Grammy's "Best Album Review" (Beyonce)

Its time again to review the nominees for "Album of the Year" (well, technically this is just the 2nd year I've done this), but anyways. The review process will be much like last year. Each track will be reviewed, followed by either a ✔(great track), an O (just okay/average), or an X(throwaway/poor). Following the review, I'll have the percentages for each rating. The raw score will come with multiplying the ✔percentage by 2, adding the O percentage, and then subtracting the X percentage. Got it? Okay. Here we go.

Beyonce - "Beyonce"

(all video rights to Beyonce and Parkwood/Colombia records)

1) Pretty Hurts

"Pretty Hurts" is a powerful intro to Beyonce's self titled album; with lyrics like "Pretty hurts, shine the light on whatever's worse......perfection is a disease of a nation......Its the soul that needs the surgery". It has a nice soft and intricate quality to it. A moving track speaking on the desire to be/look perfect, and on body image issues in general. (✔)

2) Haunted

"Haunted" starts off with sort of a gothic-sounding intro, with a nice beat. Beyonce's repetition early on of "9 to 5, just stay alive" sets a powerful tone early on. The track goes through different phases. Its a 2-part song that's blended together perfectly by a stable beat. This is the type of track that could have easily gone off the rails, but with how its woven together, really works. (✔)

3) Drunk In Love (ft/ Jay-Z)

It starts off with kind of world instrumental intro. The lyrics here certainly paint an "intimate" picture, but all together, it works because it actually has a message to it. Its laying out a sexual power struggle. That, combined with the beat behind, really makes this track one of the best on the album. (✔)

4) Blow

Starts off with a sultry opening followed by more of an old-school feel. "Blow" goes a bit off the rails midway through. Feels a bit sporadic at times, but it comes together again. Its still a solid track (similar to, but not as good as 'Drunk In Love'). (O)

5) No Angel

"No Angel" kicks off with a falsetto intro by Beyonce. Once more, the lyrics really drive this; "I know I drive you crazy, but would you rather that I be a machine, who doesn't know when you late or when you're lying". Overall it has a relaxed/new age feel. The track really shows how no relationship is perfect, and that we all have our flaws. (✔) 

6) Partition

"Partition" has a simple beat, but it really works for this track. It has an interesting electric feel to it. As for the lyrics, well, it certainly has one of the catchiest/talked about lines;   "He Monica Lewisnky-ed all on my gown". I'm not sure how you top that. This track, while being raunchy, is still a catchy and great song. (✔)

7) Jealous

This song seems to have a similar idea to Beyonce's "If I Were A Boy". The back-half really picks up the track. (O)

8) Rocket

"Rocket" is another lyrical track; "Send all your sins over me". Not much happens in the background, and it feels a bit repetitive. However, as I mentioned, the lyrics prop up "Rocket"; "Your love feels like all four seasons.....we're so much more than pointless fixtures, instagram pictures, consumers.." Beyonce's phrasing really stands out in the 2nd half. This track is a bit clunky, but it brings itself together. (O)

9) Mine (ft/Drake)

Beyonce's vocals are flawless here. The hook and chorus are really catchy; "stop making a big deal about the little things and lets get carried away". This track overall has a different feel from the rest of the album, but it still fits. (✔)

10) XO

"XO" is a truly lyrical song; "Your heart is glowing, and I'm crashing into you....we don't have forever, baby daylight's wasting". This is a perfect love song, beyonce at her best. (✔)

11) Flawless (ft/Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

The lyrics truly stand out here; "I took some time to live my life/ But don't think I'm just his little wife". A powerful spoken word segment bu Chimamanda elevates this track, as she speaks about female stereotypes. Altogether, an empowerment anthem on feminism, as Beyonce clearly points out that she's still her own woman. (✔)

12) Superpower (ft/Frank Ocean)

Beyonce and Ocean's vocals blend well. "Superpower" is a love conquers all kind of song, but it lyrically works; "laws of the world never stopped us". This track brings a new sound to that kind of song that makes it work.  (✔)

13) Heaven

This song has a gospel feel to it. A very powerful and moving track; "heaven couldn't wait for you". A touching track.  (✔)

14) Blue (ft/Blue Ivy)

This is a perfect closing track. A similar moving track as 'Heaven' (but a 360 in terms of context). 'Blue' is a fantastic tribute to Beyonce's daughter, but it also works in a larger scope for any parent and their child.  (✔)

This isn't just any ordinary R&B album. Putting aside its surprise release a year ago, Beyonce's self-titled album really relies on her phrasing and lyrical ability. While there are a decent number of tracks that are sexual in nature, they don't ever feel "raunchy" or "dirty". There's always a message or a statement being made. Top to bottom, this album is as solid as they come, without a throwaway track to be found. 

✔ = 79%

O = 21%

X = 0%

Beyonce - Beyonce: 179

Beck - Morning Phase: 138

Saturday Night Live 2014 Top 10

With the new year approaching, its time to look back at the 1st half of Season 40 and pick out the top 10 sketches. For this top 10, I only included sketches/shorts (no Weekend Update appearances). Many like to criticize SNL, but this season has been really good so far. It was hard to narrow down the list to 10, but I tried my best, and here we go. 

10) Capitol Hill Cold Open 

The political writing on SNL has been fairly subpar the past couple of seasons, but this cold open was SNL political writing at its best. The use of schoolhouse rock to try and explain executive actions was great. Jay Pharoah and Kenan Thompson were particulary fantastic here as President Obama and the "bill", respectively. This was easily the best cold open of the season so far.

9) Graveyard Song

Jim Carrey and Taran Killam were great here. Taran in particular has had a breakout season so far, in my opinion. This sketch was SNL at its best, not really relying on pop culture. As a lot of sketches have been so far this season, this one really is timeless. You could easily see this kind of skit working in the early 00s, 90s, etc.

Graveyard Song

8) Holiday Gig (Pine River Lodge)

The first of 2 entries from the Martin Freeman episode, this was a pretty wacky sketch. It first seemed sort of related to "What Up With That", but a story builds between Freeman and Kenan, and a mysterious figure called "Roman". The reveal of Roman was great, but the small things in this sketch really made it work; like Kenan singing completely off the beat, and his obsession with his red boots. This type of sketch is SNL at its finest.

Holiday Gig (Pine River Lodge)  

7) Puppet Class

When Bill Hader hosted this past October, I wasn't expecting to see Anthony Peter Coleman again, but I'm glad it was brought back. "Coleman" was originally introduced during the season premiere of Hader's last season with Seth MacFarlane. Taran did a great job of filling in as the teacher. This sketch makes you wish that Hader had gotten to do more of Anthony Peter Coleman, but it was just good to see him again (with a puppet war reenactment to boot).

6) Grow-A-Guy

Remember Mike O'Brien last season? Besides his role in the "Monsters" short, probably not. That's why it was great to see this "Mike O'Brien Picture" short. Beck Bennett was particulary great as the bully character, messing with Mike. This short sort of felt like "Sad Mouse" with Bruno Mars. It was a short that really had an impact and it made you think.

5) Hobbit Office

This short was just a massive production. From Martin Freeman's hobbit, to Taran Killam's Gollum, the make-up and styling here was fantastic and award-worthy. At first I didn't even know who was playing Gollum, it was that good. Also, Bobby Moynihan as Gandalf really strung it all together as the boss. What made this stand out was that it was directly styled off of the British "office". I would legit watch multiple seasons of this.

4) 39 Cents

Kind of like "grow-a-guy", this was a commercial parody that really made you think. The interactions between Bill Hader, Shasheer Zamata, Jay Pharoah and Leslie Jones (before she became a cast member) were fantastic. It really shed light on how exactly is $0.39 a day supposed to feed someone?

3) High School Theater Show

Whatever writer came up with this must have gone to a lot of student run theater shows, because this was pretty spot on. What made this sketch work were all the finite details from the "student ensemble". Vanessa Bayer and Kenan Thompson really added a nice element here as the parents, kind of disgusted by it all. "I hate how they're trying to teach us", indeed. Indeed.

High School Theater Show



2) Singing Sisters (A Magic Christmas Wish)

This was sort of like "Holiday Gig", but it felt like an improved version of it. The chemistry all-around was great, from the old-time talk of Bobby Moynihan and Kyle Mooney, and the trio of Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon and Amy Adams. From the get-go, you can tell something is off with the sisters, and that latches you onto it to see what the twist is going to be. I can tell you, with the sell at the end, I was literally on the floor. This was another hilarious and timeless sketch.



1) "Chandelier" Dance Off

This may not have been the funniest sketch of the season so far, but it was certainly the most entertaining. Jim Carrey and Kate McKinnon really had this dance down, as they went all throughout that night's various sets. Even Iggy Azalea got involved on the music stage. If you've seen the actual video, you then see how on point this parody was. In my opinion, this was the best sketch of the 1st half of Season 40.

Chandelier Dance Off

(all rights to Sia Furler, Monkey Puzzle/RCA records)

SNL: Season 40 Ep. 10

SNL season 40 has really been on the money so far (the Chris Rock episode aside) and it continued this week with Amy Adams. Adams did kind of fade in and out throughout the episode, but another strong show. Onto the review.

We knew SNL would take on the North Korea/Sony Hack situation, but the way they did it in the cold open was really inventive. At first Taran Killam appeared as Sam Smith in "A Very Somber Christmas"....but was quickly replaced by.......Dr. Evil! "1 Million Dollars. muhahaha". Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) then went on a monologue of how silly it is to be offended by Sony. 

The monologue was your typical singing Christmas one, except for some reason it had to feature Kritstin Wiig (her 2nd time appearing in a monologue this season). All in all, it was pretty plain.


Next was an ad (that looked incredibly real for a minute) for an Asian American Doll....trying to be as politically correct as possible. This was pretty spot on, including the end where the ad fell apart because they included a dog.

Asian American Doll


The next skit was "Tenderfield Christmas Card".....in youtube form. It was trying to spoof the viral family videos that come up this time of the year, with the rise of youtube. It was pretty bland overall, although the children (Kyle Mooney and Kate McKinnon) saved this from falling completely flat.

It was about time. Next was the 2nd season of "Serial"...the Christmas edition. How did Kris deliver the toy to that child? The formatting of this was terrific. Cecily Strong in particular, was spot on as Sarah Koenig. You probably need to see Serial (I've just started) to get the full sense of it, but this was a really good parody.


The Girlfriend talkshow made its return, with Strong and Aidy Bryant. It was going on alright...until it was apparent that this was just a vehicle to feature One Direction. It wasn't as clever a vehicle as a couple weeks ago with Nicki Minaj (who stole the spotlight from James Franco). This was just substandard.

Jay Pharoah and Pete Davidson were featured in an "Office Party" Christmas music video. There were some good elements here (McKinnon especially), but again, this just fell kind of flat and predictable.

Weekend Update was fairly strong....well at least Michael Che was. I still have my doubts on Colin Jost, who just doesn't have his own persona on Update. He keeps trying to be like Seth Meyers. Only Leslie Jones seems to be able to take Jost out of it.

Bobby Moynihan appeared as Kim Jong Un.....and it was fairly clever how they did this. Jost broke the 4th wall saying how he didn't think this was a good idea. Moynihan kept up the character....until red sniper targets appeared on him

Bobby Moynihan as Kim Jong Un

Kenan Thompson appeared as Che's neighbor Willie, to talk about the holiday season. Willie has his spirits up...but things aren't going well for him. Pretty predictable.

The reason Wiig was here....for Garth & Kat (along with Fred Armisen). Its been a while since we've seen these characters, so the spontaneity of it worked well. They had great chemistry with Che.

Garth & Kat


The post Update skit was "A Very Cuban Christmas". This was all over the place (but with a few good ideas thrown in there). Armisen came back to play Raul Castro. Pharoah was also featured as President Obama. The best though was McKinnon as Diana Nyad, throwing "shade" at Elian Gonzalez (Davidson) for how he crossed on a boat. That was pretty much the best and only humorous moment of this skit.

The best skit of the show....and one of the best of the year, was "A Magical Christmas". Moynihan and Mooney were great here as old-time 1940s characters. That pairing is really starting to take form. Three "dames" appeared to woo them...(Strong/Mckinnon and Adams). Everything about this just gelled. Something doesn't seem normal with the three sisters, and then they place a bet with Mooney/Moynihan that if they can't guess the drinks they get....they'll "yum yum garbage", you know something is pretty off. You know its going somewhere, but you don't know where just yet. I won't spoil the sell at the end, but this was a timeless sketch (not relying on pop culture).


SNL closed out with a Cat Rescue skit featuring McKinnon and Adams. This was a reappearing sketch, but a bit of a surprising one. Then again, for a closing skit, it worked. McKinnon and Adams really worked well together here to bring it together.


Overall this season, SNL is on a really good stretch. In terms of Christmas shows, it may have been fairly average, but it keeps up a trend of consistency that Season 40 has had so far. Kate Mckinnon and Cecily Strong in particular had a really strong week (as did Kyle Mooney and Bobby Moynihan).

Avg. Score: 7.19 (each segment was scored out of 10, and averaged, including the musical act).

Bill Hader - 8.06

Martin Freeman - 7.56
Chris Pratt - 7.50

Woody Harrelson - 7.42

Amy Adams - 7.19
Sarah Silverman - 7.15

James Franco - 7.07

Jim Carrey - 7.01

Cameron Diaz - 6.81

Chris Rock - 6.52

SNL: Season 40 Ep.9

This week brought Martin Freeman and Charli XCX in one of the stronger shows of the season. Freeman had real presence (unlike James Franco last week). Onto the review

The cold open was Charlie Rose (Taran Killam) talking to the pair of psychologists who helped with the CIA torture program. It turned out that they also worked on other things...self checkouts and that Cars for kids jingle. Being a longtime online radio listener, that "Cars for kids" jingle really is torture. Bobby Moynihan and Kyle Mooney really had chemistry as the psychologists. Overall, a decent open.

Martin Freeman's monologue was a straight up monologue. No singing, no questions from the audience. Thank God. Yes, his monologue was basically an "I'm British and quirky" kind of monologue, but it worked for him. Kate McKinnon and Killam appeared as Maggie Smith (in her Downton Abbey PJs) and Alan Rickman, respectively. 

The first of a lot of shorts/features was "Sump'n Clause" (Kenan Thompson). If you've been bad, don't worry...everybody gets sump'n. It was quite a catchy tune, but it did go on for a bit much. We would see Kenan singing again in one of the most bizarre/fantastic skits of the season.

Our first sketch was about a Wedding between Leslie Jones and Freeman....with a lot of objections. This was a little odd at first, but it really built on itself. Vanessa Bayer was great as Freeman's wife. "Why are you throwing our marriage away?". Killam was also brilliant as Freeman's doctor....talking about his....well....reconstructed "late stage jenga tower penis". And McKinnon closed it out as a random old lady/psychic. What really sold this sketch though was Freeman's closing line on his need for chocolate. So all in all, a pretty out there sketch (but as stated, not the most bizarre one of the night), but it worked.

Next up was a short, and it may be the best thing of the season. With "the Hobbit" trilogy winding down, Bilbo needs to work....so naturally we got The Office: Middle Earth. The production value of this was brilliant meshing the two together. Killam as Gollum was unrecognizable, so props to the make-up crew. I would totally watch multiple seasons of this.


We went from that, to the stereotypical local news program sketch with "Right Side of the Bed". Cecily Strong and Killam had good chemistry here, and Freeman held it together, needing to dance for every promo. That, along with the fact that these type of shows (in Connecticut at least) exist made this somewhat work and mildly amusing (but without much of a point).

Another short followed that, with the "Christmas Mass Spectacular". Think the underground festival shorts of past seasons (with Nasim Pedrad), but with church. This actually was pretty realistic on most who are two a day church goers (Christmas/Easter). And that made this work.

Weekend Update was pretty solid as it seemed Michael Che was back on the right path. Che was especially solid with a hit on Dick Cheney and the torture report. 

Sasheer Zamata got a chance to be a guest on Update, talking about the diversity issues with Google/Apple and technology (emojis). Zamata actually made a point here (although she did seem a little nervous, which is acceptable being her 1st appearance on Update).

Sasheer Zamata

Cecily Strong brought in another long-named character to Update..."The 1-Dimensional female character from a male driven comedy". It was pretty dry and solid humor (if not done before).

Cecily Strong

And we saw Bayer bring back "Jacob" to discuss Hanukkah. "Jacob" and Che had some pretty good chemistry here, adding to the character.

Vanessa Bayer

Next up was an "Assembly Line" sketch between Killam and Freeman, much like one of those Abbott and Costello routines. It didn't really bring anything new to the element, but it wasn't terrible. It just wasn't that memorable.

And now, the "Pine River Lodge" skit. This may be one of the most underrated skits of the season. It starts off looking like a cousin to "What's Up With That", with Kenan playing a similar character, and Freeman as Fred Armisen's old Sax-man character, but then it actually had a plot. Freeman was worried about "Roman" (Killam). It builds and turns out that Killam stole something precious of Kenan's. The reveal here was great. Is there anything that Taran Killam can't do? 

Pine River Lodge

The "10 to 1" sketch was a waterbed commercial featuring Freeman and Aidy Bryant as his wife and the company mascot. Bryant really made this work with her singing jingle and just general over-the top nature of her character. 

Waterbed

This was an incredibly solid show. Martin Freeman could easily be a SNL regular. He just has that British style of humor. A Benedict Cumberbatch cameo would have been great, but it would have just been an added bonus. Also, Taran Killam is really becoming the MVP of the cast. He's starting to get into the same air as the likes of Bill Hader and Darrell Hammond.  Overall, If not for the Bill Hader show (and the incredible Jan Hooks tribute), this would be the top SNL of the season.

Avg. Score: 7.56 (each segment was scored out of 10, and averaged, including the musical act).

Bill Hader - 8.06

Martin Freeman - 7.56
Chris Pratt - 7.50

Woody Harrelson - 7.42
Sarah Silverman - 7.15

James Franco - 7.07

Jim Carrey - 7.01

Cameron Diaz - 6.81

Chris Rock - 6.52

Grammy's "Best Album Review" (Beck)

Its time again to review the nominees for "Album of the Year" (well, technically this is just the 2nd year I've done this), but anyways. The review process will be much like last year. Each track will be reviewed, followed by either a ✔(great track), an O (just okay/average), or an X(throwaway/poor). Following the review, I'll have the percentages for each rating. The raw score will come with multiplying the ✔ percentage by 2, adding the O percentage, and then subtracting the X percentage. Got it? Okay. Here we go.

Beck - "Morning Phase"

(All video rights to Beck and Capitol Records)

1) Cycle

It starts off with a nice string opening. Very calming feel that builds upon itself. Its a good intro to "Morning Phase". (✔)

2) Morning

Begins with a guitar intro, slow and methodical. It features an interesting echo vocal effect that builds. Its a tranquil continuation of 'Cycle'. This track is really elevated with an intro like 'Cycle'. It sets and builds that kind of calming feel. (✔).

3) Heart is a Drum

It builds off of prior themes. There's some interference between the guitar rift and the vocals. It doesn't work as well as it did in 'Morning'. It does feature some nice lyrics though; "Your heart is a drum/ keeping in time with everyone". While the intro may be distracting, it does build and improve with real meaningful lyrics. Has a rather eerie ending , possibly foreshadowing future tracks. (O)

4) Say Goodbye

It starts off with a more traditional intro, with little to no effects. 'Say Goodbye' has a nice banjo/folk instrumental backing. The instrumentals play off each other. The track is simplistic (but in a good way). This allows the lyrics to play out; "See the street that rests upon/ The quiet street we're standing on/ It is time to go away". (✔)

5) Blue Moon

 It has a bit of a "world/soundscape" intro. A very lyrical song (but with repetitive instrumentals). Its maybe a little bit too simplistic. It does feature very powerful lyrics though; "Don't leave me on my own/ So cut me down to size so I can fit inside/ Lies that will divide us both in time". (O)

6) Unforgiven

Has a bit of an EDM/Daft Punk kind of feel for the intro. The instrumentals feel crowded. It does feature solid lyrics; "Somewhere unforgiven/ Time will wait for you/ Somewhere unforgiven/ I will wait for you". Overall, it just feels too muddled, like its trying to do too much. (X)

7) Wave

It has a nice string intro (a movie soundtrack feel). This track really finds a way to capture emotions (the strings combined with Beck's vocals). (✔)

8) Don't Let it Go

Takes the album back to a folk kind of feel with the intro. It kind of has a James Taylor - vibe. 'Don't Let it Go' doesn't try and do too much. It has a perfect blend. (✔)

9) Blackbird Chain

It has a very sublime/Nashville feeling (a switch from the intro). Almost has a bit of a Jimmy Buffett vibe. The track doesn't quite seem to mesh with the rest of the album, but its a good song nonetheless. (O)

10) Phase

         

Very similar to 'Cycle', setting up the back-half of the album. Its very hopeful sounding. Its not as profound a track being in the middle of "Morning Phase". (O)

11) Turn Away

A simple two-note guitar strum starts off the track, accompanying the vocals and letting them stand out. The lyrics are powerful; "Turn turn away/ From the sound of your own voice/ Calling no one, just a silence". Truly lyrical vocals. (✔).

12) Country Down

Has a bit of a similar feel to 'Blackbird Chain'. Lyrics include; "What's the use of being found/ You can lose yourself/ In the weeds hiding down river right next door". A harmonica is featured towards the middle of the track. Overall, its kind of slow and trudges along. (O)

13) Waking Light

This is a perfect closing track that wraps up nicely. It has a nice electric/synth guitar feature. This track also features some of the strongest lyrics; "When the memory leaves you/ Somewhere you can't make it home/ When the morning comes to meet you/ Lay me down in waking light".

Beck is certainly an acquired taste, but "Morning Phase" has a nice melancholy yet hopeful feel to it. Beck's vocals really mesh with the tranquility of the album.

✔ = 54%

O = 38%

X = 8%

Beck - Morning Phase: 138

SNL: Season 40 Ep.8

This week saw Nicki Minaj and James Franco.....I put it that way because in the pair of sketches Nicki was in, she had more of a presence than Franco did. But overall, this was another consistent show.

The cold open saw Politics Nation w/ Al Sharpton (Kenan Thompson). It looked like it was going to get into Eric Garner and Ferguson...but it was still just mainly about the Al Sharpton impression. As a cold open, it was just fine, nothing special.

The monologue was really brief this week. Seth Rogen joined Franco, and they went on about the "Sony" hack, with "leaked pictures and e-mails of their own". Again, this was fine, but not memorable (despite Seth Rogen in his underwear, which, well, is kind of a common occurrence).

The first skit was about "Peter Pan Live!" which occurred this past Thursday. In place of Tinkerbell, they brought in Aidy Bryant's "Tonkerbell", which is a fun character, but gets old pretty fast. Cecily Strong did a good job as Peter Pan, really trying to point out that she's a "boy". Overall, as was the case for much of the 1st half of this week, it was just fine. They missed out on that weird/psychedelic crocodile. That would have made for a good sketch.

You knew it was coming, a Star Wars parody trailer. It mainly hit on how old the original cast is now (Franco as Old Luke Skywalker oddly kind  of looked like Cristoph Waltz). It may have been simple, but it had its moments, like Bobby Moynihan as Princess Leia trying to work R2D2, and the end with "Salacious Crumb" zipping around in a wheel-chair.

Star Wars Parody

Next up was "MTV Jingle Ballerz", basically a nativity scene featuring singers/rappers. It was an ensemble sketch with a lot of impressions (which can get old quick), but this one worked. The "Three Wise Men" were great, featuring Eminem (Taran Killam), Riff Raff (Franco), and Rick Ross (Kenan). Nicki Minaj also appeared as Beyonce. The best for last, though, was Kanye West "Yeezus" (Jay Pharoah). 

Jingle Ballerz

A "Mike O'Brien" short was next. Yes, that Mike O'Brien. if you blinked last year, you may have missed him, but it was good to see him getting credit. The short was titled "Grow A Guy", and was pretty brilliant. Basically, O'Brien was getting mocked by his "friends" (mainly Beck Bennett as the main bully), so he creates James Franco. It all comes together in the end, and it truly was brilliant.

The next sketch seemed to be just a cheap "Oh look, 2 guys kissing, ha ha, laughs" sketch. It was about a troll (Franco) and a couple (Kyle Mooney/Bryant) trying to cross a bridge. Cecily Strong played some odd character tagging along with the troll. This was just horrendously bad.

Weekend Update was at its finest this week. It opened up with a real take on Eric Garner and Ferguson. Colin Jost really opened up and was at his finest throughout this week's update. Michael Che has kind of plateaued it seems, so its up in the air whether this pair will work in the long run. The jokes were really solid (especially Che on online girl scout cookies).

Update Part 1

The second-hand news man (Moynihan) returned, and he was pretty good as usual. Probably blasphemous, but I kind of like this character better than Drunk Uncle. He's just so wacky and out there.

2nd hand news man

Once more, Leslie Jones "Relationship Expert" came back. Leslie always hits this out of the park. She has a lot of chemistry with Jost (kind of like what Stefon had with Seth Meyers)

Leslie Jones

Nicki Minaj again made an appearance (this time for Update), as Kim Kardashian explaining her photos for "Paper" Magazine. It was kind of "meh", and didn't really go anywhere.

On deck was a pretty odd "pop culture" sketch, but it really worked. Its main plot was that this young guy (Pete Davidson) needed to clear his brain for a new password, so James Franco acting as the director of it set out to clear out random pop culture references (like Savage Garden, or Billy Zane from "Titanic"). Nicki Minaj appeared as an "Anaconda" music video memory, and she wasn't going away. (video unavailable)

Next was a mayoral recall ad, where Franco played a former mayor who was voted out of office by a kid. It was sort of juvenile (with Franco's rant), but more or less it was amusing (Sidenote: My mayor should enjoy "Frozen", sorry Franco).

Finally, the former "porn stars" returned (Vanessa Bayer/Strong). This time, they were pitching "Sunseeker Yachts". The way they kept on mispronouncing "yacht" was amusing enough for this last sketch. James Franco and Seth Rogen came in later on. The innuendos...aren't really innuendos for this sketch anymore, but it still works (considering it was the first time its appeared this season).

This was kind of an odd show overall. It had a lot of great elements, but it didn't really connect. As I mentioned in the beginning, James Franco was kind of overshadowed by Nicki Minaj (who would make a fine host sometime). Franco really needed that political ad sketch as a showcase. Altogether, it was a solid show, though the 2nd half out-shined the 1st.

Avg. Score: 7.07 (each segment was scored out of 10, and averaged, including the musical act).

Bill Hader - 8.06
Chris Pratt - 7.50

Woody Harrelson - 7.42
Sarah Silverman - 7.15

James Franco - 7.07

Jim Carrey - 7.01

Cameron Diaz - 6.81

Chris Rock - 6.52