Saturday Night Live Recap: Dave Chappelle Welcomes SNL to Trump’s Second Term

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Over the past decade, it feels like Dave Chappelle’s Netflix specials aren’t just polished stand-up routines but rather, snippets that could be episodes from an imagined Dave Chappelle podcast. But there’s one place where he seems to put in extra effort – the Saturday Night Live stage following a Donald Trump election. He’s graced this platform twice, first in 2016 and again in 2020. In his own words, when preparing for this role last time, “The charm lies in trying to bring some comfort to people during a time when they truly need it.

After Bill Burr filled in for Dave Chappelle on the first “SNL” episode following the November election, Chappelle is back for the final show before President Trump regains the White House on Monday. Although the episode airs later than usual, it seems that Chappelle still sees this as another opportunity to serve as a comedic voice for the people amidst a divided nation, offering comfort during a time when laughter may be particularly hard to find for some viewers.

In essence, Dave Chappelle has been known for targeting the transgender community with offensive jokes during his Netflix shows, a practice he seems to enjoy. This is evident in his 2023 special, “The Dreamer,” where he openly stated, “I love punching down.” It’s possible that he finds this controversial behavior appealing because it generates attention from his supporters at Netflix. As a matter of fact, the end credits of “The Dreamer” showed Chappelle and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos smiling together. Another possibility is that he genuinely feels uncomfortable around transgender individuals and resents being asked to tone down his discomfort. Regardless of the reason, Chappelle has consistently used his platform to fuel anti-trans sentiments, which have gained momentum in America over recent years. In fact, the newly elected president promised in December to combat what he called “transgender madness” during his term.

During this week’s SNL monologue, Dave Chappelle, known for his empathetic nature, donned an earnest expression and appealed to Trump to show compassion and remember his humanity. It’s clear that Chappelle genuinely cares about the displaced Palestinians and victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, as he expressed in a lengthy monologue. However, for a figure as influential as Chappelle, who has shown a knack for advocating for underrepresented groups, it’s disappointing and shameful that he repeatedly portrays the transgender community as unpleasant and shrill, particularly at a time when their very existence is being legislated.

Back when Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live in 2022, it was simpler to overlook the obvious hypocrisy because there wasn’t a nationwide election that year. This meant he didn’t have to assume his Voice of the People character during the opening monologue, thus avoiding highlighting any empathy divide. Additionally, the quality of the episode itself was particularly strong, which made it easier to focus on the comedy rather than the politics.

Compared to his past hosting stints, this one appeared to be the most effective blend of the classic charm from Chappelle’s Show with the contemporary style of Saturday Night Live. However, in contrast, the first episode of 2025 seemed more like a typical SNL show – as exemplified by one sketch where Chappelle didn’t even bother to participate.

Here are the highlights:

MSNBC Special Coverage Cold Open

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Biii4l597G8?si=zFZIi2gRP-LMkqGL

In a time when unity is greatly needed, Chappelle’s Weekly Show manages to bring people together with its latest cold open. There’s something for everyone here! MSNBC’s prime-time lineup receives some good-natured ribbing, being compared to “your aunt’s team of superheroes.” Donald Trump is depicted by James Austin Johnson as a chaotic, self-absorbed jester of destruction, with his proposed solution for the California wildfires involving throwing water balloons at the White House. However, the real focus seems to be on the intricate relationship between Trump and the liberal media – each side criticizing the other while being unable to resist the sensational content they can derive from it.

Dave Chappelle Standup Monologue

https://youtube.com/watch?v=57pGarTBJrU?si=cJQS4tWkaUQosyVx

16 minutes and 49 seconds into his latest performance, Dave Chappelle holds the record for the longest monologue in Saturday Night Live’s history. As The Latenighter notes, his previous appearances rank second and third. Despite some questionable behavior over the past decade, Chappelle is undeniably a gifted stand-up comedian, and his extended monologues are always captivating. Sitting with a cigarette, he relishes the mischief of expressing unpopular opinions. He spins a tale that hints at possible pet-eating incidents in Springfield, Ohio, and even appears to defend Sean Combs. Not everything in his act hits home, such as the joke about West Hollywood being safe from wildfires due to its residents already being “flaming.” However, one doesn’t have to share his views to find some of it amusing or simply be enthralled by the thrilling experience of watching what Chappelle will boldly say live on TV.

Evacuation Alert

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ig7QiZliFzo?si=1yto7w2lBAZONNIW

In the monologue segment, Chappelle subtly hints at the camera following his earlier comment about finding inappropriate to joke about wildfires. However, as expected, he does indeed make jokes about the wildfires. The subsequent attempt throughout the episode to find humor amidst the ongoing, tragic wildfire situation is encapsulated in this particular sketch. In this piece, Chappelle portrays a family patriarch whose hidden life comes to light as they scramble to escape the fires. What makes this concept compelling is its gradual build-up to an overwhelmingly absurd level of grimness, with each element adding to the escalation slightly.

Weekend Update: Michael Longfellow Pleads For TikTok to Not Be Banned

https://youtube.com/watch?v=U7qgu2Zfldg?si=3CHUNbxN0aylJqqJ

Despite initially resembling traditional stand-up, Michael Longfellow’s Weekend Update segments have lately become more gimmicky, featuring costumes such as Dilbert, a groundhog, or a cigarette. This time around, he strips things back to the essentials with an unadorned appeal to save TikTok, ending up attempting to “swipe” Michael Che off-screen in a moment of boredom. Not only is this a standout segment for the episode, but it’s also one of Longfellow’s most impressive performances overall.

Weekend Update: The Original Nosferatu

https://youtube.com/watch?v=kLU6gaXBeDM?si=52cKI-Fcaxp4rDWx

Simply picturing Sarah Sherman dressed as Max Schreck is an instant source of laughter. The creative choice to turn her character into a roast comedian – complete with a distinctive “mic drop” punchline that’s used frequently – elevates this skit to even greater heights.

Cut For Time

On The Everything App, there was much discussion about the notable bulge that Chappelle showcased during his monologue.

If the “Immigrant Dad Talk Show” sketch seems recognizable, it’s because it originally aired in Ramy Youssef’s episode from March last year. I believe that was also the final time the host of the show publicly advocated for Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

For her debut performance, musical artist GloRilla made a captivating entry, with her shadow emerging in a close-up view from behind bars, creating an illusion as if floating away. Once it moved offstage, she began rapping energetically.

This week’s standout joke from ‘Weekend Update’ is about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been getting ready for his confirmation hearing by adjusting his tanning bed to a setting called ‘Tropic Thunder.’

This week’s “Pop The Balloon” skit on Saturday Night Live seemed to make the return of Chappelle’s Show characters, such as Silky Johnson and Ashy Larry, feel like secondary additions rather than main events – a feeling that was unusual, given it parodied a YouTube show that might be unfamiliar to many viewers.

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2025-01-19 22:54