British pop sensation Charli XCX pulled double duty this week on Saturday Night Live, serving as both host and musical guest in an episode that delivered some memorable moments amidst a few forgettable sketches. The star brought her signature wit and charisma to the stage, but the uneven writing left some skits falling flat.
Political Parodies Kick Off the Night
The show opened with a White House transition meeting sketch featuring Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden and James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Donald Trump. While the impressions were spot-on, the jokes felt a bit stale, relying heavily on caricatures of controversial figures like Matt Gaetz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“That’s an alien v. predator,” quipped Johnson’s Trump, referring to his cabinet picks of Elon Musk and Gaetz.
– James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump
Charli XCX Charms in Monologue
In her opening monologue, Charli XCX playfully boasted about being a “triple threat” in England, which she joked means “I sing, I drink, and I smoke.” The bit got an extra boost from a surprise cameo by former cast member Kyle Mooney, who tried (and failed) to prove he could be “bratty” like the pop star.
Hit-or-Miss Sketches
As the night wore on, the quality of the sketches varied widely. A screen test parody for the upcoming Wicked movie adaptation featured a slew of celebrity impressions, from Chloe Fineman‘s spot-on Leslie Mann to Bowen Yang‘s hilariously dour Fran Lebowitz. However, a recurring bit about a lothario named Domingo fell flat, despite Marcello Hernández‘s commitment to the role.
One of the episode’s highlights came in the form of a new Andy Samberg musical digital short, in which he played a suburban “snitch” gleefully calling the cops on his white neighbors. Charli XCX gamely played his “Karen” wife in the catchy, provocative tune.
“Weekend Update” Takes Aim
The “Weekend Update” segment, anchored by Colin Jost and Michael Che, took sharp jabs at Trump’s cabinet picks and featured a standout appearance by Bowen Yang as incarcerated Tiger King star Joe Exotic. Sarah Sherman also shined as the widow of a famous squirrel, showcasing her manic energy and quick wit.
“Can you imagine if they chopped off your penis every time you tested positive for chlamydia, Colin?”
– Sarah Sherman to Colin Jost
Musical Performances Shine
Charli XCX’s musical performances were undeniable highlights of the night, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence. Her renditions of hit songs left the audience energized and wanting more.
Uneven Episode Leaves Room for Improvement
While this episode had its moments of brilliance, largely thanks to Charli XCX’s charm and the return of beloved alumni like Kyle Mooney and Andy Samberg, the inconsistent writing and hit-or-miss sketches held it back from being a true standout. As SNL continues its 50th season, viewers can only hope the show finds its footing and delivers more consistently hilarious content.
Despite the mixed bag of sketches, Charli XCX proved herself to be a capable and charismatic host, leaving fans eager to see what the multi-talented star will do next. As SNL looks ahead to the rest of its milestone season, the show’s success will depend on its ability to balance political satire with fresh, original comedy that plays to its cast’s strengths.
