Quinta Brunson returns for her second time hosting Saturday Night Live with surprise cameos, hilarious sketches, and Benson Boone’s debut.
The 50th season of Saturday Night Live is in its final stretch, and this week saw the return of Quinta Brunson to Studio 8H as host for the second time, joined by first-time musical guest Benson Boone. Brunson, the star and creator of Abbott Elementary, previously hosted during Season 48 and made her presence known at the SNL 50th Anniversary Q&A, where she was the very first audience member to pose a question to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
The show kicked off with a cold open mocking President Trump’s first 100 days in his second term. James Austin Johnson reprised his Trump impression, joined by Mikey Day as a creepy Stephen Miller and Marcello Hernandez as an embarrassed Marco Rubio. It was a quick, punchy open, poking fun at Trump’s pop culture obsessions and bizarre executive orders.
Quinta Brunson’s monologue was playful and self-deprecating, opening with a joke about forgetting her phone charger last time she hosted. She reflected on her honorary degree from Temple University, acknowledged her height with a musical number about being 4’11”, and brought out Sabrina Carpenter, Marcello Hernandez, and Dwyane Wade for a catchy and body-positive number about the perks of being short.
The sketches were a mix of new ideas and familiar favorites. In “Will & Todd’s Radical Experience”, a spoof of Bill & Ted, time travelers tried to return historical figures, only to be blocked by a defiant Harriet Tubman (Quinta Brunson) and Frederick Douglass (Kenan Thompson), who refused to relive the past.
In “OnlySeniors”, Quinta Brunson and Kenan Thompson played elderly parents funding their lifestyle through an OnlyFans-style platform—a satirical nod to current online hustle culture.
Another standout was “Leadership Summit”, where employees fumbled through awkward corporate communication exercises, with comedic moments from Mikey Day, Marcello Hernandez, Ashley Padilla, James Austin Johnson, and Bowen Yang.
A recurring sketch, “Ferry Car”, returned with Quinta Brunson and Mikey Day as dueling drivers trapped on a ferry. It followed the same format as past iterations but introduced Colin Jost in a surprise cameo—playing himself and referencing his real-life purchase of a Staten Island ferry with Pete Davidson.
Fashion took center stage in “Forever 31”, which hilariously mocked the subtle shift from youthful fashion to parent-approved styles. “I make Diane Keaton look like a prostitute,” Heidi Gardner quipped, summing up the vibe.
The viral internet debate “100 Men or a Gorilla” was flipped on its head with “2 Bitches vs. a Gorilla”, featuring Quinta Brunson and Ego Nwodim in a laugh-out-loud showdown at “Gorilla Kingdom.”
Benson Boone made his SNL debut with two performances from his upcoming album American Heart. His first number, “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else,” had a playful intro with Brunson lingering on stage. His second song, “Mystical Magical,” interpolated “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John, delivering falsetto vocals and strong 80s synth vibes.
“Weekend Update” brought sharp jokes about the Trump AI Pope picture, Matt Gaetz, and Real ID deadlines. New segment “Oh Hell No!” saw Colin Jost channeling Seth Meyers’ indignation, while Michael Longfellow and barfly duo Sarah Sherman and Bowen Yang added flair. Benson Boone even joined them with sizzling fajitas.
A darker sketch, “Addicts Anonymous”, found Kenan Thompson manipulating a support group for insider tips on getting cocaine. The crowd loved the surprise twist and Kenan Thompson’s performance.
From musical numbers to surprise cameos, Quinta Brunson proved once again she’s a natural on the SNL stage, and Benson Boone’s heartfelt performances brought just the right balance of cool to a jam-packed episode.
