Saturday Night Live Recap: Nate Bargatze Shines in His Second Hosting Gig

Saturday Night Live Recap: Nate Bargatze Shines in His Second Hosting Gig

Nate Bargatze returned to Saturday Night Live for his second hosting stint, showcasing his comedic talent alongside musical guests Coldplay, who made their eighth appearance on the show.

In this recap season of SNL, we’re reflecting on memorable moments, and Bargatze’s previous episode last fall remains a standout, particularly his pun-filled George Washington sketch. As he steps back into the hosting role, the big question is whether the show will lean on familiar sketches or forge new ground. (Bargatze already revisited that beloved sketch earlier this week on Seth Meyers, serving as a promotional nod for NBC’s sometimes sluggish live comedy staple.)

This week, Coldplay joined the lineup, adding to their impressive history at Studio 8H. I was joined by former SNL cast member Jeff Richards, who, while not as musically prolific as Chris Martin or Tom Petty, recently released his album Love on Ice, complete with a music video for its title track. As we celebrated SNL’s 50th season, I asked Jeff about his favorite musical performances in the show’s history. He named The Strokes, Outkast, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as favorites, alongside Beck and Kylie Minogue. With Coldplay’s recent album release, he hopes they’ll surprise us with something new tonight—perhaps even a cover of his album!

Saturday Night Live Recap: Nate Bargatze Shines in His Second Hosting Gig

I have to admit, last week’s SNL episode stumbled a bit right out of the gate. The cold open left much to be desired. However, now that the season’s election casting has been established, I’m hopeful the writers will hit their stride. Sometimes, having a solid premise and sketch structure can make all the difference. (For the record, when I asked Jeff if the show needed to shake off the summer cobwebs, he quipped, “Not with Halloween around the corner!”)

Let’s dive into the highlights!

VP Debate 2024 Cold Open

We begin at the vice president’s residence, where Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) is looking for her husband, Dougie (Andy Samberg). While Rudolph stumbles over a Bruce Springsteen reference, she recovers with a punchline. I’ve always enjoyed their chemistry from the 2000s!

Chloe Fineman perfectly embodies moderator Margaret Brennan—she’s a dead ringer!

Jim Gaffigan, as Governor Tim Walz, hilariously messes up by saying he’s become friends with school shooters. He bonds with Senator JD Vance (Bowen Yang), creating an absurd yet amusing dynamic. Despite the differences, their chemistry is surprisingly effective.

(FYI: Jeff Richards is currently perfecting his Tim Walz impression and already has a Jim Gaffigan routine, which Gaffigan himself once reposted on Instagram. Whether or not he’s a fan of the impression remains a mystery!)

We cut back to Dougie and Kamala, where Joe Biden (Dana Carvey) unexpectedly drops by. While this portrayal still doesn’t quite resonate with me, it’s an improvement over last week. Biden offers a keen observation about the VP debate’s lack of impact, which Harris considers a significant victory. Verdict: worth a watch!

Monologue

In his monologue, Bargatze reflects on his return and his experience at community college, humorously recounting how he took remedial classes and earned zero credits one year. He shares amusing anecdotes, including the first time he tasted a raspberry at age 40 and his thoughts on olive oil. It’s all relatable and funny!

Jeff Richards, who has seen Bargatze’s stand-up, thinks he’s consistently solid.

Washington’s Dream 2

Bargatze couldn’t resist revisiting this premise. In this sketch, General George Washington struggles with the English language, pondering words like “dozen” and the odd spelling of “Jeff” (Geoff). The humor centers around puns about food and the design of the dollar bill.

While it’s endearing, one might wonder if the sketch could benefit from a fresher approach rather than recycling previous jokes.

Golf Tournament

Set at a golf network, Brady Knoll (Bargatze) attempts to play a par 5 but hilariously hits a bird, reminiscent of Randy Johnson’s infamous pitch. His luck spirals as he encounters issues with endangered species.

Heidi Gardner shines as the moderator throughout this episode!

Sábado Gigante

Marcello Hernandez takes center stage as a Spanish-language game show host in Miami, introducing the very anxious Nate Bargatze, who struggles to communicate in Spanish. Backed by Ashley Padilla, Ego Nwodim, and Chloe Fineman, it’s a surreal and entertaining sketch that includes a mini-me version of Bargatze!

In a different era, this role might have been given to Louis C.K., which adds to the sketch’s goofiness.

Water Park

In a darkly humorous sketch set at a water park, EMTs (Bargatze and Michael Longfellow) discuss the best way to handle a medical emergency involving a deceased patron. Should they carry the body down 255 steps or send it down the slide instead? Bargatze’s comedic timing shines, even if the straight role played by Wickline doesn’t quite land the dark humor as effectively.

Overall, it was an entertaining night filled with memorable sketches, and Bargatze continues to impress as a host.

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