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Saturday Night Live returned on April 12, 2025, with episode 17 of its 50th season. Jon Hamm hosted the show for the fourth time, marking his first appearance in nearly 15 years. The episode opened with a cold open featuring James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, who stepped into the scene mid-sketch to deliver a monologue filled with commentary on recent headlines.
Gary Kroeger, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, reflected on Hamm’s return:
"Jon Hamm was spot-on perfection as the archetypal creative executive. And he has proven great versatility, especially with comedy since. He innately understands that comedy requires a serious frame of mind in order to work," Gary shared.
Hamm used his monologue to revisit his past SNL appearances and poke fun at how often cameos are used when hosts need a lift. One such cameo came from Kieran Culkin, who joined him on stage as Hamm jokingly declared that Mad Men was "better" than Succession and asked for Culkin’s Oscar.
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The episode featured sketches such as “Check to Check Business News,” “Guess! The Correct! Answer!,” and a White Lotus-inspired parody titled “The White POTUS,” along with a Weekend Update segment featuring several guest appearances.
Saturday Night Live: Jon Hamm and Kieran Culkin trade jabs in monologue return
Jon Hamm began his monologue by noting that this was his fourth time hosting Saturday Night Live and his first in over a decade. He joked about how monologues can sometimes fall flat and how the show often uses cameos to lift those moments. On cue, Kieran Culkin entered the stage, continuing their mock argument from the previous week.
Hamm reflected on his previous appearances on the show, mentioning that he had done 14 cameos in addition to his hosting gigs. He referred to sketches like “Jon Hamm’s John Ham” and “Trick or Treat” as fan favorites.
Gary Kroeger praised Hamm’s skill on the show:
"I loved Mad Men. I was in advertising for 17 years after show business, and the circumstances explored in Mad Men still rang true. We used 'Draper-isms' in actual pitch meetings."
Gary further added:
"I think he is brilliant on SNL, just as I thought on Curb. Jon Hamm playing 'Jon Hamm' belongs on a loop at the Smithsonian."
Saturday Night Live sketches explore politics, workplace satire, and social commentary
In “Check to Check Business News,” Jon Hamm played Kenneth, a news anchor who doesn’t understand market shifts and instead offers basic advice, like using bar soap and shopping at discount stores. The sketch highlighted how confusing the economy feels for everyday people.
In another sketch, “Guess! The Correct! Answer!,” Hamm played a nervous contestant whose attempts to avoid going viral failed after he gave embarrassing and inappropriate answers.
A White Lotus-inspired parody titled “The White POTUS” placed James Austin Johnson’s Trump in a luxury hotel setting, accompanied by Chloe Fineman and cameos from Scarlett Johansson as Ivanka and Beck Bennett as Putin. Hamm appeared briefly as RFK Jr. The parody touched on familiar political themes but was presented in the style of the HBO series.
During the Weekend Update segment, Emil Wakim joked about life in America as the son of an immigrant.
"New York City is if capitalism was a physical location. There's an M&M store next to a church," Emil said.
Meanwhile, Sarah Sherman, as accountant Dawn Altman, ended her segment by smashing her head through the set wall, revealing a hidden room. Bowen Yang also returned as Trade Minister Chen Biao, commenting on America's economy.
Fans can watch the latest episode of Saturday Night Live on NBC and Peacock.
