SNL Season 43: Saoirse Ronan

 

SNL returned, beginning its 1st half end run with an all-irish show pretty much. Onto the review.

White House Christmas Cold Open: SNL has had some problems with Trump featured cold opens. So in that respect, this one was actually alright. It ran on the concept of a Christmas Carol oriented sketch, with Mikey Day playing the "ghost" of Flynn to warn Trump. There was a nice surprise in the end, with the 3rd ghost appearing at first to be in the form of Bannon. (7.1)

Monologue:  Being a non-stand up, you could have had a good guess that they might go a musical route. With that being said, the musical approach was pretty clever, with Saoirse trying to tell the public the correct pronunciation of her name. (7.5)


Floribama Shore (ad): First off, yes, this is a real MTV show. Shocking I know. A nice twist to have this featured around a hurricane. And Saoirse's southern accent? Wow, she can do it all. (7.2)

American Girl Store: (7.0)

Welcome To Hell (short): We've seen a number of these female ensemble music videos in the past, so it was about time we got another one. This one was more topical, dealing with the #MeToo movement, and stating in general that this current environment we're in is really nothing new. (8.4)
Return Counter: This was a sketch geared towards the ensemble providing their best joke or character they've come up with. There wasn't any big punchline, but it provided some truth in what retail workers have to deal with, in regards to the people they face. (7.3)

The Race (short): I was a bit surprised this wasn't in the 10 to 1. This was a weird (yet entertaining) Kyle and Beck short involving a race in an office. Its so out there, I'm not even sure how to explain it. (7.5)
(U2): (7.7)

Weekend Update: This week's Update felt a little low energy.

The first guest saw Kate McKinnon as PM Theresa May. Kate can pretty much do it all in terms of impressions.

Then (in what was a very Mikey Day centric episode), we got the Duncan's (Mikey and Leslie). (6.8)
Bachelor Auction: (7.1)

Late For Class: (6.0)

(U2): (6.7)

Aer Lingus: (6.8)


Saoirse Ronan was a fine host, up to the task. The material often seemed like it didn't have her front and center that often (which is nothing against her). (7.16)

Chance The Rapper: 7.83

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Saoirse Ronan: 7.16

Tiffany Haddish: 7.15

Larry David: 7.14

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

SNL Season 43: Chance The Rapper

 

SNL closed off its 3 week November run with Chance the Rapper. Onto the review.

Wikileaks Cold Open: SNL has had a rough political cold open run recently, so this was a bit of fresh air. Instead of trying to cram in a bunch of things at once, they kept to one story, the Trump Jr-Wikileaks connection. We see Don Jr and Eric (Mikey & Alex) with Assange (McKinnon). It may be the same joke, that Eric is a moron, but Alex just plays it up so well. (7.6)

Monologue: (7.2)

Wayne Thanksgiving: This was a good concept for a sketch, that Batman is  kind of racist in the neighborhoods he targets for crimes. Unfortunately it wasn't executed as well as the concept, with flubbed and stumbled lines from Leslie Jones. (6.8)

Come Back Barack (short): In the style of a 90s r&b music video, Chance leads a heartfelt song for Barack to come back, pretty much in any way possible. This was in a similar lane to last Christmas's show "last Barack Christmas", though I think this topped it. (8.8)
Family Feud: Harvey Family Thanksgiving: Alas, a non-celebrity game show sketch. The twist here was that Chance played someone who looks an awful lot like a young Steve Harvey led by Aidy Bryant as the matriarch. This played up pretty well. (8.2)
(Eminem): (9.0)

Weekend Update: Jost and Che certainly didn't take it easy on Al Franken in regards to the recent allegations against him.

The first guest was Kate as Jeff Sessions following his "forgetful" house testimony.

Then Kyle came out as Bruce Chandling for some "thanksgiving humor". This is a fairly divisive character, but I just love that deadpan humor style.

Pete Davidson was the star of this Update though, as he railed against Staten Island. This could have been its own comedy special. (8.6)

Sports Announcer: It was a fairly simple concept, Chance plays a Knicks reporter who has to cover a hockey game. This was a sketch that only worked because of how Chance played it. He just owned it. (8.5)


Rap History: (7.4)

Career Day: (6.3)

Porn Pizza Delivery: A bit surprised to see this recurring sketch. Heidi Gardner plays a "babysitter" welcoming in a pizza delivery man (Chance)...and in comes Aidy Bryant, who the sitter is supposed to be watching. Its this absurdest humor that I love...how does Aidy's character keep winding up in these situations? (7.7)

To this point, SNL's had a fairly average start, with nothing really standing out that much. That changed with this episode. Everything just seemingly clicked. (7.83)


Chance The Rapper: 7.83

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Tiffany Haddish: 7.15

Larry David: 7.14

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

SNL Season 43: Tiffany Haddish

 

Tiffany Haddish made history with her hosting stint. How did the show go? Onto the review.

Roy Moore & Jeff Sessions (cold open): No Alec Baldwin this week, and that's probably for the better. We see Mikey Day as Roy Moore talking to VP Pence (Bennett), which didn't really seem to fit. But then Kate McKinnon's Jeff Sessions comes out from under the "cabinet" to have a heart to heart with Moore. This was better, but SNL still is having a cold open problem when it comes to politics overall. (7.0)

Monologue: Tiffany Haddish was very endearing in this monologue. You could tell how she's quickly becoming a house-hold name. Her bit on re-wearing her dress was perfect. (8.6)

Tournament Fighter: This would be a common theme, Tiffany playing a solid character, but with the overall material not quite being there. (6.9)

Lion King Auditions (short): These screen test pieces are usually only good for getting cast members to get to do whatever random impersonations they can think of. That being said, Heidi Gardner as Kristen Schaal was amazing and spot-on. (7.1)

Message From The DNC: This was maybe their best political bit yet, trotting out "Senators Feinstein & Schumer and company" in a PSA on how the Democrats are now back. And unlike last week, Larry David returned with a useful Bernie Sanders appearance. (7.5)  

Beck & Kyle (short): I'm loving this continuity within SNL of this Leslie Jones love triangle with Colin Jost and Kyle Mooney. Beck is trying to get him back, so he plans a switch with Jost at a masquerade ball. The biggest moment of this though was Jost getting "airplane'd" by punches. (8.5)

(Taylor Swift): (7.5)

Weekend Update: Colin started off with a perfect line on how it feels like right now; "better to stay inside, as its 20 degrees out and everyone's a sex monster".

Cecily Strong had a perfect character in "Claire from HR". This got across the point on how this isn't just a Hollywood or political problem, but an everyday workplace problem.

Then Kenan Thompson seemingly had a blast playing Lavar Ball, hocking more shoes. (7.6)

The Last Black Unicorn: (6.7)

Get Woke with Tamika: (4.0)

The Dolphin Who learned To Speak (short): (6.0)

(Taylor Swift): (7.6)

Whiskers R We: This recurring sketch returned. These are always fun, and this time the cats revolted. First they were trying to jump out of the pen, which Tiffany recovered well from. And then a hairless cat attacked Kate. The reactions were just perfect. (8.0)

Tiffany Haddish brought a lot of fun energy to this show, though the material wasn't quite there...especially in the post Update portion of the show. (7.15) 

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Tiffany Haddish: 7.15

Larry David: 7.14

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

SNL Season 43: Larry David

 

SNL came back after a couple weeks off with Larry David. Onto the review

Paul Manafort's House Cold Open: SNL is having a political cold open problem, particularly when it comes to Baldwin's Trump. It just feels sort of stale at the moment. He was perfect as candidate Trump, but its gotten away from him. This cold open was fairly run of the mill, with the best bit coming from Cecily's Melania on the plane with a fake Trump. (6.3)


Monologue: Larry David went with some edgy stuff in his stand-up monologue. Some of it worked, some didn't, but you could tell the live audience was somewhat uncomfortable. (7.5)

The Price Is Right - Celebrity Edition: This might have been the first sketch this season that completely fell flat. It was basically just a bunch of celebrity impersonations, with a throwaway Bernie Sanders from Larry. (4.5)


Press Conference: (6.5)

Career Retrospective: I thought this sketch was fairly clever. It looked back on an ad executive's PSAs from the past.....and how problematic they looked in the present day. I kind of wish this had gone on a bit longer, as it was just hitting its stride. (7.4)
The Baby Step (short): (7.2)

(Miley Cyrus): (7.5)

Weekend Update: Update came out firing this week. Michael Che especially shined this week.


Mikey Day and Alex Moffat are quickly turning Donald Jr and Eric Trump into classic Update characters. They just play it up so well (Alex particularly).

Heidi Gardner had a breakout moment with her character Angel (the girlfriend from every boxing movie ever). She just owned this, getting upset at good news.

Leslie Jones had a delightful moment with some members of the world champion Houston Astros.
 (9.0)


Fresh Takes: (6.7)

New Wife: (6.6)

(Miley Cyrus): (7.3)

Beers (short): We finally got a Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett short, one from their 90s-esque sitcom series. This worked really well, especially Larry David as "Cousin CJ" with the alcohol problem. An example of deadpan humor that worked especially well. (9.2)



This was kind of an odd episode. I think it had some of the more memorable moments of the season so far (especially in weekend update), but felt sort of disconnected overall. (7.14)

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48 

Larry David: 7.14

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

SNL Season 43: Kumali Nanjiani

 

SNL closed off its opening 3 weeks with Kumali Nanjiani. Onto the review.

Donald Trump Trucker Rally (Cold Open):  Honestly, the Trump cold opens are starting  to blend into each other. There's only so much you can do in parodying Trump. Though a part that did stand out was 'trump' ordering Mike Pence (Beck Bennett) out of various events following his NFL walkout stunt. (6.8)

Monologue: The stand-up type of monologues are time and again the best. Kumali touched on some important points regarding racism and criticism he's received in the past. (8.5)

Bank Breakers: This was more or less a one-note game show sketch, as Kumali kept on winning money away from Cecily Strong's character who was going through some tough family obstacles. (7.2)

Kellywise (short): We finally get Kate McKinnon's Kellyanne back in this short based off of "It". This wasn't just a critical piece on Kellyanne, but also the media in general who keep on inviting her back time and time again when all she really does is lie and spin. (8.9)

Office Halloween Party: (5.5)

Film Panel: SNL first took on the Harvey Weinstein scandal with another sequel to their film panel sketches. This was a good avenue for Kate's character Debette Goldry, in detailing that abuse in Hollywood has always been around. Its certainly a tough subject to deal with. (7.5)

(Pink): (9.0)

Weekend Update: Jost and Che took on the Weinstein scandal head-on, with Jost stating that Weinstein doesn't need rehab, but jail. Update has gotten good in dealing with their opening subjects.

Cecily portrayed Ivana Trump, on her book tour. I really hope we see more of Cecily's Ivana, which was just as good as her impression of Melania. (7.2)

Hotel Check-in: (6.3)

Nursing Home: (7.0)

(Pink): (7.9)

Customer Service (short): This was another good example of SNL setting up the punchline. We see Kumali in a customer service call center, and he develops a friendship with none other than an unhappy Melania. This could have legit been made into a short film. (8.5)

You could tell that Kumali was just having a blast in hosting, and I imagine we'll see him again. You can also tell though that the change up in the SNL writing room is taking a little bit to really find the right flow. (7.48)

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Kumali Nanjiani: 7.48

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

 

SNL Season 43: Gal Gadot

 

SNL kept its opening stretch moving along with Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot. Onto the review

 

Jason Aldean Cold Open: A fitting cold open for what had been a rough week in the music world. Jason Aldean offered an opening statement remembering the victims from the Las Vegas shooting, and followed that with a cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down", who we also lost this past week. SNL pulls off these moments really well. (10) 

Monologue: A fairly run of the mill monologue. It was nice seeing Leslie Jones decked out in wonder woman garb interacting with Gadot. (6.9)

E! New Lineup (ad): This overstayed its welcome a bit, but had some great moments, especially Gadot as Kendall Jenner asking her phone which sister she was. You could totally envision E! coming up with all of these show ideas. (7.3)

First Date: This sketch worked to its main punchline......that OJ is now on the dating scene. At first you're wondering why the wait staff is acting antagonizing, and why things seem awkward. SNL does these kind of sketches well, building to the main point. (8)

The Chosen One (short): (7)

Mirage: (7.5)

Safelite (ad): (8.3)

(Sam Smith): (5)

Weekend Update: Once again, the main political bits of the week were centered in Update. Jost and Che are really developing a good chemistry. They each made some good points on gun control (Che especially).

Kate McKinnon appeared as the "notorious" Supreme Court Justice RBG. She usually hits the same points, but there's just something about this character that's delightful.

Pete Davidson returned, discussing his mental health. I thought he dealt with it pretty well, not going overboard and using it as a bit to appear on the show more. (7.5)

The Maid and The Mice: (5.5)

Espionage: (6.7)

(Sam Smith): (5.5)

Themyscria: Kate and Aidy Bryant should team up more in sketches. There were perfect here. Part of me feels like this was just an avenue to get Gadot and Kate to make out (jk, but it was the main landing point of this sketch). (7.4)

The Naomi Show: (6.5)

This was a pretty okay show overall. Nothing really tanked, but only a few parts really stood out. It seemed like the material wasn't quite there this week. (7.08)

Ryan Gosling: 7.63

Gal Gadot: 7.08  

 

SNL Season 43: Ryan Gosling

 

After what seemed like a lengthy layoff (due to a news filled summer), SNL finally returned for its season premiere with Ryan Gosling & Jay-Z. Onto the review.

The Chaos President (Cold Open): Alec Baldwin made his return as Trump. This cold open combined a lot of different elements, from Trump picking a fight with the mayor of San Juan over Hurricane Maria relief, to his reported feud with Jeff Sessions. Overall, this cold open felt a little flat, though Kate McKinnon is brilliant as Sessions. (6.8)

Monologue: Hey, did you know Ryan Gosling "saved jazz"?. That was the premise here, with Ryan even giving a little jazz tutorial on piano. At first, it seemed like he was going to run this premise in the ground, but he made it work. We even got a cameo from Emma Stone. (8.4)

Another Close Encounter: Right off the bat, they brought back this alien abduction sketch that hit it out of the park the first time around. While it didn't quite hit the same notes the second time around, there was still enough new material that it really, really worked. McKinnon just has that natural presence that can get anyone to break, especially Ryan as she was busy "fondling" him in a demonstration. (8.8)

Levi's Wokes (ad): (7.3)


The Fliplets: There isn't much to say about this HGTV show parody, just that wow can Ryan really get into his character. (6.6)


(Jay-Z): (8.6)

Weekend Update: Jost and Che came out firing in this opening Update. There was a lot of genuine frustration over Trump's Puerto Rico attacks, and Che had some of the more intense moments, calling Trump "a bitch" in response to his "nasty" comment, and on top of that, calling him a "cheap cracker".

Kate showed up as Angela Merkel, doing her usual thing. We also got Alex Moffat back as "The guy who bought a boat", with his cousin Ryan "The cousin who joined soho house". There's something here with this character, but I think Alex needs a few more appearances to really flesh it out. (8.0)

Henrietta & the Fugitive: (6.2)


Italian Restaurant: (6.4)


(Jay-Z): (8.5)


Papyrus (short): I always say that SNL is at its best when it gets super random, and that's what we got with this short. Some writer was genuinely irritated at Avatar's font. I almost wish this short was even longer so it could pack even more of a punch, but even as is it really landed. (8.9)

Dive Bar: (7.0)



All in all, a very solid and consistent season opener. Ryan Gosling makes for a really reliable host. Yes, he breaks often in sketches, but just there's something about him that makes it charming (unlike certain other former cast members....who host The Tonight Show) (7.63)




Ryan Gosling: 7.63