What to know
- Canadian comedian Veronika Slowikowska is emerging as a breakout rookie on SNL Season 51 and is the first Canadian cast member since Norm Macdonald.
- Her pre-SNL work, including viral sketches and roles in What We Do in the Shadows, Tires, and the CSA-winning Davey and Jonesie’s Locker, highlights the range she brings to the show.
- Early SNL sketches such as “Domingo Cold Open,” “Boys Podcast,” and “Hungover Halloween Game Show” are already generating strong audience buzz.
Veronika Slowikowska is really funny.
Born in Barrie, Slowikowska is a Canadian Screen Award winning actress, viral internet comedian and a future Saturday Night Live hall of fame prospect.
The season 51 shake-up came with doubts, but this rookie cast is so far one of the best in years, and Slowikowska is a major factor. Before becoming the first Canadian cast member since Norm Macdonald’s departure in 1998 and the second Canadian woman ever to be an SNL cast member (following Robin Duke), Slowikoska was featured in several on-screen projects. You may have seen her as Shaniece in the series, What We Do In The Shadows, alongside (almost) SNL cast member Shane Gillis on his show Tires or starring in Davey and Jonesie’s Locker, which got her the CSA win.
From her New York City roommate sketches with her podcast co-host and boyfriend (allegedly), Kyle Chase, we know Slowikowska loves a good bit, which is why it was difficult to only choose five of her pre-break SNL sketches. In no particular order, these are our Slowikowska favourites:
Episode 3: Domingo Cold Open
Though many say this character is played out (and he is), this unfortunately made us laughout loud several times. This was the featured player’s first appearance in the Domingo universe and while Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner are irreplaceable, Slowikowska kills. We’re not sure how many more times Kelsey is going to torment her husband with these detailed, musical depictions of her escapades, but we’re sure they will hit each time.
Episode 6: Bob Army
Though Slowikoska is not a major feature in the Bob army, we had to include her involvement in what is arguably one of SNL’s best. Those who get it, get it and trust, we absolutely got it.
Episode 3: Boys Podcast
This sketch was hilarious, but almost unwatchable. Boys Podcast is by far the most accurate when it comes to the accuracy of the younger generation’s vocabulary. When we found out Snack Homiez was a parody of a real podcast, we were shocked, but not surprised. Not sure what the word count is on “chopped,” “unc” or “cooked,” but we are positive all three are in the double digits.
Episode 4: Hungover Halloween Game Show
When you see Kenan Thompson as a game show host, you know you are in for a treat, and that we were! Veronika shines as a potentially feral cat alongside Ben Marshall and host Miles Teller.
Episode 3: Appliance Store
Slowikoska and Sabrina Carpenter have such good chemistry and it really comes through in “Appliance Store.” While it maybe was not a favourite humour-wise, Slowikowska’s theatre training was on full display in this ridiculous, post Weekend Update sketch. In case you were wondering, yes, Slowikowska has released solo music under the moniker Veronika.
Honourable mentions: Taken: Airport, Missing Wives Docuseries and Law Firms.
SNL returns Dec. 6 at 11:30 p.m.
