If you’ve heard of DUKES you’re either a chronically online Gen Z-er, or someone who developed a parasocial attachment to Jane Wickline after watching her on Saturday Night Live this past year. She’s been a surprisingly divisive SNL hire, with multitudes of Reddit threads tearing down or defending her intentionally awkward comedy stylings. Sure, she can be stiff during sketches, but many have come to Wickline’s side after her Weekend Update musical interludes (the Sabrina Carpenter one is worth a watch). That wry, dry delivery gets doubled with the addition of Liva Pierce. Together, they’ve been churning out weirdness since 2023. There’s no straight man vs. clown dynamic here – both embrace no-frills absurdity. – Cat McCarrey
