SNL

Complicit or otherwise, SNL knew that the first post-election show needed a note of relief, moreso than reminders of Trump’s victory. Presidential portrayer Alec Baldwin even expressed uncertainty he’d ever don the wig for SNL again, but sources confirm the sketch series’ take on Trump will return Baldwin to the limelight with Kristen Wiig this weekend.

This past weekend’s SNL offered a sobering reaction to Donald Trump’s presidential win, a concept the series has continually taken flack for helping to normalize. Now, it seems Alec Baldwin will retire his version of the Republican billionaire, also claiming that NBC denies SNL the ability to officially endorse either political party.

Dave Chappelle practically quit show-business over the endless association with his viral Chappelle’s Show characters, to the point few presumed we’d ever see them again. Well, it seems we owe The Walking Dead’s frustrating cliffhanger a debt of gratitude, as Chappelle took his SNL hosting as a chance to revive a number of Chappelle’s Show favorites … at least to kill one off.

For good or ill, perhaps no comedy series has benefit so much from Donald Trump as SNL. Following weeks of debate sketches, most everyone wondered how the late-night staple would react to Trump actually succeeding to the presidency, for which this weekend’s cold open brought Kate McKinnon’s Hillary out; both in tribute to Leonard Cohen, and to offer a moving “Hallelujah” going forward.

A Tribe Called Quest performed on 'Saturday Night Live' on November 12.

Watch Dave Chappelle make his 'SNL' debut, including his opening monologue and best skits.

SNL had a taxing October with a full four hosts for Season 42, but November will get really Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch himself will host the first November SNL, the very weekend that Marvel’s Doctor Strange hits theaters.

Tom Hanks had us a bit worried that SNL would forgo its Wednesday promos for a look back at the Inferno star’s eight previous hostings, but the man always delivers. See for yourself, as Hanks and Leslie Jones enjoy a round of mimosas, before being chased off of NBC’s roof.

Sure, Stranger Things parodies have more or less run their course by summer’s end, but we can’t fault SNL for having waited to get in on the Upside Down. So it is, that Lin-Manuel Miranda takes us into Stranger Things Season 2 by introducing us to Lucas’ family.

Time will tell if SNL manages to up its Season 42 ratings surge with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, but the latter two weeks of October are shaping up nicely as well. Not only is Emily Blunt confirmed for October 15, but so too will Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga make their SNL returns.