Overall Thoughts on the Season: Season 50 was a true whirlwind of a year. It began, as expected with the election coverage, bloated and confused - soaking deep in nostalgia with cameos from both past alums and one certain comedian who has basically no connection at all to SNL. That period, while definitely not as …
May 17, 2025 – Scarlett Johansson / Bad Bunny (S50 E20)
Not the exact type of a cold open I would’ve expected for the season finale. Yet, not complaining seeing the brilliant JAJ front-and-center to open the night. The only current player that seems trusted enough to carry these weekly.
May 10, 2025 – Walton Goggins / Arcade Fire (S50 E19)
As soon as I saw the show doing another Mother’s Day cold open, and with just three players, I knew this cold open would take a different route. And here is JAJ interrupting the cold open to reprise his role as the President. I admit getting an unintended laugh from that one disgusted female audience member as soon as his impression showed up.
May 3, 2025 – Quinta Brunson / Benson Boone (S50 E18)
I’m a bit surprised we are getting this many JAJ Trump cold opens by this point of the season. Guess I cannot complain, as they always give JAJ airtime to open the show. With that said, I did expect we would have like six or seven cold opens from November till the season finale, instead of the impression showing up almost weekly.
April 12, 2025 – Jon Hamm / Lizzo (S50 E17)
Another Easter cold open? We are definitely getting JAJ again as the President, right?
April 5, 2025 – Jack Black / Elton John & Brandi Carlile (S50 E16)
I knew SNL would be parodying that bizarre “Day of Liberation” speech Trump gave a few days ago.
March 29, 2025 – Mikey Madison / Morgan Wallen (S50 E15)
Quite an interesting way to parody the Signal group chat mess. It reminds me actually of the classic Monica/Saddam/Clinton cold open from S23. I also find it really odd we aren’t getting a JAJ-as-Trump cold open. Won’t be shocked if this is the only time JAJ won’t be playing the President in the cold open, as I imagine he’ll be heavily parodied in the remaining five cold opens after this.
March 8, 2025 – Lady Gaga (S50 E14)
Considering I didn’t care for the cold open last week, and I know I’m in the minority here compared to many, I hope this one is a better use of JAJ’s take on the President.
March 1, 2025 – Shane Gillis / Tate McRae (S50 E13)
I expected the Trump/Zelenskyy meeting to be parodied on the show. Yet, as much as I love seeing JAJ on my screen right from the get-go, that aforementioned meeting was beyond parody, in a really sad way.
SNL50: The Anniversary Special
Certainly a unique way to start the 50th, instead of a sketch on homebase stage or something. Sabrina Carpenter isn’t exactly the performer I would expect to sing along with Paul this classic of his, but I know the 50th is trying to crowd-please and bring several generations to watch and that’s perfectly fine by me. Although, it is very sad that I know the other reason she’s in the building, with a certain writing duo leaching off mega pop stars and wanting to be their “friends.” But, enough saltiness by now.