Comedian Nate Bargatze returned to host “Saturday Night Live” less than a year after his debut, joining a notable lineup for Season 50 that features Jean Smart, John Mulaney, and Michael Keaton. While his return had some strong moments, it did not quite match the polished performance of his first stint. Bargatze’s monologue felt more scattered, and the sketches varied in quality, though several stood out. His relatable everyman persona still suited “SNL,” especially in sketches playing with language, including a sequel to a previous popular bit involving George Washington and a clever parody of “Sábado Gigante.” In the latter, Bargatze portrayed a confused audience member struggling to understand the Spanish being spoken around him.
Other highlights included a pre-recorded sketch where a golf tournament participant unintentionally harms wildlife and a comedic scene where Bargatze plays an EMT trying to persuade water park staff to send a dead body down a slide instead of carrying it down many steps. He also played a coach wanting to get paid for team jerseys and the husband of a woman competing in a messy eating contest.
Musical guests Coldplay performed “All My Love” and “We Pray,” with featured appearances by Palestinian singer Elyanna and Argentine singer Tini. A touching title card paid tribute to Kris Kristofferson, who passed away at 88 and was an early host of the show.
The cold open revisited last week’s successful format, with guest stars returning for a satirical take on the vice presidential debate. Bowen Yang and Jim Gaffigan reprised their roles as Senator J.D. Vance and Governor Tim Walz. Vice President Kamala Harris, played by Maya Rudolph, and her husband Doug Emhoff, portrayed by Andy Samberg, watched the debate from home, accompanied by a mostly bewildered President Biden, played by Dana Carvey.
In this sketch, Kamala was excited about endorsements from Liz Cheney and Bruce Springsteen but became increasingly frustrated by her opponents’ antics, including Walz’s mishap regarding historical events. Meanwhile, Vance’s opportunistic comment about not wanting to be fact-checked drew attention. Carvey’s Biden impression shone, whether he was delivering downbeat announcements or humorously interacting with Kamala, reinforcing the notion that some mishaps on the show might be purposefully ad-libbed.
Bargatze’s monologue was shorter than before, lacking a strong conclusion, but contained humorous observations about community college experiences and his fondness for junk food delivery. He even recounted ordering from two different restaurants simultaneously, leading to comical anxiety when the drivers arrived at the same time.
Among the best sketches was a follow-up to the weights and measurements scene, where Bargatze’s George Washington humorously contemplated the English language while addressing soldiers, including a comically evasive response about hot dogs. Another standout sketch involved Bargatze participating in a chaotic rendition of “Sábado Gigante,” showcasing a mix of sketches and games that echoed the spirit of the original show.
One of the most viral sketches highlighted “Sushi Glory Hole,” featuring Samberg and Akiva Schaffer from the Lonely Island. This unexpected digital short, which tackled the absurd idea of a hole in a bathroom wall delivering sushi, quickly gained traction on social media and showcased “SNL” at its most irreverently comedic.