Nikki Glaser hosts ‘SNL’ for the first time, bringing her boundary pushing comedy

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Nikki Glaser quickly rose to fame last year with a memorable performance on the “Roast of Tom Brady” and a highly-rated comedy special, “Someday You’ll Die,” establishing herself as a leading figure in stand-up. But the question is, did that popularity carry over when she hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time?

It’s no surprise Glaser thrived, considering her strengths are telling jokes and fearlessly pushing comedic boundaries. This aligns perfectly with the current style of “SNL,” which often includes deliberately shocking sketches and “Weekend Update” jokes that range from mildly edgy to highly controversial.

Beyond her bold, uninhibited storytelling, Glaser truly shone in sketches like the awkward family karaoke scene, a strange commercial about men fixated on American Girl dolls, and a wild musical number where a mechanical bull runs off with her and Sarah Sherman. These, along with a hilarious ad for a fictional Jennifer Hudson-themed drug and a sketch based on children’s book characters, were perfect examples of her comedic strengths and she delivered them brilliantly.

A skit featuring a plane experiencing difficulties and a talkative pilot (James Austin Johnson) was enjoyable, mainly due to Johnson’s incredibly accurate imitation of announcements made over a plane’s intercom.

Two sketches didn’t quite land: a poorly executed parody featuring the YouTuber Mr. Beast, and a sorority scene where Mikey Day played a man clumsily trying to disguise himself as a woman.

While Glaser’s long speech didn’t quite land perfectly, her comedic sketches were excellent.

The show featured a performance by musician Sombr, who played “12 to 12” and “Back to Friends.” Viewers also enjoyed a charming animated short called “Brad and His Dad,” which told the story of a divorced father attempting to bond with his son who loves video games.

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This week’s Saturday Night Live opened with a sketch featuring James Austin Johnson as President Trump addressing a strange incident in the Oval Office. A pharmaceutical representative collapsed while Trump was filmed appearing to look away. In the sketch, Trump joked about the moment, saying he simply stared, acting like a “sociopath.” He explained that he tries to use these moments to visually represent what’s happening in the country, similar to last week’s depiction of a White House demolition. Trump then stepped over the fallen man to discuss current events, starting with the New York City mayoral race and moving on to cuts in SNAP benefits and the increasing cost of food. He even suggested that cancelled flights due to the government shutdown would ironically keep families separated for Thanksgiving, quipping, “Killing two birds with one bird.” He then joked about offering Ozempic to those struggling to afford food and announced plans to “steal Christmas,” referencing the Grinch.

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Like many stand-up routines on “Saturday Night Live,” Atsuko Glaser’s monologue felt like a quick taste of her usual act. It covered her signature topics – race, politics, and sex – and even ventured into surprisingly dark territory by joking about the unsettling thought of someone realizing they have harmful attractions. She started with a controversial comparison of New York City to Jeffrey Epstein’s island, then moved on to jokes about white women and tanning, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s credibility, dating a man with a temper, and public service announcements about human trafficking. Glaser also joked about her fears in her twenties, saying her biggest worry was simply being sexually assaulted. While the rapid-fire jokes were typical for her, some didn’t quite get the same reaction from the “SNL” audience as they usually do at her roasts or in her stand-up specials.

Best sketch of the night: When declining a Jennifer Hudson spirit tunnel invite is the only option

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A popular segment on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” involves guests walking down a hallway while the staff cheers them on. It’s become so well-known that celebrities now worry about how they’ll look dancing! Comedian Nicole Glaser jokes that her moves are so clumsy they could ruin her career, even admitting she tried to add some extra effort with little success. A humorous ad introduces a fictional drug, Hudsacillin, which causes such severe illness that celebrities can cancel their appearances instead of dancing. The ad playfully asks if the alternative is simply relaxing and having fun.

Also good: Maybe this pilot shouldn’t be texting, even on the tarmac

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This sketch cleverly captures the current travel chaos. It features a couple, Sherman and Andrew Dismukes, stranded on an airport runway, while their pilot, played by Johnson, repeatedly announces delays – and shares way too much about a woman he’s texting. Johnson’s comedic timing as the pilot is a highlight, along with the funny back-and-forth with his co-pilot, Kam Patterson. The sketch is also made great by Chloe Fineman’s portrayal of a bored flight attendant and the silent argument between passengers Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang about whether to intervene.

‘Weekend Update’ winner: A way to visit Staten Island without going to Staten Island

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Pete Davidson’s appearance on “Weekend Update” was the highlight of the show. He joked about the struggles with the Staten Island Ferry he co-owns with Colin Jost, referencing a recent New York Times article. He playfully complained about not wanting to pay for the article when he’s expecting a child. Davidson then announced a new, ambitious plan for the ferry: to transform it into a floating city called New Staten Island, complete with all the borough’s best qualities – apparently, that’s just pizza. He ended with a lighthearted jab at his former boss, Lorne Michaels, saying Michaels taught him to persevere even when things seem hopeless, even if Tina Fey is waiting in the wings.

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2025-11-09 11:01