SNL's "Check to Check Business News" Gets Hilariously Real About the Economy
"Brought to you by America's most popular toilet paper: Chipotle napkins, 'cause Charmin prices be trippin'."
Tariffs and the price of...everything are top of mind for most Americans right now — and the topic informed several April 12 Saturday Night Live sketches, from the cold open to the hilarious "Check to Check Business News."
The sketch stars Host Jon Hamm and cast member Ego Nwodim as hosts of a financial show "for regular folks," who might not understand the bonds market, but definitely know candy bar prices "are up from 'Sure, baby' to 'Put that back!'"
"Let's check on the S&P 500, which is down 2.38%. The NASDAQ Composite is down 265 points, and Dow Industrials are down," anchor Kenneth Albright (Hamm) reads. "Okay. Does that mean anything to anyone?"
"I'm sure it means something to someone, but sounds like a bunch of gibberish to me," his co-host Tasia Walton (Nwodim) agreed. "Let's take a look at boxed mac and cheese, which is up 4.5% to $1.59."
"Whoa! Even across the street?"
"Even across the street, Kenneth," she confirmed.
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Jon Hamm and Ego Nwodim's En Vogue duet was delightful
In the healthcare sector, "so far in 2025, spending on doctor visits remains steady at zero," while "millions of Americans are investing in healthcare alternatives such as, 'Go lay down,' 'Just take an Advil," and "Pray it goes away."
Their colleague David Hayes (Kenan Thompson) joins with some money-saving tips, like buying generic and local. "For example, I occasionally like Perrier water, which is from France," Thompson says. "So instead, I drink this American version, Uncle Bubble. This is made from pure Tennessee tap water and it is only $1.89."
"Also, I love frozen pizza from DiGiorno, but it's pricing higher lately, so now I eat...DeVonte," he continues. "This delicious alternative was created by my cousin DeVonte. He makes pizza out of Wonder Bread and ketchup! Remember, it's not delivery -- it's DeVonte."
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Kenneth and Tasia share a good laugh over the idea of using the money they save to repay their student loans, bursting out in a (much appreciated) breakdown of En Vogue's "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)."
Check to Check Business News is sponsored by "America's most popular toilet paper" (Chipotle napkins) and Taco Bell. Their tagline: "Taco Bell: Should meat cost more than gum? Don't worry about it!"
Viewers react to SNL's "Check to Check Business News": "I FELT this sketch"
One of the most-watched sketches on SNL's YouTube channel the morning after Hamm's show, one viewer commented, "This may be the realest sketch ever. Never have I felt so heard."
"His suit coming from Kohl's is both something relatable and feels like a personal attack," another joked.
"As a blue collar baby, I FELT this sketch,' another YouTube commenter wrote. "The crawl at the bottom was everything we ate when I was growing up."
A commenter on SNL's Instagram loved the dead-on details, sharing, "The stock ticker scrolling at the bottom with ketchup packets and 7-11 taquitos was a nice touch."
Watch "Check to Check Business News" from Saturday Night Live Season 50, Episode 17 above, and watch all of Jon Hamm's April 12 sketches here.
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