I know there's been a lot of talk about Lorne leaving after the 50th season, so I've been thinking a lot about who could actually replace him once he's gone. And it's hard — there isn't an obvious choice! But a few that come to mind, with pros and cons attached:

Seth Meyers

Pro: He was the head writer during some of SNL's best years, and understands the show inside and out. Plus, he's run his own show before, so it seems like he has the relevant experience at this point. 

Con: I can't imagine he would give up his own late night show to be behind the scenes. I can't tell if it would be a promotion or demotion to run SNL. 

Kenan Thompson

Pro: The guy's been there for 18 years. 18 years! He's served his time, so it seems like the best reward for that time would be the head honcho gig, right?

Con: But... even though he had his Kenan sitcom, I'm not sure he knows the ins and outs of how to run it. I would be so excited if he were chosen, but I feel like it's unlikely. 

Tina Fey

Pro: She's one of the most talented head writers they've had, and 30 Rock of course is stuff of legends. I think she's doing mostly producing at this point with bit parts here and there, so maybe she would actually want the big job. Plus, a woman taking the reins is very much needed and wanted.  

Con: I know she's been the target of a lot of criticism (she's not the BEST representation of feminism). So I'm not sure she would be as accepted as, say, Amy Poehler (who I doubt would get the gig or want the gig, frankly).

Colin Jost

Pro: He's headed up the writer's room for some time, and even managed to evolve the show through cast turnovers. A part of me feels like he's being groomed for the job, and his marriage to Scarlett certainly might help grease the wheels on those celebrity cameos the show loves so much. 

Con: Punchable face. At least it would be behind-the-scenes, though.

Conan O'Brien

Pro: This is my dark horse guess. Conan was a writer on SNL in the '90s, and is one of the most beloved people in entertainment. I can't imagine him as a choice would be controversial for anyone, and, given he has his own experience running late night for years,  he certainly would know the ins and outs of production. 

Con: I feel like the only way Conan returns to NBC is if hell has frozen over. 

My bet is on Seth or Colin just being there in the right place at the right time. Am I leaving anyone out?

I'm really back and forth on this. On the one hand, it almost seems unavoidable — in any other circumstance, Pete would be at the Weekend Update sketch talking about whatever headline he found himself in.

But it also feels like a Kanye sketch or reference would a) give Kanye more attention, which is ultimately what he's looking for, and b) only further poke the bear.

It's really starting to become scary. I just don't know how you make a joke out of what was essentially a music video death threat.

Oscar Isaac is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, which is pretty amazing because who needs a reason to look at Oscar Isaac AND he's somehow never hosted SNL before!

While the handsome Dune star has appeared on the show before as a celebrity guest on What's Up With That (oooooooooooh-eeeeeeeee) he's never been the host. This seems especially crazy considering he's been a bona fide movie star for the better part of the past decade and one of the internet's most beloved boyfriends.

This got me thinking: who else hasn't hosted SNL yet that absolutely should/should have by now? I know the moment has probably passed, but I gotta go with Brad Pitt. He was freakin' great playing Dr. Fauci in a cold open back in 2020 (in fact, it nabbed him an Emmy nomination) and we know the Oscar winner is hilarious (see: Burn After Reading).

Other surprising never-hosted stars include Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Chris Evans, Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. Who do you think needs to finally take the stage at Studio 8H?

It was strange enough that Pete wasn't on the show last week, particularly since he's so close with John Mulaney. They've done bits before (the Mule Weekend Update sketch is a classic), and it was kind of a shame to not see them together again. But, now, for two weekends in a row, Pete hasn't appeared on the show, even though he's everywhere in the headlines.

I know he's supposedly filming another movie (a thriller called The Home). And I know it's not uncommon at this point for cast members to leave the show temporarily for other projects (Kate McKinnon did it earlier this season, and Cecily Strong one or two seasons back for Schmigadoon). But him being absent and no one talking about it does seem a little bit like ignoring the elephant in the room — it's surprising there hasn't even been a Weekend Update reference of any kind.

So, given Kanye's behavior towards him, and the music video, part of me wonders if it's more than just the movie that's keeping Pete away and keeping the show from mentioning his absence and the headlines. We know the surefire way for Kanye to get what he wants is for Pete to be on SNL and talk about all the drama, and him not being there gives them an excuse to not broach the subject. Plus, I imagine they would have to beef up security on the show in order to accommodate Pete, given the fact that Kanye has essentially threatened him.

Of course, it could all be about scheduling... but it FEELS like something more intentional than that. Am I alone in thinking that?

If you had the power of Lorne Michaels bestowed upon you, and had the ability to bring back any cast member from 'SNL' history, who would you pick?

Note: This cast member would have to fit in well with the current cast for the best results.

Thoughts on tonight’s episode? A few on my end:

-Ukrainian choir opening was gorgeous, but bringing in Kate and Cecily at the end felt strange — it would have been more powerful to just cut to the credits.

-John’s monologue was similarly jarring afterwards — not a single acknowledgment of world events, and instead a set intended for us to sympathize with his year, felt really odd and off-putting. Plus, we someone who already saw him deliver this set, this felt really rushed, almost as if he didn’t want to be there at all.

-Justice For Petunia with the dog food sketch.

-Monkey judge was a surprisingly underwhelming sketch to start with — felt like a sketch that would have performed better five minutes to midnight.

The episode is still ongoing, but curious of your thoughts — John overall seems tired and disappointingly over it.