Talarico’s SNL cameo
Four days after his historic Texas Senate win, James Talarico crashed the “Saturday Night Live” cold open on Nov. 7 and stole the show. When James Austin Johnson’s Trump called him “Talafreako,” Talarico corrected him: “That’s Senator Talafreako.” Then he introduced himself as “the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for $5.” The studio audience gave him a long ovation.
He even poked at the show itself, asking how many more “Trump freezers” viewers should expect. Johnson’s Trump answered, “Infinity.”
The clip went viral, and for good reason. Talarico laughed at the nickname, the nonstop fundraising texts and SNL’s own routine, and his timing was sharp. The self-awareness was refreshing for the most part.
It also said something about where the party is headed. The same sketch featured Sarah Sherman as Chuck Schumer, the 75-year-old Senate Democratic leader, and Talarico looked like the next generation walking in. On a night hosted by Druski, the first digital content creator to host the show, it’s nice that the senator-elect can laugh at himself. That way he can get this victory lap in so he and the rest of Blue Wave camp can get to work!
Jeffries, can you walk and chew gum?
Democrats won the House on Nov. 3, putting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in line to become the first Black Speaker. House Democrats pick their nominee Nov. 18, and the full House votes Jan. 3.
The next morning, Jeffries told MS NOW’s “Morning Joe” that Americans “don’t want us to get even; they want us to get things done on their behalf.” Progressives pushed back. Other critics argue his ties to AIPAC mean he will not fight for what voters want.
Retribution is about settling scores, and voters just made clear they are tired of that. Justice is about the law. Jeffries has said Democrats will “follow the facts, apply the law and be guided by the United States Constitution.” He can push down grocery, rent, and gas costs while committees investigate abuses of power. Those are not competing jobs. The people believe if Republicans can walk and chew gum at the same time with their outlandish policies and decisions, the Democrats should be doing the same thing.
Javits deserved to make it to school
Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, 15, was walking to DreamYard Preparatory School in the Bronx on Oct. 29 when he was shot and killed on his way to school. He had moved from Ghana in 2025 to live with his father, Thomas, and reportedly dreamed of becoming a doctor. Police say three teenage suspects fled on a subway train. As of Nov. 9, no arrests had been announced.
His father says Javits was bullied and that two students accused of bullying him were suspended shortly before the shooting. That should alarm every parent and educator. Schools owe families a clear record of bullying complaints and how they were handled, especially for new immigrant students. Parents owe their children close attention to who they run with, what they post and what they carry. Lawmakers owe all of us action on guns, which have been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens ages 1 to 17 for five straight years, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.
Instead, much of the online conversation became a fight between Black Americans and African immigrants. Police have not identified anyone, so we do not know who pulled the trigger. These arguments have been so drawn out and unnecessary, because they haven’t led to heartfelt solutions, and a child’s funeral is not the place to settle them.
