The David S. Pumpkins Effect

Last night, Saturday Night Live returned to one of its singular successes—the jolly, always-grinning Halloween character David S. Pumpkins (played by Tom Hanks) from a breakout sketch in 2016—and gave him the honor of a second appearance. His return felt rare. Outside of the “Weekend Update” desk, recurring characters have been scant over the show’s past few seasons. Kate McKinnon’s departure in May removed a wealth of options from rotation, and the remaining cast members haven’t yet filled that gap.

is in a, and a guest turn from Hanks, as the mysteriously cheery man in a black-and-orange pumpkin suit whose part in a scary ride makes no logical sense,infused an otherwise dull Halloween episode with some character razzle-dazzle. But it also highlighted what’s been missing from the show. Recurring characters are a significant staple: They can help a cast member gain more airtime—and notoriety—while bolstering the arc of a season, balancing fresh material with well-known fare. Smart topical sketches make the rounds, but characters—, , , , , —make an imprint, creating lasting connections to the long-running show.