SNL 'Mike in Manhattan' Parody: Finn Wolfhard's Stranger Things Spinoffs Roast Goes Viral

SNL ‘Mike in Manhattan’ Parody: Finn Wolfhard’s Stranger Things Spinoffs Roast Goes Viral

Finn Wolfhard’s Saturday Night Live hosting debut on January 17, 2026, came with plenty of laughs—and one of the funniest sketches took direct aim at Stranger Things itself. Right after the show’s big finale, SNL imagined what Netflix might do next: endless spinoffs, sequels, and remakes to keep the views rolling in.

The pre-taped bit was styled like a slick Netflix trailer montage, announcing a bunch of fake spin-off ideas. The standout? “Mike in Manhattan”—a Sex and the City-inspired series set in 1990s New York.

Finn Wolfhard reprised his role as Mike Wheeler, now an adult navigating big-city life. His old friends Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) tagged along for the ride. Instead of fighting monsters or dealing with supernatural nosebleeds, Mike’s nosebleeds now come from… cocaine.

The sketch poked fun at the classic Sex and the City vibe—cosmopolitans, fashion, dating drama—but swapped in 90s Stranger Things energy: Walkmans, payphones, and awkward 20-something struggles.

Other parody titles flashed by quickly, including:

  • The Wheeler Report (a morning news show with Mike’s family)
  • Eleven vs. Vecna (a courtroom drama spin on the Upside Down battles)
  • And even a fake reality show following the Hawkins kids as adults

The humor hit hard because Stranger Things really did end after nearly a decade, and fans know Netflix loves milking popular franchises. The sketch felt like a loving roast—acknowledging how great the original series was while joking about the temptation to keep making more.

Finn looked right at home in the parody, delivering lines with perfect deadpan timing. Seeing Gaten and Caleb back in their roles (even briefly) added extra nostalgia, especially after their emotional reunion in the monologue earlier in the episode.

Online, fans loved it. Clips of “Mike in Manhattan” spread fast, with comments like “Netflix would 100% do this” and “This is too real.” It captured the perfect mix of celebration for the finale and playful shade at Hollywood’s sequel machine.

The sketch fit the episode’s vibe perfectly—Finn poked fun at his own show while keeping things light and clever. It was one of those moments that made the whole hosting gig feel special.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the “Stranger Things Spinoffs” bit—it’s already one of the most shared parts of Finn’s SNL debut.

Which fake spinoff would you actually watch? Tell us in the comments!

Rachel Harper

Rachel Harper is a reality TV enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for uncovering the behind-the-scenes magic of shows like Big Brother. A self-proclaimed superfan, Rachel has followed every season since 2010, even attending an open casting call for Season 22 in 2020—where she made it to the callback round! With a degree in Media Studies from UCLA and over five years of experience covering entertainment for outlets like Reality Rewind and Pop Culture Pulse, Rachel brings insider insights and fan-driven energy to her writing. When she’s not analyzing houseguest strategies or sharing audition tips, you can find her hosting Big Brother watch parties in Los Angeles or tweeting her hot takes @RachelLovesBB. Her mission? To help dreamers like you step into the Big Brother house and make reality TV history!

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