Josh O’Connor Brings Gentle Laughs to Strippers, Oz and More

Though O’Connor had standout moments, the evening was dominated by the cast’s performances. The sketches featured many memorable roles, especially among the female cast members, with notable contributions from the male cast as well.

The makeup team excelled, particularly in a Wicked/Wizard of Oz parody. Jane Wickline also shone, showcasing her distinct comedic style.

Jason Hughes ranks the sketches from worst to best, including the Monologue, Cold Open, and “Weekend Update.” Musical guests are not included unless humorously notable, like Ashlee Simpson. The review concludes with the standout cast member of the week.

O’Connor’s monologue started with potential, introducing himself effectively. However, the narrative about wanting to star in a live-action Ratatouille was underdeveloped, leaving the segment feeling incomplete.

The opening segment was one of the weakest in the Colin Jost–Michael Che era, with few jokes resonating. Jost’s punchlines fell flat, while Che’s performance was only slightly better.

Marcello Hernández returned to the Weekend Update desk with a segment about his “big Latin Christmas” celebrations. While some parts dragged, the visual gag of Jost taking a note was amusing, though the segment lacked consistent engagement.

The segment improved with jokes about Long Island’s OnlyFans, a high school drama, and a humorous punchline about a trio in a parking lot. The horse in an airplane seat joke was also a highlight.

Jane Wickline delivered a humorous song about AI, cleverly disguising commentary about the Stranger Things cast. Her unique comedic voice was a standout, showcasing her talent in musical comedy.

The concept of an octogenarian contestant on a dating show had potential, but Ashley Padilla’s portrayal fell short. Her performance lacked believability, impacting the sketch’s effectiveness.

Sarah Sherman presented strippers with a romantic comedy twist. Josh O’Connor and Ben Marshall delivered perfect performances, capturing the essence of a gentle fantasy with an unexpected ending.

Bowen Yang’s eccentric doctor character returned, with Josh O’Connor as his apprentice. The sketch was more quirky than humorous, yet the character’s appeal remained strong.

This parody of Spotify Wrapped humorously revealed characters’ food ordering habits through Uber Eats. The reactions were spot on, making for a quick and entertaining segment.

A new take on a political Cold Open featured James Austin Johnson’s Trump aboard Air Force One. The sketch was subdued, lacking sharp commentary, though it had amusing moments.

Lily Allen’s “West End Girl” was central to a sketch about a dysfunctional brunch group. Jane Wickline led the sketch, despite some cue card issues, in a surreal and entertaining piece.

This segment featured holiday characters in pretentious conversations. Highlights included Bowen Yang as the partridge and Mikey Day’s Grinch, with impressive makeup adding to the humor.

A “deleted scene” from the original Wizard of Oz revealed Kenan Thompson’s Cowardly Lion’s true wish. Bowen Yang as the wizard and Sarah Sherman as Judy Garland added to the hilarity.

The second installment of Brad and his dad’s adventures was a heartwarming depiction of family life, filled with humor and affection. It was one of SNL’s best animated segments.

Bowen Yang excelled as a 12-year-old college student, with Ashley Padilla as his supportive mother. The sketch showcased Yang’s comedic talent, with a surprise ending involving Chloe Fineman.

The female cast had a strong showing, with Jane Wickline standing out. After a slow start to the season, she showcased her comedic and musical talents.

Sarah Sherman, Veronika Slowikowska, and Chloe Fineman also had notable performances, but Ashley Padilla’s game show contestant fell flat.

Among the male cast, Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, and Andrew Dismukes were reliable, while Bowen Yang stole the show with his diverse roles, including Simon and the Great and Powerful Oz.

Saturday Night Live returns next week with host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher.