Saturday Night Live Season 50 Episode 18 Recap: Jon Hamm Hosts, Lizzo Performs
The celebrated Saturday Night Live reached a milestone with its 50th season, and episode 18 aired on April 12, 2025, featuring Jon Hamm as the host and Lizzo as the musical guest. This episode was particularly significant, as it marked Hamm’s debut as an official host, despite his previous 14 cameo appearances on the iconic show. Lizzo made a comeback for her fourth musical performance, returning to the SNL stage after her previous hosting and performing stint in 2022.
Episode Highlights
This episode presented a rich blend of lively sketches, musical renditions, and an engaging monologue that reflected on Jon Hamm’s long-standing relationship with SNL. Viewers were treated to a variety of sketches, including a humorous take on business news tailored for everyday viewers, a courtroom parody, and a clever game show satire. Lizzo energized the audience with two tracks from her highly anticipated upcoming album.
Jon Hamm’s Hosting Debut
The episode kicked off with an attention-grabbing cold open before introducing Hamm. Upon taking the stage, Jon Hamm shared his excitement with the audience:
“I am so honored to be back here hosting. This is my fourth time. But it’s been a minute. The last time I hosted was October 2010.”
Despite having hosted the show three times previously, Hamm expressed amazement at the passage of time since his last appearance, emphasizing how much he had continued to engage with the show through his cameos:
“I’ve still been on the show a lot… I’ve made 14 cameos.”
During his monologue, Hamm highlighted the thrill of receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the audience and cheekily quoted SNL producer Lorne Michaels:
“Making a cameo is even more special than being the host, which is something Lorne’s told me many times, always right before he loses service going into the tunnel.”
A surprise cameo by fellow cast member Kieran Culkin added to the amusement, leading to a playful exchange where Hamm humorously argued that Mad Men surpasses Succession. He concluded his monologue with anticipation for Lizzo’s performance.
Sketch Spotlight: Check to Check Business News
One of the standout sketches featured Jon Hamm and Ego Nwodim as anchors for a fictional business news channel aimed at the working class. Hamm’s character, Kenneth, humorously revealed how he procured his attire:
“I purchased my suit at Kohl’s,”
setting the stage for a more relatable and light-hearted approach to financial commentary. Rather than focusing on complex economic terms or market fluctuations, he succinctly noted:
“I’m not. And I’ll tell you why. Because I don’t know what that is.”
Instead, the anchors provided accessible advice, like the merits of returning to bar soap. The sketch also featured Kenan Thompson as a correspondent, sharing budget-friendly dining tips, humorously recommending “Sergeant Munch”cereal over the more expensive options.
The segment included a recurring feature dubbed “Side Hustle Minute,”which promoted Funko dolls as an enterprising income opportunity.
Lizzo’s Energetic Performance
Lizzo lit up the SNL stage with her fourth appearance as a musical guest, performing a vibrant medley of her latest singles, Love in Real Life and Still Bad, from her anticipated fifth studio album. Dressed in a striking outfit featuring the word “Tarrified,”she captivated the audience with her energetic presence.
Prior to the episode, Lizzo shared a preview on Instagram of her rehearsal moments in Studio 8H, building excitement for her return. Her history with SNL includes serving as both a host and performer previously in 2022 and two earlier guest performances.
Catch the Latest Episodes of SNL
New episodes of Saturday Night Live air every Saturday at 11:30 PM ET on NBC and are available for streaming on Peacock.