John Mulaney Hosts an Instant Classic Episode of 'SNL'

Cold Open — As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Kamala Harris made an appearance during the Cold Open. She was very good, and I’m not just saying that because she’s Kamala Harris. I mean, I’m sort of saying that because she’s Kamala Harris. But she was good, too! Vote for her! We also saw the roster of political cameos (Samberg as Emhoff, Maya as Kamala, and Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz), and God help us, one of the last times we’ll see James Austin Johnson — or anyone else — as Donald Trump. Anyway, they employed Kamala well! (Score: 7.5 out of 10)

John Mulaney Monologue — The Mulaney monologue, as always, is very good: He mostly jokes about his family (a little Olivia Munn and her mom, but mostly about his own parents). Mulaney, as you all may know, is very good at this. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)

What’s that Name? — Brilliant skit, which includes another political cameo. I don’t want to spoil it, even though I couldn’t possibly because you’d forget his name between reading this and watching the clip. I love everything about this. (Score: 9 out of 10)

Beppo — Another Mulaney episode that is crushing it. Here is Beppo, a chimp astronaut in 1962 who circled the globe, being told that NASA can’t bring him home. Beppo doesn’t want to hear that. Great skit, although I don’t know why Beppo has to look so creepy. I’m going to make this the Mat skit of the week, because Mat loves animals with creepy beady eyes. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)

The Duane Reed Inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal — They’re pulling out all the stops as Mulaney continues his musical series about bizarre places and brings back Pete Davidson. It begins with a gallon of milk and a Lion King song and also includes the RFK, Jr. bear doing Lin Manuel Miranda and a bunch of Timothee Chalamet impressionists. I don’t know if it’s better than Diner Lobster, but it’s close. (Score: 9 out of 10)

Weekend Update — I don’t know if this is one of the best SNL episodes of this decade, or if I’m still high on that Iowa Poll, but even Update is fantastic, especially including Heidi Gardner’s Reba McEntire segment, where she “endorses” a political candidate. Also, Marcello Hernandez and Jane Wickline combine to form the most unlikely couple ever. It’s all great. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)

Little Richard — The worst skit of this episode would be one of the best of some other episodes. Here, Little Richard plays the special guest in every episode of a lost sitcom, where Kenan plays the hell out of him. (Watch Here) (Score: 6 out of 10)

Harvey Epstein — And finally, we end with a guy with the unfortunate name of Harvey Epstein running for elected office in New York City. No relation! I’d include the embed, but if you include too many embeds on one page, the page will crash and this episode is already pushing it. This is not an issue for most SNL episodes. (Watch Here) (Score: 6 out of 10)

Average Score: 7.37 — That is an unheard-of score on a show that usually has at least one or two 3s or 4s to bring down the average. This is why Mulaney is one of the best ever to do this. Honestly, the 50th Anniversary episode may have some competition now.