"Saturday Night Live" Report Card: Season 49, Episodes 1-3

With a late start to their 49th season, “Saturday Night Live” has finally gotten back up and running with three straight episodes.

Before the show continued with its season, Sophia D’Ovidio dealt the iconic sketch show a report card for its first three-episode run.

Hosts: B+

This grade received somewhat of a curve due to SAG-AFTRA still being on strike, meaning that hosts cannot promote any of their work, a common reason for actors to take the hosting gig at “SNL.”

With circumstances considered, the host choices are solid.

Opening with “SNL” alumni Pete Davidson and continuing with Bad Bunny, one of the biggest stars in the world, was a great way to grab headlines right back in.

Nat Bargatze is a revered stand-up within the comedy world but doesn’t have the same A-lister draw as Davidson and Bad Bunny do.

None of these hosts carried the episode on their back, but that’s not necessarily their job.

Musical Guests: A

Ice Spice, Bad Bunny and Foo Fighters are all big names and grab different demographics, so this is an A+ for the musical guest coordinators.

None of these performances were jaw-dropping, but the star power alone carries this grade relatively high.

Cameos: A+

In recent years, one of the biggest complaints about “SNL” has been their reliance on celebrity cameos despite having a huge cast.

These three episodes have had the A-listers of A-listers show up. Travis Kelce at the end of a sketch about him and Taylor Swift. Swift popped up later to announce Ice Spice’s second performance of the night.

Lady Gaga and Pedro Pascal pulled up to support Bad Bunny, with Pascal reviving a character he did during his hosting gig.

Christopher Walken had to recreate his infamous introduction of the Foo Fighters and did so expertly for the Bargatze episode.

Yeah, these cameos are distracting from the cast, but these felt like they aided the sketch/show and reminded people what a pop-culture staple “SNL” is.

Monologue: B

Stand-up comedians can either have an iconic or way too-long monologue. Not everyone can be John Mulaney.

Davidson and Bargatze were both solid but not necessarily delivering a memorable performance.

Bad Bunny had a cameo from Pascal to come “translate” his monologue. While it was a clever way to work with the language barrier, it felt like Pascal may have stolen some of the focus.

Weekend Update: B+

Weekend Update is the most consistent part of any “SNL” episode. Colin Jost and Michael Che are no exception to this. Their work has been good, per usual.

It’s just Jost and Che have been doing this together since 2014. It’s hard to say how the past era of “SNL” will be remembered in history, but it’s decidedly one that the show is trying to escape.

Che and Jost are great, but this new era deserves to emerge fully, and I can’t see that happening until a new duo takes on the Update desk.

Cast: B+

I’ve been exceptionally high on this cast, hoping and praying that “SNL” keeps their cast on the smaller side.

Bowen Yang is a superstar. Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim have really come into their own with the departure of all-time greats like Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon.

Sarah Sherman and Marcello Hernadez could be considerable breakouts this season.

However, “SNL” desperately needs their cast, not the host/musical guest/potential cameos to be why people tune in.

Live Sketches: B

So far, the live sketches have been fine. There haven’t been any atrocious sketches, but nothing has been exceptionally memorable or quotable.

The best and most memorable live sketches of Davidson’s and Bad Bunny’s episodes were drastically elevated by cameos, which is fine but doesn’t leave fans hopeful for the rest of the season.

There was a real improvement in the sketches by the Bargatze episode, which could be attributed to the host's comedic ability or, more likely, the writers and cast getting back in the swing of things.

Prerecorded Sketch: A+

With last year's viral “Big Boy” song “SNL” is in an excellent position to continue to appeal to the elusive Gen Z approval.

“I’m Just Pete” was brilliant, and Davidson is a great way to get a viral moment. “SNL” could’ve overdone a “Barbie” parody. This was the most clever way to touch on the iconic cultural moment without beating a dead horse.

Please Don’t Destroy got themselves in the opening credits, and their first three sketches have been stellar.

Their work with Bad Bunny perfectly exemplified their quick, dry and witty humor that will catch the attention of younger viewers through social media.

Overall: B+

I’ve been on the record saying last year, “SNL” had one of the best rebuilding years the show could wish to have. I was distraught by the show not getting an entire run due to the WGA strike.

Last year, when the show had hosts like Pascal, Keke Palmer, Aubrey Plaza or Quinta Brunson, it made me feel like “SNL” was the best it had been in years.

But “SNL” needs to allow its cast to shine and be the reason an episode is excellent, regardless of the host. That’s how they gain more viewers who come back regardless of hosts.

The cast and writers are still getting back in the groove. I still have high hopes for how this could set up the show's new era.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a third-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.