The SNL vet is joined by musical guest Brandi Carlile.

When would he formally come back?

Until tonight, and despite several cameos over the years, Sudeikis was the glaring omission.

To be sure, tonight’sSNLwill capitalize around the immense hype ofTed Lasso.

But the return of Jason also presents another welcome opportunity: a newWhat’s Up With Thatsketch.

Though it’s ostensiblyKenan Thompson’s showcase, Jason’s running man Vance was an integral part.

They won’t deny us, right?

And will we see a dueling Bidens cold open or no?!

Fresh out the box.

Stop, look, and watch.

Ready yet, get set.

It’s live from New York!

Cold open

Chloe Fineman debriefs the president as Jen Psaki.

It’s all bad news.

Welp, sure enough boom it’s the ghost from Biden past (Sudeikis)!

Dan Vitale calls thefamous “Dueling Brandos” sketch"iconic" glad they revisited a similar premise here.

He seems to step on one of Jason’s lines.

This is pretty simple and well-executed, honestly.

Probably one of my favorite cold opens in recent memory!

Predictable, yes but JAJ kills it, Sudeikis has that huge everyman energy.

It actually has a specific arc and point-of-view about Biden.

Vitale already knew him from his viral Trump videos on YouTube.

“He was spot on.

This young new guy seems to capture their nuances.”

Monologue

Sudeikis updates us on what his life has been like since leaving the show.

I really enjoy his summary of what drove the show throughout various eras.

People go insane when he name-drops his Apple show.

“It’s built around two things Americans hate, soccer and kindness!”

His advice to current cast members to be noticed byLorne Michaels?

“Win an Emmy.”

And all the music, from Elvis Costello to Kanye.

It’s earnest and incredible.

He calls out the young kid at home, and the importance of this show to them.

“The Science Room”

Jason Sudeikis is studying the periodic table “periodically.”

He is joined by two junior volunteers (Cecily Strong,Mikey Day.)

We have seen this before,with Adam Driverandwith Sam Rockwell.

Anyways, Sudeikis is increasingly frustrated by the student’s stupidity.

“You’re OK, emotionally?”

he ponders, barely masking his contempt.

“Go to hell, Josh.”

He calls out the parents (Kyle Mooney,Melissa Villasenor) to shame them.

“Move dummy!”

“Mellen”

The male Ellen with a hard masculine edge!

He doesn’t just high wave the audience, he nut taps them.

ABC executives want to capture an at-home male audience, who are watching more TV.

“You just got vaxxed Mellen-style!”

he says to Kyrie Irving (Chris Redd).

Fun satire of toxic masculinity and bro culture.

Lots of great jokes about Joe Rogan and Barstool Sports.

And this is a great example of the show incorporating impressions in a way that flows and makes sense.

“Annie”

Villasenor is the little orphan Annie.

Cecily Strong sings, introducing the staff (Aidy Bryant,Ego Nwodim, Moffat, etc.).

Sudeikis is Ricky, they aren’t sure what he does.

He’s worried about being perceived as being a creep.

Turns out he provides a service for a club that Daddy Warbucks and his friends enjoy.

Strong and the rest of the staff are rightly disturbed.

Mikey Day shows up as Warbucks, to ask about the feast.

And it turns into anEyes Wide Shut-style party.

Leaning into the idle chatter and parent cliches, as Sudeikis and Nwodim begin to hit it off.

Some good ole fashioned cuckold humor!

“You don’t know me very well, do you… Miss Thang?”

I love the weird, twisted energy here.

Nwodim accused him of being mad at her.

Simple, but really effectively done.

“I’m not used to chalk this big,” she trembles.

He’s in command.

“I’m going to count to 30!”

whines Mooney as his wife and Sudeikis make love.

“Jake’s Non Stick Underwear Prescription”

Another hilarious pre-tape slap at male culture.

This time it is an underwear commercial.

This tackles an important issue, surprising depths and absurdities built in.

Really funny, and an excellent showcase for Redd and JAJ.

Also the name of her memoir.

Another home run tonight great suit, high energy performance.

AndMichael Chegoes after Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s defense of billionaires and Donald Trump’s new social media site.

Jost hits Biden’s approval rating, and a curiousPolitico storyabout his use of the F-word.

And just like that, Sudeikis is back as the Devil!

Great to have him back.

Topics include the Astros making it to the World Series again and Tom Brady.

“What’s Up With That!”

What can you even say?

This is so fun.

Nice to seeFred Armisenpop up, as always.

And Chris Redd, wow.

Hader, where art thou?

I like they continued the Lindsay Buckingham joke without him though.

And it was wise to call out everyone has aged.

(Guests also includedOscar Isaac,Nicholas Braun, andEmily Ratajkowski.)

“Declaration”

The ending is a little much here.

But I am a fan!

Great to see Andrew Dismukes (new guard) getting airtime with someone like Jason.

“Casino Proposal”

“Y’all got Venmo?”

Final thoughts

Really fun episode!

What did you think?

One complaint from me: Another “hey Don’t Destroy” digital video was cut.

Air it, you cowards.

Thank you to Dan Vitale!

Want to see him live?

(She also recognizes these EW recaps!)