1/17/26: Finn Wolfhard | ASAP Rocky
Cabinet Meeting
Nice to see Jeremy as the show’s new JD Vance. Also nice to see Marcello’s Marco Rubio impression return, since it gives Marcello a chance to show off his underrated straight man chops.
I liked the moment with Marcello’s Marco handing JAJ’s Trump a note that says “Do you like me? Yes or No?”
Jeremy’s JD Vance, much like Bowen’s, isn’t much of an impression, but since the man himself isn’t particularly interesting voice or mannerism wise, I can forgive it.
Jeremy as JD: I came here to do 2 things, kick bubblegum and chew ass, and I’m all out of bubblegum!
I love the moments of JAJ as Trump looking out a window while Jeremy is speaking.
Nice to see Ashley as the show’s new Kristi Noem.
Ashley: I’d like to give a shoutout to my hair and makeup team who absolutely hate me.
Ha, I love the list of qualifications Ashley as Noem has for people who want to join ICE “Is your neck wider than your head?, “Have you ever punched a hole in the wall because your son joined a dance class?”.
Welcome return of Colin’s fun Pete Hegseth impression.
Colin’s frat boy, Chad-like energy as Pete Hegseth is still very funny.
A solid cold open, and a surprising change of pace from the usual Trump cold opens. Instead of JAJ doing his usual schtick, he was more the bridge between other cast members having their individual moments.
Rating: ***½
Monologue
The edited clip of Finn going through puberty was kind of corny, but I didn’t hate it.
Ha, I like the turn this is taking with Finn talking about how he’s a man now that Stranger Things is over.
Finn’s “manly” actions are pretty funny, and Finn has an awkward, weird energy that I’m really liking.
We get cameos from Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin.
Overall, pretty good monologue, but fairly short.
Rating: ***
Snack Homiez
Oh, I’m shocked this was brought back. Sabrina Carpenter also returned for this.
Apparently, Finn’s character in this is based on a real internet personality, who I didn’t even hear about until after this episode aired.
The banter between all the preteens in this is pretty funny.
Jane is still solid as Kyle.
Finn is kind of sidelined here.
Woah, we get an appearance from ASAP Rocky.
ASAP Rocky, to Kyle: You gotta chill with your zesty ass.
ASAP Rocky is performing pretty well here, I’d be interested to see how we would do in a double duty stint.
Uh, I don’t know how to feel about the section with Rocky promoting his Rap Snack flavor.
Rating: ***
Heated Wizardry
Here comes a somewhat infamous pre-tape that's been PANNED by hardcore SNL fans since this episode aired.
Ha, the concept of a Harry Potter show spoofing Heated Rivalry is SO stupid, but I honestly think it’s really funny.
Finn as Harry: Hermione, what’s the spell to make something bigger?
The quote from JK Rowling “I am not a part of this.” is pretty funny.
We get a filmed cameo from Jason Momoa. His line “You're a homo, Harry.” was VERY hacky though.
Overall, this was very dumb, but I honestly got a “so dumb, it’s funny” vibe from it, and it gave me enough enjoyment throughout.
Rating: ***
Boy Band
Interesting dramatic set up so far, with Finn wanting to use his saved money to take his band on tour.
Ha, JAJ’s costume and hair is really funny.
Ha, great reveal that the footsteps JAJ wants Finn to follow is being a male pop star.
Ashley’s exaggerated gasps after certain things Finn says are really funny.
JAJ taking off his belt to hit Finn is really funny, and Ashley’s scream of “ROBERT, NOOOO!!!!” was hilarious.
The song JAJ sings is really funny, and it’s nice to see JAJ get to carry a sketch.
Finn getting slapped by Ashley after he corrected her on the band Pixies name was really funny.
Finn (along with most of the other sketches so far in this episode) has an awkwardness to his performances, but I’m not minding it.
Ha, JAJ’s bandmates are all great here. All of them complimenting Ashley is also really funny.
Great sketch overall, and a nice JAJ showcase.
Rating: ****
Stranger Things Spinoffs
I always enjoy this type of pretape where each cast member gets a chance to shine in their own scene.
Dismukes yelling at Marcello: I WAS SEVENTEEN FOR TEN YEARS.
Chloe jumping out of Kam’s car after getting caught in the back was really funny.
Ha, I love the idea of Finn’s character getting a “Sex in the City” style spinoff.
Nice to see Caleb and Gaten making appearances here. Gaten in particular is really funny here, I would like to see him host.
JAJ has also been great as the voiceover throughout.
Eh, I don’t know how to feel about Kenan’s appearance as Eleven at the end.
Rating: ***½
Weekend Update
Colin’s opening jokes aren’t anything memorable, but I’m glad he’s not starting with a long opening rant.
Colin seems weirdly animated throughout this Update, which I have mixed feelings about. I’m glad we’re at least getting SOME energy throughout the jokes, but it also feels weird to see Colin look like he has… a soul.
Nice to see Kam get another Update commentary, and for the 2nd episode in a row too! I’d love to know the last time a cast member got 2 update commentaries in a row.
I’m not familiar with Michael Irvin, but Kam’s impression is really funny, and this is a good utilization of Kam’s energy.
The audience is pretty quiet for this unfortunately.
Ha, a funny reveal that Kam is running to the Miami game in two days.
Short, but really good commentary from Kam.
Che: There’s no cause I support more than large nurses!
Wow, both commentaries are on Che’s side of the desk, I think for the first time all season.
Jane continues her steady rise by getting an Update commentary that isn’t a song!
Jane’s insistence on having one button every day of the year and not explaining why is really funny, and this offbeat character is a good use of Jane’s deadpan.
Che, on Jane’s resolution about a man with a secret: Is the secret that he has buttons?
Jane: Don’t be playful.
Another short but sweet commentary.
Rating: ***
Dark Orbit
Ha, I’m loving Finn as a smarmy Space Emperor so far.
Mikey’s job being to feed Finn “delicious goodies” is pretty funny.
Wow, this sketch feels very loose, with Mikey and Finn having a lot of fun. I’m mixed on sketches that feel very loose, but it’s working for me here, since it doesn’t feel self-indulgent.
Mikey’s continued feeding of Finn is really funny, and Finn breaking here is really fun.
Ha, Finn just gave Mikey a kiss on the cheek, I’m honestly loving this sketch’s vibe.
I’m not sure if Finn’s reactions to the food are unscripted or not.
Mikey, after Finn disapproved of one of the delights: TAKE THAT DELIGHT OUT OF THE ROTATION!
Mikey appearing from the back to give Finn “melted boo boo fruit” is really funny.
Rating: ***½
Boys’ Day
This concept feels pretty derivative, but Veronika’s performance is fun so far.
Finn snuggling up under Veronika’s arm was really funny.
There’s not much I have to say about this so far, but Veronika is making this otherwise meh script work pretty well with her fun performance.
Ha, Veronika shot-gunning a beer after Ben revealed his engagement was cut off was really funny.
I don’t know how to feel about the sentimental turn this is taking, since too many sketches nowadays are doing things like that when the writer(s) can’t think of an ending.
Rating: ***
Free Solo
Another sketch tonight with an interesting, mostly non-comedic start.
Eh, I don’t know how to feel about Kenan’s character. I don’t think I’m really caring for this, it feels like a role Kenan has played before in his tenure many times.
Finn’s testimonial as Kenan’s friend was pretty funny, but the reveal that Kenan has narcolepsy, and it cutting back to Kenan being asleep is just WAY too stupid.
I didn’t care for the gag with Kenan saying he’s gonna use sticky slap hands to climb the mountain.
Yeah, a pretty rough way for the episode to end.
Rating: **
Thoughts
A step up from the fairly weak December episodes. Almost everything in this episode got a passing rating and there were a few fairly solid highlights throughout. Finn Wolfhard was a pretty fun host, with his awkward, but game energy throughout giving the episode a fairly fun vibe. It also helps that a few of the newbies had chances to shine in this episode.
Segments ranked Best to Worst
Boy Band
Stranger Things Spinoffs
Cabinet Meeting
Dark Orbit
Weekend Update
Boys’ Day
Snack Homiez
Monologue
Heated Wizardry
Free Solo
6.3/10
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