Web Analytics
Mikey Madison Hosts a 'SNL' Dud, and Morgan Wallen Walks Off During Goodbyes
Pajiba Logo
Old School. Biblically Independent.

Mikey Madison Hosts a 'SNL' Dud, but At Least 'Update' Doesn't Hold Back

By Dustin Rowles | TV | March 30, 2025

mikeymadison.png
Header Image Source: NBC

Cold Open — They took the easy route this week with the cold open, parodying Signalgate by adding a group of teens to their group chat. This one basically wrote itself, and you can probably guess exactly what’s in it without watching. It’s rare to see the host in the cold open, though, so there is that. (Score: 5 out of 10)

Mikey Madison Monologue — I think Mikey Madison is great! She was fantastic in Anora, and I loved her for all those years in Better Things. The monologue? Eh. There’s not much to it, although there is a pole dancing gag (using a stunt performer). Comme ci, comme ça. (Score: 4 out of 10)

Acting Teacher — I appreciate that the show always wants to feature Marcello Hernandez. I’d appreciate it more if they gave him better material. Here, he’s an over-the-top acting teacher who actually has no acting skills. Things are not going well. (Watch Here) (Score: 3.5 out of 10)

Big Dumb Line — In a pre-taped song, a bunch of tourists in NYC sing about constantly waiting in lines for things that aren’t worth waiting in line for, because they’re drawn to long lines. Is it just me? Am I not in the right headspace for comedy? Because this one didn’t do much for me either, even with Joe Jonas. (Score: 4.5 out of 10)

Jury Duty — Jesus. A judge listens to a series of prospective jurors give excuses for why they shouldn’t be selected. Most of the cast at least gets a moment in this one. Chloe Fineman does a good Parker Posey impression. Is that something? (Watch Here) (Score: 4 out of 10)

Spring Break — I laughed a couple of times at this one! Finally! Remember that SNL sketch where two people were having a serious conversation but the backdrop was a Waffle House with chaos unfolding? Same thing here—only the couple is having a serious talk about not getting married while a chaotic pool scene plays out behind them. It has its moments. (Score: 6 out of 10)

Weekend Update — It doesn’t quite salvage the show, but it’s a solid “Update,” if only because they’re still making fun of the Administration. Every episode, I get a little worried this’ll be the one where they take it easy on Trump. But this one has a Veep joke. SNL has still got the juice. Also, Devon Walker parodies some fitness influencer I’ve never heard of (watch here), and Ashley Padilla plays Joann from Joann’s Fabrics, who has a bit of a meltdown because her store has gone bankrupt. (Score: 7 out of 10)

Pop’s Big Regret — A mafia guy gets shot and, as he lies dying, he expresses his biggest regret: that he never tried stand-up comedy. And then he (and his wife) try out some lame material. Oh, SNL! What did you do with your two-week break? (Score: 4 out of 10)

Barry the Midwife — Thought the episode couldn’t get worse? You were wrong. Here, Bowen Yang plays Barry the Midwife, who holds a grudge because the doctor didn’t remember him from a Hilary Duff performance in 2007. (Watch Here) (Score: 2 out of 10)

Please Don’t Destroy — The great thing about this one is that Mikey Madison actually gets to be more than a bit player in the show she’s hosting — she arrives in the boys’ office dressed as Squidward and has a great pitch: a live-action SpongeBob, but the characters are just friends living in the city. I don’t even know if Mat is that familiar with SpongeBob, but for lack of better options tonight, here’s the Mat sketch of the week. (Score: 6.5 out of 10)

So, Like, What Are We? — Madison hosts a show where the contestant is her Hinge date, and the questions are about defining their relationship. I didn’t hate it, but it’s also clearly time to put this episode out of its misery. (Score: 5 out of 10)

SNL Animated Short — I spoke too soon! There’s an animated sketch about two early explorers mapping out what New York City should be, and it’s actually funny. Legit funny! (Score: 7 out of 10)

Average Score: 4.7 out of 10. Not a good show. Mikey Madison was something of a background player in her own episode (save for the Please Don’t Destroy sketch), and the writers never really knew what to do with her. It was a weirdly uninspired show, although I suspect the thing that many will be talking about this morning is the fact that Morgan Wallen just basically walked off stage during the goodbyes without saying goodbye to the cast. No idea why, but maybe he’s never seen an episode of SNL and didn’t know the custom, so he just left. I doubt there was any subtext beyond, “Oops.”

Wait. I take that back. He’s been on the show before. He should have known better. Dumbass.