Bad Bunny has achieved a unique milestone by being the first Saturday Night Live guest to appear in both the season finale and the subsequent season’s opener. While I initially suspected that icons like Buck Henry or Steve Martin might have accomplished this feat in the 1970s—given their frequent hosting gigs—it turns out that wasn’t the case. This trivia highlights the broader changes that took place behind the scenes at SNL over the summer. Although cast alterations are routine—recall the significant shifts just after COVID—the current changes feel particularly disjointed given the mix of old and new elements in the show.

Take, for instance, the departure of five cast members. While such exits could theoretically open up space for remaining performers, the addition of five new actors maintains a bloated ensemble of 17. Notably, the new lineup lacks a woman of color, a noticeable omission following Ego Nwodim’s departure. Additionally, the retention of the four most senior cast members and the replacement of several stand-up comedians with new ones of the same background are moves that suggest more of a reshuffle than a true refresh. This sense of superficial change was underscored by kicking off the new season with familiar elements: Colin Jost, a sketch about Trump, a game show parody, and a restaurant scene. Later, Jost and Michael Che humorously lamented how the past nine months felt like decades during their Weekend Update segment.

None of these dynamics are the fault of Bad Bunny. It’s somewhat refreshing to see the show fully embrace a bilingual musician who performs primarily in Spanish, despite a slight hint that Lorne Michaels might mistakenly believe he’s uncovered a hidden gem. Two episodes in, it’s clear that SNL is somewhat adapting its sketches to accommodate Bad Bunny’s unique profile, which adds a playful challenge, especially given his enthusiasm for roles like an impromptu sperm donor or an avid KPop Demon Hunters enthusiast.

The issue rather lies in how the show seems to take Bad Bunny’s charm for granted, assuming he can elevate even the most mundane sketches, like those about misunderstandings on Jeopardy!. While the live audience might concur, and thankfully none of these weaker sketches dragged on too long, it’s a glaring sign of the drawbacks of having such a large cast and the show’s general blind spots. Bad Bunny often ends up either playing quirky characters opposite a few versatile performers or pairing with Marcello Hernández, hinting at a budding dynamic duo for this decade.

At its core, the episode returned to basic principles with just one pre-recorded segment and a handful of live sketches, prominently featuring traditional sketch comedy performed well. Doja Cat brought a lively presence, and even some of the more predictable content—like Bowen Yang’s elaborate makeup or Kenan’s exaggerated characters—felt like a reunion with old pals. Yet, the familiarity also underscores a lingering issue: the show, much like school, isn’t meant to last indefinitely.

Show Highlights

Ashley Padilla stood out, showcasing her sketch comedy prowess in a transitional period for the show. Her portrayal of a stern school administrator who suddenly becomes flirty was both unique and captivating, instantly making the role her own. On the flip side, the KPop Demon Hunters sketch, featuring a cameo by Huntrix, surprisingly worked well, especially with the comedic subplot of Bad Bunny’s character obliviously facing bizarre calamities.

Show Lowlights

The Jeopardy! and sperm donor sketches seemed poised for a quirky twist but ultimately fell flat, stuck in a comedic time warp. Meanwhile, the obligatory Trump sketch showed signs of potential when it briefly moved away from predictable interruptions, suggesting a fresh take might still be possible.

Standout Performer

While Marcello may have racked up more screen time, Ashley Padilla’s debut was flawless, making a significant impact in her single sketch.

Looking Ahead

Next up is Amy Poehler, whose rare appearances are always a treat. Unlike other frequent hosts, Poehler’s return promises fresh interactions with the current cast, particularly with newcomers like Dismukes and Yang. And the prospect of her revisiting the Weekend Update desk, even briefly, is genuinely exciting.

Additional Notes

• • I’m Jesse, back for another season of SNL recaps. Whether you think I’m too critical or too lenient, I’m here to share my thoughts on each episode as we navigate this season’s highs and lows.
• • New Cast Spotlight: This week, I’m looking at Ben Marshall, who didn’t quite make a splash, and Kam Patterson, whose debut on Weekend Update showed promise with a humorous, self-aware bit.
• • Missing in Action: Where were newcomers Tommy Brennan and Jeremy Culhane? And a shoutout to Jane Wickline, who was noticeably absent this episode.
• • Over the summer, my daughter became a fan of Vanessa Bayer after watching some classic SNL sketches. She’s particularly excited to see the KPop Demon Hunters sketch this weekend.