Podcast
SNL101
Hosted by Charisse L'Pree · EN
Saturday Night Live in the Classroom
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 57: Harry Styles (S51E15)
2w ago00:30:36Tap to summarizeThis week, we discuss Harry Styles' second time as host and musical guest on March 14, 2026. We push back against mainstream critics who called Styles' appearance dull or low-energy; it was genuinely fun, and sketches like MAHAspital, White Castle drive-through, and "She's an Irish Dancer" were hilarious and on point. The final sketch of the night, "Harry For Him," opened a broader conversation about masculinity, makeover culture, and style identity, drawing on Brenda Weber's academic work on male makeover shows, films like Crazy, Stupid, Love and Class Act, and the philosophical question of whether style can ever be borrowed or must be authentically one's own.
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Episode 56: Ryan Gosling (S51E13)
Mar 1300:30:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we discuss Ryan Gosling's fourth time hosting on March 7, 2026. One of the season's strongest, the episodes highlighted Gosling's comedic commitment and ability to make political commentary feel entertaining. Charisse frames the episode through a "pre-apocalyptic" lens, arguing that SNL is reflecting society's tipping point, while Luvell reads the Monologue featuring Harry Styles as a metaphor for political distraction. We explore late-stage capitalism and labor exploitation in Monty McTreats & the Pastry Bakery, a Willy Wonka parody, as well as Colin Jost's Pete Hegseth in the Hegseth Iran Presser Cold Open as an example of sneering satire undermining authoritarian posturing.
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Episode 55: Connor Storrie (S51E13)
Mar 1300:36:50Tap to summarizeWe discuss Connor Storrie's hosting debut on February 28, 2026. Although his performance was memorable, we unpack the first sketch, Mr. Fronzi for its ethnic stereotyping and insider humor. We also include an important counter perspective from one of Charisse's students who loved the sketch. We also debate the controversial cut-for-time sketch Tourette's, and discuss disability representation, audience responsibility, and comedic framing. Resources include film and television episodes that address stereotyping and discriminatory behavior as well as a flow chart from Charisse on when to embrace or avoid doing ethnic accents.
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Episode 54: Alex Skarsgård (S51E12)
Feb 2100:26:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode we discuss Alex Skarsgård's hosting debut on SNL's historic 1000th episode, which aired January 31st, 2026. We offer mixed reviews — Chuck and Luvell found it enjoyable and a step up from recent weeks, while Charisse found it somewhat boring. We dive deep into two standout sketches: "Mom's Confession," in which a mother admits she may have been wrong about Trump, sparking discussion about cognitive dissonance, forgiveness, face-saving, and political reconciliation; and "Viking Raid," which explores themes of belonging, friendship, power dynamics, and psychosocial needs through an absurdist comedic lens. Readings and resources include classic social psychology research regarding cognitive dissonance and fundamental psychosocial needs and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, as well as documentaries, dramas, and sitcoms.
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Episode 53: Teyana Taylor (S51E11)
Jan 3100:42:15Tap to summarizeThis week, we are joined by TV writer Cameron Johnson to talk about Teyana Taylor's hosting debut on January 24, 2026. Although Teyana brought charisma, style, and joy, the episode itself felt uneven and "underbaked," with writing that didn't fully use her musical and comedic strengths. We talk about the corporate synergy with NFL on ESPN, linguistics and cultural appropriation in Weekend Update: Marcello Hernández Translates Gen Z Terms, white guilt in turbulent times with Beyond the Headlines, and the strategic deployment of innocence in Toy Commercial. Resources include several scholarly articles on language, culture, and identity as well as popular satirical texts including Black No More by George Schuyler (1931), Mississippi Burning (1998), and Kenneth Parcell from 30 Rock (NBC, 2006-2013).
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Episode 52: Finn Wolfhard (S51E10)
Jan 2300:33:21Tap to summarizeWe discuss Finn Wolfhard's January 2026 SNL hosting debut on January 17, 2026. Known for Stranger Things, It, and Ghostbusters. Finn's monologue featured former castmates, sparking nostalgia and strong audience energy, but the episode was uneven with many underdeveloped sketches. We talk about the clever genre blending and figurative language, as well as slash fiction and fan creativity in "Heated Wizardry" and expand into how reboots, remakes, and fan-inspired storytelling function in corporate media with "Stranger Things Promo." Readings include a primer on figurative language from the poetry foundation and Textual Poachers by Henry Jenkins, as well as examples of great remakes, reboots, and requels - oh my!
Transcribe →Episode 51: Ariana Grande (S51E09)
Jan 1600:37:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we discuss Ariana Grande's third time hosting on December 20, 2025. She aced the assignment, seamlessly fitting in with the cast, vocal talent, and playful, theater-kid energy. Coupled with the Bowen Yang's final appearance and Cher as musical guest, the episode was one of the best of the season. We discuss "Black Santa" and race, sentimentality, white guilt, and humor's role in social critique, as well as the linguistic power of impressions. Readings include James Baldwin, linguistic research on paralanguage, and Jordan Peele's Get Out.
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Episode 50: Josh O'Connor (S51E08)
Jan 1000:26:42Tap to summarizeWe discuss Josh O'Connor's hosting debut on December 13, 2025. He was charming but the episode was uneven. We discuss how "Bachelorette Party Strippers" plays on the "soft boy" aesthetic as well as the complexity of masculinity and how desire, gender norms, and emotional authenticity are negotiated in popular culture. We also talk about how "Uber Eats Wrapped" can be used for a deep dive into memory, shame, data privacy, and self-perception. Resources including readings on shame and the privacy paradox as well as films that explore the concept of memory.
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Episode 49: Melissa McCarthy (S51E07)
Dec 1600:27:27Tap to summarizeOnline comments hailed Melissa McCarthy's sixth turn hosting on December 6, 2025 as comic genius, but our collective take was more mixed. We discuss Pentagon Press Conference Cold Open and Jost's growing confidence as a performer as well as A Helping Hand, which showcased McCarthy's dramatic range. We focus on Free Sample to discuss fat humor, embodiment, loneliness, and attachment theory. Readings and resources include theoretical work regarding fatness and loneliness, as well as conversations on Harlow's psychologically deprived monkeys.
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Episode 48: Glen Powell (S51E06)
Dec 600:31:51Tap to summarizeWe discuss Glen Powell's November 15 2025 hosting debut, one of the season's strongest thanks to his full commitment, physicality, and enthusiasm. Luvell explores how "AI Photos" taps into concerns about AI ethics, memory, and "enshittification," Charisse praises "Norwegian Movie" for illustrating cultivation theory and how media shapes perceptions of entire cultures, and Chuck highlights "Bob Army" for its choreography, queer slang, and playful stereotypes. We also examine the darkly comic return of MacGruber and the episode's surprisingly sharp handling of Epstein, showcasing the show's willingness to take risks.
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