JOHN MULANEY/CHAPPELL ROAN - 11.2.2024
Vice President Kamala Harris makes a special appearance, John Mulaney does another NYC musical, and Chappell Roan debuts a new country single in the final episode of SNL before the 2024 election.
Welcome back to Sunday Morning Live!!! Last night, John Mulaney hosted for the sixth time, with musical guest Chappell Roan.
ICYMI: SNL has announced its November lineups. Bill Burr will host the post-election episode with musical guest Mk.gee on November 9. Charli XCX takes on double duty as host and musical guest on November 16.
Let’s take a look at this week’s episode!
Cold Open
In the final cold open before the 2024 election, SNL spoofs Donald Trump’s last campaign speech before shifting focus to Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph), Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan), Doug Emhoff (Andy Samberg), and Joe Biden (Dana Carvey), who reflect on the unusual campaign season.
In the most talked about moment of the night, Rudolph sits down at a mirror to get ready for her final speech, but on the other side, it’s actually Vice President Kamala Harris. In her first appearance on the show, the presidential candidate joins Rudolph in making a ton of silly puns using her name.
“Keep Kamala and Carry On…ala!”
Monologue
In his sixth hosting stint on SNL, former writer John Mulaney delivers a stand-up monologue about life raising two kids under the age of two, his experience going to physical therapy, and his journey to recovery after going to rehab in 2020.
Favorite Sketches
“Beppo”
Dan Bulla’s second edition of his Midnight Matinee series features a monkey named Beppo, sent to space by NASA in 1962. The sketch strikes a balance between drama and comedy, taking you on an emotional rollercoaster as the space team struggles to bring Beppo home.
“Port Authority Duane Reade”
Every time John Mulaney hosts, he brings a massive musical sketch to the stage, often based on a different location in New York City. This time, he transforms the Port Authority Duane Reade into a world that includes singing possums, chaotic bus drivers, and people on their way to the Timotheé Chalamet lookalike contest. Pete Davidson even makes a cameo in this sketch that pulls from musicals like Aladdin, Cabaret and Hamilton.
I’d also recommend checking out the cleverly written New York City Council, which features a campaign ad for a man who unluckily has the name Harvey Epstein. He is actually a real person. Also don’t miss What’s That Name: Election Edition, which is a revival of a game show sketch from Mulaney’s days of writing on the series. This edition features a cameo by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.
Least Favorite Sketch
“Little Richard”
Bowen Yang is hosting a series called Sitcom Pioneers and interviews Jay Paul (Mulaney), the creator of a made-up sitcom, Family Bonds, about recurring appearances of Little Richard on the show. The premise seems to be based on Little Richard’s appearance on Full House in 1994. While Kenan Thompson shines as Little Richard and the sketch has its funny moments (the dog scene is absurd), the references feel a bit dated, and the sketch doesn’t match the freshness of the rest of the episode.
Best Update Bit
“The Couple You Can’t Believe are Together”
Colin Jost mentions the recent trend of unlikely celebrity couples, citing Lana Del Rey and her alligator guide husband and Bella Hadid dating a cowboy. To talk about it, Marcello Hernandez and Jane Wickline appear as Grant and Alyssa, a couple who are polar opposites. Hernandez is loud and obnoxious and Wickline noticeably shy and reversed. The pairing is so extreme it makes you wonder how these two could possibly bond, creating a hilarious dynamic.
The jokes in this week’s Weekend Update ahead of the election were also especially strong, so I’d recommend checking that part of the segment out too.
Musical Guest
Chappell Roan kicked off by performing a rendition of her hit “Pink Pony Club,” getting the audience to sing along. Later, she debuted a brand new song with country flair, “The Giver.”
“Pink Pony Club”
“The Giver”
That’s your rundown! Let me know — what did you think of this week’s episode?
The next episode of Saturday Night Live, featuring host Bill Burr and musical guest Mk.gee, airs on November 9. See you then!
