SNL Releases Cut-for-Time Superman Sketch Starring John Mulaney

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has gifted fans a New Year’s surprise: a cut-for-time sketch from its November 2 episode, hosted by John Mulaney. The sketch, released on the show’s YouTube channel, reimagines a scene from 1978’s *Superman: The Movie*, with Mulaney stepping into Christopher Reeve’s iconic role as Superman and Sarah Sherman playing Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane. The twist? Lois’ eccentric roommate, Glenn Bechamel, played by Chloe Fineman, steals the spotlight with her bizarre antics.

In the sketch, Lois introduces Glenn as her roommate, explaining that her family owns the apartment, making rent “super cheap.” Glenn’s offbeat humor takes center stage as she comments on Superman’s tights, saying, “I can almost see your peanut. Well, lucky for you I’m deathly allergic. Otherwise, I would have bit that thing off. Clean off.” The sketch escalates when General Zod arrives, only to be hilariously intimidated by Glenn’s awkward energy.

This isn’t the first time Fineman’s Glenn Bechamel has appeared on SNL. The character previously made waves in a March 2023 sketch during Travis Kelce’s hosting episode, where she played a chaotic bachelorette. The November 2 episode, which also featured musical guest The 1975, aired just two days before Election Day and marked one of the show’s highest-rated episodes of the season.

SNL is currently on its winter break but will return with new episodes starting January 18. The show will then take another hiatus ahead of its highly anticipated 50th-anniversary special, set to air on February 16.

The sketch pays homage to Richard Donner’s *Superman* and Richard Lester’s *Superman II*, films that set the standard for superhero movies long before the genre’s modern boom. While the sketch leans into comedy, it captures the essence of the original characters, from Superman’s classic suit to Lois Lane’s iconic wardrobe.

Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Superman remains a cultural touchstone, and the sketch’s release coincides with renewed interest in the character. Earlier this year, Reeve’s legacy was celebrated in the documentary *Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story*, and James Gunn’s upcoming *Superman: Legacy* is set to reboot the franchise in 2025.

Despite its comedic tone, the sketch highlights the enduring influence of the original Superman films, which balanced realism and fantasy to create a believable yet lighthearted superhero. While later installments like *Superman III* and *Superman IV: The Quest for Peace* veered into parody, the first two films remain beloved for their groundbreaking approach to the genre.

SNL’s “Cut for Time” sketches often provide fans with additional laughs, and this Superman parody is no exception. With its clever writing and standout performances, the sketch is a testament to the show’s ability to blend nostalgia with humor.