SNL 42.2 Review - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Twenty One Pilots

Original Airdate - 10/8/16

Over the last year or so, Lin-Manuel Miranda has become a household name for writing the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton.  His talents are perfect for a show like SNL.  Although the episode wasn't great, he definitely showed who he is and how talented he is throughout the episode.

Cold Opening

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/vp-debate-cold-open/3112622

In an election season, it's likely that the Cold Open is going to be political in nature.  When that election season involves Donald Trump, it's a guarantee.  Alec Baldwin might as well just be a cast member this season.  This Cold Open starts with the Vice Presidential debate and then jumps into Donald Trump news.  The headline of the week this week was the Access Hollywood bus.  It's rare for SNL to not pull any punches, however they are brutal in their satire of the political scene right now.

Monologue

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/linmanuel-miranda-monologue/3112623

This is one of my all time favorite monologues.  When you have a veteran of stage that is a writer himself as a host, just let him do his thing.  It's not surprising that Miranda did a song from Hamilton, but he turned his song "My Shot" into an amazing rap about how great it is to be hosting the show.  Just sit back and enjoy.

Best Sketch

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/a-day-off/3112627

Two trends continued with this sketch.  First, there was the satire of the election season and its candidates.  Second, you have yet another pre-recorded sketch.  This one features Kate McKinnon as Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump's campaign manager, as she tries to take a day off.  However, Trump's antics refuse to let her enjoy that day.

Weekend Update

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-on-donald-trumps-leaked-audio/3112629

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/weekend-update-on-kim-kardashians-stolen-diamonds/3112630

As the anchors continue to get better and better, there is less and less time for guests to the Update desk.  First, we have Pete Davidson in another one of his hilarious rants.  Next, we have a treat as two former Update anchors, Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey, arrive in a not very well rehearsed bit.  It really didn't matter though.  Seeing them back at the desk made it all worth it.

Dark Horse Sketch

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/substitute-teacher/3112626

There have been several sketches over the last few years with this setup.  A substitute teacher comes into a class and hilarity ensues.  However, this one takes on a different turn.  Lin-Manuel Miranda is the sub trying to take advantage of his reputation after Hamilton by teaching historical events through hip hop.  However, the kids aren't having anything of it.

Grade

Outside of the first 10 minutes, there really wasn't anything memorable.  There wasn't really bad, but it was mostly forgettable.  I wish it had been a little stronger of an overall episode with Miranda hosting.  With all that said, the host hopefully earned a future return to the SNL stage.

***C+***

SNL 41.11 Review - Ronda Rousey, Selena Gomez

Original Airdate - 1/23/16

Every now and then, SNL brings in a host that is intriguing because you have no idea what they can bring to the table.  Usually, this comes in the form of athletes.  They are the big name, but also the big unknown.  Ronda Rousey has done a little acting, but only in action films.  How would she handle the chaos of live sketch comedy?  Hopefully, it would go better than her last fight...  It did, but not by much.

Cold Opening

Donald Trump provides so much material for this show, I think he is doing everything he can now to make the show every week.  Of all the appearances so far, this one might be the best.  Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump.  This gave a great Trump moment along with another excuse to bring back Tina Fey to bring to life one of the most popular characters of the last decade.  It became one of the best sketches of the season so far, partially because it was not that far off from the truth.

Monologue

Many times, the monologue can get pretty routine, especially for someone without the comedy background.  However, this one was actually pretty original.  Ronda Rousey is a fighter, constantly looking for a way to win.  So she is looking for a way to win the monologue, with the help of color commentators and a coach in her corner.  It isn't the greatest monologue ever, but it was definitely different and fun.

Weekend Update

This show took place in the middle of Winter Storm Jonas that covered the east coast in snow.  Several times throughout the episode it is referenced, but my favorite had to be sending Bobby out in the snow during the Weekend Update, declaring the snow to "not be that bad."  Leslie Jones shows up and tells of her burning love for Leonardo DiCaprio.  Then, Willie shows up, who is becoming one of my favorite Update characters.  He just seems to be getting funnier and funnier.

Best Sketch

Although everything I have talked about so far has been really good, the majority of the show was average at best.  Most of what Rousey did was very ordinary.  However, there was this sketch.  Ronda Rousey plays the shy, cute high schooler going on a romantic date with the popular jock only to find out that it was a prank designed by the "cool kids."  All I can say is ... don't mess with Ronda Rousey.

Worst Sketch

Most of the rest of the sketches looked like this.  This was one of two re-hashed sketches of the night that did not deserve a second round.  The girls take turns trying to win over Taran Killam with the lamest of pick-ups.  The worst part of the sketch was the fact that the best line was the first line.  It also was way too long as if the writers didn't know how to end it.  Thank goodness Selena Gomez came to the rescue (probably the only time I will ever say that).

Dark Horse Sketch

Whenever Kyle Mooney gets to create his weird brand of comedy, it is a highlight of the show.  This time, Kyle and Beck are trying to figure out what it means to go to a party.  The ridiculous stuff they say is so fun and refreshing.

Grade

Sometimes, the writers are presented with a host that they don't know what to do with.  Usually, they try some stuff out and let them make a fool of themselves.  The problem here was they took no risks.  They looked at Ronda Rousey and used her as a pretty face almost exclusively instead of taking some risks.  Whether this was Rousey's request or a struggle from the writers, it led to a pretty boring episode that tried for way too many cheap laughs instead of actually trying to be funny.  If it wasn't for Weekend Update and Sarah Palin, this would be a prime competitor for the worst episode of the season.  As it is, it's just slightly higher than the low point of the season.

***C+***

View the full episode here:

SNL 41.9 Review - Tina Fey & Amy Poehler, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

Original Airdate - 12/19/15

Usually, the most anticipated episodes of Saturday Night Live are the ones hosted by former cast members.  This was true earlier this year when Tracy Morgan made his triumphant return.  This is what Lorne Michaels was banking on when he brought back Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, two of the most beloved castmembers of the 2000's, to host the Christmas episode this year.  It's rare for there to be co-hosts of the show, but if anyone should do it it is Tina and Amy.  Tina has hosted once before, and although Amy has never officially hosted, she has been one of the most frequent former castmembers to pop by and say hi.  Add to that The Boss as the musical guest, and we had the makings of a legendary episode.

Cold Opening

The political scene right now provides so much rich material for a show like SNL that every week they almost feel obligated to make a statement on the latest spectacle.  This week was a Republican debate.  With so many candidates on the stage, and the fact that you pull out all the stops for the Christmas episode, they brought announcer Darrell Hammond out of the booth to show off his spot on Donald Trump impression.  Taran Killam has been doing an admirable job, but nothing beats Hammond.  The show was definitely off to a strong start.

Monologue

Although the material for this monologue wasn't necessarily original, Tina and Amy show once again why they might be the best comedy duo working today.  There is just so much chemistry between these two, and they are so naturally funny, that they could make reading the phone book fun.  This new attempt at a Christmas song is a perfect example of this.

Weekend Update

Two things were certain about this episode's trip to the Weekend Update desk: Kate McKinnon would find some character to bring just like she does almost every single episode, and Tina and Amy, Weekend Update anchor alums, would make some sort of appearance.  Both of these came true.  McKinnon brought out some strange old lady to talk about soap operas, but it turns into a strange discussion about whatever she is eating out of her leftover container.  Both Kate and Colin cracked as they were thrown off by the smelly meal.  Then we have Tina and Amy just showing up to read a couple jokes of their own.  It's so nice to see them back at the desk every now and then.

Best Sketch

There were so many great sketches that came out of this episode, I couldn't pick just one.  Honorable mention goes to a creative sketch that allows Tina and Amy to bring back their Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton impressions.  The first sketch picked shows one of the benefits of bringing back former castmembers and writers as hosts.  Instead of churning out a batch of sketches every week like they did when they were castmembers, Tina and Amy have had sketch ideas rolling around in their heads for years that they are finally able to bring to the stage.  This sketch of a really bizarre game show is the type of awkward, uncomfortable comedy that they were known for back in the day.  The second sketch is special for a few reasons.  It starts off fairly bland until you realize Tina and Amy don't do anything without their buddy Maya Rudolph.  Then, there she is.  Also, this is officially the first Bill Cosby appearance since his legal troubles, which is really a shame since Kenan Thompson does one of the best Cosby impressions there is.  The joke definitely hits home, while part of you is forced to ask, "Too soon?"

Worst Sketch

A danger of having former castmembers around is you can get stuck in some generic, average sketches.  This sketch is one that didn't need to happen.  The first time this sketch was brought out a few years ago, it was funny for a little while, but by the end of it, it was already getting old.  I think they were hoping that, with time, the sketch would freshen back up.  It didn't.  A film director who used to work on The Jeffersons is giving acting advice to serious actors in a a classic drama.  I can imagine this is sketch was pulled out because of its ties to some improv games, but it just isn't that funny.

Dark Horse Sketch

When you have old castmembers around, you can pull out old sketches.  I don't know how long it has been since there has been a Bronx Beat, but it was a welcome site to see Amy and Maya reprise their roles and find a way to include Tina.  I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but sometimes when the old castmembers return, it makes the current cast irrelevant.  I think it is a good thing every now and then, but not something to get into a habit of.  The second video is the best end of the show event of the season so far.  Springsteen, his band, the cast, and apparently Paul McCartney all get together and sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  Just enjoy.

Grade

More is always expected out of the Christmas episode.  This, along with the season finale are always considered the highlights of the year.  This episode was set up to be great more than any other so far this season.  Although it wasn't a perfect episode, it certainly wasn't a disappointment.  It definitely brought 2015 to a strong close for Saturday Night Live.

***B+***

View the full episode here:

SNL 41.3 Review - Tracy Morgan, Demi Lovato

Original Airdate - 10/17/15

When the first batch of hosts for this season of Saturday Night Live was announced, everybody circled this date on their calendar as it marked the first hosting gig for SNL alum Tracy Morgan.  It was much bigger than that though.  It also was his first working appearance since a car crash last year that almost took his life.  This was to be the triumphal return of one of the show's most beloved characters.  It didn't disappoint.

Cold Opening

The show started with what could turn out to be the best sketch of the season.  The Democratic Debate was the topic of the day, which always has the potential to be a highlight thanks to Kate McKinnon's Hilary Clinton.  What made this sketch so good is who filled out the rest of the panel.  Alec Baldwin portrayed the overly-confident and annoyed Jim Webb, and in what may be the best casting decision the show has had (at least since Tina Fey became Sarah Palin), Larry David was brought in to play Bernie Sanders.  It was perfect.  All of a sudden, McKinnon's Clinton was the boring sidekick, which many think is the case in the real campaign.  Either way, this made for a classic sketch that will be replayed for years to come.

Monologue

Now the moment everyone was waiting for.  Tracy Morgan took the stage.  There was a group of people who really wanted to welcome him back in a special way.  So they recreated a scene in 30 Rock, complete with Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Krakowski.  It was a great way to welcome back Morgan and start the show off as the celebration it was meant to be.

Weekend Update

Colin and Michael had their first hiccup this week.  When you work in comedy, every now and then a joke won't work.  However, these two had a bit that flamed out so impressively that it left the hosts chuckling to themselves, which is funny because they were the only ones laughing.  As far as the guests to the Update desk go, you can't pass up an opportunity to have Tina Fey visit when she is in the building.  The second guest was Michael's neighbor Willy, who gets better and better each time he shows up.

Best Sketch

I have two best sketches to showcase here.  First is an old classic Tracy Morgan sketch everyone knew would be coming back, but everybody was excited to see.  Brian Fellow's Safari Planet is possibly Tracy's most beloved sketch, and to see it back brought a collective smile to SNL fans everywhere.  The other best sketch brought a new definition to Family Feud as the two families competing had recently separated.

Worst Sketch

Every sketch in this episode had its moments.  Tracy Morgan has a tendency to do that.  However, this sketch was just a little too weird.  It was like the start to a classic Broadway musical, as everyone sings their good mornings to each other.  However, it starts to go very wrong as someone doesn't quite get it.  It's funny, but just a little too much.

Dark Horse Sketch

Again, here are two sketches; one from Tracy's past and one new one.  Astronaut Jones was the epitome of a Dark Horse Sketch, as it was just weird enough to be original and hilarious.  The other sketch seeks the answer to a very simple question, "Where is Jackie Chan at right now?"

Grade

As I said, this episode was more of a celebration that Tracy Morgan is back and ready to make us laugh again.  He definitely did that in this episode as he brought back some highlights of the past and found new ways also.  It is episodes like this that make you sad certain cast members had to move on.  The only thing that would have made this episode better would have been a Christmas song brought to us by Tracy, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, and Horatio Sans.  Oh well, maybe next time.

***A***

View the full episode here:

SNL Season 39.1 Review - Tina Fey, Arcade Fire

The new season of Saturday Night Live started a couple weeks ago, and being a big SNL fan I thought I would let you know how the season is going and give you the highlights of each episode.  This is really a transition year in the show as many of the stars of the last decade have moved on over the last couple seasons, like Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Jason Sudeikis.  To make up for the loss, the show added six new featured players this year, all but one of them guys.  This first episode of the season really became a showcase for the new cast to introduce them and show what they could do.  Having Tina Fey as host made this transition even smoother.  However, it also made for a slightly average show as they try and find their new way with new personalities on stage.

Cold Opening

The cold opening is always one of the most memorable moments of any SNL episode.  It sets the tone for the rest of the night.  If there is ever any political drama going on at the time, this is usually when it appears.  With the start of ObamaCare only a few days later, SNL thought they could spotlight that as well as one of their best impressions of the last decade.  Jay Pharoah's Obama is less an impression and more an embodiment.  As he explains (poorly) how ObamaCare works, they couldn't help but have a cameo mentioning the series finale of Breaking Bad as an example of what happens without ObamaCare.  Aaron Paul was great, as was every other bit.  This was one of the show's highlights, if for no other reason than to hear Pharoah's Obama say, "It's good to keep in mind our butts."

Monologue

As you prepare for a former cast member to host, you get excited to see all the former sketches they made regular come back, like Kristen Wiig's Target Lady and Will Ferrell's Alex Trebeck.  However, Tina brings light to a simple fact that all of us were thinking at the same time, she didn't have any recurring bits.  She had no characters.  As she says, she's just pleasant.  She then starts the shameless parade of the new cast members by indoctrinating them in true SNL fashion, dancing during the monologue.  This later appeared again in the game show, "New Cast Member or Arcade Fire."

Weekend Update

There are three standards to base any episode of SNL on: the cold opening, the monologue, and Weekend Update.  This Weekend Update had a lot going for it.  It was the start of the farewell to Seth Meyers as he moves on to Late Night later this year.  It also had the debut of Cecily Strong as co-anchor, definitely one of the show's breakout stars last year.  You also had one of the most loved Weekend Update hosts of all time hosting.  Still, it fell a little flat.  Cecily did great in her first time out, but using Tina only to give her some advice as a female Weekend Update anchor?  It was a waste.  They also tried letting a newby establish a new character of Bruce Chandling, an unfunny comic playing the crowd.  It didn't work.  Thank you Drunk Uncle and Aaron Paul, his Meth Nephew (or Meth-ew if you want) for saving the show).

Best Sketch

In a night of solid but not outstanding sketches, the best was probably the parody of the show Girls.  I have never watched the show personally, but I feel like I have after watching this.  I just wonder if they will actually introduce Tina Fey's Blerta to the show.  I think it would add a lot of depth.

Worst Sketch

There was definitely a clunker in that first episode.  This look at a classic film made by someone being blackmailed by a taxidermist just wasn't funny.  That's all there is to it.  It was weird, it was silly, and it wasn't funny.  At least we got to meet Kenan's Reese De'What.

Surprising Sketch

The surprising sketch of the night usually goes to one that comes after the first musical performance and Weekend Update.  This is usually saved for some lesser, weirder, more random sketches.  These can tank (like Reese De'What's classic movies) or it can become gold.  Either way, it's well after midnight by that point so they can do whatever they want.  This episode's surprising sketch features the only bit from a new cast member to work in that first episode.  Mike O'Brien's used car salesman from the 20's was perfect.  "We've got all the latest brands.  Model T..."  Then enter his wife that belongs in a looney bin, and you have some good laughs.

Grade

This is a hard episode to judge.  It was so different with the focus on the new group.  You also had a host that is very talented, yet still fairly one-dimensional (which she admitted herself).  There was nothing here that will go down in history as a classic bit, but it didn't suck (besides the stuffed animals).  It was a solid average show.

---"C"---

Watch the full episode here: