There’s an interesting dichotomy when it comes to Saturday Night Live. Sketches need to be funny for the live studio audience and for those watching at home but in this internet age, they also have to be viral-able. Nowadays more people watch selected SNL skits on Sunday when they make the social media rounds. It seems there are three kind of viral hits: Top-notch sketches that seem to go viral on their own merit (Twin Bed, for instance, or Black Jeopardy); Good sketches that feel like they’re trying to go viral (like the Hilary Clinton bartender sketch); and then there are sketches that are more viral-bait then actually great comedy (Adele’s Thanksgiving sketch from a few weeks ago and Boy Dance Party, off the top of my head). In fact, that Adele’s sketch is the highest viewed clip on SNL’s YouTube account with 12,000,000 views in three weeks yet none of the top ten most viewed skits got a five star rating from me. That’s not a knick at my reviewing skills, but more a way of saying that a good sketch and a sharable sketch are different things.
I bring this up because Christmas episodes are generally built to be more sharable than the regular SNL episode. Remember that Jimmy Fallon episode? Lots of nostalgia and returning characters, lots of guests stars. And yes, Twin Bed, maybe the best SNL music video in the 2010's. Tonight we get Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, two of the show’s funniest women. But with returning cast members, the show can often resort to good will and old shtick versus something new and exciting. But then again, it’s Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, so does it really matter?
Like I always do, I’ll be writing the recaps “live,” meaning I’ll watch a sketch and immediately write a short blurb reviewing and recapping it. For each segment, I’ll rate it on a scale of 0-5 stars. At the end of the piece, I’ll share some quick overall thoughts and the best/worst sketch of the night.
--
Republican Debate Cold Open: * * *
The separate pieces of this sketch were pretty great from Pharaoh’s spectacular Ben Carson (those Mr. Burns hands just kill me) to Moynihan’s Bon Jovi quoting Chris Christie. It was even nice to see Darrell Hammond back, even if it’s disconcerting that they’ve (maybe) jumped ship on Killam’s version already. But it also shows that SNL doesn’t know what to do with Trump. It has to mock him but his disastrous outing as host softens many of the blows SNL tries to lob at him. Also, with five days a week of Trump jokes on late-night television and Trump being a living caricature to begin, it’s increasing hard to come up with good material. Problem was, despite good performances, the jokes just weren’t there.
Opening Monologue: * * * *
I’m so glad Fey and Poehler are in Star Wars. I’m seeing it on Christmas (yes, I’m a Jewish Christmas traditionalist with Chinese food and a movie) and now I’m doubly excited. Even though this monologue was a little scattered, Fey’s weirdly religious carol just got me every time and somehow got funnier with each new verse. Not a terribly memorable monologue, but a fun one.
Hilary Clinton Past and Present: * * * ½
I was really into this sketch until Sarah Palin showed up. Before Palin, it was really great to see two Hilary impressions side-by-side and not in a typical mirror reflection fashion. McKinnon and Poehler played off of each other really well and some of the jokes really landed. But then Fey entered as Palin for no reason other then…it was funny in 2008. I mean, I love Fey’s Palin, who doesn’t? But including her in this sketch just seems lazy and desperate. And they dance for some reason. So I’m 50/50 on this one.
Meet Your Second Wife: * * * * *
Just when you think SNL has explored every game show set-up, out comes something like Meet Your Second Wife, a scorching and hilariously subversive sketch. I wasn’t sure they could sustain such a delightfully weird premise over an entire skit, but this was a sketch that kept exploring its darkness without going too far in either direction. Really brilliant.
Hoverboard Ad: * * *
I can’t think of much more to say than “it was fine.” This feels like the kind of topical and very safe sketch that’s found in spades on YouTube. That’s not exactly a diss, but it’s not exactly a compliment either
Acting Coach: * ½
I’m pretty sure Thompson played the character before in a sketch with exactly the same premise. I can’t remember which episode it came from; I think I blocked it out. I’m pretty sure, though, that I labeled it the worst sketch of the tonight. I have a feeling this one might also be. I least I hope nothing worse comes along.
Weekend Update: * * * ½
This was just an alright Weekend Update. Except for a killer Martin Shkreli bit, the rest of the segment felt rather flat. Even the reliable McKinnon didn’t quite make her new character Deenie work. She and Jost found it hilarious, but even though I wanted to, I couldn’t muster the same level of interest.
StarVista Ad: * * * ½
Can a sketch be saved by one joke? For 90 percent of the sketch, I was thoroughly unimpressed. This feels like the kind of musical sketch Fey, Poehler and Rudolph (oh yeah, Maya Rudolph’s in the house!) can do in their sleep. But then there’s a genius Bill Cosby bit that is so wonderfully obvious I can’t believe it’s never been done before. So A+ for the Cosby joke, C for the rest.
Dope Squad: * * * *
This is a good example of a solid sketch that is also built to be social media fodder. We got Poehler and Fey and Amy Schumer rapping. What else you could want? Yes, it feels a little light on material, but it’s also enjoyable and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Bronx Beat * * *
I’m mixed. I get that SNL had to do this with Rudolph and Poehler back in 8H. But I just wish it was funnier. On a regular night, this might have killed but I have high expectations for this bunch and this didn’t quite meet them.
--
Best Sketch: Meet Your Second Wife
Worst Sketch: That thing with Kenan Thompson directing a scene about lesbians.
Musical Guest: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Who doesn’t like Bruce? Although, was it just me or did his voice seem unusually raggedy? I know The Boss isn’t exactly known as a stellar vocalist, but he sounded super raspy and vocally off tonight. Lots of great energy all around, though.
Overall Thoughts:
I think “this is fine, but it could have been great” pretty much summed up the episode, with the exception of that brilliant Second Wife sketch.
There has been a critical error on your website.<\/p>
Learn more about debugging in WordPress.<\/a><\/p>","data":{"status":500},"additional_errors":[]}