“This week’s episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Jason Bateman, featured two different kinds of sketches that felt inevitable the moment they aired.

“First there was the cold open, which became obligatory the moment that Melissa Carone did her uncanny Cecily Strong impersonation at a Michigan hearing about voter fraud, necessitating a Cecily Strong impersonation of Melissa Carone.

“That’s a classic example of SNL in a reactive mode, with current events setting the agenda, and although there’s some sense of satisfaction hearing the chords resolve, there’s no surprise in the process.

“But this week also featured “Stu,” an instant-classic Christmas sketch, which felt inevitable and surprising, because it’s a perfect synthesis of the cast members’ individual interests and strengths.”

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