SNL101

This 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.

In 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.

We 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. 

In 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.

This 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).

We 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!

In 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.

We 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. 

Online 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.

We 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.

We discuss Nikki Glaser's first time hosting on November 8, 2025. bringing her bold, boundary-pushing comedy to network broadcast television. Glaser's Stand-Up Monologue —filled with taboo humor about rape, trafficking, and pedophilia—was a masterclass in "gross-out" comedy where Glaser targets herself rather than others. Charisse compares Glaser to John Waters, Luvell connects the episode to philosophical debates about ethical taboos in humor, and Chuck situates it in a tradition of transgressive film comedies like Scary Movie, Road Trip, and Serial Mom. Readings include Film Comedy by Geoff King and the Politico article, "'I love Hitler': Leaked messages expose Young Republicans' racist chat."

We discuss Miles Teller's second time hosting on November 1, 2025. The episode was uneven, it was technically good but lacked "flavor." We discuss how we could use "Missing Wives" in class to discuss the true crime genre, strategic use of archetypes in comedy, and using gendered dynamics in screenwriting. Readings feature Ralph Ellison, Richard Butsch, and a history of true crime from Jstor Daily, as well as films that comment on intimacy in relationships including On Golden Pond (1981) and Together (2025).

Charisse chats with Michelle Santosuosso, a pioneering voice in hip-hop radio, a music industry veteran, about Sabrina Carpenter's recent SNL appearance and album rollout. They analyze the performance's marketing strategy, sanitized humor, and sexuality themes, comparing Carpenter's authenticity to Taylor Swift's image control. The discussion also examines SNL's evolving cultural risks, streaming-era language freedom, and music industry promotion dynamics.

There were a lot of thoughts on Sabrina Carpenter's first time hosting on October 18, 2025. This iteration may have hit its stride, but may have underutilized Sabrina's talents. We discuss Boys Podcast as well as Jost's joke about Trump and Argentina. We also hear from Michelle Santosuosso, Professor of Practice at Newhouse's Bandier Program for Recording and Entertainment Industries, about Sabrina's career trajectory and the role of SNL in the music business.

We discuss Any Poehler's second time solo hosting on October 11, 2025. We talk about Emo Mom through the lens of liminality on both ends of adulthood, in adolescence and menopause, as well as gendered differences in aging, and representations of grief. Readings include an article about the We Do Not Care Club and Kendrick Lamar's Die Hard.

In this season premiere episode hosted by Bad Bunny on October 4, 2025, we discuss the Pete Hegseth Cold Open and satirizing authoritarianism. Readings include a new essay from Luvell Anderson and a classic 1940 essay from Rudolf Arnheim reflecting on the effectiveness of Chaplin's seminal satire The Great Dictator (1940). We also include a clip of Carol O'Connor on Dick Cavett in 1971 discussing the reception of Archie Bunker.

Charisse, Luvell, and Chuck get together before the premiere of SNL Season 50 to talk about hopes, dreams, and fears for the new season. We also discuss Farnsworth's Dream, Bargatze's opening sketch at the 2025 Emmys. 

After a year of celebrations, reflections, and clip shows, Scarlett Johansson hosts the season finale of the 50th season on May 17, 2025 for a record-setting seventh time. We talk about the power of news parody with Local News Stories and Press Junket, as well as the complexity of humorous gaze with Couples at the Bar and food Ethics in Victorian Ladies Who Lunch. We also discuss Mike Myers Elevator Ride and Joke Swap.

Walton Goggins' hosting debut on May 10, 2025 was a wild romp that embraced his newfound sex symbol status and delivered hearty guffaws and gasps. We discuss the construction of slapstick with A Guy Who Just Walked into a Spiderweb on Trump's Tariffs and the complexity of racial representation in The Movie Guy on Upcoming Summer Blockbusters, both segments on Weekend Update, as well as the humor potential of revealing intimate spaces in Boss's Bathroom, A Dan Bulla Short. We also break down The Second Amendment and Mother's Day Brunch. Readings include a reflection on Commedia Dell'Arte, an interview with Sofia Veragara, and reflections on the second amendment from legal scholars to Dave Chappelle.

Quinta Brunson was a delight in her second time hosting on May 3, 2025. Her presence was refreshing and she carried her sketches with a joy that was infectious. We discuss the inside humor of racial epithets on Weekend Update: Two Applebee's Barflies Duke and Darlene, the complicated experience of laughing at oneself in Two Bitches vs. a Gorilla and Forever 31, and the racial politics of time in Will and Todd's Radical Experience. Readings include a SCOTUS briefing on racial epithets, explorations of intersectional womanhood, and "The Chronopolitics of Racial Time," a 2020 essay by Charles Mills. Check out more videos in additional resources along with our reflections on Quinta's hosting debut in S48E16.

Charisse L'Pree and Chuck Hayward keep the conversation going to talk about Lizzo's appearances in S50E18 hosted by Jon Hamm. We discuss Lizzo's quiet-but-loud activism, the writers' limited use of her in the episode, and how celebrity scandal operates in the ecosystem of Saturday Night Live.  Chuck also connects Lizzo's performance to Janet Jackson's post-Superbowl episode 21 years ago on April 10, 2004.

Jon Hamm understood the assignment in his 4th time as host on April 12, 2025. We discuss satirizing socioeconomic inequality in Check to Check Business News, civil disobedience with Emil Wakim on American Patriotism, and the complexity of roasting and comedy writing via Guess! The Correct! Answer!, Gay Parents, and The White Potus. Readings address psychological impacts of socioeconomic class, Henry David Thoreau's essay on the relationships between individual citizens and government, and readings from our cohosts on the ethics of satire and humor. Stay tuned for a bonus conversation with  Charisse L'Pree and Chuck Hayward on Lizzo, the paucity of popular protest music, and comedy post scandal. 

We talk with Immy Farukhi, an entertainment lawyer and professor at Syracuse University, about the legal frameworks around obscenity, indecency, and satire in media—particularly in the context of Ego Nwodim's appearance on Weekend Update. We discuss the legal distinctions between "obscene" (not protected by the First Amendment) and "indecent" (protected but regulatable). We also the role of satire and how SNL's political commentary, even when crude or biting, is protected under the First Amendment despite the inherent political nature of the FCC. Prof. Farukhi emphasizes the importance of nuanced legal education, teaching students to analyze legal tests and apply them to real-world situations, fostering critical thinking rather than black-and-white answers.

Jack Black's 4th time hosting on April 5, 2025 was a refreshingly silly reprieve, from current events and a string of underwhelming episodes. We discuss the implications of the call-and-response-gone-wrong in Weekend Update: Ego Nwodim on the White House Correspondents' Dinner, ethical non-monogamy in Making Love, and the potential of framing to disrupt collective memory in Times Square Kiss. We also discuss The First Play through the lens of learning to engage with media, the psychology of heckling, and imaginative resistance. Entertainment attorney and Newhouse TRF Professor Immy Farukhi also shares his strategy for teaching obscenity and indecency. Readings include developmental and relationship psychology, the context of offense, and the rise of heckling.

Mikey Madison's hosting premiere on March 29, 2025 was largely unimpressive and was overshadowed by Morgan Wallen's abrupt departure during the closing credits. We discuss punching down and missed opportunities as well as the art of waiting in Big Dumb Line, reboot culture in Please Don't Destroy - Mikey Madison is Squidward, and the dynamics of inside jokes with Devon Walker Shares his Morning Routine. Readings include the cultural and industry significance of reboots and the importance of waiting and patience in an increasingly on demand world.

Lady Gaga's second time hosting (and as musical guest) on March 8, 2025 generated a lot of feelings, some good, some bad, some funny, some sad. We discuss the power of satire in the Trump, Musk and Rubio Meeting Cold Open, satirizing masculinity and power in Weekend Update: Lord Gaga on His Unwavering Support for His Wife Lady Gaga, the manic pixie dream girl and commodity feminism in Mascara Commercial, and language and power in No More Slay. Readings include the social history of single women in the United States, the effects of income imbalance within marriages, and a 1979 essay by James Baldwin entitled," If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell me What Is." 

Shane Gillis' second time hosting on March 1, 2025 showcased the potential of a host to "make the show his own;" Gillis was clearly active in the writers room and appeared in every sketch. We discuss how to satirize stereotypes in the Stand Up Monologue and Mid-Day News 2, the difficulty in satirizing Trump in the Cold Open, the trolley problem in Jane Wickline Gives Dating Advice, and the absurdity of direct to consumer drug ads in CouplaBeers. Readings include critical analyses of pornography, the complexity of drug ads, and a takedown of a beloved philosophical problem. 

We talk with Dr. Dan Amernick, Senior Professional Lecturer and department chair of Media Arts at Marist University. We discuss the show's transformation from an experimental comedy space to a corporate-driven institution, its role in shaping political discourse, and how it has both reflected and influenced American culture over 50 years. The conversation explores the rise of celebrity cameos, the diminishing space for emerging cast members, and the commercialization of SNL's once-subversive edge. Is the show still a groundbreaking force in comedy, or has it become a self-congratulatory institution? Tune in for a deep dive into the history, humor, and legacy of SNL.

We talk with Dr. Noël Carroll, distinguished professor of philosophy, film and media cultures at the Graduate School at the City University of New York (CUNY) and a leading figure in contemporary philosophy of art. We discuss SNL's reinvention of classic comedy formats, its role in shaping political satire, and its connections to countercultural movements. Carroll reflects on whether SNL is truly subversive or simply a product of capitalist entertainment, and the group debates the show's longevity in a changing media landscape. Is SNL an enduring institution or an aging relic? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on comedy, art, and cultural transformation.

We talk with Dr. Robert Thompson, the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. We discuss its evolution, cultural impact, and role in political satire. From its nostalgic anniversary special to its function as a talent incubator, they explore SNL's strengths, shortcomings, and digital-age relevance. The conversation critiques the show's tendency toward superficial political humor, its struggles with inclusivity, and the limitations of network television in fostering truly subversive comedy. Finally, they speculate on the show's future—does SNL have only five years left? Tune in for a sharp and insightful discussion on one of TV's most iconic institutions.

In this special episode of SNL101, we are joined by comedy scholars Brittney Michelle Edmonds, Danielle Fuentes Morgan, and Raul Perez, as well as friend of the pod Chuck Hayward, to discuss 50 years of Saturday Night Live through the lens of the 50th Anniversary Special, aired on February 16, 2025. We talk about the show's role in establishing comedy across the 20th and 21st centuries from Word Association to Black Jeopardy, its complicated relationship with representing Blackness and Black humor exemplified in the In Memoriam montage, and how this epic oeuvre can be used to foster conversations in the classroom. We also introduce three featured players who bring a unique skill set: Noël Carroll discusses SNL as a comedy innovator, Bob Thompson spotlights the tailored nostalgia of the anniversary special, and Dan Amernick takes us back to when Lorne Michaels was dropped from the network. Readings include articles and books from the hosts and our panel.   

Timothée Chalamet's third time hosting on January 25 2025 did not necessarily disappoint, but some fan favorites like SmokeChedda TheAssGetta and Tiny Horse were noticeably absent. We discuss James Austin Johnson's ability to impersonate Trump's haughty cruelty in Founding Fathers Cold Open, the role of AI in interpersonal relationships in AI Software, and the power intra Black conversations in Giselle, A Concerned Businesswoman, on Trump's Executive Orders. We are again honored to have Chuck Hayward join us as we also unpack Oedipal Arrangements, God - An SNL Animated Short, and Bungee. Readings include current articles on the rise of conservatism in the United States, the psychology of education, AI, and collaborative creativity, and the history and effects of anti-Black hair discrimination. 

Dave Chappelle's fourth time hosting on January 18, 2025 featured a markedly mature appearance that balanced the political and the personal. We discuss his progressively classic Stand-Up Monologue and political aesthetics, journalism's struggle in the current communication environment with MSNBC Special Coverage Cold Open, and the power of ambiguity and backstory in Evacuation Alert. We are joined in the virtual studio by friend of the pod, Chuck Hayward for an exciting conversation about Chappelle's trajectory. Readings include a 15-year-old article from Oprah.com, a lesser known MLK speech from 1965, and Gramsci's essays while imprisoned by the Italian Fascist regime in the 1920s. 

Martin Short played the elder statesman during his fifth time hosting on December 21, 2024. This Christmas episode was filled with cameos, callbacks, and current events. We discuss the complexity of homelessness and the rhetoric of anti-woke publics in An Act of Kindness, the intractable intersection of gender and comedy in Parking Lot Altercation, and the winner of this year's Joke Swap. Emmy nominated Chuck Hayward also joins to share his thoughts on demographic trends in the Five-Timers Club Cold Open. Readings include analyses of race, gender, and entertainment including Hanif Abdurraqib's 2022 collection of essays, A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance.

We talk about Chris Rock's fourth time hosting on December 14, 2024. The alum anchors a largely forgettable episode, interlaced with a few showstopping bangers. We talk about impactful lines from Rock's Opening Monologue, fan fictionalizing the 2022 Oscars Slap in Simpsons Christmas Gift, as well as racial memory and application with Grandpa's Magic Car and Mall Santas. Readings include histories of standup and fan fiction as well as recent articles on honestly representing mythic and iconic figures. 

Paul Mescal puts on an adequate performance in his SNL debut on December 7, 2024. We discuss spontaneity, creativity, and social comparison in Italian Restaurant Commercial, representations of masculinity in Please Don't Destroy: Paul Mescal is Daddy, and the inconsistent appeal of multi and cross genre content in Gladiator II: The Musical and Shaboozy's A Bar Song (Tipsy). Readings including a meta analysis of social comparison, philosophy and psychology of creativity, and a review of genre performances at the box office. 

In Charlie XCX's debut as host on November 14, 2024, we talk about prison abolitionism in Here I Go and the intersection of entertainment, journalism, and social media in Banger Boys, as well as a selection of #chejokes in Weekend Update that hit on national identity, gender, race, and class. Readings include reflections on prison abolition, a new chapter from Charisse on the intersection of entertainment and journalism, and the connection between patriotism and xenophobic jingoism.

Bill Burr hosts the post election episode on November 9, 2024, which feels disorganized and arbitrary at best. We talk about the complicated nature of satire and power in SNL for Trump Cold Open, and the complicated nature of meaning and commercial representation in Calling Dad, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Sex Rock CD. We also take time to appreciate Michael Che's frustration with the election on Weekend Update. Readings include articles on the philosophy and psychology of music, as well as the role of semiotics in conversation and advertising. 

John Mulaney returns to host for the sixth time in this pre-election episode. In our post-election analysis, we consider Kamala Harris' appearance in the Pre-Election Cold Open, the role of memory in democratic participation with What's That Name: Election Edition, and what it means to know New York with Port Authority Duane Reade. Readings include Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" as well as philosophical and psychological explorations of memory and knowledge.  

Michael Keaton's fourth time hosting on October 19, 2024 was unfortunately short on Batman, Beetlejuice, and Birdman jokes. We discuss the Weekend Update appearances of Sarah Sherman and Emil Wakim, as well as the absurdity of internalized oppression and how the film by Please Don't Destroy: Skydiving can remind us to be more empathetic in our everyday lives. We also take a brief detour to ruminate on Tony Hinchcliffe's remarks at a Trump Rally in New York. Readings include psychological, philosophical, and sociological investigations into whiteness and Susan Sontag's essay, "Regarding the Suffering of Others."

In this special episode, we are joined by Bob Thompson, Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, to talk about Saturday Night, the 2024 film directed by Jason Reitman about the night of 1975 premiere of SNL. We discuss the viability of historical fiction in a post-modern media ecosystem that has been oral-history'd and behind-the-scene'd to death and how the film continues some of the longstanding critiques of SNL regarding issues of race and gender. 

Ariana Grande already looks like a 5-timer in her second time hosting on October 12, 2024. We discuss the struggle for unionization with Monica: A Happy Amazon Employee and magnifying the absurdities of history in Castrati, as well learning and to lose and the relationship between competition and cooperation in Charades with Mom. Readings include novels and documentaries on labor rights, as well as the psychology of gaming and the philosophy of sport.  

Nate Bargatze returns to host the second episode of the 50th season with his trademark generous use of social space. We talk about masculinity in the Opening Monologue, the desires of the dead in Water Park, grotesque bodies and food in Sushi Glory Hole and Mile High Burger, and asymmetrical bilingualism in Sabado Gigante. Readings address the constructions of masculinity and femininity, philosophical investigations of death, and Linguistic Justice by Phillippe Van Parijs.

The premiere of the 50th season is finally here! In Jean Smart's first appearance as host after nearly 40 years on television, we talk about repurposing and sustainability in the parody commercial, Spirit Halloween, Black on Black humor in Devon Walker's Eric Adams, and the privacy of public figures in Bowen Yang's Moo Deng. We also fan over Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris, Jim Gaffigan's Tim Walz, Andy Samberg's Doug Emoff, and Dana Carvey's Joe Biden in the Cold Open. Readings cover the art of architectural grafting by Jeanne Gang, the phenomenon of parasocial interactions and fandom, and disrupting token characters in comedy. 

In the season finale hosted by Jake Gyllenhaal on May 18, 2024, we discuss Mulvey's Male Gaze and Kracauer's Mass Ornament in Beautiful Girls, unfair labor practices and genocide in Fast Fashion Ad, and humans as props in Weekend Update Joke Swap. Readings include the philosophy of consumer responsibility and the role of American influencers in Chinese propaganda. 

Maya Rudolph returns to host the Mother's Day episode on May 13, 2024. We talk about anti-queer discrimination and communities of practice with the Opening Monologue, the intersection of occupation, gender, and ethnicity in Nurse Appreciation, and the unruly woman in Hot Ones with Beyoncé. Readings include sociological investigations of a Queer community in Mexico City, structural racism in the healthcare industry, and the social power of unruly women across cultures.

Dua Lipa's first gig as SNL host on May 4, 2024 was generally enjoyable, but a few moments really stood out. We talk about algorithms and the loss of water cooler conversations in Jerry Seinfeld's appearance on Weekend Update as The Man Who Did Too Much Press, virtue signaling and slacktivism in Teeny Tiny Statement Pin, and the cognitive correlates of blackface and culture vultures in Good Morning Greenville. Readings include opinion pieces from The New York Times, The New Statesman, Newsweek, and The Spectator, as well as historical and current investigations into blackface by Eric Lott and Lauren Michele Jackson. 

Ryan Gosling's third appearance hosting on April 13, 2024 was one of the best episodes of the season. We talk about emotional contagion and breaking with Beavis and Butt-Head, and the complexity of sexist jokes with the Weekend Update Guest Appearances from SNL's Resident Boyfriend, Michael Longfellow, and Caitlin Clark. Readings include the philosophy and psychology of collective laughter, sexism and parenting, and a throwback to the tumblr account: Feminist Ryan Gosling. 

Kristin Wiig returns to Studio 8H to host for the fifth time and did not disappoint. We discuss resolving gender pay gaps in sports with the TBS March Madness Cold Open, the overlap of fitness and identity with the horror trailer Pilates, and the double edged sword of gamifying reality with Jumanji. Readings include resources on gender pay gap, history of fitness culture, and how games promote individual agency. 

Ramy Youssef's first time hosting SNL was unapologetically intersectional. We talk about how the comedic style of marginalized honesty is received in Youssef's Opening Monologue, normalizing Islam in Ozempic for Ramadan, inter generational narratives with Immigrant Dad Talk Show, and gallows humor in Murder Detective. Readings include the psychology of gallows humor and holiday imagery, recent books on the intersection of comedy resistance and activism, and an autocritography from Charisse on Margaret Cho's All American Girl.