Comedienne Quinta Brunson imparts another comedy tutorial as host on 'SNL'

In an impressive follow-up to her stellar debut, Quinta Brunson, the brilliant mind behind "Abbott Elementary," showed off her comedic chops once again on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). Last year, she delivered one of the best hosting performances of the year, and this time around was no different.

The episode featured a strong lineup of new sketches, with only one retread that was still well worth revisiting. Comparing Brunson's performance to other comics like Nate Bargatze and Shane Gillis from Seasons 49 and 50, it's evident that consistency is Brunson's forte. While Bargatze's return was good, it didn't reach the same heights as his first appearance. On the other hand, Gillis, who was unremarkable during his initial stint as host, significantly underperformed during his second go-around.

Brunson played a variety of memorable characters, including a time-traveling Harriet Tubman, a model for a sad clothing brand, and one half of an unexpectedly sexy "OnlySeniors" couple in an insurance ad. She even sang in the monologue and managed to get musical guest Benson Boone to join her. it wouldn't be a surprise if she's invited back for the next season.

In the cold open, James Austin Johnson returned as the hard-charging President Trump, who delivered a string of executive orders with Stephen Miller (played by Mikey Day). Among other things, Trump signed orders to deport "Sesame Street," pardon J.K. Rowling for transphobic comments, and make the New York Times Connections game easier. The skit was filled with Trump's signature over-the-top antics and hilarious jabs at contemporary politics.

Brunson's monologue was highlighted by jokes about her time working for a phone sex line and her height. She belted out a song about the joys of being short, complete with a surprise appearance by pop singer Sabrina Carpenter, who talked about the challenges of reading short stories. Former NBA star Dwyane Wade also made an appearance, expressing his desire to be part of the song.

The best sketch of the night was "Don't ask your parents too many questions about 'OnlySeniors,'" in which Brunson and Thompson played elderly parents whose kids find out they've got life insurance through a service that requires them to have sex and spend a lot of time naked for online fans. The sketch is a clever send-up of modern-day internet culture and is worth checking out if you haven't already.

Another noteworthy sketch was "Now you know the traffic-altercation sign language for Iraq," in which Mikey Day and Brunson reprised their roles from a previous episode, facing off over bad parking on a ferry. The sketch was executed perfectly, with Day's character's over-the-line sexual gestures and Brunson's response making for some solid laughs.

The standout moment of "Weekend Update" was undoubtedly Michael Longfellow's declaration of not getting a Real ID. Longfellow's dry wit and delivery made for an entertaining segment, and his light presence this season suggests that he's got a lot more to offer in Season 51. Overall, Brunson's hosting performance was top-notch, and the sketch show was filled with laugh-out-loud moments.

Enrichment Data:Comparing Quinta Brunson's hosting performances on "Saturday Night Live (SNL)" to those of Nate Bargatze and Shane Gillis in Seasons 49 and 50 highlights differing outcomes:

Quinta Brunson: Brunson's second hosting performance in Season 50 was just as strong as her first in Season 48. She brought great comic timing and diverse characters, including a time-traveling Harriet Tubman and a model for Forever 31. Her episode featured mostly new sketches, with only one retread, which was well-received[2][3].
Nate Bargatze: Bargatze's return as a host was good but didn't quite match the excellence of his first appearance. His second performance was commendable but slightly less impactful than his debut[2].
Shane Gillis: Gillis had a less successful second hosting stint. His initial performance was not well-received, and his second appearance was even worse, making it a notable contrast to Brunson's consistency[2].

Quinta Brunson's hosting performance on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) in California was similarly strong to her debut, showcasing her comedic talents in various characters such as Harriet Tubman and a Forever 31 model.
Unlike Quinta Brunson, Nate Bargatze's return as a host in Season 49 didn't quite reach the same level as his first performance, albeit still commendable.
Shane Gillis, also a past host, underperformed during his second stint, contrasting the consistent quality of Quinta Brunson's performances on the show.
In addition to comedy, Brunson's episode featured a musical guest, Benson Boone, underscoring the entertainment industry's various aspects, including movies, music, and television.