The season 48 finale of SNL would've been last Saturday. Thanks to scumbags who'd rather lose millions than pay writers what they're worth, the season ended three episodes earlier than initially anticipated.
— SARAH SQUIRM (@SarahSquirm) May 20, 2023
Throughout the WGA strike, plenty of cast members (both past & present) have been out supporting the writers who make this staple of American pop culture possible.
— SARAH SQUIRM (@SarahSquirm) May 5, 2023 
I've been an SNL guy since my late single digits. It's one of my go-to background shows when I play Madden/2K. After returning from ub**in, I almost always watch the latest episode before bed. People have said SNL's not good anymore for, like.. 47 years, but that is simply not the case. Some casts are for sure better than others, and not every skit is a home run. However, this "rebuilding year' that saw multiple staples of the past decade move on was actually one of the better seasons in recent memory.
I've been curating this list over the past few days and surely forgot some sketches that killed me at the moment, but I wanted to share some of them with the loyal DOL readers in hopes of spreading some laughter. Since I'm not a huge ranking art guy (even though I do it all the time), I will post the sketches chronologically (at least by episode). For the sake of variety, I'm trying not to be oversaturated; I could easily include every James Austin Johnson Trump impersonation because he's so fucking good at them, and they're always hilarious. Let's look back at the best of SNL48 (according to Ole Dozo)!!!
"ManningCast Cold Open"
Episode 1: Miles Teller & Kendrick Lamar
I loved the self-awareness of this sketch + Jon Hamm is my fucking GUY. Miles Teller did a solid Peyton Manning; the analysis of the cast was outstanding; I loved his lines about Bowen. This bit was a fantastic opening to the season, even if the corn kid reference already feels ancient and outdated.
"Caribbean Queens"
Episode 1: Miles Teller & Kendrick Lamar
1. If you don't LOVE "Caribbean Queen" by Billy Ocean, I feel bad for you. That song will bump until the end of time.
2. I love Ego & Heidi. Their duo of middle-ages, shorts losing, terrible tippers was hilarious (and hot). 3. Heidi knocked the delivery of "well hook a girl up" out of the park. 4. They'd both give me a hardy.
"Try Guys"
Episode 2: Brandon Gleeson and Willow
IMO, this was one of the weakest episodes of the season (along with Woody's, which pains me to admit). I don't think Brandon Gleeson did a good job, but this parody of the Try Guy's over-the-top reaction to one of their members kissing someone who wasn't his wife was funny to someone like me who didn't know who the fuck these squids were until this week.
Weekend Update: Black Ariel
Episode 2: Brandon Gleeson & Willow
Just call her Ariel. Surely, I'm swayed by Ego in the mermaid costume, but my girl crushes it here. Her takes and reveals as Ariel are fucking hysterical.
Please Don't Destroy presents Wellness
Episode 3: Megan Thee Stallion
I've loved the addition of the Please Don't Destroy guys the last two seasons. They rarely miss, but this video killed me, especially the cigarette gym part.
Weekend Update: Drunk Uncle on Why He Hates Halloween
Episode 4: Jack Harlow
I too learned a lot during the Pandemimoore and am a sucker for former cast members making appearances (as we'll see throughout the list). It was nice to get an updated look at Drunk Uncle; his quiet-quitting bit was fantastic. Can you Minecraft my Metaverse please?
DONDA!!?!?!?!?!
"David Pumpkins Returns"
Episode 4: Jack Harlow
While it wasn't quite as good as the original (Jack Harlow can't act), it was still a solid callback to a recent classic. Any questions?
I've got one: who doesn't love Tom Hanks...and if so why? What happened to you?
"Covid Commercial"
Episode 5: Amy Shumer & Steve Lacy
SNL's been parodying commercials since the beginning, so it's no surprise they'd take on the big C. Sup, J6 Sarah?
"House of the Dragon"
Episode 6: Dave Chappelle & Black Star
I was a tad disappointed in the Dave Chapelle episode. I expected more from one of the top 2 living stand-ups (Chris Rock being the other). I'm 31, which means I was in middle school during Chappelle's Show, so of course, it was a significant part of my human development. As a nostalgic mother fucker, I loved seeing some of the show's greatest hits...even if I'm NOT and will likely NEVER be a Game of Thrones guy.
Weekend Update: Sarah News
Episode 6: Dave Chappelle & Black Star
Sarah is arguably my favorite cast member. I love her style of comedy and what she brings to the show. She has an extraordinary dynamic/chemistry with Colin, and I'm gonna stop here before this turns into a Sarah Squirm love letter. Wooooahhhh, Pennsylvania!
"Hello Kitty"
Episode 7: Keke Palmer & SZA
"Hello Kitty" was chaotic af in the best way possible. It reminds me of the most evil invention skit; like how the fuck does this turn into an ad for New York? What a rabbit/bunny/actually a little girl/hole...wait a second...Keke & Bowen crush it, and Sarah normal looks sexy AF. YOU'RE TELLING ME SHE'S A 48-YEAR-OLD THIRD GRADER WHO'S CLAPPING CHEEKS BAREBACK???? Now let's go see the Yankees on Broadway at MSG!
"Kenan & Kelly"
Episode 7: Keke Palmer & SZA
As previously stated, I've got a spot for nostalgia. It was great to see that Rigby's survived the Pandemimoore AND that Kel is still alive because back in like 2007, there were serious rumors that he wasn't! THERE GOES THE BUSSSSS
"Big Boys"
Episode 7: Keke Palmer & SZA
I love musical sketches, and this is a certified banger with an important message. You may think I'm biased as a big boy, but this shit slaps (like a big man's rolls when he's clapped it right!). Fat guys try really hard, even if their bodies aren't!
​Cecily will be missed (I still don't really get why she left mid-season...did she know the strike was coming and wanted an official good-bye moment?) but I'm glad she was a part of this winter wonderjam before leaving as the longest tenured woman cast member in SNL history.
Please Don't Destroy- Chelsea
Episode 9: Steve Martin + Martin Short & Brandi Carlile
This video is simply a masterclass in cringe comedy (with superb editing!). It continuously dives deeper into the bizarre—s/o Sarah Sherman's real dad.
"A Christmas Carol"
Episode 9: Steve Martin + Martin Short & Brandi Carlile
This sketch has Sarah Squirm's fingerprints (and internal organs) all over it! Honorable mention for the Maury parody sketch, Pinky or some shit.
"NFL on Fox Cold Open"
Episode 10: Aubrey Plaza & Sam Smith
I've given you guys a lot to watch and read, so I'll keep this one short: Bowen's George Santos was hysterical. Congrats on the tightest tuck award.
Weekend Update: April Ludgate and Leslie Knope
Episode 10: Aubrey Plaza & Sam Smith
I wish we got more of Amy/Leslie. But like I said earlier....I love when cast members return and am a sucker for nostalgia, so obvi seeing Amy Poehler back on Update as Leslie Knope was fucking awesome. She looked so happy and beautiful. Her line about Seth Myers crushed. Amy Poehler is an icon and I love her. New England girl, too!
"HIV Commercial"
Episode 10: Aubrey Plaza & Sam Smith
If I was ranking art in this blog, this is in my top 5 skits of the season. I recently saw an HIV commercial where they really said something about "containing a lot of medicines," which retroactively made this sketch even funnier. Devon Walker shines (no cap), and Mikey Day's lousy dancing is better than my actual moves. It's such a funny concept and was executed quite well. Be careful playing basketball this summer; you don't want to catch AIDS the same way Magic Johnson did!
"King Brothers Toyota"
Episode 11: Michael B. Jordan & Lil Baby
Gun to my head, this is my favorite sketch of the season and maybe the best overall episode (it's between this and Pedro's IMO). The writing, the delivery, the concept...all brilliant. Some may even call it a fun house mirror held up to the American dream, but idk about all that,,,just that sales warrior in Christ Brian Pattmore saves the day for the King Brothers in this zany parody of a car dealership commercial.
"Party in Palm Springs"
Episode 11: Michael B. Jordan & Lil Baby
Everybody in this skit fucking kills it, which is ironic since it ends by bringing new life to the world. Sarah's wig & eye makeup is sexy, and Punkie's titty meat be POPPIN'. Heidi's Galaxy (perfect phone for her character) charger is hysterically long. It's just such an awkward mess. What a journey. BITCH WHERE YOU GETTIN' PEANUT BUTTER??
"Wing Pit"
Episode 12: Pedro Pascal & Coldplay
Nobody does over-the-top commercials like SNL. Heidi's irritating voice/persona and the intentionally awful dialogue between people at the party are a perfect homage to these type of ads. That's something we can both agree on.
Weekend Update: Punxsutawney Phil
Episode 12: Pedro Pascal & Coldplay
Michael Longfellow showed plenty of promise this season (especially with his update characters/playing himself), but this a little too real look at groundhog day/life in general is some of his best work. The beaver line was expected by people like me but still lol funny.
Weekend Update: Milly Pounds and Shirty
Episode 12: Pedro Pascal & Coldplay
Weekend Update crushed it all season per usual, but of all the weird characters and appearances, my favorite was Milly Pounds and Shirty. James Austin Johnson is the most talented person on the show and Devon Walker was IMO the strongest rookie. It's wild JAJ is still technically a featured player when he carries the show like Jan Wouters.
No exaggeration; I've seen this skit 50+ times and it still makes me laugh. Hopefully, this was not the last we see of these two....I'm allergic to dairy.
"Lisa From Temecula"
Episode 12: Pedro Pascal & Coldplay
If SNL gave out an MVP award every season, Ego could've easily won it for season 48. I know moments ago I said that "King Brothers Toyota" was my favorite sketch of the year, but it'll have to be tied with Lisa because this shit is laugh out loud funny and borderline perfect (Pedro's delivery kinda annoys me..but that may be intentional).
At first, I was like really? We were getting back to back restaurant skits; this is so fucking lazy. But to their credit, this skit is phenomenal. Lisa from Temecula is probably the signature sketch of the season and deservingly so. It's soooo fucking funny. Everybody breaks, even the background actors. The look on Bowen's face after Ego says "cause we black?" is priceless. You'll be hard pressed to find a better sketch from SNL48. "Bitch, we the youngest of six girls," was another well executed line. The only thing that could've made this funnier is more spilled drinks.
Various Weekend Update Bits
Episode 13: Woody Harrelson & Jack White
I love Woody, but this episode was not very good. Weekend Update did the heavy lifting. Foul on Davis.
p.s. Heidi...I would if I could!
Weekend Update: Sarah's News (Birthday Edition)
Episode 14: Travis Kelce & Kelsea Ballerini
Okay maybe I lied about over-saturation, but Sarah genuinely murders it (in a good way) here. The cake (and how she handled it) was so cute.
"NFL Gives Back" **cut for time**
Episode 14: Travis Kelce & Kelsea Ballerini
Some of SNL's funniest sketches end up getting cut for time and finding a second life on Youtube. While I wouldn't call this the funniest sketch of all time, it would've been the best of Travis Kelce's episode had it made it to air.
Honestly, the American Girl Doll and night club sketches were solid too, but this blog is already long enough. Just figured I'd give them a quick s/o while I do a quick read through.
"The Parent Trap"
Episode 15: Jenna Ortega & The 1975
I didn't watch Wednesday, so I didn't realize at the time that Fred Armisen's in it with Jenna Ortega (never heard of her before this show). Fred is one of my all-time favorite cast members, so I was pumped to see him in the monologue and obviously this sketch. He fucking kills it. His timing is as good as ever. Even though he's got a full head of hair in this bit, he sorta reminded me of Rodger Brush. If there were an Olympic podium for SNL48 sketches, this would get the Bronze.
P.S. The 1975 were the best musical guest of the season.
"Weekend Update: James Austin Johnson's Random Celebrity Impressions"
Episode 15: Jenna Ortega & The 1975
It really is between Ego and JAJ for SNL48 MVP, in a rare appearance simply playing himself, JAJ shows off some of his gifted impressions. The Trump Negroni bit may be his best work. The way he says it's a three ingredient drink is spot-fucking-on. I hope James Austin Johnson serves a decade at 30 Rock.
Also, Colin and Che killed it all season. I'm just too lazy to rake through all their jokes to single out a few for this already super long blog. It's currently 7:48! I need to finish before tipoff! #BleedGreen
"Midwife"
Episode 16: Quinta Brunson & Lil Yatchy
We're speeding up now...Midwife was just classically well executed over-the-top humor. When Bowen came out with the wig to the floor, I lost it. It's gross that Macklemore is a throwback now. Time truly is a bitch... just like the midwife, who while you were reading that, was busy delivering this baby.
To be continued?....
"Trump Easter Cold Open"
Episode 17: Molly Shannon & Jonas Brothers
In a season full of incredible Trump impersonations from JAJ, this one's my favorite/the best. I think I could've written this one a lot faster. We would've done it faster.
Please Don't Destroy: Molly Shannon 2K23
Episode 17: Molly Shannon & Jonas Brothers
This concept was hilarious (even tho it's recycled from an old PDD vid). I wish I had Shannon 95 back in the day on my Game Boy Color.
"Weekend Update: Jafar"
Episode 17: Molly Shannon & Jonah Brothers
I'm starting to sound like a broken record but this was perfectly executed by Bowen. His delivery on the "a little light in the loafers" and "yeah, I loveeee cooch" lines was out of this world. Fuck Ron DeSantis, I literally hope you d1e. You're a fascist/racist fuck who wants to destroy America!
"The Play"
Episode 17: Molly Shannon & Jonah Brothers
This one takes on a ride and when I watched it high ass balls the first time I was cracking up. I almost forgot about while making this blog, which can likely be blamed on the second half of my previous sentence.
"Drug Commercial"
Episode 17: Molly Shannon & Jonah Brothers
Menopause: gross, but funny! Molly's character shitting on the other dancers was also funny. Kenan comes in and closes this out like prime Mariano.
"Lisa from Temecula: Wedding"
Episode 18: Ana de Armas & Karol G
I'm pumped we got more Lisa. I'd like to think we would've seen her at least once more in the final three episodes, but her delivery of "smoked" making fun of Bowen's character killed me. I could kinda see what was coming with the salad but it was still fucking hilarious.
Weekend Update: Genesis Fry
Episode 18: Ana de Armas & Karol G
This Florence Welch version of Sarah Squirm gets my blood pumping like Reeboks. No matter who her character is, Sarah and Colin are one of the funniest duos on SNL.
Relax! Relax! This is the (2nd to) last video in this super long, passion project blog. Should my Barstool dream never happen, working for SNL is up there for Dozo life goals (but I ain't no fuckin' scab!!!) Lastly, fuck Hitler, but the use of that Hitler quote with Colin was hysterical. Once again proving that anything can be funny, you fucking children (loser adults) who cry about comedy.
"Nail Salon"
Episode 18: Ana de Armas & Karol G
We end with some more over-the-top gross humor. I'll never out grow that.
....get it, "out grow" in a skit about super long nasty overgrown nails. LOL dozo...
Thank you for making this far. It's now 8:15 pm and I'm met my goal of finishing this blog before tipoff. I wanted to make a photoshop collage to go with this blog but simply don't have the time. You likely won't see this blog until after Game 5 ends and for my own mental sake...hopefully there's a Game 6 Saturday night. GO CELTICS!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN OPENLY UPSET WITH YOUR EARLIER PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THIS PLAYOFF RUN!!!!!!
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