The curtain has finally fallen on Stranger Things, with its series finale airing just weeks ago. This cultural phenomenon has left an indelible mark on its devoted fanbase, who are now buzzing with excitement over the show’s legacy and future possibilities. Capitalizing on this fervor, Saturday Night Live cleverly jumped into the fray with a hilarious sketch titled “Stranger Things Promo,” which playfully imagined a series of absurd yet entertaining spinoffs.
The sketch is notably packed with familiar faces. Host Finn Wolfhard is joined by his Stranger Things castmates Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, who made appearances during his opening monologue, setting a light-hearted tone for the evening.
SNL Takes a Quirky Look at Stranger Things
The sketch opens with a cheeky announcement: the success of Stranger Things‘ final season has compelled Netflix to “leave no money on the table,” leading to an onslaught of sequels, prequels, requels, and spinoffs. The fictional announcer (portrayed by James Austin Johnson) sets the stage for a brilliantly absurd array of alternate universes.
The comedic gold begins with Steve Harrington (portrayed by Andrew Dismukes), who takes center stage in a new series titled Strangerous Minds. In this offbeat spinoff, he plays a high school teacher at an inner-city school, attempting to connect with tough students and reflect on his tumultuous teenage years. “Think I don’t know what it’s like to be a teenager? I was 17 for ten years!” he quips, prompting laughter from the audience.
Meanwhile, Nancy Wheeler (played by Chloe Fineman) stars in her own spin-off, The Wheeler Report. This series takes a humorous dive into ’90s news stories, with Nancy reporting live from the backseat of a police car she accidentally snuck into—complete with reports on the O.J. Simpson trial.
But the crowning jewel of the sketch might just be Mike in Manhattan, wherein Mike Wheeler lives his best “Carrie Bradshaw” life in New York City. The announcer proclaims, “Wonder what happened to Mike after he leaves Hawkins to chase his dreams of being a writer?” This narrative transitions into dramatic visuals of Mike typing on his laptop: “And just like that, I was in a new Upside Down: New York.” The humor erupts as he reflects on his past romances, asserting, “Even 10s fall short.”
The trio of Dustin, Lucas, and Mike serves up comedic banter over Cosmos, discussing their dating mishaps—not to mention a nod to Suzie, their fellow friend who has somehow found her way into their adult escapades.
Turning the absurdity up a notch, the announcer introduces yet another spinoff: Stranger Things: Oops! All Mike’s Dad. This features Ted Wheeler (Mikey Day) obliviously meandering through the chaos outside Hawkins, seemingly unaware of the monsters lurking just beyond his doorstep.
The Creative Minds Behind the Sketch
The brilliance of the “Stranger Things Promo” sketch is the handiwork of cast member Mikey Day and writer Streeter Seidell. Known for their keen ability to weave humor into pop culture parodies, they have a track record of successful sketches that keep audiences laughing week after week. Their previous collaborations include memorable sketches featuring Ariana Grande and David Harbour, advertisements fittingly absurd for SNL’s zany universe.