Sketch of John Mulaney’s musical comedy “Duane Reade”

About the sixth round Saturday Night Live, John Mulaney has really established himself as a (port) authority on sketching questionable decisions like ordering lobster at a diner, using a bodega restroom, or just the concept of Times Square in general. Malaney’s latest entry in his musical saga finds him at the Duane Reade cash register at the Port Authority bus station, where Pete Davidson wants to buy a gallon of milk. “You mean a gallon of milk surrounded by cans of Twisted iced tea in a refrigerator that’s hotter than the rest of the store?” This unfortunate choice, as foretold in the prophecy, marked the beginning of the “Circle of Life” parody of possum milk, performed by Ego Nwodim and Kenan Thompson in costumes reminiscent of Broadway plays. Lion King.

Then they have a number of current mini acts, including Chloe Fineman leading a team of twinks in the Timothée Chalamet look-alike competition, Aladdin a riff on Eric Adams’ Turkish Airlines scandal and Andy Samberg playing “Carcass Bear” RFK Jr. in a bear costume, cementing his status as “The Cutest One Ever.” Samberg rapping “Like an orphan bastard, the son of a bear and another bear…” almost makes up for the sketch’s biggest sin: Marcello Hernandez playing an imprisoned shampoo bottle, referencing how pharmacies now put essential items behind a lock and key set to the tune of “Do Re Mi”. This is a crime. “Tango in a Cell Block” was right! There! It had to be shampoo, deodorant, a bottle of Advil, etc., doing the “Cell Block Tango!” A shameful missed opportunity. Out of shame.