SNL’s November 2025 Cold Open Roasts New York Mayoral Race with Bagels and Chaos. New Jersey viewers and comedy fans alike got a side-splitting start to their weekend when Saturday Night Live aired its November 2, 2025 episode, opening with a cold open that hilariously parodied a fictional New York City mayoral debate. The sketch blended political satire with absurdist humor, culminating in a bagel-fueled punchline that left the audience laughing—and cringing.
The debate was moderated by Kenan Thompson as Errol Louis, who peppered the candidates with seemingly serious questions, including the all-important “go-to bagel order,” a moment that became the comedic centerpiece of the segment. The sketch featured portrayals of three political figures, each exaggerated for maximum comedic effect.
Ramy Youssef took on Zohran Mamdani, the young, progressive Democratic Socialist whose campaign leaned into TikTok-style outreach, complete with dancing hearts graphics. The character’s constant smile and over-the-top charm lampooned how politicians sometimes prioritize optics over substance, poking fun at the modern social media-driven approach to campaigning.
Miles Teller returned as Andrew Cuomo, the former New York Governor. The portrayal highlighted Cuomo’s controversial exit amid sexual harassment allegations, blending awkward charm with self-aware humor. Teller’s Cuomo referenced his COVID-19 leadership and other public moments with a comically dismissive “yada yada yada” gesture, while current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, played by Kam Patterson, awkwardly endorsed him in a brief cameo.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Shane Gillis embodied Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and the Republican candidate. This version of Sliwa was pure chaos, veering off-script to recount increasingly absurd and violent anecdotes, including being shot multiple times in a cab and suffering a gruesome yakuza attack. Sporting Sliwa’s signature red beret, Gillis’ performance leaned fully into exaggeration, making every appearance unpredictable and darkly humorous.
The sketch’s comedic climax came with the candidates’ answers to the moderator’s bagel question. Gillis’ Sliwa first launched into another violent-yakuza tale before finally revealing his order: “Blueberry bagel, toasted, strawberry cream cheese, eaten over a garbage can.” The line perfectly captured the character’s chaotic energy and the absurdity of over-the-top political theater.
As if the debate wasn’t wild enough, James Austin Johnson crashed the scene as Donald Trump, delivering an irreverent twist by giving his own “go-to” bagel order: “A Big Mac with a hole in the middle.” The interruption heightened the absurdity, cementing the sketch as a sharp, ridiculous commentary on the unpredictability and spectacle of modern New York politics. Trump’s cameo culminated in the cast singing a snippet from Phantom of the Opera, leading into the classic SNL sign-off: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
While the sketch was firmly rooted in political satire, its bagel jokes struck a chord with audiences beyond the political commentary. The exaggeration of New York’s iconic breakfast culture—combining oversized bagels, unusual toppings, and chaotic eating habits—was a nod to the city’s culinary identity that even New Jersey residents can appreciate. The scene highlighted how food, even something as simple as a bagel, can become a lens for comedy when paired with the eccentricities of politics.
For those intrigued by the intersection of humor, culture, and food in New Jersey and the surrounding region, the state’s thriving culinary scene—from bagel shops to artisanal coffee spots—offers plenty of real-life inspiration. Readers can explore the best breakfast and bagel destinations, unique twists on classics, and other must-try local eats in Explore New Jersey’s Food & Beverage section, where food culture meets community storytelling.
SNL’s cold open may have exaggerated the chaos of New York politics, but its clever mix of bagels, absurd anecdotes, and celebrity cameos reminds viewers that comedy can serve as both entertainment and cultural commentary, perfectly blending the serious and the ridiculous in one unforgettable sketch.
Regardless, if you’ve ever found yourself pulling out the doughy center of a bagel to savor that perfect crust, you’re going to fall in love with the flagel—a thinner, crispier cousin of the traditional bagel that’s taking over breakfast orders at Goldberg’s Bagels in New Jersey. The concept is simple but brilliant: the same hand-rolled, kettle-boiled dough that makes Goldberg’s bagels so irresistible is flattened before baking, creating a larger surface area and a crunchier texture. The result is something that hits all the best notes of a bagel—without the heaviness.
Walk into Goldberg’s any morning, and you’ll likely find a line out the door. Locals come for the classics, but more and more are discovering the magic of the flagel. Available in popular varieties like everything, plain, poppy, and pumpernickel, the flagel offers that unmistakable bagel flavor in a lighter, crispier form. The flattened shape makes it perfect for sandwiches too—its wide surface means toppings like cream cheese, lox, or even scrambled eggs and bacon are distributed evenly without the fillings sliding out.
Which, by the way, do not get a drug test the day after you eat the poppy bagels, because there isn’t a bagel left uncovered with poppy seeds. They are the best poppy bagels I’ve ever had, and I haven’t had one in decades (I usually get Salt and Everything)
The texture is where the flagel really shines. With a higher ratio of crust to interior, it delivers that satisfying crunch on the outside while still maintaining a soft, chewy bite within. Toasted and paired with Goldberg’s signature cream cheese spreads—ranging from scallion and vegetable to lox or bacon cheddar—it’s a simple pleasure elevated to something extraordinary.
Goldberg’s has become a North Jersey staple, known for its no-frills charm and consistently fresh offerings. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee or sitting down for a full breakfast sandwich, everything feels made with care. The menu covers far more than bagels, offering a full spread of New Jersey-style breakfast favorites that rival any diner.
For early risers, the breakfast sandwich lineup is unbeatable. Choose from classics like bacon, egg, and cheese, or the Jersey icon, Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. If you’re feeling extra hungry, the “HOBO,” “BOBO,” and “CHOBO” sandwiches kick things up with added hash browns or chorizo. For those seeking something on the lighter side, Goldberg’s also serves egg white wraps, protein burritos, and veggie-packed omelets.
Beyond breakfast, the deli counter is another highlight. You’ll find everything from grilled chicken and pastrami to the crowd-favorite Sloppy Joe stacked high with corned beef, pastrami, turkey, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye. Each sandwich is made fresh to order and can be customized with a wide range of cheeses and toppings, including roasted peppers, avocado, or jalapeños for an extra kick.
And if you’re just there for a quick bite or snack, Goldberg’s delivers on that front too. Their pastry selection includes crumb cake, muffins, black-and-white cookies, and cinnamon buns, all perfect pairings with a hot cup of their freshly brewed coffee.
But it’s the flagel that’s been quietly stealing the spotlight. It’s easy to see why—it’s lighter, less doughy, and ideal for anyone who loves the crusty exterior of a bagel but wants something easier to eat on the go. It’s the ultimate upgrade for breakfast purists who know that sometimes, less dough means more flavor.
Goldberg’s Bagels captures what makes New Jersey’s food scene so special: authenticity, quality, and a love for tradition with a twist. Every visit feels familiar but fresh, and each menu item—especially the flagel—reminds you why local bagel shops like this are the backbone of the state’s morning ritual.
If you’re a true New Jerseyan who appreciates the art of breakfast done right, or just a food lover looking for your next favorite bite, the flagel at Goldberg’s deserves a spot at the top of your must-try list.
For more stories about where to find the best eats and hidden food gems across the Garden State, check out Explore New Jersey’s Food & Beverage section for the latest features on local favorites, dining destinations, and culinary trends shaping New Jersey’s vibrant food culture.
