Saturday Night Live Recap: Jon Hamm Knows What To Do

Contrary to common assumption, it is indeed possible for someone to possess a strong jawline and excel in comedy. This was evident during Jon Hamm‘s recent hosting stint on SNL, where the writers and cast cleverly showcased his comedic talents. Known for his roles in ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Mad Men’, Jon Hamm first hosted SNL back in 2008, and made a return twice in 2010. Unlike his serious role in ‘Mad Men’, he surprised viewers with his natural comedic abilities and willingness to embrace silliness or even go for the gross-out factor (remember Jon Hamm‘s John Ham? Or Pat Finger running for City Council?). It seemed that his familiarity with the 2008-2010 cast helped, and as it has been 15 years since his last hosting gig, I was curious about how he would adapt to working with the current SNL cast.

The episode featuring the return of Hamm last night was one of the standout episodes this season, primarily due to his familiarity with the show. Both the cast and audience are accustomed to him, and he always knows how to deliver when he’s on screen. Hamm’s monologue drew upon his history with the show, referencing some of his previous appearances: “A cameo might seem insignificant, but it truly adds that extra touch, transforming a decent sketch into something slightly better than average, or when a monologue is drifting aimlessly, and it needs a burst of energy—enter Kieran Culkin.” It was a clever move, and I found myself eagerly anticipating his appearance. The episode effectively utilized Hamm’s comedic talents, from his roles as a gay dad/kidnapper alongside Bowen Yang to a dim-witted cop. For the most part, each sketch held up well.

The parody of The White Lotus lacked in humor but compensated with its polished digital aesthetic and brief appearances from past SNL cast members. The Weekend Update segment could have benefited from some trimming. However, the sketches that featured Hamm more prominently, such as the “Medication Ad” and “New Parents,” while not perfect, were far from failures.

Here are the highlights:

Check to Check Business News

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=xAKznUoQa-I

Two TV news hosts (Jon Hamm and Ego Nwodim) explain financial news in a way that’s easy for everyday people to understand, even if they don’t read The Wall Street Journal. They focus on how economic changes will affect things like grocery prices and healthcare costs that are important to regular folks. The sketch also offers advice from correspondents (Kenan Thompson and Andrew Dismukes) on managing financially, such as considering a questionable investment in Funko Pop figures or switching from Perrier to the homegrown “Uncle Bubble” instead.

Please Don’t Destroy — Missing Person

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=M9fbdJyd08g

The short skit titled PDD was truly enjoyable. A police chief (Ben Marshall) addresses his team regarding a missing girl and mentions that since they’ll be working late, it might be wise to order some pizzas. An officer (Jon Hamm) gets overly enthusiastic about the prospect of a pizza party. The skit is filled with hilarious moments, such as John Higgins’s character firing a gun into the air and then admitting, “Oh, I immediately regretted that.” In an unexpected twist, the sketch ends with everyone being upset at the pizza delivery girl (Jane Wickline) for bringing six Hawaiian pizzas, which was a clever way to wrap up the storyline.

Guess! The! Correct! Answer!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=u5-xKp6ZzCc

A well-regarded dentist, played by Jon Hamm, appears on a popular game show, fretting about potentially tarnishing his professional image through some awkward TV moments. Unfortunately for him, that’s exactly what happens as he inadvertently reveals secrets during a round with his teammate Mikey Day, unknowingly blurting them out due to his enthusiasm for the game. The irony of Hamm’s character’s sincerity contrasting sharply with his shocking admissions (“Something that’s racist,” “Uh… it’s me.”) adds to the comedic impact of the sketch.

Weekend Update: Colin’s Accountant Dawn Altman on Taxes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=EwmROSYfQac

During this week’s episode, Weekend Update took a backseat to the rest of the show, with more sighs and murmurs from the audience than usual. However, Sarah Sherman as Dawn Altman, Colin Jost’s accountant, was a standout. Her quips aimed at Jost are always entertaining, and this time was no exception as she delved into his tax returns. Some of the best lines included “Let’s go over your budget just like you go over an after-party: line by line,” and “It’s concerning that you’re letting people use your private jet for free, and , it seems it’s being used for ICE deportations?” The segment reached its peak when Sherman slammed her head against the wall to reveal “so many women bound up behind there.

Icebreaker

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=I8gXFQEALk0&t=8s

At a fresh employee gathering, the icebreaker session takes an unexpected turn. Intriguingly, Jon Hamm‘s character shares an unusual fun fact – his mother was the one who fatally shot his father live on air. The details unfold as colleagues inquire about it, all while Ashley Padilla’s character grapples with the icebreakers. Rise up, Ashley Padilla fans! This skit boasted a brilliant rhythm and was brimming with witty humor. It brought to mind the “Highway Cops” sketch from when Hamm hosted in October 2010, where Kenan Thompson’s character cop was dealing with the aftermath of his late wife, while simultaneously sharing the side storyline, as Hamm and Jason Sudeikis’ characters embarked on motorcycle adventures instead of focusing on their police duties.

Cut For Time

• Alex Moffat’s return as Eric Trump in The White Lotus parody!

Last weekend, James Austin Johnson accurately pointed out an impressive week for Ego during a fourth-wall break in the opening sketch, causing Sarah and Ego to momentarily falter. Additionally, he expressed his desire as “I need some Peep.

I took quite some time to decipher that Lizzo’s initial T-shirt with the phrase “Tariffied,” which played on the words “tariff” and “terrified,” almost diverted my attention from the backup dancer accusations that surfaced in 2023.

• All the tariff talk makes me wish I had SNL writer money.

• Props to the graphics team for the Weekend Update image of the baby with veneers.

I’m mindful not to underestimate a great host, as I can see that eventually, someone from “Kill Tony” might be brought in to replace them instead.

“Woman, female donkey symbol, portable toilet, record breaker, Raven-Symoné, identifying as a lesbian, date of November 5th, 2022.”

In this version, I have attempted to clarify the meaning of some ambiguous terms and rephrase them in a more straightforward manner. The date is also formatted consistently.

In the “Check to Check Business News” skit, the lower third questioning if meat should cost less than gum jogged my memory about Taco Bell’s increasing prices. It seems Taco Bell is getting pricey! I was shocked to find a Refried Bean Mexican Pizza in Ridgewood priced at nearly $9 – that’s roughly equivalent to a sandwich that won’t disrupt your gut health. What’s going on?

2025-04-13 21:54