Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment capitalized on Jeremy Culhane's breakout Tucker Carlson impression by bringing the Fox News commentator back for another round. This time, Culhane's Carlson took aim at the Met Gala, delivering scathing commentary in the pundit's signature cadence and affected delivery. The bit proved successful enough to justify the callback, signaling SNL's confidence in both Culhane's comedic chops and the audience's appetite for political satire targeting cable news figures.
The sketch also featured Mikey Day and Marcello Hernández in a separate segment riffing on "kamikaze dolphins," adding absurdist humor to the segment's mix. Weekend Update remains SNL's most reliable sketch format, functioning as the show's comedic backbone where sharp political commentary and pop culture roasting coexist with looser, more experimental bits.
Culhane's emergence as a breakout player matters for SNL's current roster. The show has cycled through cast members in recent seasons, and finding performers who can nail high-profile impressions and land consistent laughs during the live broadcast strengthens the ensemble. Carlson is a natural target for comedians given his public persona, controversial statements, and instantly recognizable on-air mannerisms. SNL tapped into that vein effectively with Culhane's first Carlson bit a month prior, and the decision to revisit it demonstrates how late-night sketch shows operate: successful bits get repeated, refined, and sometimes extended into running gags.
The Met Gala angle provided fresh material while keeping Carlson's worldview intact. The fashion world's most exclusive event offers plenty of satirical entry points, especially when filtered through a conservative commentator's perspective. SNL's willingness to double down on impressions that land with audiences reflects the show's understanding