What really works about “SNL.”

It seemed like just another sketch destined to be forgotten at best, or niche fandom at best. When Washington's Dream first aired Saturday Night Live Last October lacked the timely preparation or witty banter that usually goes viral on the show. Then-host Nate Bargatze played General George Washington, giving a crucial pep talk to his weary Revolutionary War troops, inviting them closer to the campfire of his vision. “We are fighting for a country of our own,” he said, “a new nation in which we choose our own laws.” What followed was extensively about the break with the metric system, but thanks to Bargatze's dry delivery – typical of the staid ones discussions and the slow pace for which his stand-up has become famous – the scene became an instant classic.

Last night, when Bargatze returned as host of the show's 50th season, SNL took in the moment again. Taking place during the Founding Father's famous crossing of the Delaware River, “Washington's Dream 2” focused on words rather than numbers. “We are fighting to control our own destiny, to create our own nation and to do our own thing with the English language,” Bargatze said wistfully but tonelessly. This “thing” involved several aspects: the creation of a name for the number 12 (a dozen), but no other numbers; have two possible spellings for doughnut And Jeff (“the stupid way with that G”); and educating children about these nuances in a process that begins in kindergarten and continues through the second grade, inexplicably called “first grade.”

At a time when SNL Bargatze's return as Washington feels remarkable, putting him in the company of other hosts who have struck unexpected gold, such as Tom Hanks with David S. Pumpkins. But unlike those hits, Bargatzes Washington doesn't rely on a catchphrase or an obvious physical presence.

The success of the sketch is surprising. What new jokes could there be about the imperial system? Or about the fact that hamburgers aren't actually made of ham? These are well-worn observations, the kind of simple one-liners that early comics once made entire careers out of. In the hands of another comedian or celebrity host, it wouldn't work nearly as well, but Bargatze's affably calm demeanor matched the bland comedy of the punchlines in a way that exacerbated the absurdities of the American style. When the sketch briefly sought commentary from the perspective of a black soldier (Kenan Thompson), asking whether Washington's speech about “all Americans” included enslaved people, Bargatze simply ignored it, despite having a keen sense of timing from years of stand-up had . This long silence lent a satirical edge to America's juxtaposition of moral blindness and proud ridiculousness—but without overpowering the delightful silliness on display.

Some online commenters were confused last year as to when SNL chose Bargatze as host. The Tennessee stand-up had a solid following, but was nowhere near as well-known as other A-list comedians who had played the role – artists like Dave Chappelle and Amy Schumer, whose name recognition is comparable to that of star actors and athletes, who headline most episodes. But considering the success of Washington's Dream, it shouldn't be all that surprising that Bargatze was asked back — during its monumental 50th season, no less. SNL It may not always understand what will resonate with audiences at the time a skit airs, but it certainly knows when and how to hit a home run.

The episode fittingly ended with a group that arguably ushered in the era of SNL viral clips and opened the show's digital skits designed for the Internet. Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer — two-thirds of the musical comedy trio Lonely Island — returned with “Sushi Glory Hole,” a rap song that imagines the possibilities of a bathroom stall that serves you sushi (as opposed to that). other Glory Hole a few doors down).

Following the release of the group's SNL digital short “Lazy Sunday” in 2005, the series became a staple, modernizing the short film format that Albert Brooks was originally created to create SNL and giving the show a new kind of afterlife — and relevance — on the then-nascent streaming site YouTube. After Lonely Island left SNLThe show continued producing digital shorts and later hired Please Don't Destroy, a group whose web-savvy members had built a YouTube following during the pandemic, as writers. They appear to have followed in the footsteps of Samberg and his crew, albeit with mixed results.

But last night's episode showcased what really works on the show — which goes beyond the current hits and alumni cameos that dominate the cold opens — and focused on classics new and old.