Saturday Night Live should have its best episode of the season this week

Saturday Night Live should benefit from a perfect storm to deliver the best episode of season 44.

They say that timing is everything in comedy and it’s typically true. Timing is on the side of Saturday Night Live this week and if the show can capitalize on it, it should give fans the best episode of the season.

There are a few different factors for why such a claim can be made. Obviously Saturday Night Live tries to put out the best show every week for its millions of dedicated fans. But this week in particular should be something special and here’s why.

First, the show is back after a week off. There was no new episode of SNL last week. Despite building a little bit of momentum with hosts Halsey and Don Cheadle on back to back weeks, the show took another week off.

So fans will be eager to see fresh sketches coming from Studio 8H. There is always a level of disappointment when audiences tune into NBC at 11:30 on Saturday nights only to see a repeat. SNL will certainly look to deliver knowing that expectations are that much higher.

Second, John Mulaney returns to host for the second time. The former Saturday Night Live writer is one of the best stand-up comedians in the world right now. He’s had a busy week already, presenting at the Oscars and stopping by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night with friend and SNL cast member Pete Davidson.

A returning host is always at an advantage. He or she knows what to expect from the show and the writers and cast know what he or she can do on stage. Mulaney’s last time as a host provided some of the best sketches of the season, including the diner lobster sketch.

That would be enough to think the show on March 2 will go well. But we’re talking about John Mulaney here. He’s arguably one of the best writers the show has had in the 21st century. So we have an expert sketch comedy writer who can also perform. Mulaney can bring a lot more than a typical actor would to hosting SNL.

Finally, there is so much material from this week to make multiple memorable sketches. Just like everyone turned to Seth Meyers and Trevor Noah right after Michael Cohen’s testimony, the entire country will turn to Saturday Night Live this week.

If the show wants to bring Alec Baldwin back as President Trump, they can parody the president’s meeting with Kim Jong Un in Vietnam. The last time Baldwin was on the show he got under the skin of President Trump. Whether it is in another sketch or on Weekend Update, expect the show to respond.

If, like everyone else, SNL wants to focus on Michael Cohen’s testimony then they have all the tools they need. They’ve already brought in Ben Stiller to play Cohen. Stiller probably stayed close to 30 Rock after filming Jimmy Fallon’s anniversary special.

Stars of the hearing like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez already have SNL cast members who impersonated them. The rest of the cast has plenty of options on who they could play in what will surely be the cold open. Expect it to be on par with the last cold open inspired by a Congressional hearing:

Those three factors should all come together and give us the best Saturday Night Live of season 44. A cold open on the Cohen hearing should ensure that fans stay glued to their TVs where John Mulaney will only hook them more with his monologue. Enjoy the show and check back with Last Night On for the highlights!