The cold open of Saturday Night Live’s November 1, 2025 episode seemed to parody the recent mayoral debate in New York City. The sketch was a reenactment of a debate between Curtis Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo, and Zohran Mamdani. Miles Teller played Cuomo and hosted the show. Ramy Youssef portrayed Mamdani, and Shane Gillis played Sliwa.
The parody included references to local regulations and campaign problems, just like the genuine discussion that took place in late October. The piece gave each candidate traits that people would recognize, and it did so using humor and political satire.
Saturday Night Live references the New York Mayoral debate in the latest episode
Saturday Night Live opened its latest episode with a parody of the New York City mayoral debate held before the November 4 election. Presented as a spoof NY1 broadcast, the sketch featured Kenan Thompson as moderator Errol Louis and reimagined key exchanges between the real candidates through exaggerated dialogue and humor.
Miles Teller played Andrew Cuomo, which brought out the former governor’s reputation as a leader. Ramy Youssef played Zohran Mamdani, a candidate who wanted to make progressive changes, including “free Wi-Fi.” Shane Gillis played Curtis Sliwa, the leader of the Guardian Angels, and talked about Sliwa’s prior problems and public image.
The program also captured the real debate’s tension, using comedy to draw attention to campaign promises, public opinion, and the personalities that are driving the contest for mayor of New York.
How the sketch unfolded
Saturday Night Live’s cold open featured a parody of the New York mayoral debate, introduced by Kenan Thompson as journalist Errol Louis. The candidates discussed city issues such as housing, transportation, and public services, with added jokes about everyday New York life, from grocery prices to crowded bike lanes.
Midway through the sketch, James Austin Johnson appeared as Donald Trump, interrupting the debate and declaring the election “all about me” before performing a parody of The Phantom of the Opera. The scene ended with Thompson’s moderator struggling to restore order as the chaos unfolded.
Moreover, the segment transitioned into host Miles Teller’s monologue, which referenced his experience losing his home in the Los Angeles wildfires.
Comparing the sketch to the real debate
The real New York City mayoral debate, held days before the episode aired, involved Cuomo, Mamdani, and Sliwa discussing key city issues. Reports described heated exchanges, particularly between Mamdani and Cuomo, who differed strongly on policy and ideology. The tone of Saturday Night Live was reflected through comedic exaggeration, rather than direct imitation.
Teller’s portrayal of Cuomo echoed the former governor’s public statements, including remarks about political strategy and leadership challenges. Youssef’s version of Mamdani emphasized his progressive ideals and his optimistic approach, while Gillis’ Sliwa referenced his well-known Guardian Angels persona. The sketch condensed these political personas into humorous archetypes familiar to Saturday Night Live viewers.
Beyond the cold open
This episode marked Miles Teller’s second time hosting SNL, following his first on October 1, 2022. During the November 2025 broadcast, Teller appeared in multiple sketches, including a parody of The Property Brothers, where he played both Jonathan and Drew Scott. Musical guest Brandi Carlile performed two songs.
Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live kept up its tradition of making fun of politics and current events by incorporating elements related to New York City alongside broader national topics.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 PM ET on NBC. Episodes are available for streaming the next day on Hulu and Peacock.
Edited by Bea Melisse Ibañez
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