Dave Chappelle Hosts SNL Amid Political Transition, GloRilla Debuts as Musical Guest

NEW YORK — Comedian Dave Chappelle returned to host *Saturday Night Live* on Jan. 18, 2025, marking his fourth appearance on the show. The episode, which aired just 48 hours before the end of President Joe Biden‘s term and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, featured rapper GloRilla as the musical guest.

Chappelle opened the show with a monologue that touched on the political climate, the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, and the challenges of being a public figure. “I’m tired of being controversial,” Chappelle said, before diving into a mix of humor and reflection. He paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, urging the audience to “do better” and show decency to others, regardless of their background.

GloRilla, the Memphis-based rapper, made her *SNL* debut with a high-energy performance of her hit single “Yeah Glo!” The song, from her second mixtape *Ehhthang Ehhthang*, earned her two Grammy nominations last year. Her appearance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The episode also featured sketches addressing current events, including a segment on TikTok‘s potential ban in the U.S. and a spoof of social media dating shows. Chappelle appeared in several sketches, including one where he played a father hiding cash and fake passports in the walls of his home during a wildfire evacuation.

Former *SNL* cast member Jerry Minor, who joined the show for commentary, praised Chappelle’s hosting skills. “I’ve always been a big fan,” Minor said. “He’s usually a really good host.” Minor also reflected on the challenges of political comedy in the Trump 2.0 era, noting that finding the right tone would be difficult.

The show concluded with a message supporting fire relief efforts in Los Angeles, tying back to Chappelle’s earlier monologue about the wildfires. The episode blended humor, social commentary, and musical performances, offering a mix of entertainment and reflection on the current state of the nation.