‘SNL’ takes risks with Chris Rock, Gracie Abrams and Adam Sandler

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

With recent cameos from Dana Carvey and David Spade, SNL‘s 50th season has shown a lot of love to its ’90s-era cast. This episode doubles with a cameo from another “Bad Boy of SNL,” Adam Sandler (more on that later.) While Rock is not so synonymous with SNL like some of these other names, it’s always fun to see him return to the show to host.

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

Cold open

In this Cold Open, Nancy Grace talks about Luigi Mangione. While Nancy Grace has been impersonated a lot on the show (notably by Amy Poehler and Ana Gasteyer), Sarah Sherman’s impression feels like a very fresh take on the conservative talking head. The impression is so great that it almost feels like camp in the best possible way. 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 jolt after so many presidential themes this season.

Monologue

If you like Rock’s stand-up comedy, you’ll like 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 once he gets there, Rock reminds the crowd why he’s a stand-up legend. There is a confidence that he exudes that elevates even an okay joke. As they say, he could read the phone book, but he does a lot more here. Sometimes stand-up styles don’t translate SNL monologues, but Rock doesn’t let it happen out of sheer charm. It’s on the longer side, but come on, you don’t want to turn Chris Rock on!

Mall Santas

This sketch has a great premise, but feels a bit off in the execution. The sketch follows white families as they struggle to choose between a white and a black mall Santa. While it’s a fun stab at white fragility, the sketch doesn’t really get high. There is some good here, but it feels like it could have been taken longer.

The Simpsons Christmas present

This sketch is wild in all the best ways. It follows a secret Santa in the office that is interrupted when a character receives a portrait of himself as one The Simpsons character. This sketch feels risky too SNL and would be more at home on a slightly more absurdist sketch show like I think you should go or feed for adult swimming. It’s really fun to watch though SNL take a risk on a sketch like this. It totally pays off and is even a highlight of this episode.

Grandpa’s Magic Car

Although a 2024 Herbie parody wasn’t in the bingo card, this skit about a living 1950s car being racist really works. It’s fast paced and has a fun surprise ending. This tight sketch delivers laughs and feels very rock.

Sexual Harassment Charlie

This recurring sketch is always about Kenan Thompson’s performance. The sketch follows two characters who are fired for sexual harassment: a mild-mannered VP who just made a few mistakes, and a dirty security guard who everyone still loves. This premise doesn’t fully work, as it’s hard to believe that Rock’s character’s actions would lead to such a harsh punishment, and yet it’s uncomfortable to stand up for his character. That said, Thompson reminds the audience why he is one SNL legend. His commitment to the show carries this sketch.

Weekend update

The Weekend Update starts with a lot of moaning. Michael Che even notices it and says, “Four moans in a row.” This week, however, is made by its guests. Andrew Dismukes delivers a hilarious performance as ‘a bald man’. The sheer energy behind this performance makes it hard not to like.

Jane Wickline also stops by to sing a song “like” Sabrina Carpenter. She’s not dressed up or making an impression, it’s just from the pop star 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 bread.”

Gallbladder surgery

This sketch feels like watching a car wreck in some ways. It’s hard to look away from. That said, it’s a lot of fun. It will just leave the viewer wondering if this was how it was always supposed to go or if something went terribly wrong and they just ran with it. The sketch starts with surgeons accidentally removing the wrong organ due to an annoying colleague. However, the sketch takes a turn when the patient is revealed as a fourth wall breaking Adam Sandler spewing blood on the doctors. There are jokes that come out of nowhere, and it’s hard to tell the “game” of this sketch, but there’s something infectious about the almost riffing Sandman.

Office Christmas Party Extravaganza

It’s strange that this sketch came so late. It feels too safe for its location. The pre-taped sketch is fun, but it almost feels dated as it follows what feels like a 2000s or even 1990s-style suburban office Christmas party. At least the jokes feel like they’ve been around since the 90s. However, the sketch adds the layer that this is a ‘monster truck’ style commercial which elevates the sketch.

Blind Date

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

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