Photo: NBC/Caro Scarimbolo/NBC

After nearly six months, Acknowledgement The Israel-Hamas War has only been the most tepid The following are some examples of how to use glancing ways, Saturday Night Live aired A full-throated appeal For the freedom of Palestinians this week (alongside an appeal for the safe release of war’s hostages). Perhaps it’s due to the change in public opinion in the United States about protecting Gazans. Demonstrably shifted In a way that cannot be ignored. It is more likely that the show never needed a host. Deep convictions Who was not afraid to be unfunny if it meant delivering a simple message on a huge media platform.

Ramy Youssef did not have no jokes in his monologue, but he used them to bring up serious issues that are usually absent from the show. Before concluding his pro-Palestinian speech, Ramy Youssef gave some material on the power of prayer.The comedian brought President Biden out in a way that some audience members might not have heard before. Weekend Update is full of jokes about Biden’s age and incoherence, but not about his administration’s treatment of Arab-Americans. Youssef’s disenchantment of Biden was expressed in a way which is not hateful or venomous. It feels like a part of the self-titled book. TV show Then, and then standup. The pregnant pause he took at the end before segueing to, “We’ve got a great show for you tonight,” suggests he was fully aware of how uncomfortable he may have just made some viewers—and that he makes no apologies for it.

Youssef was also the perspective of the rest the episode. Sketches like “Immigrant father talk show” The following are some examples of how to get started: “Ozempic Ramadan – a celebration of Ramadan”. The film brought to the forefront aspects of Muslim American culture, while This week’s Please Don’t Destroy video highlighted both Youssef’s sobriety The following are some examples of how to get started: Piercing anxiety. While the show didn’t carry over its momentum from its outstanding Josh Brolin-hosted predecessor, it had a lot more going for it than just a powerful message up top, mining laughs from some unexpected places—like a certain not-so-tiny desk.

Here are some highlights:

The show could not have started any other way, even though the Trump-driven openings are starting to lose steam as we approach the general election. Last year’s Trumpy Easter sketch The postmodern element added a playful twist to the mix, while eviscerating former President Bush’s religious pandering. It was the real Trump who kicked off the Easter week. Sell $60 patriotic bibles The decision to go in this direction was made. This year’s version is not as powerful as last year’s, but it still tries to get as much juice out of Trump’s paradoxical grip on American evangelicals. James Austin Johnson’s ongoing practice of removing definitive articles from nouns has found its best application yet in his repeated references the Bible. It comes with all the things you want from bible. This tic here only further fleshes out just how screamingly insincere Trump sounds when attempting to sound like a devout Christian—something Colin Jost also skewers later on in Weekend Update. SNL Johnson’s impression should not be worn out between now and November. But bringing him back this week was an easy decision that paid off.

It’s hard to describe how much fun it was to watch the sketch “We Got Too High,” without knowing what would happen. Youssef begins by telling the PDD crew he’s happy. Travis Scott is a musical guest. Has invited them for a fun night out. Youssef, regretting his clumsy words, describes the nightclub as “a twisted Rockin’ Ball”. The boys are quite boisterous in the limo. But it is only when they enter a nightclub, with Scott, that the ridiculous premise becomes apparent. It’s a great comic opportunity, even before Youssef is referred to as a person who can reach a “napkin pants” level of anxiety without herbal assistance.

This weekend’s Weekend Update was a home run. The desk pieces were excellent, with a mix of goofy and political subject matter. One incendiary joke was also included. This week’s major catastrophe“Like this bridge, Biden no longer connects with the black community.” Chloe Fineman TikToker This video captures perfectly the horror of seeing one’s own horribly outdated social media posts. Sarah Sherman as Flaco the Owl’s widow Another excellent entry in her growing list of unlikely Jost opponents.

The studio audience did not enjoy this sketch. It was devoid of laughter for long periods. It’s tempting to label those who didn’t laugh throughout as philistines. But this sketch is a big, niche swing. The moment where the mere presence of David Caruso’s CSI: Miami one-liners The funniest thing that ever happened in the history of the world predates Obama’s administration SNL’s The context of the coveted youth demo is unlikely to be present. Fortunately, the idea that a detective will not let go of his one-liner unless it gets the reaction he wants transcends generations. Or at least it did for your recapper—and for Sherman, who could barely hold it together during Andrew Dismukes’ long, eager setup of the joke’s final delivery.

Who knew NPR Tiny Desk Concerts deserved such a rich comeuppance! Bowen Yang. He was strangely absent for the rest of the episode, but turns in a quiet performance. tour de force Here is Elliott, the 35 year old NPR intern. His character embodies all the stereotypes about NPR that you’ve ever laughed at, from an inflated sense self-satisfaction, to the continued use outdated liberalisms like “Nevertheless, she persevered.” His proposed A.I. His proposed podcast about A.I. Beep Bloop Now I’m Gay It hovers at about an inch above the surface of reality. This is a perfect environment for satire.

• If the Couple Goals Game Show If it looks familiar, it is the sequel to Sketch Quinta’s Brunson episode from the previous season. (Well, it’s more a reboot than sequel.

• The fake tagline for the Swiffer Wetjet is one of the best throwaway jokes at the top of a game show sketch in some time. (And yes, there is an entire category for SNL joke.)

• At some point, Colin Jost and Michael Che start treating the studio audience’s reactions to their jokes like a show they are watching while delivering part of the show. Michael Che’s reaction to an audience member’s shriek is the best example of this. A joke about Oppenheimer’s Japanese premiere.

• Casually placing a syringe atop an unlidded bowl of dates in the fridge during The Ozempic for Ramadan Sketch This is a stunning detail Plucked from Muslim Life.

• The Team Captain sketch The film never really finds its groove but the ending with a full page newspaper headline reading “Pervert Victorious”, is a great way to close.