SNL Recap: Finn Wolfhard’s Stranger Things Reunion, Heated Rivalry Spoof
Fresh off the finale of Netflix’s seemingly endless run of “Stranger Things,” one of its stars, Finn Wolfhard, did one of the rites of passage that child actors sometimes do on the road to adult roles: host “Saturday Night Live.”
If the appearance wasn’t exactly a blow-out comedic performance – Wolfhard seemed game throughout but awkward and too understated in some sketches - it was notable at least for starting what is likely to be a barrage of post-“Stranger Things” appearances and roles for its entire cast, something alluded to in a pre-taped sketch about all the potential spinoffs, sequels and side quests Netflix may have in store.
For his “SNL” debut (his appearance as a page in the “Saturday Night” feature film doesn’t count), Wolfhard got to podcast with the preteen “Snack Homiez” crew (including Sabrina Carpenter, who returned for the sketch), played an indie rock son rebelling against his pop star dad (James Austin Johnson), a well-fed space emperor in a wacky sci-fi sketch, and the boyfriend of a too-enthusiastic guys’ girl (Veronika Slowikowska) who fails to impress his friends.
But his appearance will problably best be remembered for a spot-on ”Heated Rivalry” parody set in the “Harry Potter” world (more on that perfect storm of comedy in a bit).
Musical guest A$AP Rocky performed “Punk rocky” with Danny Elfman on drums and “Don’t Be Dumb/Trip Baby.” Before the closing goodbyes, a title card honored grateful dead guitarist bob Weir, who died this week.
For his monologue, Wolfhard was joined by his “Stranger Things” co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin after showing a few jokey clips illustrating how much he grew up on the show, including going through puberty. Wolfhard tried to prove that he’s a full-grown 23-year-old man now, but he’s still got no real facial hair and doesn’t like alcohol (he spits some into Hernández’s face after congratulating him on his new stand-up comedy special).Wolfhard and his co-stars reaffirmed their friendship before he declared they are “child stars who are now ready to do adult films!”
Best sketch of the night: ‘Heated Wizardry’ is the sexy reboot we didn’t know we needed
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“Dark Orbit” Sketch: A Surprisingly Funny “SNL” Offering
Despite some viewers praising “Snack Homiez” as a recent “saturday Night Live” highlight, the sketch featuring Mikey Day as an overly-enthusiastic “Snack Man” pitching to an intergalactic emperor (played by James Austin Johnson) on the fictional show “Dark Orbit” garnered notable attention for its unique brand of humor.
The Premise and Execution
The sketch centers around “Snack Man,” a relentlessly upbeat character who attempts to sell various snack foods to Zorgon,the menacing ruler of a space empire. Zorgon, despite his intimidating appearance and galactic power, is repeatedly distracted and intrigued by the Snack Man’s increasingly absurd pitches. The humor derives from the stark contrast between the high-stakes setting and the mundane subject matter of snack foods.
critical Reception and Viewer Response
While “snack Homiez” received considerable buzz, many viewers and critics found the “Dark Orbit” sketch to be the stronger comedic offering of the episode. A Variety article published on January 14, 2024, noted the sketch’s ”unexpectedly hilarious” premise and praised Day and Johnson’s performances.Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) showed a split reaction, with many users expressing a preference for the “Dark Orbit” sketch’s absurdist humor over the more character-driven “Snack Homiez.”
Impact and Style
The “Dark Orbit” sketch exemplifies a style of humor that relies on deadpan delivery and escalating absurdity. Mikey Day’s commitment to the relentlessly cheerful Snack Man, coupled with James Austin Johnson’s portrayal of a bewildered space emperor, created a memorable comedic dynamic. The sketch’s success demonstrates “SNL’s” continued ability to find humor in unexpected places and deliver unique comedic experiences.The sketch aired during the January 13, 2024 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” hosted by Austin Butler.