I’ve been watching “Saturday Night Live” for most of my life. Which makes me think of how old I am, and how being in my mid-30s proves the passage of time is needlessly cruel. Anywho, I’ve been around to mildly chuckle to myself at least once or twice a season for the bulk of the show’s run.

Season 50 sure was one of those. It wasn’t as good as the last two seasons, which really found their groove — this year was more of a retread of those same ideas and bits. At the very least, they didn’t ruin the original Quinta Brunson traffic altercation, and they didn’t run John Mulaney’s musicals about New York into the ground!

#10 Peanut the Squirrel’s Widow (Episode 7: Charli xcx)

This season is the first time where “Weekend Update” interviews comprise a healthy portion of my top ten lists, and that’s all thanks to Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, Ego Nwodim, Marcello Hernandez, and Heidi Gardner. Plus, multiple characters (a lot of animals too) managed to make the top ten over some notable honorable mentions (listed later).

I just love when an animal makes the news, and then they fit somebody into a costume to talk about it (especially a certain baby hippo, which I’ll talk about later).

#9 “Castrati” (Episode 3: Ariana Grande)

Ariana Grande turned out to be a fantastic actress, and a super funny one too. Sure, we all knew she could sing, but holy moly can she hold her own in movies (“Wicked” was robbed) and on “SNL.” Her episodes are often the best of any season, and her wig + her stare of despair = comedy gold.

#8 The Original Nosferatu on “Weekend Update” (Episode 11: Dave Chappelle)

Continuing off of Sarah as a squirrel undergoing grief, she topped herself just weeks later being the original Nosferatu. She’s game for anything ridiculous, and she’s not afraid to just go for broke. Putting Sarah next to her fake rival Colin Jost is a perfect combo, and I want more of it.

#7 “Birthday at Friendly’s” (Episode 14: Lady Gaga)

Call me biased, but New York City’s own Lady Gaga and east coast staple and famous chain restaurant Friendly’s both hold special places in my heart. Especially when this sketch is about birthdays, and it aired on my actual birthday. Better yet, it has an amazing satanic cult angle to it. Just peak things I love, all rolled into one.

#6 Miss Eggy on “Weekend Update” (Episode 16: Jack Black)

I was close to putting Jack Black’s monologue in this spot, but I think the fact that Ego managed to coax the audience into chanting the word “shit” live on air puts this one over the top. Her doing an over-the-top stereotypical black comedian’s schtick is quite funny on its own, and makes for a memorable ongoing bit that returned in the season finale (but without the audience all collectively swearing on live TV).

#5 “Rorshach Test” (Episode 6: Bill Burr)

As much as I love and enjoy Bill Burr being a drunken Bostonian in various places, his firefighter who can’t help but see cartoon characters in compromising/sexual positions is the highlight of his “SNL” hosting career. Bluey with a ball gag! Master Chief disappointing in bed! Frozen smut! And Mike Wazowski on his wedding day! Excellent perverted work, “SNL” writers.

#4 Baby Hippo Moo Deng on “Weekend Update” (Episode 1: Jean Smart)

This was the premiere episode? They came out swinging. Moo Deng is a beloved zoo staple for internet denizens, and Bowen Yang might have one-upped his Titanic iceberg costume by ingesting so much water shot into his face. Points for hitting Colin Jost too. Wonderful work by everyone on “Weekend Update” with this one.

#3 “Ferry Altercation” (Episode 18: Quinta Brunson)

Not as good as the original, but still a pretty great premise elevated by the performances from Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, and Quinta Brunson. Just classic, simple, dirty humor and exaggerated hand gestures anyone can now use when they’re angry.

#2 “Washington’s Dream 2” (Episode 2: Nate Bargatze)

Not as good as the original (where have I heard that one before), but this is the crown jewel for surprise host Nate Bargatze’s rise to stardom. He seemed so unexpected to host, and came out of nowhere, and now he’s a top earning stand-up who’s in lots of commercials and has his own patented sketch. He’s George Washington forever now, and can always be relied on to point out the problems with this stupid country we live in. Unless you’re reading this from another country, then congrats, you dodged a red, white, and blue bullet.

Honorable Mentions

“Gladiator 2” (Episode 8: Paul Mescal)

“Gallbladder Surgery” (Episode 9: Chris Rock)

“Parking Lot Altercation” (Episode 10: Martin Short)

“Founding Fathers Cold Open” (Episode 12: Timothee Chalemet)

“Big Dumb Line” (Episode 15: Mikey Madison)

“The White POTUS” (Episode 17: Jon Hamm)

“Victorian Ladies at Lunch” (Episode 20: Scarlett Johansson)

#1 “Port Authority Duane Reade” (Episode 5: John Mulaney)

John Mulaney is behind many of SNL’s best moments in the 21st century. He’s a legend in his own right, but came out as a top tier host, writer, and comedy genius. He’s the brains behind these elaborate spoofs of Broadway musical medleys that skewer NYC’s worst elements. It’s an ode to the things he loves, and clearly he’s just doing it to see how much money the costuming department can shell out to bring his insane ideas to life. I hope we get one of these every year for the rest of time, they’re pure art in its finest form.

Image Credit: SNL, NBC