Nick looks back at Season 44 of Saturday Night Live, a year that found the show in strong form and introduced Ego Nwodim as a standout new cast member. The regular lineup was stacked with reliable heavy hitters, including Heidi Gardner, Kate McKinnon, Alex Moffat, Mikey Day, Pete Davidson, and more, giving the season a solid mix of energy and consistency.

The host list was just as impressive, with turns from John Mulaney, Sandra Oh, Idris Elba, Don Cheadle, and a deep bench of memorable appearances. Highlights from episodes hosted by Emma Stone, Awkwafina, Claire Foy, Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler, Adam Driver, Emma Thompson, and James McAvoy get their due, along with context around the musical guests and what was happening behind the scenes.

It’s a thoughtful, entertaining walkthrough of a season that delivered laughs, strong performances, and plenty of moments worth revisiting. [Ep 157]