Noah Schnapp was notably absent from the January 17 episode of Saturday Night Live where his Stranger Things co-star Finn Wolfhard was the host, a night that featured fellow cast members Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo.
According to People, Schnapp was not at the live show, or the after-party, because he was in Milan, Italy, attending Milan Fashion Week and appeared at the Ralph Lauren Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 show on January 16, ahead of the New York broadcast.
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Stranger Things Reunion on SNL
Wolfhard made his hosting debut with a reflective monologue about growing up in the public eye, joined by Stranger Things co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo in a surprise appearance that celebrated their long-standing friendship and shared history.
In addition to the duo, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton and Joe Keery were spotted at the show's after party following the live episode.
The trio also took part in a Stranger Things-themed parody during the episode, part of a larger sketch that spoofed fictional spinoffs and fan theories around the show’s final season. However, not all viewers found the humour to their taste.
Fan Backlash Over Parody Jokes
Some fans took to social media to criticise parts of the sketch, particularly material that referenced significant moments from the series. One segment drew attention for a line explaining Schnapp’s character, Will Byers, was absent because “his coming out scene is still going on,” a joke riffing on the length of a pivotal emotional moment in Season 5. Critics said that it felt insensitive and in poor taste.
Comment on platforms such as Instagram included remarks like, “It’s unnecessary to make fun of Will’s scene” and “How disrespectful to make fun of Will’s coming out scene”, with some viewers urging sensitivity around such moments in the show.
Who thought this was okay after all the homophobia from this scene?? pic.twitter.com/jk7MP9Xn6C
— Stranger News (@StrangerNews11) January 18, 2026
The backlash was not uniform, with some fans defending SNL’s approach as typical satire and pointing out that hosts and performers do not write the material they deliver. Regardless, the discussion highlighted how strongly many viewers feel about Stranger Things’ concluding season and how its emotional beats are remembered.
