Jon Hamm Unleashes Inner Racist in ‘SNL’ Game-Show Spoof
Game-show parodies are an SNL staple for a reason — they have a built-in beginning, middle and end with a format that can showcase weird characters ranging from the Coneheads playing Family Feud to Kristen Wiig’s clueless Mindy Elise Grayson screwing up Secret Word. Kudos to Jon Hamm for creating a new character that feels very specific to 2025 — the reluctant contestant who’s afraid to speak for fear of becoming internet-famous.
Hamm is Paul from Burlington, a reluctant player on Guess! The Correct! Answer! “Pretty nervous, not gonna lie,” says Paul about embarking on the game. The reason? “I have a great life, and I’m afraid I’m going to do something embarrassing here that could go viral and sort of ruin it all.” Turns out, he has good reason to be afraid.
Guess! The Correct! Answer! has a familiar format. Mikey Day plays Paul’s partner, providing clues to get Paul to guess the secret answers. Unfortunately, live television acts like truth serum for Hamm’s character, who has a great life and plenty of money. “Not much to gain and a whole lot to lose.”
Don't Miss
The first category? “Things You Might Find in A Workplace,” which puts Paul at ease. He works in a workplace! This should be easy. But things quickly unravel.
The answer is “micro-aggressions” and Day gives the clue: “Something that’s racist.”
“Me,” guesses Paul. That’s not it? He tries again. “Me. Myself. My family. My whole family. My friends. My best friends. My groomsmen. My jokes. My funny accents.”
Day tries to bail him out since Paul is doing “exactly what you were worried about.” He gives another clue: “It’s something small.”
“My penis!”
“Small but racist.”
“Yeah, I know. My penis.”
As predicted, Paul’s life is laid bare for social media to dissect: He gulps down vodka first thing in the morning. He fantasizes about his daughter’s hottest friends. He’s overcome by a raucous bout of flatulence. But at least he manages to blurt “hypersexual daydreams” while discussing his unstoppable yearnings, earning him a single point for correctly guessing “Daydream.”
“What a disaster,” says Michael Longfellow, charmingly smarmy as the game’s host. The show is effectively over — the other team forfeited by leaving during Paul’s disgusting display.
“Do I still get to be a dentist?” Hamm asks hopefully.
“Probably not,” Longfellow answers back.
