This week’s episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) brought back the delightful comedian Nate Bargatze as host, alongside the musical legend Coldplay, marking their eighth performance at Studio 8H. In this recap, we’ll break down the highlights, sketches, and musical moments from a show that aims to please while reflecting on current events.
Cold Open: The VP Debate 2024
The episode kicked off with a cold open set at the Vice President’s residence, featuring Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and Andy Samberg as her husband, Dougie. The duo exhibited great chemistry, reminiscent of their early 2000s magic. They switch on the TV to watch the much-anticipated VP debate.
- Chloe Fineman shone as moderator Margaret Brennan, perfectly capturing her essence.
- Jim Gaffigan played Gov. Tim Walz, who humorously confused significant historical events. His interaction with Bowen Yang, portraying Sen. JD Vance, was quirky yet oddly engaging.
The skit took a twist when Dana Carvey appeared as Joe Biden, delivering ice cream to Kamala and suggesting that the VP debate might have made no impact—a surprisingly relevant commentary in today’s political landscape.
Verdict: This cold open was a vast improvement from last week, providing some laughs and political insight.
Monologue: Nate Bargatze’s Humorous Anecdotes
In his opening monologue, Nate Bargatze kept things relatable. He recounted his experience at community college, taking remedial classes and even shared a hilarious anecdote about discovering raspberries at the age of 40.
- Key Highlights:
- His take on DoorDash was relatable to many.
- The comedic delivery made it a solid start to the night.
Jeff Richards, a former SNL cast member, praised Bargatze’s comedic style, noting his strong stand-up background.
Sketch Highlights
George Washington’s Linguistic Dilemmas
One of the sketches featured Nate Bargatze portraying George Washington, tackling the quirks of the English language with humorous observations about word variations.
- Puns and Wordplay:
- A comedic focus on the term “dozen” and playful remarks about the word “chicken” kept the audience entertained.
While it felt reminiscent of last season’s sketches, it still brought some charm.
The Oakmount Classic Golf Tournament
Next, we joined Brady Knoll (played by Bargatze) on the Golf Network.
- Sketch Highlights:
- A wild sequence ensued when he accidentally smashed a bird, leading to a series of unfortunate events involving endangered species.
- The comedic timing from Heidi Gardner as the moderator was noteworthy.
Univision — Sabado Gigante
Marcello Hernandez starred as a Spanish-language game show host, introducing a panicked Bargatze who struggled with basic Spanish.
- Surreal Moments:
- The appearance of a mini-me version of Bargatze added a layer of absurdity to the sketch, reminiscent of earlier SNL styles.
Devil Dog’s Drop: Dark Comedy at the Amusement Park
In one of the darker sketches, EMTs discussed how to handle a body at an amusement park water slide.
- Key Points:
- The humor was derived from the absurdity of the situation, and the character dynamics were spot on.
- Longfellow’s deadpan delivery contrasted well with Bargatze’s comedic style, creating an enjoyable sketch.
Musical Performance: Coldplay’s “All My Love”
As the night drew to a close, Coldplay performed their latest single, “All My Love.”
- Musical Highlights:
- The heartfelt nature of the performance was a fitting end to an engaging episode, showcasing the band’s signature style.
Weekend Update: Jost and the News
The Weekend Update segment featured Colin Jost delivering sharp jokes about Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and a fun take on the whiteness of the VP debate.
- New Cast Member Spotlight:
- Jane Wickline brought her quirky style to the Update, singing about nightlife trends. Her energy added a fresh twist to the segment.
Conclusion: A Solid Night of Comedy
This episode of Saturday Night Live with Nate Bargatze and Coldplay delivered laughs, political commentary, and memorable musical moments.
- Takeaway:
- SNL continues to navigate the balance of comedy and current events effectively.
While there were some sketches that felt recycled, the overall performance was enjoyable and offered a blend of nostalgia and new energy.
