As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays faced off for baseball glory in the World Series, “Saturday Night Live” set its sights on a different kind of competition — one taking place in the heart of the so-called “capital of the world”: New York City.

This weekend’s episode, hosted by actor Miles Teller with musical guest Brandi Carlile, opened with a sharp and absurdly funny parody of a New York City mayoral debate. The sketch transformed politics into pure theater, spotlighting three eccentric candidates played by Teller and two former SNL hosts.

Teller took on the role of former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, running as an independent. In his opening line, he reminded viewers, “I got us through Covid and then, yada yada yada, honk honk, squeeze squeeze,” miming a series of questionable gestures before concluding with, “Anyway, I’m back.” With exaggerated confidence, he declared, “I know this city like the back of a woman’s back. Mamma mia!”

Ramy Youssef, known for his acclaimed comedy series “Ramy,” portrayed Zohran Mamdani, the progressive Democratic frontrunner. “I’m thrilled to be here and ready to spend the next hour hearing my opponents mispronounce my name in ways no one thought possible,” he joked.

Leaning into the satire, Youssef’s character admitted he hoped to calm voters’ fears of a “socialist Muslim” candidate by “smiling after every answer in a way that physically hurts my face” — then stretched his mouth into an exaggerated grin that became a running gag throughout the debate.

The third contender, Republican Curtis Sliwa, was played by comedian Shane Gillis — the one-time almost-SNL cast member who famously never made it to air. He arrived boasting about his survival instincts: “I’m thrilled to be here and not getting shot in the back of a Yellow Cab five times by the Gottis and Gambinos, like I was, famously, in 1992, 1993, and ’94.”

Apologizing to his rivals, Gillis mangled their names with comic precision: “Sorry, Mr. Cuomo, and — I believe I’m saying this right — Zoltar Rob Zombie.”

Kenan Thompson, stepping into the role of debate moderator and political journalist Errol Louis, asked the candidates the blunt question on every New Yorker’s mind: “Why would anyone want the worst job in the world?”

Cuomo’s reply was peak SNL absurdism. “As soon as you’re elected mayor, everyone in the city immediately hates you,” Teller said. “And in that way, I’m already one step ahead of the game.”

Youssef’s Mamdani offered the idealistic counterpoint, promising affordable housing, free healthcare, and universal Wi-Fi. But his optimism was undercut by his own punchline: “Can I make that happen? I’m not sure yet. But together, we’re going to find out — that the answer is no.”

Then came the inevitable “New York” question — the candidates’ favorite bagel orders. Gillis delivered the evening’s most grotesque punchline: “As you know, in 1982 I had my penis cut off and fed to me by the yakuza. So, obviously, blueberry bagel, toasted, strawberry cream cheese, eaten over a garbage can.”

When a cameo from SNL cast member Kam Patterson appeared as Mayor Eric Adams offering an endorsement, Youssef’s Mamdani turned to the camera with a direct appeal to white female voters suffering from gentrifier guilt. “Why don’t you vote for me?” he said earnestly. “You’ll feel a little less bad about that chicken and rice shop turning into a Sweetgreen.”

Just as the candidates were preparing to tackle a serious question about the city’s biggest challenges, chaos erupted — in the form of James Austin Johnson’s pitch-perfect Donald Trump. Entering triumphantly, he announced, “It’s me!” and proceeded to roast the candidates, adding his own culinary contribution: “My go-to bagel order? Big Mac with a hole in the middle.”

Though Trump no longer resides in New York, Johnson’s version declared that he still looms large over the city. “I’m always watching — lurking in the shadows, much like the late, great Phantom of the Opera.” The sketch closed on a surreal note as Trump donned a Phantom mask and delivered an unexpectedly melodic rendition of “The Music of the Night.”

Double Act of the Week

Later in the episode, Teller pulled double duty in a filmed parody of HGTV’s “Property Brothers.” Playing both Drew and Jonathan Scott, he led a home renovation project that featured the return of Johnson’s Trump — this time joined by Chloe Fineman’s Melania — attempting to remodel the East Wing of the White House.

Teller’s Drew explained cheerfully, “The Trumps have already made a few subtle changes to the house.” Fineman’s Melania added, “Donald got rid of the portrait of F.D.R. and replaced it with a painting of himself as a soldier from Halo.”

The sketch struck the perfect balance between political commentary and absurd architectural chaos, a trademark of the show’s best pre-taped segments.

Weekend Update Highlights

At the “Weekend Update” desk, anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackled everything from Halloween antics at the White House to the ongoing government shutdown.

Jost began by mocking Trump’s awkward attempt at trick-or-treating, playing archival clips from past events. “It’s clear he never trick-or-treated in his life,” Jost said. “He just puts candy on top of the kid’s head like it’s a weird crown. Even the kid’s like, ‘This isn’t right.’ It’s the perfect metaphor for his presidency — a violation of basic norms no one had ever thought to question.”

He continued, “My favorite part was when Trump and Melania made their grand entrance to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ Just the perfect soundtrack for luring children to a famous mansion.”

Che followed with his trademark edge: “Due to the government shutdown, SNAP benefits ran out today. But the government still provides free food to needy families — through the Second Amendment.”

He then turned to international politics: “Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said she’s nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. And I can’t believe I get to say this, but thank God nobody listens to women.”

The Return of Bowen Yang

After missing a recent episode, fan-favorite Bowen Yang returned to reprise his role as disgraced former Congressman George Santos — now freshly pardoned by President Trump.

Introduced as “the world’s No. 1 marathoner,” Yang’s Santos claimed to have already won the New York City Marathon, despite it not yet occurring. During the bit, he fielded prison phone calls from “Ghislaine,” “Luigi,” and “Diddy,” and proudly displayed a jewel-encrusted necklace allegedly stolen from the Louvre — which he insisted belonged to his ancestors, “the Zales.”

The sketch blended outrageous fantasy with biting political satire, showcasing Yang’s unmatched comedic timing and self-aware flamboyance.

A Comic Mirror of Politics and Power

In true SNL fashion, the episode blurred the lines between comedy and commentary. Whether parodying New York’s chaotic political scene, Trump’s omnipresent media persona, or the absurdities of government dysfunction, the show reminded viewers why it remains an essential part of America’s cultural pulse.

By the end of the night, Teller, Youssef, and Gillis had transformed a fictional mayoral debate into a microcosm of real political theater — equal parts vanity, chaos, and humor. And through the laughter, “Saturday Night Live” once again proved its uncanny ability to turn the week’s headlines into a funhouse reflection of the world we live in.