SNL Season 43: Tina Fey

SNL finished off its season this week with Tina Fey. Onto the review

Donald Trump Robert Mueller Cold Open: Lets hope this is the last of Alec Baldwin as Trump. Its time to move on. His trump impersonation has just gotten tired as it goes on. This particular cold open was quite interesting though, in that it paints the situation we're in. We get Kate as Rudy and Ben Stiller as Cohen....with De Niro's Mueller looming in the background in a NJ diner. This cold open was a take off the Sorpanos season finale, with the cut to black and all; and that's what I meant by getting this situation down. As we head into the summer and year 2 of the Mueller lead investigation, we just don't know where it will go or what else will come out. (7.4)

Monologue: SNL has gotten some flack in the past couple of years of relying on celebrity cameos over the actual cast...and they played around with that with Tina's monologue, taking questions from various celebs in the audience. (7.5)

Royal Wedding: (6.4)

Morning Joe: I was expecting a little more from this, but Kate and Alex have got Mika and Joe's characters down. (7.4)

Mean Girls(short): (7.6)

(Nicki Minaj): (7.5)

Weekend Update: One of the best new Update characters, Alex and Mikey's Eric and Donald Trump Jr returned to update. Every time, all eyes are on Alex and his physical movements, trying to mirror Mikey. Just a terrific work of comedy.

In a quick turnaround, Kenan showed up as Bishop Curry from the royal wedding. Given that he literally only had hours for this character, he did a really good job.

Update closed off with some "un-aired" jokes throughout the season which were pretty fantastic. (8.5)

Pervert Hunters: (6.7)

Sarah Palin Advice: We were bound for a Palin appearance, and I thought this was a good use of it. A variety of current and former trump admin officials perform a take off of "The Chorus Line" on their commitment to Trump. (8.3)

(Nicki Minaj): (6.5)

Talent Show: (7.0)

Chicago Improv (short): (7.4)

All in all, it was a somewhat lackluster season finale, with nothing really super memorable. It sort of felt all season long that SNL ran into some trouble trying to parody Trump. It worked out best when Trump wasn't present in character, and hopefully they'll move on from Alec Baldwin for season 44. (7.35)

Donald Glover: 8.05

Will Ferrell: 8.02
Chance The Rapper: 7.83
Ryan Gosling: 7.63

John Mulaney: 7.58
Sam Rockwell: 7.55
Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Amy Schumer: 7.43

Bill Hader: 7.42 
Charles Barkley: 7.41

Tina Fey: 7.35
Chadwick Boseman: 7.34 
Sterling K. Brown: 7.30
James Franco: 7.28
Kevin Hart: 7.20
Saoirse Ronan: 7.16
Tiffany Haddish: 7.15
Larry David: 7.14
Jessica Chastain: 7.11
Gal Gadot: 7.08 
Natalie Portman: 7.03     

SNL Season 43: Amy Schumer

Mother's Day Cold Open: While showing off the mothers of the cast, SNL took a bit of a look at the opposite side, politics wise, with some lines from the mothers on how they're tired of political sketches. They may have a point (when it comes to Alec Baldwin), but I found it interesting how they mixed these ideas in. (7.5)


Monologue: (7.9)


Mother Knows Best: This sketch wouldn't have been noteworthy without Kate McKinnon's "Bates Motel-like" character here with Mikey Day. She just went all out on this one. (7.1)


New Hulu Show: (6.5)


The Day You Were Born: This was a creative non-political short. On one hand, you have Amy getting breakfast in bed as a mother, telling her son all the wonders of his birth....and then you get the dark-lighted reality so to speak on what actually went down during. It showed pretty well that its not all rainbows and perfection, but tough work. (8.5)


Gospel Brunch: (4.0)


(Kacey Musgraves): (7.6)


Weekend Update: Heidi Gardner returned as youtube reviewer Bailey. Unlike her "boxer's girlfriend" character, this was just as good the 2nd time around. Just the way she draws every line out, she really gets into this character.

We got a surprise cameo from Melissa McCarthy playing Michael Che's stepmom. They both played this up really well, they really had a surprising amount of chemistry together. (8.9)


Lil' Rent: (6.8)

(Kacey Musgraves): (8.5)


Last Call: These sketches improbably always hit the mark, despite the setup being the same. It takes the right host to pull these off, and Amy and Kate really played it up. (8.4)


Graduation Commercial: A lot like the Christmas short a few seasons back, this Beck talkover video took on all the aspects of graduation. (7.5)


It would be impossible for this show to reach the heights of last week and Donald Glover, but it still was enjoyable. It was surprisingly non-political...but it wasn't really noticeable, if that makes sense. (7.43)

Donald Glover: 8.05

Will Ferrell: 8.02
Chance The Rapper: 7.83
Ryan Gosling: 7.63

John Mulaney: 7.58
Sam Rockwell: 7.55
Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Amy Schumer: 7.43

Bill Hader: 7.42 
Charles Barkley: 7.41
Chadwick Boseman: 7.34 
Sterling K. Brown: 7.30
James Franco: 7.28
Kevin Hart: 7.20
Saoirse Ronan: 7.16
Tiffany Haddish: 7.15
Larry David: 7.14
Jessica Chastain: 7.11
Gal Gadot: 7.08 
Natalie Portman: 7.03     

SNL Season 43: Donald Glover

Donald Glover brought his talents to SNL. Onto the review

Michael Cohen Wiretap Cold Open: What a star-studded cold open. Ben Stiller as Cohen, Martin Short as Trump's doctor, Scarlett Johansson and Jimmy Fallon as Ivanka and Kushner....and Stormy Daniels herself. Usually cold opens that jam pack week/s worth of news into one don't work out, but in this instance it actually did. Even Alec Baldwin's Trump worked out here, as he was merely part of this grand ensemble. And is there someone Kate McKinnon couldn't play, as she took on Rudy. (8.9)

Monologue: (7.0)

Courtroom: (7.4)

Friendos (short): This was a very well made short, much like the Chance The Rapper music video short from when he hosted earlier this season. (8.5)

80's Music Video: Coming straight out of left-field, an Oran "Juice" Jones 'The Rain' parody. I'd be curious on how this came to be. I watched the original, and its a well done parody. That original music video is so ridiculous you'd think it'd be hard to mock, but Donald Glover did a good job here. (8.4)

A Kanye Place (short): I was wondering how SNL would take on the past couple weeks of Kanye news, and this was a unique concept. Based off of "The Quiet Place", the group freaks out with each successive Kanye tweet and picture, showing how we get distracted by trivial things given the current chaotic climate. (9.0)

Dirty Talk: (7.5)

(Childish Gambino): (8.5)

Weekend Update: Pete Davidson showed up to semi-roast Jost & Che, as they were recently announced as Emmy's Hosts. 

Leslie Jones discussed facebook's new dating features. (8.3)

Lando's Summit: (7.5)

Barbie Instagram: This felt like more of a 10 to 1 sketch, as Pete, Donald and Heidi try to come up with instagram captions for a Barbie account. Glover really makes this work, with his incredibly dark and profound ideas. (8.4)

(Childish Gambino): (9.0)

FYI: You should definitely check out the "This Is America" music video

Prison Job: (6.2)

Donald Glover brought a tremendous amount of energy to SNL this week. Nearly everything clicked. It was a perfect storm of a week.....and no, that pun wasn't intended. (8.05)

Donald Glover: 8.05

Will Ferrell: 8.02
Chance The Rapper: 7.83
Ryan Gosling: 7.63

John Mulaney: 7.58
Sam Rockwell: 7.55
Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Bill Hader: 7.42 
Charles Barkley: 7.41
Chadwick Boseman: 7.34 
Sterling K. Brown: 7.30
James Franco: 7.28
Kevin Hart: 7.20
Saoirse Ronan: 7.16
Tiffany Haddish: 7.15
Larry David: 7.14
Jessica Chastain: 7.11
Gal Gadot: 7.08 
Natalie Portman: 7.03     

2018 Steelers Draft Review

1st Rd (28)

Terrell Edmunds  S-Va. Tech (6'1", 217lbs)

combine: 4.47s 40, 41.5in vert jump

2017: 3rd All-ACC, 59tckls, 2INTs

strengths: A team leader. Has quick change of direction. Has sudden burst from lateral transitions. Reliable hands. Has desired pursuit speed as a chase defender. Size & speed to offer immediate help on return coverage.

weaknesses: Will take the worst of a collision. Inconsistent angles to the ball. Too aggressive to route fakes. Lacks desired instincts & feel for deep coverage. Slow to read QB. Fails to find the football when his back is to the ball.

comp: DeShawn Shead

grade: 5.59 (Chance to become a starter)



2nd (60)

James Washington  WR-Oklahoma St (5'11", 213lbs)

combine: 4.54s 40, 14reps, 34.5in vert jump

2017: Bilentikoff Finalist, 1st All-B12, 74rec/1,549yds/13TDs

strengths: Escapes press with good initial quickness. Surprises CB's with build-up speed & consistently gets by them. Accelerates from stem on post routes. Tracks the ball like a center-fielder. Adjusts speed to match the ball flight. Comes down with the deep ball with the best of receivers. Flashes runaway speed after the catch.

weaknesses: Exposure to the route tree is limited. Gives away comeback route with more deliberate vertical push in his route. Footwork inside routes feels clunky with a lack of timing. Lacks short area footwork & suddenness to win underneath against tight man coverage. Not a smooth, easy pass catcher. Has issues contesting catches on the 1st and 2nd levels.

comp: Corey Coleman

grade: 5.76 (Chance to become a starter)


3rd (76)

Mason Rudolph  QB-Oklahoma St (6'5", 235lbs)

combine: 4.9s 40, 26in vert jump

2017: 2nd All-B12, 4,904yds 65% compl, 37TDs/9INTs

strengths: Stands tall in the pocket. Lets routes develop. Slides in the pocket for clean launch points.  Keeps eyes trained downfield. Puts air under deep throws. Reads safeties & moves to his progressions accordingly. Ran zone reads around the endzone.

weaknesses: Over-strides. Rarely drives his lower body through the throw. Needs to throw with better timing & placement on comebacks & outs. Ball placement & decision making can run askew when he scrambles. Inexperienced as a rollout passer. Has ball security issues.

comp: Christian Ponder

grade: 5.66 (Chance to become a starter)




3rd (92)

Chuks Okorafor  OT-Western Michigan (6'6", 320lbs)

combine: 5.31s 40, 19reps, 23.5in vert jump

2017: 1st All-MAC

strengths: Uses mass to clog lanes against stunts. Lands hands where he aims them in the run game. Shows ability to snatch & torque defender out of gap. Good 2-step quickness out of his stance. Patient when shooting his hands. Natural power sit & anchor against a bull rush. Power for proper redirects in pass protection or in the run game.

weaknesses: Awkward out of stance as a zone blocker. Limited lower body bend. Poor leverage makes him inconsistent as a drive blocker. Struggles to change direction. Topples off-balance in the run game. Instincts are below average. Doesn't have the feel for what opponents are going to do.

comp: Donovan Smith

grade: 5.60 (Chance to become a starter)




5th (148)

Marcus Allen  S-Penn St (6'2", 202lbs)

combine: 15reps, 37in vert jump

2017: 71tckls/1INT

strengths: Meets blockers with jarring hands. A forceful striker. Flashes into backside lanes. Good mirror when working as a downhill tackler against inside runs. Can match-up with TE's in space.

weaknesses: Lacks instincts & anticipation. Missing footwork & burst. Tight-hipped finisher. Too many false steps in coverage. Lacks fluidity in space.

comp: Clayton Geathers

grade: 5.60 (Chance to become a starter)




5th (165)

Jaylen Samuels  TE/RB-NC State (6'0", 225lbs)

combine: 4.54s 40, 18reps, 34.5in vert jump

2017: 1st All-ACC, 69rec/551yds/4TDs, 71car/383yds/11TDs

strengths: Roster flexibility thanks to unique versatility. An "all purpose" player. Used as a zone-scheme runner, on jet-sweeps, bubble screens, slot, outside receiver, and "wildcat". Can make the 1st tackler miss in space. Active with off-hand to swipe away arm tackles. Separates from LB's. Able to drop low & snare low throws. Has kick cover talent & return experience.

weaknesses: Doesn't show tenacity to help running game as a H-back. Average play speed & short area quickness. Needs more vertical push into routes. Has tight hips. Route-running is raw. Struggles to pull in throws outside his frame. Too many drops, and focus issues.

grade: 5.49 (Backup/Special teams potential)



7th (246)

Joshua Frazier  DT-Alabama (6'3", 321lbs)

combine: 21reps

2017: 15tckls, 1FF

strengths: Aggressive upfield push. Desired power in lower half. Able to eat blocks or play through blocker's edge. Able to stack & shed as a 2-gapper.

weaknesses: Never broke into the regular rotation. Minimal production. Space takes over play-maker. Plays at a lethargic pace. Rarely gains quick advantages. Offer no pass-rush potential.

grade: 4.95 (Should be in a training camp)