The Hotel Detective - SNL

[@NicolaiBolas]

"So you're just a lonely flapjack without any butter?" is such an absurd pickup line and I love it! Ariana crushed this one!

[@Some_One_One]

Timestamp then!

[@brettknott7692]

Lol

[@demiurge2501]

Oh hey nicolaibolas thanks for the draft advice! Any luck in the play in?

[@TheMaleSoprano]

​@@Some_One_One 0:46

[@RandomBloke007]

Who puts butter on a flapjack? 😂

[@LycanLink]

This skit deserved more laughter and DEFINITELY some applause. Those line-reads were incredibly impressive, even despite the occasional near-breaks.

[@iamlalapalooza]

WRONG! those near-linebreaks were staged! Which only goes to show just how truly amazing these skitters are!!

[@Darthalas]

I think the audience's brain was broken by the sheer level of skill

[@DeathGrip1202]

this sketch was so well-written

[@craigjohnson6423]

I think that part of the reason the audience was quiet was awe-induced. We're not used to see this type of patter sketch on this show. Laughter would have gotten in the way, so the audience subconsciously just stood back and let the scene flow.

[@charliek7896]

People don't need to laugh a certain way or applaud a certain way to enjoy a sketch. Stop expecting people to act the same way you would.

[@olivergarrick1175]

The cue card being in frame felt so fitting for this sketch.

[@svscared]

How come?

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

​@@svscaredBecause this is a sketch expressly designed to be a complete mess and make the cast break. It's very heavy on tongue twisters and silly moments

[@gr8dvd]

Would’ve been funnier if we saw them more obviously reading the cue cards and only occasionally glancing at the actor they were addressing.

[@Reneesaidit]

​@@gr8dvd which is exactly what she did 😅

[@svscared]

@@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep Makes sense. I can see that.

[@burgeeburger9328]

I lost it at “Yes, we’ve long suspected the expense accounts of the bureau of hotel detectives management division were being misused in a sexual favors for clemency arrangement with the bureau of hotel detectives management division detectives’ internal affairs.” 😂

[@bythegrace000]

AND THIS PROVES IT

[@hamdialihassan1048]

@@bythegrace000come on, we’re all going downtown 😂

[@Slambam73]

Right? I was expecting applause for completing that feat!

[@felicitousfeline9956]

Only JAJ can deliver the line that smoothly.

[@ludobaker]

Hahaha this was a great sketch

[@christianpilosi9563]

The fact that it's live, one take, with an audience, on television and streaming everywhere, makes those line reads so incredible....they only almost broke once or twice, which was cute, but they got through it and never missed a line. The live aspect of SNL for 50 years running now really is some amazing achievement, it has always blown my mind.

[@meganchambers8108]

"Also this is purgatory and they're all dead" lmfao love that.

[@docdarlin5491]

Did we sell that?

[@lyraserpentine894]

@@docdarlin5491 Clearly not. Sometimes the audience catches on and sometimes they don't.

[@iamlalapalooza]

they dotted every. single. eye.

[@TarzansMom]

As I’m currently rewatching Lost, this cuts me to the quick.

[@mustafa1name]

Twilight zone exit 😄

[@daphnenguyen9530]

the cue cards at 1:45 lol

[@yeeaahBUDDY]

WALLYY!!

[@TooInTuneOnYouTube]

@@yeeaahBUDDY the super rare wally miscue

[@lazzzercats]

I know I was just about to comment on that!

[@tresordelamer]

that was gold

[@sparkythancztwise]

@@TooInTuneOnKZbin that was on the cameraman, not WALLY! Wally can do no wrong. Yes, counting this week with Seth too.

[@conniesmith9732]

She could totally pull off a old school movie actress ❤

[@Lastielion]

That flapjacks line really made me pay attention! Her delivery was perfect!

[@Some_One_One]

​@@Lastielion Timestamp then!

[@josh44026]

An old school

[@lilachodan4941]

Yessss. Omg

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

She actually didn’t do the old time dame role, she did the old time comedian doing a sketch about detective shows and she nailed it! The pacing is slightly different, but if you listen to old time comedy sketch spoofs of these shows - they were over the top even at the time - she absolutely got the ultra fast pacing that’s meant to be an exaggeration & she did it brilliantly! I’m not a fan of hers but very impressed

[@olivergarrick1175]

The twilight zone ending felt natural somewhere up there phil hartman is laughing his ass off glorious wordplay and lighting speed.

[@Dench999or911]

Dan Aykroyd played Rod Serling in a few Twilight Zone themed sketches in the early seasons. I imagine this might be a nod to that

[@greeneggsandham91]

@@Dench999or911 Norm Macdonald did it one time I know of too

[@a_little_nonsense]

@@greeneggsandham91 Bill Hader too, when Jude Law was on with Pearl Jam.

[@Jafiveon]

Yeah it's almost like not everything is an homage and just a joke on one of the most iconic TV shows of all time!

[@laalaa99stl]

Ariana whipping out her badge upside down 🙃

[@LoveProWrestling]

That recovery though.

[@itstysonpham]

she's so adorable lmao

[@user-hz4zq6vs3l]

sweetener promo

[@Some_One_One]

Timestamp then!

[@seansswamp]

@@user-hz4zq6vs3llmao

[@TheMaleSoprano]

1:22 "an application form that was DENIED." oh she CLEARED him!!🤭🤭🤭

[@an-qo6by]

michael longfellow made me burst out laughing when he appeared just because he really fits into this vibe lmao. so happy he's main cast now, didn't know he wasn't before

[@Lastielion]

It was a really good Bill Hader impression of his roles in those bits. Lovely to see!

[@an-qo6by]

@@Lastielion yes I was thinking of hader!!!

[@Zormac]

Michael Longfellow has that classic SNL vibe.

[@canaisyoung3601]

I would complain that his Rod Serling impression was lacking, but Norm Macdonald did the same thing on that Twilight Zone spoof on the season 22 episode hosted by Pamela Anderson (back when she was Pamela Lee), which is yet another sign that Michael Longfellow is connected to Norm Macdonald. And his Rod Serling physical impression can easily be Seth MacFarlane (if Longfellow can do MacFarlane's real voice, which is the voice of Brian the dog).

[@choosinganameistoomuchpres7270]

he’s so hot omg

[@jeffjones6951]

Pure GOLD noir, and on so many levels: premise, plot, writing, line delivery and Trans-Atlantic accents!

[@escapvism]

the way ari whipped out her badge upside down so confidently 🙏🙏

[@Boris_moriss]

Ariana's acting in this is so good she nailed that accent

[@staciaallen3330]

Ariana Grande has given us so much sketches & skits tonight ! She really did: THAT ! She’s such a great actress & a great singer.

[@conniesmith9732]

What else was she giving? Sketches and skits is the whole point of the show…right? Is there something I missed? lol but yeah she did well ❤ I just want more! I hope this isn’t the last one.. I can’t watch it on my antenna because it doesn’t consistently pick up NBC so thank goodness I can see it here!

[@gabeputthoff4]

Glazing is insane

[@Hubalubalu]

she doesn't write them...

[@conniesmith9732]

@@Hubalubalucorrect.

[@yeeaahBUDDY]

@@conniesmith9732antenna? Are you living in the 80s? Or Cuba?

[@chazl6053]

Ariana Grande speaking in an old timey transatlantic accent makes me feel some type of way!

[@RandomBloke007]

Any self-respecting American should still talk like that. Should be taught in schools, really.

[@stoptorturingme]

I love that james austin johnson is so good at acting in any classic style lol. I hope someday he shows up in the 60s quiz show skit with kristen wigg

[@MrLisarn2]

Best ability to act while reading cue cards on SNL I’ve ever seen. Edit

[@everalextx]

They don't use teleprompters, they use big cue cards edit - handwritten, to be clear

[@justinplayfair4638]

Yes, one of the cue cards makes a brief appearance in this sketch!

[@matthewmangum6320]

I saw that and said, “What? 👀

[@kiki__21]

This must be the first episode you’ve ever seen because there’s no other explanation for why you’d insult Wally like this

[@wintersbabyy]

Real late show watchers know that Wally runs these streets

[@jenojaemin1730]

1:31 HOW CAN SHE HOLD HER LAUGHTER LIKE THAT 😭 I would've have bust HAHAHA

[@JRS-br9zn]

Ari is getting an Emmy for hosting this episode, I'm calling it now! Incredible sketches 💖

[@Burn143]

Her quickly turning the badge was so funny @ 1:30 😭😭😭Also, she fits the old Hollywood vibe so well!

[@JordanDoww]

"oh, phooey!"

[@jonathancharron7360]

Cat Valentine?

[@boltbadblades5247]

1:49 not the line card peaking 😭😂

[@chumuheha]

James and Ariana have perfect mid-Atlantic accents, and to do those accents while reading that fast is really impressive lol

[@lilyscior-lewis7746]

I love how she does an adorable laugh and immediately recovers

[@lilyscior-lewis7746]

She's way better than I was expecting, I love her commitment to the insane skits

[@aadyanegi9419]

NOT THE CUE CARD 🤣 1:48

[@RealKorean]

Came for this LOL

[@mariperalta81]

brief wally appearance

[@robb2biago]

That’s a lot of crazy fast dialog. Bravos!!

[@chuggggggy]

Everything was so absurd that it worked perfectly for it to be the purgatory of a Twilight Zone episode of an SNL sketch. 😂😂😂😂 Love Ariana Grande forever, a once in a lifetime iconic legend.

[@celestia___xo133]

How is no one hearing the cat quote “oh fooey” 1:01

[@ggwillie7]

RIGHTTT

[@jamiediaz9928]

Yess 😂

[@oldaccxunt]

we heard it we heard it

[@Rattenhoofd]

I love weird ass sketches like this

[@daydream_believer]

Had to Google this: "Coffin varnish" was a slang term for moonshine or bootlegged alcohol during the Prohibition era (1920-1933). Bartenders in speakeasies used slang words like "coffin varnish" to avoid drawing attention to the illegal sale of alcohol. ⚰🥃🤯

[@lisagriffith2097]

Cool! Thanks for the lesson! 😊

[@arcticlight232]

Thanks for googling it for us :D

[@jestersf8]

That makes a lot more sense than "coffee varnish" which is what the subtitles told me she said 🤣

[@daydream_believer]

@@jestersf8 This probably didn't exist then, but there is an espresso wood stain for furniture today. Because I know about this dark stain, I wouldn't have thought anything of "coffee varnish." 😂

[@Jack_Rivet]

That makes sense. Because there is absolutely nothing suspicious about ordering coffin varnish in a beverage serving establishment

[@lilachodan4941]

0:17 She looks stunning

[@lizzylahaie]

Stunning enough to steal a father from his newborn

[@BellahBoo]

@@lizzylahaieenough.

[@marianarath4024]

@@BellahBooyou really fell for all that PR didn’t you?

[@BellahBoo]

@@marianarath4024 huh

[@Arianator-0971]

1:49 i love how we saw what they were saying on the cue card

[@skuffel5405]

"Hot stack of cheese?" "Lonely flap jack w/out any butter?" 😂😅

[@enossified]

Bravo to whomever wrote this sketch. Very Johnny Dollar noir-tough-meets-bureaucratic-drag.

[@DeadpoolNegative]

Kudos for the Johnny Dollar shout out.

[@flpndrox]

Always a like for a Johnny Dollar reference

[@bufordfrink5554]

And nice work on the understated and subtly modified reference to Casablanca. I'll play it again, Sam.

[@sarahy1680]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar! My transatlantic-accent-fast-talking-noir-loving heart adored every part of of this sketch.

[@DeadpoolNegative]

@@sarahy1680 and it was about expense accounts!

[@michaellucejr.6374]

I’m just loving these old black and white sketches and the twist with it being a Twilight Zone episode makes even better.

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

The CUE CARDS LMFAO

[@davidserlin8097]

Damn, Ariana can even do a 30s dame! She is versatile af!

[@jssicajuly]

her little smile when she accidentally hold the badge the wrong way 🥹🥹🥹

[@sarahw768]

I love Ariana and the dedication towards The Twilight Zone!! Such a great episode ❤💖🎀✨✨

[@jacobrivera-sanchez5121]

No one immediately reacting to Longfellow as Rod Serling aged that audience so bad. 😅

[@Maliceah]

At 1:59 Wally gets his moment of on air glory.

[@Ca3sarV]

Im genuinely impressed by her amazing capability of doing so many different voices from all these sketches so well

[@MmmGoodToast]

She would be amazing in a noir film. She’s got the transatlantic accent down, and that black and white is chefs kiss on her❤

[@TahsinaKhanomHeva]

Ariana's little character breaks are so cute.

[@KonwTheTrut]

this skit was so well acted. Ariana is a really good actress lol

[@goodneews]

Ariana is an incredible actress my God

[@Letthereboxd]

Her acting is actually great in this!

[@chrisdalton5646]

Without the word "actually," that would be a compliment.

[@royalbleu404]

Bruh the twilight zone ending- LOVED IT

[@Boris_moriss]

the way she noticed her badge was upside down was so cute

[@olivergarrick1175]

Ariana has amazing comic timing really impressed with her performances tonight.

[@rantman4521]

She needs to do comedy movies. What a great show!

[@DK-Joe]

One of my favorite sketches ❤😂

[@DDD20001]

Was ariana here 2:23 breaking character when he stuttered? 😅

[@freyaegrey]

She looks so beautiful in this sketch. She should do this look all the time.

[@themostselfishman]

I love this so much. It doesn't need to be peak funny to still be art.

[@justinlang8881]

"That's right my name's not Sam Stanley, it's Stam Sanley."

[@sandranynj7118]

Ariana Grande is such a good actress! (And good singer) 👍🏼

[@d25102]

2:27 eminem has been real silent since this dropped

[@niemah.8199]

😂

[@AKAyourdad2458]

Didn't know that Ariana Grande could act so beautifully.

[@martinho7345]

This is an absolute pearl! I haven't laughed this much in months!

[@CharliePetricor]

Ari is so good at doing the transatlantic accent 😂

[@eden3150]

JAJ and dismukes are my favorite duo ever

[@jamescampion7880]

OMG. SNL is funny and clever again. This, and the Jennifer Coolidge maybeline commercial are hilarious silly fun.

[@joesdi]

This is my favourite - the fast reading 😂😂😂

[@pickingrandepetals]

they are killing me w these badges pls ahhahah this is so funny

[@WanderlustGoGo]

Clearly there’s a lot of detecting going on ❤😂

[@anniestacie]

2:50 roflmfao

[@tw8464]

This skit is super and Rod Serling icing on the cake

[@helenogbonna3361]

Jacob

[@lidorelydying1989]

This makes me wanna see Ariana in one of those old hollywood romance films

[@lidorelydying1989]

or maybe a rom com

[@MichaelLasotaMusic]

1:49 LOVE the cue card. But was a great added feature. And I almost forgot Hotel Detectives were a thing. This is a time piece brought back. Kudos to whomever wrote it.

[@lisas5211]

She's really good!

[@playedbyayo]

1:30 not the flipp of the badge😂😂 She is so talented, the all are

[@laalaa99stl]

Pretty accurate indictment of the last season of TZ

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

Can't believe they pulled these like reads off at those speeds! And Ariana's accent is so on-point for a noir film.

[@lepetitgemini]

she's the biggest the twilight zone fan ever

[@louisnorred8530]

Saw James Austin Johnson live a couple months ago - he's a master of the fast-talk riffing, I assume he did that in his audition

[@sanjanasekar3349]

Every single time I refresh, there's a new skit haha. Ari really served tonight!!!!

[@previnsnaidu1]

Every single line read was perfect here. One of the more underrated sketches in recent memory

[@kaileykill]

I didn't know I needed his in my life lol Makes me wish she did a black and white movie!

[@smorris7713]

This was short and magnificent 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😆😆😆😆 Stam Sanley's lines👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽😆

[@conniesmith9732]

It was like she almost said “if you know what I’m sayin” instead of “if you catch my drift “

[@ilhan691]

I NEED THIS TO BE A SERIES

[@olivergarrick1175]

JAJ and andrew Dismukes have been in tons of sketches tonight.

[@MrEquusQuagga]

So has Ariana Grande

[@lankyimnida595]

​@@MrEquusQuagga Coz she's the guest

[@lgmisfit10]

@@MrEquusQuagga🤦‍♂️

[@owenscheid2682]

The way it should always be

[@e.j.l]

I love this sketch. I've lost count of how many times I've re-watched it. It felt tailor-made for me. I think James Austin Johnson is great and I especially like him in these types roles. I hope to see him as a character actor in films in the future.

[@bullsharkTM]

Love his transatlantic accent

[@Yeezus_Khrist]

This sketch was like hearing the Apple Terms and Conditions

[@yourson113]

2:44 Rod Serling 😳 😂

[@zesty9815]

Some impressive verbal dexterity there!

[@ania5038]

The writing deserves an Emmy lmao

[@RichArtLove]

Comes off even more classic noir if playback is slowed to .75

[@sap20lj]

1:32 How did she hold her laugh for 1 seconds! My god she's really a great singer/actress❤

[@taytumelise]

ari pulling her badge upside down hehehe

[@Babymoonheart]

She really nailed it with this vintage outfit and filter combo wow

[@chum-chumnugget3952]

The mishaps felt genuine and hilarious.

[@lauracorda8423]

I love how Longfellow and Dismukes are getting more time on air. I’m always surprises at how happy I am when I see them on screen

[@anarchist_parable]

Y'all, the acting. The drama. The turns, the twists, the cinnamon, the nutmeg.

[@chaoticneutralgiraffe5514]

Fucking hell, saying those mouth-fools, keeping character and still maintaining an accent while speaking fast paced is crazy talented! 😂

[@rey1474]

CAN WE TALK ABOUT HER BEAUTY???????

[@TheKmyrtle1]

during this skit, my mom said “wow, ariana grande is actually really talented” yes queen