Latest Saturday Night Live Highlights – April 12, 2025
The most recent episode of Saturday Night Live>, which aired on April 12, 2025, featured Jon Hamm as the host for the fourth time. Joining him as the musical guest was Lizzo, who delighted the audience with a performance of two brand new songs. The iconic Weekend Update segment included a thought-provoking commentary by cast member Emil Wakim, who addressed the complexities of life in America.
Emil Wakim’s Insightful Commentary on American Life
Emil Wakim used his platform to share his experiences as the son of an immigrant while humorously dissecting the everyday impacts of capitalism. He drew upon personal anecdotes, including the contrast of an M&M store situated next to a church, to convey his points. In his comedic style, he remarked:
“New York City is if capitalism was a physical location. There’s an M&M store next to a church. This is hell.”
Wakim’s performance tackled themes such as financial dynamics, immigration, and social hierarchy, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone. This episode, notably amusing, also featured additional jokes from fellow cast members, including Bowen Yang, who reprised his role as Chinese Trade Minister Chen Biao, and Sarah Sherman, who portrayed accountant Dawn Altman.
Wakim’s Unique Perspective on Identity and Economics
Beginning his Weekend Update segment with two small American flags, Wakim set the stage for a blend of humor and critique. He candidly acknowledged the difficulties of publicly criticizing America amidst growing tensions:
“This was just to buy me some goodwill before the stuff I’m about to say, but it’s a tough time to criticize America publicly, especially with eyebrows like this.”
In a three-minute monologue rich with comedic insights, he delved into the nuanced reality of American consumer culture. For instance, he humorously recounted the personal nature of interactions with Uber Eats drivers, noting how awkward they could often feel:
“You open the door for him, an amount that is just racist, frankly. You had like a hard day sending emails for Hitler or whatever anyone’s job is.”
Wakim concluded his segment by playfully asking the audience not to “deport”him, humorously indicating his desire to continue enjoying life in the U.S.
Weekend Update Segment Highlights
The Weekend Update segment captivated viewers further with Bowen Yang’s return as the satirical Chinese Trade Minister Chen Biao. In his sixth appearance in this role, Yang humorously tackled the complexities of U.S.–China relations and even teased a fictional book titled Peasant Elegy. He mixed in pop culture references, including a quip about Glenn Close winning an Oscar:
“It’s like listening to Bubba Gump talk about shrimp,”Colin Jost remarked in response.
Michael Che contributed with insightful commentary on recent political developments, particularly focusing on Donald Trump’s economic strategies. He paralleled Trump’s statements on economic challenges to treating an illness, saying:
“Yeah, but this feels like we took a whole bottle of medicine with a glass of vodka and laid in a warm bath.”
The segment took a surprising turn when Che commented on Elon Musk’s attempts to persuade Trump to reconsider tariff plans, followed by a shocking visual of Musk making a controversial salute, which earned gasps from the audience.
Additionally, Sarah Sherman, portraying accountant Dawn Altman, ended her segment in a dramatically comedic fashion, bursting through a set wall in panic and exclaiming that there were “so many”women tied up inside, with bound hands emerging from the wall.
Catch new episodes of Saturday Night Live every Saturday on NBC and Peacock to experience the latest skits, commentary, and music.