After a two-week break for Thanksgiving, the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live made a roaring comeback in the first week of December. The episode, hosted by the hilarious Melissa McCarthy for her sixth time, was packed with sharp political commentary and the show's signature brand of chaotic humor, reflecting a week loaded with news headlines.
Cold Open and McCarthy's Monologue Set the Tone
The show kicked off with a cold open parodying a Pentagon press conference. Colin Jost played War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stumbled through questions about an 80-death toll, Venezuelan casualties, and war crimes, all while a dozing Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) flirted in his sleep. The sketch was a direct jab at the week's political turmoil.
Melissa McCarthy's monologue embraced the festive yet bizarre spirit. She talked about holiday music and showcased her odd talent of playing the mouth horn, butchering a classic tune. The set was decked with lights and fake snow, and she even slipped in a sneaky reference to the Epstein case, setting the stage for an unpredictable night.
Signature Sketches and Weekend Update's Four-Part Roast
McCarthy shone in several standout sketches. In 'Goat Cheese', she played a woman hilariously overwhelmed by a free sample offer in a supermarket, getting uncomfortably close to the tasting guy. The 'UPS Driver' sketch featured her as a disgruntled delivery driver named Donnda, who despised customers so much she'd urinate on porches and eat official complaints, causing co-star Mikey Day to break character.
Given the heavy news cycle, the Weekend Update segment was split into four parts. Anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackled everything from Trump's Nobel Peace Prize and Epstein associations to mocking Pete Hegseth with a Franklin the Turtle poster. The segment also featured bizarre correspondents: a sunburned redhead (Ben Marshall) who vacationed in Ireland and a drunk, feral raccoon (Sarah Sherman) who wreaked havoc on the news desk.
More Sketch Highlights and Musical Performances
Other memorable moments included 'Helping Hand', a deceptively sweet sketch about neighbors helping a boy that took a dark turn, and 'Moms' Truth or Dare', a kitty-party game where dares turned sexual. The 'Sunday Supper' sketch portrayed a sad man whose friends never showed up for his weekly meal, leading him to drink gasoline.
The episode also featured musical guest Dijon performing 'HIGHER!' and 'Another Baby!' in a 90s-style setup. A 'Christmas Village Report' news segment interviewed a couple (McCarthy and Bowen Yang) showing off their bizarre holiday creations, including a Minions crib and an evicted gingerbread family.
The December episode of SNL proved to be a cathartic release, blending holiday spirit with political chaos and unabashed humor. Melissa McCarthy's energetic hosting and the show's willingness to directly satire the week's biggest news stories made for a memorable return after the hiatus.
