• Apr 20, 2025

Jon Hamm's SNL Debut Marred by Uneven Episode

โ€œWho the f**k likes who they used to be?โ€ ๐ŸŽค: Emil Wakim #shorts - YouTube
Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple of American television for decades, providing laughs and entertainment to audiences across the country. This past weekend, the show welcomed Jon Hamm, the talented actor known for his iconic role as Don Draper in Mad Men, as the host. Unfortunately, Hamm's debut was overshadowed by a scattered and uneven episode that failed to live up to expectations.
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The episode started off strong, with a hilarious cold open that tackled the recent controversy surrounding the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. The sketch, which featured Kate McKinnon as Nancy Pelosi and Aidy Bryant as Rudy Giuliani, was a masterclass in comedic writing and acting. However, as the episode progressed, the jokes began to fall flat, and the sketches became increasingly hit-or-miss.

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One of the most disappointing aspects of the episode was the underutilization of Jon Hamm. Despite being a talented comedic actor, Hamm was relegated to minor roles in most of the sketches. His talents were wasted in a series of lackluster sketches, including a bizarre parody of The Avengers and a cringeworthy musical number. It was clear that the writers struggled to find ways to incorporate Hamm into the episode, and as a result, he was often relegated to the sidelines.

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Another issue with the episode was the lack of cohesion between sketches. The show jumped wildly between different topics and styles, making it difficult to become fully invested in any one sketch. The episode felt like a series of disconnected vignettes, rather than a cohesive and well-planned comedy show. This lack of focus made it difficult to become fully engaged with the episode, and as a result, the jokes often fell flat.

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Despite the unevenness of the episode, there were a few bright spots. The Weekend Update segment, which featured Colin Jost and Michael Che, was as sharp as ever, with the two anchors delivering a series of clever and incisive jokes. Additionally, the episode's final sketch, which featured Hamm as a bumbling David Attenborough type, was a highlight of the evening.

Emil Wakim | s50e04 | Instagram

In conclusion, while Jon Hamm's SNL debut was highly anticipated, the episode ultimately failed to live up to expectations. The show was marred by uneven writing, a lack of cohesion, and the underutilization of its talented host. Despite a few bright spots, the episode was a disappointment, and it's clear that the writers need to go back to the drawing board to come up with more innovative and engaging material. With a talented cast and a wealth of comedic talent at their disposal, it's disappointing that SNL couldn't deliver a more polished and entertaining episode.

Emil Wakim | s50e04 | Instagram
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Key Takeaways:

Emil Wakim (@emilwakim) / Twitter
  • Jon Hamm's SNL debut was marred by uneven writing and a lack of cohesion.
  • The episode underutilized Hamm's talents, relegating him to minor roles in most sketches.
  • The show's lack of focus made it difficult to become fully invested in any one sketch.
  • Despite the unevenness, the episode had a few bright spots, including a sharp Weekend Update segment and a hilarious final sketch.
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