Chris Rock returned to Saturday Night Live for the fourth time. He was joined for the first time by a musical guest, Gracie Abrams. Rock was a cast member of the show from 1990 to 1993 and hosted for the first time in 1996.

With recent guest appearances by Dana Carvey and David Spade, SNLSeason 50 showed a lot of love for its ’90s cast. This episode is rounded off with a cameo appearance from another “Bad Boy of”. SNL“, Adam Sandler (more on that later). Rock is not synonymous with SNL Like some of these other names, it’s always fun to see him return to the show as host.

Abrams, Taylor Swift’s former opening act and daughter of filmmaker JJ Abrams, performs two songs from her 2024 album: The Secret of Us (Deluxe): That’s so true and I love you, I’m sorry.

Opened cold

In this cold open, Nancy Grace talks about Luigi Mangione. While Nancy Grace has been portrayed frequently on the show (particularly by Amy Poehler and Ana Gasteyer), Sarah Sherman’s portrayal feels like a very fresh take on the conservative talking head. The impression is so great that you almost feel like you are having the best possible camp. There’s a great visual gag with Emil Wakim (who really looks like Mangione). It’s a really fun cold open that feels like a bit of a shake-up after so many presidential themes this season.

monologue

If you like Rock’s stand-up comedy, you’ll enjoy this monologue. There’s something comforting about Rock’s style, as it often feels like a living piece of stand-up history. It seems to take him a while to get comfortable, but when he gets there, Rock reminds the audience why he is a stand-up legend. He exudes a confidence that even enhances a good joke. As the saying goes, he could read the phone book, but he does so much more here. Sometimes the styles of stand-ups don’t translate SNL Monologues, but Rock doesn’t let that happen out of sheer charm. It’s a little longer, but come on, you’re not going to light Chris Rock on fire!

Santa Clauses in the mall

This sketch has a great premise, but feels a little off in its execution. The skit is about white families squirming as they have to choose between a white and black Santa Claus at the mall. Although it’s a fun look at the fragility of white, it doesn’t really highlight the sketch. There’s some good here, but it feels like it could have been expanded upon even further.

Simpsons Christmas present

This skit is wild in every way. It involves a secret Santa in the office that is interrupted when a character receives a portrait of himself as Santa Claus Simpsons Character. This sketch feels risky SNL and would be more at home with a slightly more absurd sketch program I think you should go or fodder for Adult Swim. However, it’s really fun to watch SNL Take a risk with a sketch like this. It’s totally worth it and is even a highlight of this episode.

Grandpa’s magic car

Although a 2024 Herbie Parody wasn’t on the bingo card, this sketch about a 1950s live car being racist really works. It’s fast-paced and has a fun surprise ending. This short sketch gets laughs and feels very rocky.

Sexual harassment Charlie

This recurring sketch is always about Kenan Thompson’s performance. The sketch concerns the firing of two characters for sexual harassment: a mild-mannered vice president who only made a few mistakes and a dirty-talking security guard who everyone still loves. This premise doesn’t quite pan out, as it’s hard to believe that Rock’s character’s actions would result in such a harsh punishment, and yet it’s still uncomfortable standing up for his character. That being said, Thompson reminds the audience why he is a SNL Legend. This sketch shows his commitment to the performance.

Weekend update

The Weekend Update begins with a lot of groaning. Michael Che even notices it and jokes: “Four groans in a row.” However, this week is shaped by their guests. Andrew Dismukes delivers a hilariously unhinged performance as the “bald man.” The sheer energy behind this performance makes it hard not to like.

Jane Wickline also comes by to sing a song “as” Sabrina Carpenter. She’s not dressed up or making an impression, it’s just from the pop star’s point of view. The song asks why no one speculates about her sexuality. It feels very online and Gen-Z, but in a good way. The song has some really great lines, including “I leave a trail of breadcrumbs and then I leave a trail of loaves of bread.”

Gallbladder surgery

In a way, this sketch feels like watching a car crash. It’s hard to look away. Other than that, it’s very funny. The viewer will simply wonder if it was always meant to be this way or if something went very wrong and they just got on with it. The sketch begins with surgeons accidentally removing the wrong organ due to an annoying colleague. However, the sketch takes a turn when the patient is revealed to be Adam Sandler, who breaks the fourth wall and spits blood at the doctors. There are jokes that come out of nowhere and it’s hard to get “the gist” of this sketch, but there’s something infectious about the almost riffing Sandman.

Extravaganza for the Christmas party in the office

It’s strange that this sketch came out so late. It feels too safe for its placement. The pre-written sketch is funny but almost feels dated as it follows what feels like a 2000s or even 1990s-style Christmas party in a suburban office. At least the jokes seem like they’ve been around since the 90s. However, the sketch adds the layer of being a “monster truck” style commercial, which elevates the sketch.

Blind date

This skit follows Ego Nwodim as Rock tries to crash her blind date. This sketch is a bit forgettable and after a few big swings early in the episode, it feels boring for the final sketch of the night.

SNL returns on December 21, 2024 with fellow cast alum Martin Short and musical guest Hozier.