Chris Rock is back in the hot seat for the fourth time as the Saturday Night Live (SNL) host, reclaiming his lost kingdom at Studio 8H. Rock’s show ran from 1990 to 1993, and he brought wit that could cut glass, a disposition just sour enough to offend, but not quite enough to enrage Sandy Claus. Featuring musical act Gracie Abrams and a special appearance by Adam Sandler, this episode boasted talents enough to illuminate a Christmas tree (if there was ever a question mark associated with the wiring). Chris Rock’s SNL return was like a rollercoaster: exciting, somewhat rough at times, and making some of those in the back think whether they had made the right decision. An X (formerly Twitter) user humorously wrote:
"I’m a big fan of Chris Rock, even though Will Smith isn’t."
A user stated: "Chris Rock was funny tonight IMO."
Meanwhile, a user who probably thought Rock was not funny, reacted with a GIF.
A user took a jab at many things at once writing: "A washed up Chris Rock just like the demo party."
Another user said: "Chris Rock proving once again that no headline is safe from his punchlines."
Chris Rock’s monologue at SNL
It was quite the political roast meets comedy therapy as Rock began his performance with an eight-minute monologue. He entered the 2024 presidential election in a similar way a chef prepares a turkey slicing all the nonsense. Rock made a quip about President Joe Biden granting a pardon to his son Hunter Biden saying “His middle finger still works” a jab at Biden’s slow pace.
Rock didn’t stop there. He thanked SNL creator Lorne Michaels on “25 great years” but stared blankly for just slightly too long for everyone to get the gag, which is— it’s the show’s 50th anniversary.
Sketch highlights
The sketches served as an array of Chris Rock’s comedy. In one particularly bold bit, a Christmas mall elf compelled parents to choose between a white Santa or a Black Santa. Basically, it was uncomfortable but funny leaving viewers wondering if they were supposed to find it funny.
In another sketch, Rock portrayed how people become 200% more ridiculous during an office Christmas party, especially when they have taken eggnog.
Not every sketch was an easy one, though. Some commentators pointed out that at times Rock looked uncomfortably nervous handling cue cards and reading lines as if he were texting and driving. It was as if one were trying to place IKEA furniture together without instructions.
Adam Sandler’s cameo
Adam Sandler made a surprise appearance as the pièce de résistance for the show. Visiting a sketch as a patient preparing to be operated on, Sandler somehow introduced his spirit to the show, and Rock looked more like the sober guy whose friends went wild at the frat house. Sandler at some time was faking bleeding all over members of the cast while making meta-humored jokes about the show. This was Sandler at his best: sloppy, humorous, and something that could have been improvised on the set.
Musical guest: Gracie Abrams
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SNL’s debut of Gracie Abrams was subtle. Singing “That’s So True” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” Abrams provided a different kind of energy to the show which was a kind of balance to the comedies of Rock and Sandler. Her music made it fresh, now the people who only watch SNL to see the music performances aren’t left with anything upsetting.
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