Miles Teller made his second appearance as host on Saturday Night Live in a show that aired recently in New York City, drawing mixed reactions for his uneven performance. While his awkward and stiff delivery attracted criticism, especially in the opening monologue and cold open, the episode still featured memorable moments and solid support from the ensemble cast and newer performers. The Miles Teller SNL performance was notable for the contrast between his uneasy hosting and the show’s overall ability to deliver laughter despite the challenges.
Miles Teller’s Struggles in Key Sketches Mark the Night
Expectations were high for a more confident return from Miles Teller, but his performance often felt hesitant and uncomfortable. His monologue was marked by a flat, rigid tone that made it difficult for the audience to engage, as he stumbled through ad-lib moments and failed to connect emotionally with his material. This initial misstep set a rough tone for the evening, compounded by the cold open that featured a chaotic New York City mayoral debate parody. Teller’s portrayal of Andrew Cuomo and Shane Gillis’ Curtis Sliwa both faltered, with Gillis delivering his lines in a monotonous fashion that drained the humor. The sketch concluded awkwardly when James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance, adding little to the segment aside from a fleeting glimpse of his surprising singing voice.
Cold Open Falters in Mayoral Debate Parody
The opening sketch aimed to lampoon the NYC mayoral debate but suffered from length issues and inconsistent performances. Kenan Thompson emerged as a highlight, breaking the fourth wall to comment on his obscure character impersonation and humorously read sponsors. Guest Ramy Youssef found success with his energetic portrayal of Zohran Mamdani, while Shane Gillis and Miles Teller failed to bring the same vitality, resulting in a somewhat dull introduction. James Austin Johnson’s Trump cameo provided a quirky finale but did not salvage the overall shaky start to the episode.
Standout Comedy in the Newsroom and Police Conference Sketches
Despite a difficult start for the host, Saturday Night Live’s ensemble cast shone in later segments, especially in sketches setting a humorous tone behind the scenes. A newsroom sketch charmed viewers by lifting the curtain on live broadcast mishaps, featuring strong performances from Mikey Day, Kam Patterson, Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and Kenan Thompson, who struggled hilariously to keep the broadcast on track. Meanwhile, a police conference sketch spiraled intentionally into absurdity, showcasing Andrew Dismukes’ inventive character and culminating with an intense, unexpected outburst from Ashley Padilla. Although the conclusion fell a bit flat, the audience appreciated the escalating eccentricity throughout.
Miles Teller Shines Briefly as Both Property Brothers in Trump Satire
Among Teller’s limited highlights was a pre-recorded sketch where he played both famous Property Brothers assisting with the West Wing renovation to satisfy Donald Trump’s expanding ballroom ambitions. The segment balanced satire and humor well, including a clever Bill Clinton in-joke and Ashley Padilla’s Melania Trump offering witty commentary. Teller appeared more at ease in this sketch than onstage, injecting more energy and personality into his dual roles. The segment even attracted praise from Jonathan Scott himself, who wrote on social media,
How is Miles a better me than me?!
NHL PSA Promos Bring Reluctant Humor to the Forefront
One of the most memorable live sketches featured Miles Teller as a hockey player reluctantly participating in public service announcements for NHL teams. Teller’s reluctance to say he was a “Predator” highlighted clever wordplay surrounding the Nashville team’s name, delivering perfect comedic hesitation. Andrew Dismukes stole scenes as a commercial director, while Ashley Padilla added a slightly excessive element to the chaos. Ultimately, the sketch’s timed escalation and punchlines made it a memorable highlight of the evening.
Game Show Parody: Mixed Results for Teller and Co-Stars
The hangover-themed game show sketch,
“What Did I Do Last Night?,”
featured a simple premise with contestants recounting previous night escapades. While the supporting cast, including Veronika Slowikowska and Ben Marshall, leaned fully into their drunk characters, Miles Teller fell flat again with a stiff and awkward delivery that disrupted the comedic flow. His inability to engage host Kenan Thompson during improvisation revealed the unevenness of his live performance, though the tightly scripted premise maintained some humor despite his struggles.
Italian Restaurant Scene Earns Laughter despite Shortened Time
A date night sketch featuring funny waiters, played by Miles Teller and Marcello Hernandez, gradually warmed up audiences with its comedic timing and interactions. Mikey Day and Chloe Fineman took on the couple’s roles, while Kenan Thompson’s surprise cameo as the cook added an enjoyable surprise. The sketch ended prematurely but still succeeded in delivering laughs, notably with Marcello Hernandez’s clever “focaccia” joke, which almost challenged the censors.
“Gone Without a Trace” Blends Netflix Parody with Strong Ensemble Casting
A sharp parody drawing on true crime documentary tropes, “Gone Without a Trace” received praise for its clever concept and the committed performances of the cast playing husbands and wives in a mysterious disappearance storyline. While the reveal of the twist came somewhat early, making the latter part feel repetitive, the sketch maintained a high level of humor throughout. The cast’s ability to sell the characters and plot carried the segment despite pacing concerns.
Newspoint Sketch Offers Behind-the-Scenes Office Antics
A newsroom comedy segment featuring the opening of a wall behind the anchors revealed chaotic backstage antics, showcasing physical humor and timely gags. Mikey Day and Kam Patterson stood out with strong performances alongside Bowen Yang, who reacted hilariously to a printer mishap involving Jane Wickline. Chloe Fineman and Kenan Thompson tried to maintain composure at the desk amid the absurdity, making the sketch both clever and engaging in its portrayal of broadcast chaos.
Weekend Update Delivers Sharp, Controversial Political Humor
The Weekend Update segment brought biting and provocative commentary from Michael Che and Colin Jost, who tackled topics ranging from women’s issues and slippery bathroom floors to President Trump’s odd Halloween antics and strained foreign relations. Che pushed boundaries further with a controversial bit about the Special Olympics and Kid Rock, followed swiftly by Jost’s own edgy peanut allergy joke. Bowen Yang’s portrayal of George Santos, complete with revealing photos of his “angels” and a meta moment involving reflection in prison glass, provided excellent comedic material. The segment balanced dark humor and absurdity with timely political satire, maintaining strong audience engagement. Supporting this were Andrew Dismukes and Ashley Padilla’s subtle, yet powerful, performances as a newly paired couple commenting on government shutdown tensions, showcasing chemistry and innuendo in a masterclass of comedic delivery at the Update desk.
Rising Stars and Strong Ensemble Performances Highlight the Episode
This SNL episode highlighted younger and newer cast members while seasoned veterans took on supportive, sometimes straight-man roles. Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Mikey Day, Marcello Hernandez, and Bowen Yang had breakout moments but largely stepped back to allow emerging talents like Ben Marshall, Veronika Slowikowska, and Ashley Padilla more time to shine. Kenan Thompson, though present throughout, primarily served as a reliable anchor for the chaos around him. The performer most recognized as the episode’s standout was Andrew Dismukes, whose commitment to every character—from humorous advertising directors to the quirky comic book enthusiast reporter—captivated audiences. His sincerity and versatility helped to elevate multiple sketches, underscoring his growing influence within the cast.
Looking Ahead: Next Week’s Host and Musical Guest
Saturday Night Live will return next week with Nikki Glaser as host and Sombr as the musical guest. Following an episode where the lead host struggled to find his footing, the upcoming show may provide an opportunity for the cast and new host to realign and build on the momentum provided by the supporting players this week. Fans are hopeful that future episodes will blend sharp writing with confident performances to recapture the show’s signature energy and spontaneity.
