Between a stunning (and hilarious) musical tribute to New York City, playing a bizarre “chimp lady,” and dodging fajitas like a Real Housewife, 73-year-old Jean Smart completely crushed her first time hosting Saturday Night Live. With six Emmys to her name, we all knew she was a powerhouse, but SNL really let her flex every comedic muscle. The show was so packed and giving season 50 premiere-worthy realness!
Jean Smart’s Monologue: A Hilarious, Jazzy Tribute to NYC
Right off the bat, Smart’s monologue had the audience in stitches. Reflecting on her long career, she joked, “Honestly, I remember watching the very first episode of SNL and thinking, ‘Someday I’m going to host that show.’ And this was the first Saturday that worked with my schedule.” The crowd was hooked from there, but when she burst into song, it was next level.
Belting out a reworked version of Cole Porter’s I Happen to Like New York (with the wit and sass we’d expect from her Hacks character Deborah Vance), Smart delivered a love letter to the city—and to SNL—in a way only a true New York veteran could. She even got meta, poking fun at the fact that when she first saw the show, she thought SNL stood for Saturday Night Laughs. Classic.
Star-Studded Cold Open
SNL’s cold opens are infamous for setting the political tone, and this one didn’t dissapoint. Andrew Dismukes took on the role of news anchor David Muir, and while he nailed the smolder, the real spotlight was on the parade of cameos. Maya Rudolph returned as Kamala Harris (complete with a dance party atmosphere), Dana Carvey reprised his role as Joe Biden, and Andy Samberg made a triumphant return as Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband.
Jean Smart Takes Us to the “Chimp Crazy” Zone
In one of the night’s weirder highlights, Smart played Tonia Haddix, a woman famous for her obsession with chimps in a game show sketch called $100,000 Pyramid. Smart fully committed to the bit, delivering her lines with such deadpan conviction that she made us all believers in her character’s… unique hobbies. And yes, there was a puppet monkey involved. Need we say more?
Spirit Halloween Commercial: Hilarious and Too Real
The “Spirit Halloween” commercial skit is a perfect example of SNL satire at its finest. The sketch poked fun at how the iconic pop-up stores take over every vacant space in small-town America for six weeks, sell barely-legal costumes, then disappear faster than your paycheck. The timing, just ahead of spooky season, was perfect—and had the audience howling in laughter. Who knew corporate gentrification could be this funny?
Barbara Berkman, The Romance Novelist-Turned-Textbook Writer
Smart’s range was on full display in the sketch where she played Barbara Berkman, a romance novelist forced to write a math textbook for kids. The catch? She just can’t stop herself from inserting steamy scenes into math problems. Kenan Thompson’s obsession with one of her characters, Clarissa, was gold. But it was Smart’s growing frustration at her ridiculous situation that made this one a standout sketch of the night.
Weekend Update: Bowen Yang Saves the Day
The Weekend Update desk returned with Colin Jost and Michael Che delivering their usual banter. But the real hero of this segment was Bowen Yang, who stole the spotlight as Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo. Yang’s comedic timing was impeccable, delivering a Chappell Roan-inspired take on the tiny internet star. The “Hungry Hungry Jada Pinkett” line? Instant classic.
Also in the Update hot seat was Devon Walker as New York’s recently indicted mayor Eric Adams, who proclaimed he’d turned NYC into “Swagopolis.” His over-the-top confidence and perfectly timed punchlines brought new energy to the Update desk, leaving us hoping for more Walker in the coming weeks.
The Final Stretch: “I Love Lucy” and “Talk Talk”
Towards the end of the show SNL took us back in time to the black and white era of TV. Smart played a dramatic actress who originally auditioned for I Love Lucy. Imagine a more melodramatic, chain smoking, alcoholic, less funny version of Lucy Ricardo— Smart nailed the part.
In the other, Bowen Yang went full Charli XCX in Talk Talk, a skit where Smart appeared as a Swiss event producer, and Sarah Sherman stole the show as Troye Sivan. It was quirky, bizarre, and undeniably hilarious. Definitely worth a watch!
Jelly Roll Performs “Liar” and “Winning Streak”
Musical guest Jelly Roll brought serious emotional depth with his two performances of “Liar” and “Winning Streak”. Fresh off his recent statements about attending Alcoholics Anonymous, you could feel his journey woven into every note. His soulful, heartfelt delivery was a perfect balance to the night’s comedy.
Jean Smart’s first time hosting SNL was long overdue, but boy, was it worth the wait. From her razor-sharp humor to the pure joy she brought to each sketch, she proved why she’s one of TV’s most beloved stars. Here’s hoping she doesn’t wait another 50 seasons to come back!
