Saturday Night Live opened its 2026 run with a blend of political comedy and pop-culture callbacks, welcoming Finn Wolfhard to the stage for his first appearance as host. The show leaned heavily on references to Netflix’s Stranger Things while also taking aim at the Trump administration’s foreign policy decisions, generating a mixed reaction from audiences and critics alike.
Cold Open Targets Trump’s Foreign Policy and Cabinet
The episode began with a sketch riffing on the Trump administration’s latest controversies, including the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and renewed conversations about Greenland. Cast members portrayed administration officials deliberating over what they jokingly dubbed “creative” or “legal-adjacent” strategies regarding Cuba, tariffs, and conflicts abroad. The opener also featured exaggerated portrayals of cabinet figures and defense officials, highlighting political tensions with both humor and absurdity.
Weekend Update Addresses Nobel Medal Controversy
During the Weekend Update segment, co-anchors dissected the administration’s foreign policy with rapid-fire jokes about Trump accepting a Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition figures and entertaining the idea of military involvement in Iran. Commentary also turned toward domestic disputes over ICE operations in Minnesota, where state officials have challenged federal enforcement efforts. The segment drew some of the evening’s stronger laughs, with both hosts landing notable punchlines.
Finn Wolfhard’s Debut Balances Humor and Nostalgia
Wolfhard, still widely recognized for his role in Stranger Things, used his monologue to joke about growing up on television and navigating fame. The sketches throughout the night revisited the Stranger Things universe in different comedic forms, ranging from exaggerated teen drama to satirical streaming-era spinoffs. Co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin joined Wolfhard for brief cameos, marking one of the night’s biggest nostalgia moments for fans of the franchise.
Cameos and Concept Sketches Provide Variety
The show sprinkled in a series of unexpected guest appearances. Singer Sabrina Carpenter returned for a sketch set on a fictional kids’ podcast, and Jason Momoa appeared in a parody that reimagined Hogwarts through a mature, premium-television lens. Additional skits explored gaming culture, space opera tropes, and influencer personalities, though several drew muted reactions from the studio audience.
A$AP Rocky Delivers Standout Musical Segments
Musical guest A$AP Rocky drew widespread praise for two high-energy performances, supported by instrumentalists Thundercat and Danny Elfman. One performance ended in a staged chaos sequence that invoked mosh-pit theatrics, drawing attention on social platforms for its unconventional staging and humorous escalation.
Mixed Reactions From Critics and Viewers
Early reviews labeled the episode uneven. While the Stranger Things callbacks delivered fan service, some critics felt the cold open lacked sharpness and that Wolfhard’s delivery seemed tentative at times. Others argued that Rocky’s performances provided the highlight of the evening, adding spectacle to a show still trying to find its mid-season rhythm.
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