Saturday Night Live season 45: Best of Pete Davidson

It was another interesting year on Saturday Night Live for Pete Davidson

Season 45 of Saturday Night Live was one full of twists and turns. No cast member’s year probably better exemplified that than Pete Davidson’s. And just like SNL, the season finished strong for Davidson with signs for better things to come.

Davidson’s season 45 got off to a delayed start. He was busy filming The Suicide Squad with director James Gunn and missed the first two episodes. Davidson would have one more episode in which he did not appear, that one coming on March 7.

Then came the interview that exposed alleged backstage drama between Davidson and the rest of Saturday Night Live. The comedian questioned who at SNL was on his side and wondered why he was so often the butt of the joke. Davidson suggested he had outgrown the show and accomplished all he could on it, leaving many to assume season 45 would be his last.

But supportive comments from cast members and an episode hosted by John Mulaney quickly smoothed things over. Davidson would go on to finish the year strong, thriving in the three Saturday Night Live at Home episodes, and making it clear that he’ll happily be back for season 46.

Pete Davidson’s three best sketches from season 45 of Saturday Night Live

It is no coincidence that Pete Davidson’s best sketch from season 45 was also his personal favorite. When SNL really needed cast members to step up for remote episodes, Davidson did just that.

His music videos and song parodies were popular among fans and showed off what Davidson brings to the table. His best was “Stuck in the House,” the ode to life in quarantine with an assist from Adam Sandler.

Davidson has followed in Adam Sandler’s footsteps by appearing on “Weekend Update” as himself. While Sandler also had Opera Man, Cajun Man, and other characters, he was often at his best just being Adam Sandler. The same is true for Pete Davidson.

His “Weekend Update” hits have evolved from the premise of being the “resident young person” to the freedom to comment on anything he finds interesting. In the past, this has included plenty of self-referential material. But in season 45, fans got to see how far Davidson has come during his time at SNL, how nobody makes fun of Pete Davidson better than Pete Davidson, and why “Weekend Update” will always be where he’s at his best.

Davidson has made it clear that sketch comedy is exactly his wheelhouse. It is part of the reason why “Weekend Update” is a better fit for him than anywhere else in the show. But that doesn’t mean Davidson hasn’t made an impact in sketches.

“Chad” is by far Davidson’s most noteworthy character. It certainly isn’t for everyone but those who appreciate the humor really love when Chad shows up. That was certainly the case when Chad found himself in a love triangle with Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez.

A pretaped music parody, a “Weekend Update” piece, and a recurring character. There is not much more you can ask from a Saturday Night Live cast member these days. Pete Davidson had a roller-coaster season but the highs were among the best moments in his SNL career. And fans are happy knowing that career isn’t done yet.

What did you think of Pete Davidson during season 45 of Saturday Night Live? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Keep checking back with Last Night On as we revisit more cast member’s season to get you ready for the return of SNL.