From PhillyVoice · · 3m
SNL can't quit Philly
Season 52 hands the mic to two more area stars, so here is the tape of Kruk impressions, Wawa gags and butchered accents that got us here.
In brief
Season 52 hands the mic to two more area stars, so here is the tape of Kruk impressions, Wawa gags and butchered accents that got us here. SNL's version of Philadelphia runs almost entirely on the accent, and the city keeps supplying the hosts willing to sell it. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Season 52 starts Sept. 26
Saturday Night Live returns for its 52nd season, and two of the first three hosts have roots in the Philadelphia area.
Jalen Brunson opens the season
The Knicks star, a two-time NCAA champion at Villanova and the reigning NBA Finals MVP, hosts the premiere. Global girl group KATSEYE is the musical guest.
Gillis hosts Oct. 10
Shane Gillis takes the stage for his third time a week later, with Rosalía as musical guest.
A whole run of locals
Colman Domingo hosted in April, Miles Teller in November 2025, Sabrina Carpenter in October 2025 and Quinta Brunson in May 2025. The area is on a streak.
Gillis wears it openly
A Mechanicsburg native and West Chester University alumnus, he creates and stars in the Valley Forge-based show 'Tires' and has worn Eagles merch in SNL promos.
CouplaBeers, the new medication
In his March 2025 episode, Gillis parodied the blind auditions on NBC's singing competition 'The Voice' and pitched a revolutionary new drug called CouplaBeers.
King of New York looms
Brunson's debut will probably lean on the Knicks winning their first NBA title in 53 years, though some Philly flavor could still sneak into the sketches.
Revolutionary War, 2018
Before Super Bowl LII, Boston's braggarts in Revolutionary-era costume bragged about captain Thomas Brady until heavily accented Philadelphians led by Tina Fey crashed the party.
“Call us the iggles, 'cause we're ready to fly.”
Farley as John Kruk
In October 1993, Chris Farley spoofed the Phillies first baseman, summoned to the Weekend Update desk to answer Kevin Nealon's characterization of that team.
“unshaven, overweight, long-haired, dumb slobs”
Under 20 words of grief
The whole gag was that Kruk should have been in Toronto for the World Series, not New York. Farley cycled through seven stages of grief in 45 seconds, then learned the Phils lost 6-3.
“I should've been there”
Cousin Karen from Upper Darby
On Bronx Beat in December 2015, Fey played the Philadelphian cousin of Amy Poehler's character, recounting a Salvation Army Santa getting beaten with a car battery in a Wawa lot.
“I forgot what a beautiful accent you have. You sound fancy!”
Murdur durdur
The May 2021 spoof of 'Mare of Easttown' put Kate McKinnon in the role of a grizzled lady detective working a case through a thicket of Delco vowels.
“Would youse guys quit eatin' Wawa hoagies over the body please?”
Three minutes, every reference
The sketch crams in Wawa, the Phillie Phanatic, Gritty, Wissahickon, Downingtown and Conshohocken, then reveals host Elon Musk's creepy priest as the killer.
Winslet loved it
The actor whose character inspired the parody said the sketch made her cry with laughter and validated her as an actor.
“cry with laughter”
Brunson's road rage
In April 2023, West Philly native Quinta Brunson and Mikey Day mimed an escalating traffic fight, trading increasingly specific and graphic insults through their windshields.
The key point
SNL's version of Philadelphia runs almost entirely on the accent, and the city keeps supplying the hosts willing to sell it.
