Saturday Night Live opened its latest episode with a segment featuring James Austin Johnson portraying Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, where he engaged with reporters in a style that was both brash and humorous. Trump was seen swooning over press secretary Karoline Leavitt, played by Ashley Padilla, while he ambitiously touted military strikes on drug operations in the Caribbean. One particularly bizarre moment involved footage of Santa’s sleigh being demolished during a supposed military operation. Johnson’s portrayal of Trump remained entertaining but ultimately lacked substance, which left the cold open feeling underdeveloped.
British actor Josh O’Connor made his hosting debut, recognized for his role in The Crown, and much of his opening monologue revolved around a whimsical idea of starring in a live-action remake of Pixar’s Ratatouille. Following this, he engaged the audience in a game show sketch titled “Let’s Find Love,” where he browsed through contestants—two attractive women in their mid-30s and one eccentric 80-year-old on a Rascal scooter, who humorously expressed a craving for cake and companionship.
In a clever parody, Uber Eats presented their version of Spotify Wrapped, exposing diners’ embarrassing eating habits and expenditures. The sketch struck a chord with viewers, especially with Padilla’s character furiously responding to playful jabs about her belly.
O’Connor’s talents were featured further in a sketch involving Bowen Yang’s character, Dr. Please, who baffled a patient with his incompetent medical advice, earning laughter from the audience for unexpected moments between the characters. Another segment took a comedic turn with a bachelorette party scene where sensitive male strippers, embodying the archetype of modern masculinity, brought both humor and depth to the sketch, even if it could have been more incisive in its satire.
Musical guest Lily Allen charmed the audience with her performances, including “Sleepwalking,” as SNL continued to showcase fleeting moments of humor during its segments. Weekend Update saw Marcello Hernández join the anchor desk, sharing anecdotes about Christmas traditions that mingled heartfelt nostalgia with sharp comedic observation.
The show included a segment featuring characters from the Wizard of Oz in an extended joke that felt drawn out, along with Brad and His Dad animated shorts, which continued to explore the comedic dynamics of family relationships. However, it became clear that the animated series faced challenges in connecting with audiences.
In another segment, the humor took a more surreal turn during a college study group sketch, and Allen returned with an intriguing performance. The episode closed with O’Connor and friends expressing their hidden feelings through a musical brunch segment based on Allen’s hit “West End Girl.”
Despite some comedic highlights, such as Allen’s musical performances, the episode was characterized by a lack of memorable sketches, leaving audiences with few laugh-out-loud moments. As SNL prepares for its final episode of 2025 next week, viewers remain hopeful for a stronger delivery and holiday-themed humor that captures the festive spirit.