In a recent article reviewing Saturday Night Live, entertainment writer and former SNL cast member Jeff Richards shared insights on what made this particular episode memorable—and why Oscar nominee Teyana Taylor proved she belongs in Studio 8H.
The episode arrived during awards season buzz, with Taylor fresh off her Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Richards didn’t hold back his praise for Taylor’s film work or her hosting chops.
But beyond Taylor’s star turn, the show tackled dark political realities while delivering some of its strongest comedy of the season.
Political Satire Hits Different This Season
The cold open marked a significant shift from recent episodes. Instead of James Austin Johnson simply riffing as Trump, the show presented “The Inaugural Trump Awards”—a dystopian ceremony honoring those catering to presidential ego.
Richards called it “easily the best cold open of the season, and not close.”
The sketch acknowledged uncomfortable truths. Johnson’s Trump character noted the ceremony served as distraction from ICE activities in Minnesota, prompting what Richards described as “the chill in the audience.”
It’s a dark thing to say but right on a few fronts — tough to do broad comedy after seeing what’s coming out of Minnesota.
Mike Myers appeared as Elon Musk, performing a dystopian number about lost values like DEI. Sarah Sherman and Andrew Dismukes rounded out a cast of terrifying political figures.
Taylor Showcases Range Beyond Acting
The Harlem native opened her monologue discussing Miami real estate—a timely topic given the massive snowstorm hitting half the country. She shared the surreal moment of learning about her Oscar nomination while getting fitted for a bald cap next to cast member Mikey Day.
Taylor’s musical background shined in “Gate Agents,” where she and Kenan Thompson played airport staffers delivering delay updates via R&B performance. Her fourth album Escape Room recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album.
Richards praised Taylor’s physical comedy in “Grandpa at the Wedding,” where she played an 87-year-old with replaced knees who tears up the dance floor before literally crumbling to dust. The sketch showcased her willingness to commit fully to absurdist premises.
Old-School Comedy Makes Comeback
“Toy Commercial” parodied Taylor’s film One Battle After Another as an action figure line. The sketch included niche references to Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn’s characters that might have sailed over some audience heads.
Richards appreciated the show’s trust in viewers, calling it “very old-school move, like the excellent cold open.” He compared it favorably to Bill Hader’s classic There Will Be Blood parody from years past.
Teyana Taylor is one of the best parts of One Battle After Another. She’s electric in her scenes with Spicoli. P.T. outdid himself casting her.
Musical Guest Geese Brings Authenticity
Richards expressed enthusiasm about seeing “a real band play 8H.” Geese performed “Au Pays du Cocaine” from their third album, with lead singer Cameron Winter channeling Thom Yorke.
Ever the observer, Richards noted: “The lead singer looks like a mix of Bob Dylan and Andy Dick.”
Their second performance, “Trinidad,” featured blues flavoring and a JPEGMafia sample exploring destruction and despair. Richards humorously critiqued their “Taxes” music video for lacking actual geese—”not even a sparrow.”
Weekend Update Tackles Generational Divides
Marcello Hernandez translated Gen Z terminology for Colin Jost, explaining terms like “chopped” and “glo-up.” The bit landed when Hernandez observed that Gen Z slang essentially comes from African American vernacular that young people appropriated.
Richards admitted he “usually dislike[s] Marcello pieces, but this was fun.”
Jeremy Culhane appeared as Mr. On Blast, delivering corny one-liners while wearing a ridiculous blackjack dealer outfit. Richards compared the character favorably to desk work from Aristotle Athari and Alex Moffat.
Uncomfortable Truths About America
“Beyond the Headlines” presented liberal commentators (Chloe Fineman and Mikey Day) discussing federal officers in Minnesota. Taylor and Thompson’s characters groaned skeptically at their white counterparts’ shock over “unprecedented” events.
Richards connected it to Dave Chappelle’s post-2016-election sketch, noting how well-intentioned affluent white rhetoric gets doubted and mocked by African Americans’ clear-eyed POV on America.
Strong Close Sets Stage for Milestone
“Blowing It” featured Martin Herlihy intentionally sabotaging his relationship with terrible advice like “dress like a guy from the Lumineers at a funeral.” Richards called it a “fantastic way to end the show,” praising the Kevin Spacey hosting reference.
His final verdict? “I loved this!”
The episode arrives as SNL approaches its 1000th episode milestone. Richards acknowledged the “milestone overload” while celebrating Taylor’s successful hosting debut and the show’s return to darker, more conceptual political comedy.
With Taylor proving her versatility and SNL rediscovering its edge, the episode demonstrated that awards season hosting gigs can deliver substance alongside star power.