Chris Rock made his much-anticipated return to host Saturday Night Live on December 14, 2024, bringing with him not just his signature humor but also memorable sketches and unexpected surprises, including a surprise cameo from Adam Sandler. The former SNL cast member, who has hosted the show four times before, kicked off the night with his opening monologue where he took aim at several current events, adding his unique comedic flair to the mix.
Rock’s debut set included biting commentary on various public figures and situations, showcasing why he remains one of comedy’s most revered voices. His jokes tackled everything from boxing matches involving Jake Paul and Mike Tyson to the headline-grabbing assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, reflecting the current state of affairs through his lens. "Who is this Jake Paul? This 27-year-old punching a 60-year-old in the face. Is this what the white man has reduced himself to? Stop it!" Rock declared as he punctuated his critique with sharp wit.
One of the most notable lines from the night struck at the heart of dark humor when Rock commented on Thompson’s demise, stating, "If he looked like Jonah Hill, no one would care. They’d have already gave him the chair, he'd be dead." His style combined sardonic sympathy with cold reality, leaving the audience laughing yet contemplative.
A key moment of the night took place within the daring sketches, especially one set in the surgical wing of a hospital. Here, Rock played the role of a surgeon embroiled in chaos as his team mistakenly removed the wrong organ during surgery. The blunder was the work of Nurse Leslie, played by Sarah Sherman, who added tension with her frantic antics: "Wait… are you guys mad at me?" You could sense the surreal atmosphere as the sketch unfolded, only to see Sandler make his entrance as the patient, delivering laughter-soaked chaos.
When Sandler’s character, who had undergone gallbladder surgery instead of the intended appendectomy, emerged, the scene spiraled quickly. The humor escalated when Sandler declared, "Every workplace needs a Leslie—one annoying coworker to rag on, and I’m just spraying you with my blood," poking fun at the pitfalls of office dynamics.
Throughout the night, SNL wasn’t just about political jabs; it also embraced the festive spirit with various holiday-themed sketches. One of these included Rock playing the head elf at the mall, where parents hilariously attempted to choose between department store Santas based on race and sexual orientation. The sketch cleverly poked fun at modern liberal sensibilities with lines like, "Aren’t you happy there’s two Santas?" creating humor from social commentary.
Another incredible sketch, titled “Grandpa’s Magic Car,” saw Rock and his co-stars clean out their deceased friend's grandfather's barn, only to discover the racist tendencies of the car itself, which humorously rejected entry to characters based on their race and gender. It was as bizarre as it was funny, delivering timely and relevant points wrapped up in comedic absurdity.
Rock’s comedic magic shone brightest during the pre-taped segment addressing the typical office Christmas party. SNL turned this mundane gathering of employees getting “wasted” back at work after hours, framing it as nothing short of spectacular chaos filled with ordinary moments turned comedic mayhem.
The night was capped with Rock’s classic humor woven seamlessly through the fabric of SNL’s latest episode, combining elements of nostalgia and contemporary relevance. His remarks on Trump’s immigration policies highlighted the absurdity of current events through sharp punchlines. "Oh, he’s serious, Trump is not playing. He got Elon, they’re going to put ’em in a rocket ship. Call it SpaceMex," Rock quipped, eliciting laughter and disbelief from the audience.
This return to SNL marks yet another reminder of Rock’s timeless ability to blend topical issues with humor, creating laughs tinged with thought-provoking content. The episode's reception revealed both the triumphs and pitfalls of comedy today, continuing to provoke conversations long after the credits rolled.
Saturday Night Live will carry this momentum forward next week with another episode featuring Martin Short as the host, promising more laughter and unexpected twists as the show gears up for its Christmas special. Rock's episode may well be among the standout moments of SNL’s illustrious legacy.
