Charli XCX showcased her versatility this week as she took on both hosting and performing roles on the prominent weekly show, Saturday Night Live. Throughout the course of the show, her comedic prowess was on display, effortlessly assuming the personalities of big celebrities such as Adele and Troye Sivan for one comedy sketch. This humorous bit, featuring an array of cast members, centered around the notion of botched celebrity admissions auditions for the musical, Wicked, tickling the viewers with an undeniable sense of amusement.
The through-line of this sketch was a series of ‘never before seen screen tests’, adding an element of novelty to the night’s script. It featured a variety of impersonations, including Chloe Fineman’s assured reprise of her inimitable JoJo Siwa role, Bowen Yang’s delightful parody of none other than Charli XCX herself, and an unexpected playfulness from Dana Carvey.
Most notably among the cameos was Dana Carvey who disclosed his comedic prowess, not just as Al Pacino, but also by stepping back into the shoes of President Joe Biden yet again. This elaborate mimicry left the audience bursting with laughter, serving as the perfect setup for the evening’s cold open in the iconic Oval Office setting.
The cold open also presented viewers with a relatable banter featuring Johnson’s portrayal of the luminary Donald Trump. In the performance, Johnson’s Trump humorously noted his inability to depart for Mar-a-Lago because, as per the script, the inventive billionaire Elon Musk was encamped there and showing no signs of leaving. This amusingly pitched conversation between Biden and Trump was a brilliant comedic start for the night’s show.
A longer discussion unfurls between the grouped Biden and Trump regarding the latter’s cabinet selections. At this point, Johnson as Trump enlightened the audience on his strategy of always surrounding himself with the most talented individuals available. Entirely fitting for such a unique personality – Trump’s unorthodox but intriguingly sharp wit and keen perception was well captured in the comedic context.
The vividly depicted cabinet picks, as relayed through Johnson’s Trump in this episode, were painted as some of the most vibrant, independent-thinking, daring individuals in the nation. Their description, deeply embedded in satirical comedy, underscores the exaggerated attributes often associated with such public figures in a humorous context which was well suited for the overall comedic tone of the show.
In a side note, the show cleverly recast Elon Musk and Matt Gaetz, infusing a playful reference of ‘Alien vs. Predator’. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem and RFK Jr. were humorously portrayed in a light that hilariously exaggerated their character traits, adding to the overall delight of the show’s audience. Further, the fictional storyline humorously suggests Melania Trump continues to support her husband’s endeavors, albeit remotely.
Moreover, the Linda Domingo storyline made another appearance in this Saturday Night Live episode, a narrative that audiences were previously introduced to during Ariana Grande’s episode from earlier this season. The reemergence of this plot thread, known as the Domingo saga, enriched the overall narrative of the night’s script considerably.
The Domingo sketch once more presented a group of women serenading their friend. However, this time, the lyrics of Chappell Roan’s ‘HOT TO GO!’ revealed a novel twist; Chloe Fineman’s character was revealed to be pregnant with twins. The audience’s curiosity was peak with the anticipation of how this new development will further unfold.
Adding further shock to the narrative, it was revealed that the twins Fineman’s character was carrying were fathered by two different men. One of the fathers was her spouse, while the other surprise contributor turned out to be a mysterious man named Domingo. This intriguing plot twist transformed the storyline into an undeniable hit, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting the resolution.
The show peppered in other amusing tidbits throughout the night, ensuring non-stop entertainment for viewers. Among these was a spectacle of SNL Short featuring Charli XCX and Andy Samberg, which injected even more humor into the upbeat and fun-filled episode with its unique comedic stylings.
In a delightful crossover with popular culture, both representatives of the infamous Tiger King and the bereaved partner of Peanut the Squirrel gave guest appearances during the beloved Weekend Update segment. These fun diversions served to continuously pique and sustain the audience’s interest, creating an enjoyable and dynamic viewing experience throughout the entire night.