“Last Night's” SNL, full of nostalgia, doesn't show much confidence in its future

“Washington's Dream 2”: Better than I thought

“Washington’s Dream” might have been the best sketch of last season, mostly because it was original and unexpected. Bargatze played the eponymous founding father as a leader with strange ideas about what he was fighting for. It was a great example of the comic's understated delivery, casually laying out Washington's bizarre vision like a page torn from Bob Newhart's script.

Because SNL Since there was never a hit to beat, Washington's Dream 2 followed, a beat-for-beat recreation of the original, including another ending in which Kenan Thompson's black soldier gets the short end of the stick. And yet it works primarily by once again exposing all the stupid crap America does. Why “dozen” for 12 when no other number is mentioned? Why are there two ways to spell Jeff/Geoff?

The Political Cold Open: Worse

Hoo boy, SNLWe're doing it again, aren't we?

We'll never get rid of the political chill, especially in an election year, but why? SNL Do you insist on stunt casting most of the major players? Just like last week, the opening skit is dominated by funny people not in the cast — Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Andy Samberg as her husband Doug, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz and Dana Carvey as Joe Biden. The ghosts of SNL In the nostalgic 50th season, the past makes some sense, but it all feels tired rather than a return to glory days.

Lonely Island: Better, but…

Since Samberg appears weekly as Doug Emhoff, why not hire him to do the work? Deserted island is back, y'all, and Akiva Schaffer is here to – listen to me – and help Samberg pitch his idea for Sushi Glory Holes.

It's a reminder of everything that's great about Lonely Island videos – the surprisingly cool hip-hop beats, the outlandish comedy concepts, and the surprising limits they can push network censors. “Sushi Glory Hole” is exactly what it sounds like – fish delivered straight to your mouth in the most unappetizing way possible. Bravo!

But the question arises: “Where are you, please don't destroy?” The heirs to the Lonely Island throne have not yet appeared in season 50 after their presence faded last year. In fact, the group has landed exactly one video on the show since March.

It was fun to see Lonely Island again, but with so many visits in the past SNL doesn't show much confidence in his future.