspired storytelling function in corporate media with “.” Readings include a primer on figurative language from the poetry foundation and Textual Poachers by Henry Jenkins, as well as examples of great remakes, reboots, and requels - oh my! /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/39848880

Episode 51: Ariana Grande (S51E09) 01/16/2026

Episode 51: Ariana Grande (S51E09) In this episode, we discuss Ariana Grande’s third time hosting on . She aced the assignment, seamlessly fitting in with the cast, vocal talent, and playful, theater-kid energy. Coupled with the Bowen Yang’s final appearance and Cher as musical guest, the episode was one of the best of the season. We discuss “” and race, sentimentality, white guilt, and humor’s role in social critique, as well as the linguistic power of impressions. Readings include James Baldwin, linguistic research on paralanguage, and Jordan Peele’s Get Out. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/39759990

Episode 50: Josh O'Connor (S51E08) 01/10/2026

Episode 50: Josh O'Connor (S51E08) We discuss Josh O’Connor’s hosting debut on . He was charming but the episode was uneven. We discuss how “” plays on the “soft boy” aesthetic as well as the complexity of masculinity and how desire, gender norms, and emotional authenticity are negotiated in popular culture. We also talk about how “” can be used for a deep dive into memory, shame, data privacy, and self-perception. Resources including readings on shame and the privacy paradox as well as films that explore the concept of memory. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/39680460

Episode 49: Melissa McCarthy (S51E07) 12/16/2025

Episode 49: Melissa McCarthy (S51E07) Online comments hailed Melissa McCarthy’s sixth turn hosting on as comic genius, but our collective take was more mixed. We discuss and Jost’s growing confidence as a performer as well as , which showcased McCarthy’s dramatic range. We focus on to discuss fat humor, embodiment, loneliness, and attachment theory. Readings and resources include theoretical work regarding fatness and loneliness, as well as conversations on Harlow’s psychologically deprived monkeys. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/39420280

Episode 48: Glen Powell (S51E06) 12/06/2025

Episode 48: Glen Powell (S51E06) We discuss Glen Powell’s hosting debut, one of the season’s strongest thanks to his full commitment, physicality, and enthusiasm. Luvell explores how “” taps into concerns about AI ethics, memory, and “enshittification,” Charisse praises “” for illustrating cultivation theory and how media shapes perceptions of entire cultures, and Chuck highlights “” for its choreography, queer slang, and playful stereotypes. We also examine the darkly comic return of and the episode’s surprisingly sharp handling of Epstein, showcasing the show’s willingness to take risks. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/39307030

Episode 47: Nikki Glaser (S51E05) 11/11/2025

Episode 47: Nikki Glaser (S51E05) We discuss Nikki Glaser’s first time hosting on . bringing her bold, boundary-pushing comedy to network broadcast television. Glaser's —filled with taboo humor about rape, trafficking, and pedophilia—was a masterclass in “gross-out” comedy where Glaser targets herself rather than others. Charisse compares Glaser to John Waters, Luvell connects the episode to philosophical debates about ethical taboos in humor, and Chuck situates it in a tradition of transgressive film comedies like Scary Movie, Road Trip, and Serial Mom. Readings include Film Comedy by Geoff King and the Politico article, "‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat." /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38992355

Episode 46: Miles Teller (S51E04) 11/08/2025

Episode 46: Miles Teller (S51E04) We discuss Miles Teller’s second time hosting on . The episode was uneven, it was technically good but lacked “flavor.” We discuss how we could use “” in class to discuss the true crime genre, strategic use of archetypes in comedy, and using gendered dynamics in screenwriting. Readings feature Ralph Ellison, Richard Butsch, and a history of true crime from Jstor Daily, as well as films that comment on intimacy in relationships including On Golden Pond (1981) and Together (2025). /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38959770

S51E03 BONUS: A Conversation with Michelle Santosuosso 10/29/2025

S51E03 BONUS: A Conversation with Michelle Santosuosso Charisse chats with Michelle Santosuosso, a pioneering voice in hip-hop radio, a music industry veteran, about Sabrina Carpenter’s recent SNL appearance and album rollout. They analyze the performance’s marketing strategy, sanitized humor, and sexuality themes, comparing Carpenter’s authenticity to Taylor Swift’s image control. The discussion also examines SNL’s evolving cultural risks, streaming-era language freedom, and music industry promotion dynamics. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38819290

Episode 45: Sabrina Carpenter (S51E03) 10/24/2025

Episode 45: Sabrina Carpenter (S51E03) There were a lot of thoughts on Sabrina Carpenter’s first time hosting on . This iteration may have hit its stride, but may have underutilized Sabrina’s talents. We discuss as well as Jost’s joke about . We also hear from , Professor of Practice at Newhouse’s Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries, about Sabrina’s career trajectory and the role of SNL in the music business. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38773705

Episode 44: Amy Poehler (S51E02) 10/18/2025

Episode 44: Amy Poehler (S51E02) We discuss Any Poehler’s second time solo hosting on October 11, 2025. We talk about Emo Mom through the lens of liminality on both ends of adulthood, in adolescence and menopause, as well as gendered differences in aging, and representations of grief. Readings include an article about the We Do Not Care Club and Kendrick Lamar’s Die Hard. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38630515

Episode 43: Bad Bunny (S51E01) 10/18/2025

Episode 43: Bad Bunny (S51E01) In this season premiere episode hosted by , we discuss the and satirizing authoritarianism. Readings include a new essay from Luvell Anderson and a classic 1940 essay from Rudolf Arnheim reflecting on the effectiveness of Chaplin’s seminal satire The Great Dictator (1940). We also include a clip of discussing the reception of Archie Bunker. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38629295

Season 51 Pregame 10/04/2025

Season 51 Pregame Charisse, Luvell, and Chuck get together before the premiere of SNL Season 50 to talk about hopes, dreams, and fears for the new season. We also discuss , Bargatze's opening sketch at the 2025 Emmys. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/38464580

Episode 42: Scarlett Johannson (S50E20) 07/08/2025

Episode 42: Scarlett Johannson (S50E20) After a year of celebrations, reflections, and clip shows, Scarlett Johansson hosts the season finale of the 50th season on for a record-setting seventh time. We talk about the power of news parody with and , as well as the complexity of humorous gaze with and food Ethics in . We also discuss and . /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/37336750

Episode 41: Walton Goggins (S50E19) 06/10/2025

Episode 41: Walton Goggins (S50E19) Walton Goggins’ hosting debut on was a wild romp that embraced his newfound sex symbol status and delivered hearty guffaws and gasps. We discuss the construction of slapstick with and the complexity of racial representation in , both segments on Weekend Update, as well as the humor potential of revealing intimate spaces in . We also break down and . Readings include a reflection on Commedia Dell’Arte, an interview with Sofia Veragara, and reflections on the second amendment from legal scholars to Dave Chappelle. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36937970

Episode 40: Quinta Brunson (S50E19) 06/04/2025

Episode 40: Quinta Brunson (S50E19) Quinta Brunson was a delight in her second time hosting on . Her presence was refreshing and she carried her sketches with a joy that was infectious. We discuss the inside humor of racial epithets on , the complicated experience of laughing at oneself in and , and the racial politics of time in . Readings include a SCOTUS briefing on racial epithets, explorations of intersectional womanhood, and “The Chronopolitics of Racial Time,” a 2020 essay by Charles Mills. Check out more videos in additional resources along with our reflections on . /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36850455

S50E18 BONUS: A Conversation with Chuck Hayward 05/06/2025

S50E18 BONUS: A Conversation with Chuck Hayward Charisse L’Pree and Chuck Hayward keep the conversation going to talk about Lizzo’s appearances in S50E18 hosted by Jon Hamm. We discuss , the writers’ limited use of her in the episode, and how celebrity scandal operates in the ecosystem of Saturday Night Live. Chuck also connects Lizzo’s performance to /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36456285

Episode 39: Jon Hamm (S50E18) 04/20/2025

Episode 39: Jon Hamm (S50E18) 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. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36235585

S50E17 BONUS: A Conversation with Prof. Immy Farukhi 04/17/2025

S50E17 BONUS: A Conversation with Prof. Immy Farukhi 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 legal tests and apply them to real-world situations, fostering critical thinking rather than black-and-white answers. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36204565

Episode 38: Jack Black (S50E17) 04/12/2025

Episode 38: Jack Black (S50E17) 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 of offense, and the rise of heckling. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36109225

Episode 37: Mikey Madison (S50E16) 04/05/2025

Episode 37: Mikey Madison (S50E16) 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. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/36015455

Episode 36: Lady Gaga (S50E15) 03/12/2025

Episode 36: Lady Gaga (S50E15) 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.” /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35660460

Episode 35: Shane Gillis (S50E14) 03/08/2025

Episode 35: Shane Gillis (S50E14) 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. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35586465

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Dan Amernick 02/27/2025

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Dan Amernick 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 institution? Tune in for a deep dive into the history, humor, and legacy of SNL. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35473475

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Noël Carroll 02/27/2025

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Noël Carroll 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 thought-provoking discussion on comedy, art, and cultural transformation. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35473370

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Bob Thompson 02/27/2025

SNL50 BONUS: A Conversation with Bob Thompson 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 limitations of network television in fostering truly subversive comedy. Finally, they speculate on the show's future—does SNL have only five years left? Tune in for a sharp and insightful discussion on one of TV’s most iconic institutions. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35473275

Episode 34: SNL101 on SNL50 (S50E13) 02/25/2025

Episode 34: SNL101 on SNL50 (S50E13) 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 tailored nostalgia of the anniversary special, and takes us back to when Lorne Michaels was dropped from the network. Readings include articles and books from the hosts and our panel. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35430300

Episode 33: Timothée Chalamet (S50E12) 01/31/2025

Episode 33: Timothée Chalamet (S50E12) Timothée Chalamet’s third time hosting on did not necessarily disappoint, but some fan favorites like SmokeChedda TheAssGetta and Tiny Horse were noticeably absent. We discuss James Austin Johnson’s ability to impersonate Trump’s haughty cruelty in , the role of AI in interpersonal relationships in , and the power intra Black conversations in . We are again honored to have Chuck Hayward join us as we also unpack , , and . Readings include current articles on the rise of conservatism in the United States, the psychology of education, AI, and collaborative creativity, and the history and effects of anti-Black hair discrimination. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/35097670

Episode 32: Dave Chappelle (S50E11) 01/24/2025

Episode 32: Dave Chappelle (S50E11) Dave Chappelle’s fourth time hosting on featured a markedly mature appearance that balanced the political and the personal. We discuss his progressively classic and political aesthetics, journalism’s struggle in the current communication environment with , and the power of ambiguity and backstory in . We are joined in the virtual studio by friend of the pod, Chuck Hayward for an exciting conversation about Chappelle’s trajectory. Readings include a 15-year-old article from , a lesser known MLK speech from 1965, and Gramsci’s essays while imprisoned by the Italian Fascist regime in the 1920s. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/34994715

Episode 31: Martin Short (S50E10) 01/05/2025

Episode 31: Martin Short (S50E10) Martin Short played the elder statesman during his fifth time hosting on . This Christmas episode was filled with cameos, callbacks, and current events. We discuss the complexity of homelessness and the rhetoric of anti-woke publics in , the intractable intersection of gender and comedy in , and the winner of this year’s . Emmy nominated also joins to share his thoughts on demographic trends in the . Readings include analyses of race, gender, and entertainment including Hanif Abdurraqib's 2022 collection of essays, . /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/34726275

Episode 30: Chris Rock (S50E09) 12/21/2024

Episode 30: Chris Rock (S50E09) We talk about Chris Rock’s fourth time hosting on . The alum anchors a largely forgettable episode, interlaced with a few showstopping bangers. We talk about impactful lines from Rock’s , fan fictionalizing the 2022 Oscars Slap in , as well as racial memory and application with and . Readings include histories of standup and fan fiction as well as recent articles on honestly representing mythic and iconic figures. /episode/index/show/2c89370a-7471-4cc7-bf08-7c242ae80adf/id/34559840

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