Last week was Season 50’s lowest point yet, but they’re starting to creep back. Hi, Charli XCX — I have never listened to a single one of your songs until this weekend, but thanks for maybe starting to revitalize what’s feeling like a dying SNL year?

She was part of the very funny 2022 “Meatballs” sketch with Oscar Isaac, Sarah Sherman, and Chris Redd, so I hoped she might be down for comedy, but I wasn’t fully bought in after her monologue (although I do enjoy a Kyle Mooney cameo). Luckily that changed a bit when the sketches started.

The sketches that worked

• I didn’t love the Ariana Grande rendition of the “KelSquad” Domingo sketch, “Babymoon”, but I guess I’m the target audience, because it totally worked on me this time around. I was cracking up. Also have to note that Marcello Hernandez brought Domingo to Sabrina Carpenter’s tour last weekend, as well.
• No notes on “Wicked Auditions” — every impression was at least good, some were excellent. This is on-brand for the cast and fun to watch.
• A big yes to the Lonely Island’s “calling the cops on my white neighbors” digital short, “Here I Go“. It wasn’t the most hilarious thing they’ve launched, but it was well-done and had me entertained. I do wonder how Please Don’t Destroy took the news that their short was getting booted to after-show online release status…

The sketches that didn’t

• I’m not sure about “Banger Boyz“.
• “Acting Teacher” fell a little flat for me, but was still mostly enjoyable.
• I got a little bored by “Thanksgiving Baking Championship 2024“, but again — not the worst I’ve seen.
• I’m so sick of these cold opens. Don’t even have energy to break them down any more.

The musical guest

Obviously, I’ve heard of the Brat phenom, but I never bothered to give Charli XCX’s songs a listen. After her SNL performances, I think I’m fine with that. The music didn’t land for me as a fan — and what was with the purse on stage in “360”? The songs weren’t bad, just not my style.

Final thoughts

This was a generally good episode. Maybe I just have low standards from this season, but this one felt all right. Light, funny, entertaining, decent performances. And it’s been so good to have some Lonely Island sketches this season! Outside of the cold open and a few minor duds, this one hit the mark.

My rating: 3.5/5