Benedict Cumberbatch is hosting SNL right before Tuesday's election, so hopefully they have some great political sketches and a nice sendoff to the Hillary/Trump craziness.
Cold Open: Hillary Clinton/Donald Trump:
From the beginning, it was pretty clear that while this one would be good, it wasn't going to be as good as the other political sketches we've seen this season. This sketch was fine. It wasn't their best of the night, but it was far from their worst. So that's a positive. Them breaking character and hugging people in NYC was fun, but this one dragged on for too long.
Grade: B
Score: 8/10
Benedict Cumberbatch Monologue:
This monologue was fine. It was nothing memorable, or special, or even that good. But it wasn't about a freaking toilet, so that's a win. And also, getting more of Kat McKinnon's Tilda Swinton was great.
Grade: B-
Score: 7.5/10
The Koohl Toilet:
What the f*** was this?
Grade: F
Score: 1.5/10
Why is Benedict Cumberbatch Hot?:
This was... good. Not great, but solid. It was nice to see them appear as themselves, and the "surprise" on everyone's faces was nice. This was an average sketch for a normal show, but for this mediocrity, it was really good.
Score: 8.5/10
Grade: B+
Office Hours:
This was okay, I guess. Not their best work, but in this mess, it was good. I'm happy that Pete Davidson actually was in this episode, because I think he's hilarious.
Grade: C+
Score: 7/10
Surprise Bachelorette Party:
This was working so well, and it was funny, and everything actually made sense, because it was such a simple concept. And then the Chicago Cubs came, and I don't know what the hell happened.
Grade: B+
Score: 8.5/10
Weekend Update:
So, we got the Church Lady back. And it was a little disappointing. I wish they would have just given us a full-blown Church Lady sketch instead of this? Also, Bill Murray was on, and everything was fine.
Grade: B
Score: 8/10
Gemma & Ricky:
This sketch worked a lot better when they did it with Louis CK. It should not be a recurring sketch. Please, don't ever do this sketch again. It's just tired at this point, and Louis CK was what made the sketch. (Side note: Can we have Louis CK come back as host? He's always great.)
Grade: C
Score: 6.5/10
Criminal Mastermind:
What. The. Hell? Did they decide to just give up after Weekend Update? Did someone actually get paid for these sketches? Ugh.
Grade: F
Score: 4/10
Meeting with Mr. Shaw:
This was a pretty dull sketch. I don't even understand the concept of it. Is something about an eagle statue supposed to be funny? I don't know, but Benedict Cumberbatch was fine in this sketch. He was the best part.
Grade: D-
Score: 4.5/10
Wrap-Up
This was a really mediocre show. I can't even believe that this is the best that they could come up with, especially since this hell that is masquerading as an election is finally almost over. I can't believe that 3 days before the election, their one political sketch was actually the weakest of the season. And I was really looking forward to this one. I guess not all weeks can have David Pumpkins (but don't you wish they could?).
Grade: D+
Pass or Fail: Fail
MVP of the Week: Aidy Bryant
The "Unsung Hero" Award: Vanessa Bayer
Sketch of the Night: Surprise Bachelorette Party
Worst of the Night: The Koohl Toilet
Top 5 Hosts of the Season:
1) Tom Hanks
2) Margot Robbie
3) Lin-Manuel Miranda
4) Emily Blunt
5) Benedict Cumberbatch