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Jeremy Culhane just wrapped his breakout first season on Saturday Night Live. Fresh off viral fame with his Tucker Carlson impression, the TCU alum finished strong with Season 51’s finale on May 16 alongside Will Ferrell. Learn how the 34-year-old comedian became SNL’s unlikely sensation.
🔥 Quick Facts
- First Cast Member: Culhane appeared first on camera during Season 51’s premiere on October 4, 2025
- Viral Moments: His Tucker Carlson impression and Mr. On Blast character went viral on social media
- Background: Born February 17, 1992, Culhane is from Fort Worth, Texas, a TCU philosophy graduate
- Platform Impact: Gained 455,000 followers on social media and 13 million TikTok likes before SNL
The Nunchuck Audition That Changed Everything
Culhane nearly derailed his SNL audition with a dangerous stunt. His nunchuck pastor sketch, designed to impress Lorne Michaels, involved him swinging nunchucks wildly onstage. The props flew out of control and hit an audience member in the face. Instead of ending it there, the risk-taking comedian impressed the SNL producers enough to earn a callback. His second audition featured impressions of Jeremy Allen White and Glen Powell, cementing his place on the show.
After years auditioning without success, Culhane finally caught Lorne’s attention in his most recent attempt. He had previously worked with Dropout TV for nearly a decade, building a loyal fanbase through online comedy. His manager encouraged one final push, and it paid off spectacularly.
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From Dropout Star to SNL Breakout in One Season
Unlike many SNL newcomers who take months to break through, Culhane made an immediate impact. He appeared as a military general introducing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the Season 51 premiere, becoming the first cast member on camera. This advantage proved crucial, as audiences immediately recognized his energetic presence and comedic timing. Working alongside comedy legends like Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Melissa McCarthy, he absorbed professional wisdom while developing his signature sketches.
Behind the scenes proved equally transformative. Culhane met Tina Fey in an elf costume, got mentorship from Mikey Day during their viral Pinwheel sketch, and experienced the full magic of working at Studio 8H. Meeting his comedy heroes while performing in silly costumes became part of the experience he cherished most.
Two Viral Sketches That Made Culhane Famous
Tucker Carlson became Culhane’s breakout impression, earning praise for its sharp delivery and comic timing. His version featured a jagged laugh and escalating incredulity, hitting Weekend Update in early May. When he joked about the movie “Sinners,” calling it leftist woke America’s favorite, the bit resonated instantly online. The impression proved so successful that Culhane returned weeks later to discuss the 2026 Met Gala in character.
His second viral success came from Mr. On Blast, a character who slides into Weekend Update wearing a fedora and smug expression. Culhane describes this self-aware character as capturing his comedy DNA, criticizing billionaires, big pharma, and various absurdities. After each roast, a purposely corny jingle plays as he awkwardly dances, earning consistent laughs for the self-parody.
| SNL Aspect | Details About Culhane |
| First Episode | October 4, 2025, Season 51 Premiere |
| Signature Characters | Tucker Carlson, Mr. On Blast, General in Cold Opens |
| Key Moments | Viral Tucker impression, multiple Weekend Update appearances |
| Season Finale | May 16, 2026 with Will Ferrell (appeared as JD Vance) |
“SNL is a beautiful thing that you can never promise yourself, because it’s just so rare that it actually happens. I was just even happy to get to audition. I was just happy to be invited to the party.”
— Jeremy Culhane, Featured Player, Saturday Night Live
Comic Debate Erupts Over Carlson Impression Originality
Culhane’s Tucker Carlson sparked immediate controversy online. Social media erupted with comparisons to Nick Mullen’s version, a podcast comedian who developed his own exaggerated Carlson impression over years on shows like Cum Town. Critics noted that Culhane’s take followed similar beats, using the phrase “What’s going on?” as an anchor for Carlson’s bewilderment. The moment raised questions about originality in impressions and how SNL’s massive platform can overshadow earlier comedy work.
Legendary impressionist Darrell Hammond weighed in on the debate, explaining that impressions exist in legal gray areas. He noted that once an impression airs repeatedly on SNL, audiences attribute it to that performer, regardless of earlier origins. Hammond’s Bill Clinton impression gained dominance through platform visibility, becoming “his” impression in the public mind, even though others developed similar takes. The unspoken rule in comedy “Impressions aren’t funny, characters are” highlights how interpretation matters more than raw imitation.
What’s Next for Jeremy Culhane After Season 51?
Culhane’s freshman year represents a rare success story. Most SNL rookies spend months in background roles before earning Weekend Update spots or viral moments. He accomplished both in a single 32-episode season, working with comedy heroes and building millions of devoted fans. His background in improv at TCU, years grinding through Dropout TV, and fearless audition instincts all converged at the perfect moment. Whether Culhane returns for Season 52 or pursues film and television opportunities, his SNL breakthrough has permanently altered his comedy trajectory, turning a Fort Worth dreamer into a nationally recognized talent.
Sources
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram – Jeremy Culhane’s first-person interview about his SNL journey and viral success
- The Hollywood Reporter – Analysis of the Tucker Carlson impression debate featuring Darrell Hammond commentary
- NBC.com – Official SNL cast information and Season 51 details
