Former SNL writer John Mulaney returns to host episode 5 of the series' 50th season with musical guest Chappell Roan. The series former writer previously hosted five times. As Mulaney takes the wheel, will he be able to coax Pete Davidson to return as a special guest star for part six of one of the show's most classic series of sketches ever?
John Mulaney portrays the voice of reason in a series of skits based on very New York topics. Mulaney took that premise and ran with it six times, thus developing a series of epic segments based on Big Apple life.
Mulaney's tributes to the the city play into the logic that there are some foods you do not eat, and things you do not do. This simple premise turned into five of the best Mulaney skits ever.
In 2018, the comedian appeared as a waiter in "Diner Lobster." In 2019, there was "Bodega Bathroom" and 2020 featured Mulaney as a store clerk who warned against eating "Airport Sushi." That same year, Mulaney took on New York souvenir shops in "New York Musical." Finally, in 2022, Mulaney played a newsstand operator in "Subway Churro."
Davidson was prominently featured alongside former cast member Chris Redd in all of the skits except one. He did not appear in Mulaney's "Churro" skit.
During SNL's 50th season, former cast members continue to return to join in on the half-decade celebration. Therefore, if John Mulaney debuts part six of this series, he could coax Davidson back to help bring the sketch to life.
Viewers won't know if Mulaney will resurrect the skit or if Davidson will take part until the series' live show. SNL typically doesn't reveal details of the show ahead of time.
In the John Mulaney SNL sketch "Diner Lobster," Pete Davidson and Chris Redd sit down to order food at a local Greek diner. However, when Davidson orders the restaurant's one and only lobster, the restaurant comes together to parody the Broadway play Les Miserables, with Keenan Thompson as the beleaguered Jean Valjean in lobster form. Mulaney plays their waiter and Cecily Strong appears as his co-star.
In the second installment, "Bodega Bathroom," Davidson and Redd star as two friends who go to their local bodega to buy some essentials. Then Davidson asks to use the bathroom. Keenan Thompson plays the bodega cat, who parodies Willy Wonka singing a version of "Pure Imagination" as he shows off the disgusting toilet area.
The third was titled "Airport Sushi." Davidson and Redd fly out of New York's LaGuardia Airport when Davidson decides he wants to purchase sushi from the newsstand along with a bottle of water. Based on songs from the Broadway play Phantom of the Opera, Davidson is shown all the reasons why one shouldn't consume raw airport newsstand fish and why LaGuardia Airport is unique.
John Mulaney paid homage to West Side Story, Annie, and a memorable moment featuring Jake Gyllenhall parodying Wicked in the sketch. Talking Heads singer and songwriter David Byrne made a memorable appearance as a baggage handler.
During SNL's 2020 season, John Mulaney warned viewers about what not to buy in the New York souvenir shops that dot Times Square in his fourth sketch "New York Musical." This bit starred Redd and Davidson, who wanted to purchase unwrapped "I Love New York" underwear.
Finally, by the time Mulaney hosted the sketch comedy series for a fifth time, Davidson was no longer a cast member. Chris Redd worked alongside Andrew Dismukes in a fifth observation on New York life, "Subway Churro" where a drunk man was warned against eating the dessert sold by a random woman from a shopping cart.
All of John Mulaney's musical theater skits have unique elements. However, of the handful of these very New York parodies, one sticks out as a clear winner.
"Airport Sushi" hits a home run for its parodies of New York's troublesome LaGuardia airport but also for its dire warnings about what not to eat there. Its transition into a true New York story of working at the airport and the types of people who pass through, including Jake Gyllenhall and David Byrne as guest stars, makes it a clear winner.
What's next for John Mulaney when he hosts the Nov. 3 installment of Saturday Night Live? Guess we'll find out beginning at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC.