After 15 years with Lizzo, Jon Hamm took over hosting SNL. He argued with Kieran Culkin about who was the best TV host and did famous sketches.
What made this Jon Hamm’s most memorable SNL show?
The 54-year-old star brought his crazy charm to Studio 8H on April 12, which was his fourth time presenting since 2008.
With musical guest Lizzo joining Hamm, the first part of his speech showed a surprising link to Saturday Night Live: “Since 2010, when I was last host, I’ve been in 14 cameos.” Cameos are more captivating than leading in many ways.
Which show won the late-night debate between Mad Men and Succession?
The unplanned moment Hamm shared with surprise guest Kieran Culkin immediately went viral.
After demanding Culkin’s Oscar as payment for cutting him off in the middle of his speech, the two discussed who was the best TV host.
“Mad Men is better than Succession,” Hamm said. What is Culkin’s answer? Just say, “No, it’s not.”
The host stopped the argument by physically taking the Emmy winner out of the picture.
Sketch Highlights You Can’t Miss
- Oversharing as an icebreaker: Hamm played a character who was awkward and shared a traumatic event from their past during team-building activities.
- Pharmaceutical Ad Parody: The actor used his Don Draper seriousness to promote a made-up drug with “side effects worse than your original symptoms.”
- Noir Detective: In a sketch based on film noir, Hamm was investigating an absence by questioning people in increasingly strange ways.
How Did Lizzo’s Performance Elevate the Night?
The 36-year-old singer delivered two powerhouse performances:
- “Love in Real Life/Still Bad” medley from her upcoming album
- Emotional piano rendition of “Don’t Make Me Love You” showcasing her vocal range
The Story Behind the Scenes: Why This Return Was Important
Prior to the show, Hamm mentioned in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, “It’s been 15 years…should I be feeling nervous by now?”
The star talked about how SNL had changed culture: “As the 50th anniversary approaches, I feel privileged to remain a member of this family.”
Three decades have passed since October 2008, January 2010, and October 2010—the last three times being in 2025.
The Final Thought:
This episode mixed Hamm’s usual dry wit with random chaos, showing why SNL is still the best place for A-list talent to show what they can do.