Kim Kardashian is certainly having the week.

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Miles Teller stabilizes a strong ‘Saturday Night Live’

Saturday Night Live
Miles Teller & Brandi Carlile
November 1, 2025

Miles Teller returned to host Saturday Night Live last night, his second time on the 8H stage since 2022, where I praised his work despite finding him “very punchable.” I’m happy to report that last night he came off considerably less punchable: he seems to have matured in the past few years, and grown more comfortable in his own skin. And that worked well for him last night, as he was a solid presence in a very solid episode. The episode faltered towards the end; but for a good 80% of the show, the writing was sharp, the performances funny, and the jokes, especially the political ones, were whip sharp.

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The gutting of one of our greatest news organizations continues afoot

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Taylor Sheridan and his cowboy empire are leaving the Paramount mountain

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Sabrina Carpenter charms as a first-time ‘Saturday Night Live’ host

Saturday Night Live
Sabrina Carpenter
October 18, 2025

Well, color me surprised, but this is the first time Sabrina Carpenter has actually hosted Saturday Night Live. But, back me up here, it feels like she’s hosted before, right? I guess my confusion comes from a couple of different places: Carpenter was a big part of the 50th Anniversary Special, performing the opening number with Paul Simon and appearing in the “Domingo” sketch of the night; and she had a little cameo in Quinta Brosnon’s episode last May, as well as a cameo when she was Jake Gyllenhaal’s musical guest back in 2024.

But I think the real reason I’m surprised this is her first time to host is that she’s such a natural. She’s cute, has tons of charisma, and, most importantly, she has very good comic timing and is game for anything. And that shouldn’t be a surprise, because, just like some of the other great musical guests turned hosts, like Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake, Carpenter got her start on a kids’ comedy series, Girl Meets World (a spinoff of Boy Meets World). Apparently, the often abusive pressure chamber that is kids’ television produces the occasional variety show diamond, like Sabrina Carpenter. Is it all worth it? That’s probably a conversation for an entirely different post. THE POINT IS, Carpenter did great, the cast clearly enjoyed working with her, and I won’t be surprised if she’s invited back again and again.

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All of Hollywood is grieving the beloved Diane Keaton

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Amy Poehler commits to the bit in a mixed ‘Saturday Night Live’

Saturday Night Live
Amy Poehler & Role Model
October 11, 2025

As a woman of a certain age, it probably doesn’t surprise you to learn that I consider Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler my queens of comedy and that I essentially believe they can do no wrong. I was thrilled to learn that Poehler would return to SNL to host this, the episode airing on the actual 50th anniversary of the show. It feels like a fitting tribute to both the show’s history, and to Poehler (and Fey) and their contribution to Saturday Night Live and its longevity.

As for the episode itself … it was a mixed bag. But then aren’t they all? Tina Fey swung by for a couple of inspired bits, as did Seth Meyers and Aubrey Plaza. And Amy Poehler, bless her, she’s a professional who obviously commits to every bit, even when they aren’t worth it. And, boy, there were some sketches in here that were definitely not worth it. Still, the writing was stronger than last week. Let’s hope that the writers are getting their legs under them.

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‘Saturday Night Live’: Bad Bunny presenta un episodio mediocre, pero no es su culpa. (I promise this is in Inglés.)

Saturday Night Live
Bad Bunny & Doja Cat
October 4, 2025

It’s been a rough summer for comedy. First, Stephen Colbert gets cancelled, then the FCC guns for Jimmy Kimmel, all the while President Cankles is screaming that Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers are next. So you can understand why SNL might be a little concerned that FCC Weasel Brendan Carr might set his sights on them. They might be concerned, but they are apparently taking the threat head-on: they mocked President Nuerosyphillis and Pete Kegseth in the cold open, they came gunning for the administration in “Weekend Update,” and, perhaps most importantly, they brought back Puerto Rican megastar, upcoming Super Bowl Halftime performer, and MAGA trigger, Bad Bunny, to host the season premiere. It’s just unfortunate that Bad Bunny is not particularly funny, or a good actor.

But listen! I’m not putting this all on Bad Bunny, not by a long shot. The first time he hosted, the episode was a lot stronger than this. And God knows I wouldn’t be able to bring the laughs if I had to headline a live comedy show entirely in Spanish. Adding to the language barrier, and the fact that he’s a singer, not an actor, was an unevenly written episode consisting almost entirely of sketches that were one-note. Now, the thing that drew the most headlines about SNL last month was the cast departures and new additions. But the biggest change that happened was behind the scenes, in the writers’ room. Four long-time writers left the show, and seven new writers were brought on, in addition to a returning writer. Let’s hope that between everyone shaking the summer cobwebs off and the newbies learning the ropes, they get into a better groove by the time Amy Poehler hosts next week.

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Welcome to SpoOOOoOOOoOOky Season, my little spookies!

Continue reading “Welcome to SpoOOOoOOOoOOky Season, my little spookies!”

‘SNL’ is going TikTok, apparently

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