Last week's SNL was a disappointing return for both the show and host Larry David. But this week, we've got a new host with Tiffany Haddish, star of the dearly departed Carmichael Show. I'm hoping her first hosting gig will be a memorable and exciting one, as I'm a fan of hers. Unfortunately, being funny does not a good SNL host make.
Cold Open: Roy Moore and Jeff Sessions:
Firstly, I want to thank SNL for refraining from bringing Trump back for yet another cold open. That's much appreciated. I'm also very happy we got Jefferson Beauregard back this week, because I love that impression. Then again, I love all of Kate's impressions. Also, I agree with Jeff Sessions for once: Roy Moore is also "too Alabama" for me.
Score: 8/10
Tiffany Haddish Monologue:
In this monologue, Haddish did what all great hosts do: she came out and was hilarious. Monologues may frequently be the weakest part of the show, but they help show if you've got the right stuff. She has the right stuff.
Score: 9/10
Tournament Fighter:
This was pretty funny, and Haddish was great here as Boo Boo Jeffries, one of the worst video games fighting characters ever. This could have easily been a huge dud of a sketch, but Haddish made it work. There were some parts that didn't work, and it wasn't really LOL funny, but it was still very enjoyable.
Score: 8/10
Lion King Auditions:
Heidi Gardner continues to steal the show, this time as Kristen "Carol" Schaal. It may just be my love for both Schaal and Gardner talking here, but that was easily the best part of this sketch, which was solid on its own. Gardner really is going to be a star. And if she somehow isn't I'm gonna revolt. Melissa Villaseñor was also great here as Celine Dion, as was Mikey Day as John Oliver. There's really something for everyone to love here.
Score: 9/10
Message from the DNC:
This is the truest thing I've ever seen. And also the greatest. The awkward silence between transitions from person to person, the strange poses, and the horrible wording by like all of these people just made for a hilarious sketch. And also, it's Biden time! Yay!
Score: 10/10
Beck and Kyle:
I enjoy these oddball sketches depicting the "relationship" between Kyle and Leslie, so it was nice to have another one this week. More than anything though, I really enjoyed watching Lorne, Tiffany Haddish, and more beat the crap out of Colin.
Score: 8/10
Weekend Update:
Last week's episode had one of the best new Update characters in a very long time with Angel. That magic had pretty much no chance of being recreated this week, but Cecily Strong's Claire, who took on the recent sexual assault allegations against every man in Hollywood not named Tom Hanks, was very good. That character was a great way to address these scandals, and it gave Cecily another great Update character. What is this, #1000?
Score: 8.5/10
The Last Black Unicorn:
This was pretty meh. It wasn't horrible or anything, just unexciting.I wish it would have been wonderful, because I do like the premise, but it didn't work for me. I didn't find it funny, or interesting.
Score: 7/10
Get Woke With Tamika:
This started out really great, then became merely good. I didn't dislike it in any way, but I did think some potential was wasted here. I did love the revelation that this supposedly "woke" show was sponsored by Breitbart.
Score: 8/10
The Dolphin Who Learned to Speak:
I had many thoughts while watching this. Most were variations of "what the actual hell." I also thought "How the hell am I gonna write about this," because I have no idea what the heck this was supposed to be. But for some reason, I did enjoy it. I really don't know why. But but I did.
Score: 8/10
Whiskers R We:
I love this recurring sketch, even thought they're all pretty much the same. I just find Kate's character so hilarious here, especially when she harasses these poor cats. The hairless cat getting angry this time around was one of my favorite things to happen in any of these.
Score: 8.5/10
Wrap-Up:
This was a really good show, far better than last week's. As much as I liked Haddish as host, Kate McKinnon as Nancy Pelosi/Hillary Clinton/Not Hillary Clinton, as well as everyone else in that DNC sketch and Heidi Gardner in the Lion King sketch stole the show. I hate always naming pre-taped sketches as the best, but when it's true, it's true.
Grade: B+
Score: 8.5/10
Pass or Fail: Pass
MVP of the Week: TIE- Kate McKinnon and Heidi Gardner
Sketch of the Night: Message from the DNC
Worst of the Night: The Last Black Unicorn
Top 5 Hosts of the Season:
1) Tiffany Haddish
2) Kumail Nanjiani
3) Gal Gadot
4) Ryan Gosling
5) Larry David
What did you think of this episode? Vote in the poll below on what your favorite sketch was, and sound off on the episode in the comments!
*Photos courtesy of NBC.com*
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