During his fourth time hosting, Dave Chappelle demonstrated why he is the quintessential blend of sketch comedy and stand-up. Former sketch performers not only command attention each time they take the stage, but they also possess a distinct comedic voice that resonates throughout their performances. This unique perspective injects a refreshing energy into the show, making it an exhilarating experience for both the audience and the cast alike.

Many critics claim that SNL has become predictable and somewhat formulaic, leading to a show where audiences can anticipate the next move with relative ease. This is precisely why a strong comedic voice, like Chappelle’s, is invaluable; it has the power to disrupt these expectations and introduce unexpected twists that keep viewers guessing and engaged throughout the broadcast.

Chappelle is not just a comedian; he embodies a fearless spirit, as evidenced by his readiness to craft jokes about the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires and the looming prospect of Trump’s potential second term. His sharp wit and insightful commentary reflect a keen understanding of the shifting landscape of comedy, as he consistently aims his humor at privilege and the absurdities of life rather than punching down, a testament to his evolution as a performer.

His opening monologue was a marathon of topical humor, seamlessly blending sharp observations with a nostalgic nod to some of his iconic favorites from Chappelle’s Show. This served as a reminder that his comedic genius has not waned over the years. He connected with audiences on a deeper level, using his privilege and platform to inspire hope and positivity, even in these divided and uncertain times.

As always, we are ranking all of the sketches from worst to first, including the Monologue, Cold Open, “Weekend Update,” and any sketches that were cut for time but made their way online. We’ll skip the musical guests, as they are rarely funny — unless Ashlee Simpson shows up. We conclude with a look at the cast member who had the strongest week.

Sarah Sherman led the charge as Rachel Maddow, joined by an eclectic panel of MSNBC’s quirkiest personalities, including the captivating Stephanie Ruhle (Chloe Bennett), the hip-hop quoting Ari Melber (Marcello Hernández), not-Rachel-Maddow Chris Hayes (Andrew Dismukes), and the reasoned Ego Nwodim as Joy Reid. This diverse cast brought a refreshing twist to political commentary, making it both entertaining and insightful.

On the eve of Inauguration Day, the MSNBC crew vowed to rise above the chaos of distracting tweets, only to be bombarded with breaking news after breaking news, from plans to “trade Connecticut for Italy” to confessions of “stuck watching MS-DNC” and quipping, “This lineup looks like ‘Scooby-Doo: Oops All Velma.’” Their comedic timing and wit made for a memorable sketch that resonated with viewers.

James Austin Johnson’s rambling impersonation of Trump returned, eliciting big laughs when he noted there were simply too many people to host his inauguration outdoors. Bowen Yang’s unexpected appearance as the new Secretary of Truth-Checking, George Santos, was another highlight. As we brace ourselves for Trump Administration 2.0, SNL seems poised to poke fun at another four years of whatever absurdity he may unleash next, because it’s far more entertaining than the mundane aspects of trade talks.

As is customary with a Dave Chappelle-hosted episode, elements of Chappelle’s Show made a comeback, with Dave’s Silky Johnson taking over Arlette Amuli’s (Ego Nwodim) social media game show, Pop the Balloon or Find Love. Donnell Rawlings also made a special appearance, reviving his Ashy Larry character as a contestant seeking love amidst the ruthless game of popped balloons, broken hearts, and poor choices. The sketch was a whirlwind of fast-paced, chaotic fun, perfectly encapsulating the wild spirit of the original show.

Dave Chappelle appeared to genuinely enjoy Marcello Hernández’s jokes, even stepping outside his character as neighbor “Black Richard.” This installment of the recurring sketch was significantly stronger, largely due to the playful energy that Chappelle infused into it, alongside his insightful commentary on fatherhood. Devon Walker’s walk-on role as his son, chiming in with a casual “Hey man, good to meet you,” elicited one of the evening’s biggest laughs. Both Chappelle and Hernández excelled at reacting to Mikey Day’s very white family and their parenting antics, resulting in a sketch filled with humor and relatability.

Kenan Thompson showcased his comedic brilliance as a janitor assisting a distressed young Black man, Devon Walker, who was struggling to avoid incriminating descriptors about his missing girlfriend at the police station. This sketch exemplified the effectiveness of simplicity when executed with such skillful performances. Devon played the perfect foil to Kenan’s physical comedy, resulting in a hilarious scenario that kept audiences engaged and laughing from start to finish.

Dave Chappelle delivered a powerful opening statement through a nearly 20-minute standup monologue that tackled a range of topics, from the devastating Los Angeles fires to Trump’s inflammatory remarks about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, Diddy’s legal troubles, and even reflections on Jimmy Carter’s Middle Eastern diplomacy. His ability to address controversial material with humor, without ever punching down, is a hallmark of his genius, only occasionally poking fun at West Hollywood, which the audience likely embraced.

Chappelle’s deftness as a comic and his sharp writing skills shone through as he infused his commentary with laughter and insightful moments. He engaged with the audience, eliciting shouts and reactions as he transitioned to a more sincere tone, imploring America and the incoming president to strive to “be better” than we have been in the past. This heartfelt plea resonated with many viewers, reminding them of the power of comedy to inspire change.

This monologue stands out as one of the strongest in the annals of this show’s history. A few of our favorite moments included Chappelle recounting how Lorne Michaels invited him to host right after the election, to which he initially responded with, “Nah, man, I’m cool.” He humorously noted that the moment he finally agreed, “LA burst into flames.” This self-awareness and comedic timing made for a memorable performance that will be talked about for years to come.

It appears that when the host elevates the show, “Update” benefits too. Perhaps it’s simply that we’re all in a better mood. Either way, Colin Jost and Michael Che kicked off with hilariously sharp observations about Trump’s new presidential photo, Zuckerberg’s flight to Mar-a-Lago, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Rudy Giuliani, RFK, and Biden naming an aircraft carrier “covered in seamen” after Clinton. Almost every joke landed effectively with this energized audience, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Michael Longfellow is a unique comic with a dry sense of humor, which served him well during a segment that, while not the strongest overall, was still entertaining. His takes on TikTok’s impending ban, which was expected to go dark over the weekend, were all too obvious, touching on themes of attention span, addictive qualities, and concerns over data privacy with China. While the commentary was somewhat bland, Longfellow’s charisma kept the audience engaged.

Often a throwaway segment of non-political commentary, Jost received an enthusiastic reaction when he introduced his new segment “Hear Me Out,” discussing the arrest of a political cartoonist for AI child pornography. His hilariously awkward New Orleans accent added another layer of humor to the segment. We found ourselves laughing along with the boys as they clearly enjoyed this week’s show.

Any opportunity for Sarah Sherman to come out and roast Jost is a good one in my book. The prosthetics and makeup work that transformed her into the original Nosferatu were impressive. The black-and-white dramatic cuts heightened the absurdity of her commentary, while Jost’s reluctant delivery of terrible lines added to the hilarity. If a chance arises for Sarah to take over news desk duties, we believe she would excel at it! If both Jost and Che retire while she’s still on the cast, it would be a missed opportunity!

Absolute chaos unfolds