What were the highlights and low points mentioned in the “Saturday Night Live season 49 finale recap”?

The "Saturday Night Live" Season 49 finale had several highlights and low points: ### Highlights: 1. **Jake Gyllenhaal's Monologue**: Gyllenhaal's monologue was well-received, showcasing his charisma and comedic timing. It garnered 110K views on YouTube. 2. **Scooby-Doo Parody**: This sketch was a standout, reimagining the classic cartoon with a modern twist and eliciting a lot of laughs. 3. **Fast Fashion Ad**: This sketch humorously critiqued the fashion industry's obsession with cheap, trendy clothing and resonated with many viewers. 4. **Weekend Update**: The segment covered various timely topics and remained popular with 168K views, thanks to its sharp wit. 5. **Joke Swap**: The return of this segment was a pleasant surprise, featuring cast members swapping jokes and leading to unexpected and hilarious moments. 6. **Character Actors Targeted**: This sketch provided a unique and humorous take on the world of character acting. 7. **Musical Performances by Sabrina Carpenter**: Carpenter's performances were well-received and added a dynamic element to the show. 8. **Tribute to Dabney Coleman**: The episode included a heartfelt tribute to the late Dabney Coleman, honoring his contributions to the entertainment industry. ### Low Points: 1. **Cold Open: "Summer of Trump"**: Despite James Austin Johnson's spot-on impersonation of Donald Trump, the sketch didn't offer much in terms of new insights or fresh humor, leaving some viewers wanting more. 2. **Subpar Writing and Lackluster Sketches**: The episode received mixed reviews primarily due to subpar writing and some sketches that failed to hit the mark. ### Conclusion: The season finale was a mixed bag, with strong performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Sabrina Carpenter but marred by some lackluster sketches and subpar writing. Fans are hopeful for a return to form in the upcoming 50th season.