September 28, 2024 – Jean Smart / Jelly Roll (S50 E1)

Cold Opening – The Harris & Trump Rallies

Kamala Harris (MAR) & Donald Trump (JAJ) have feuding rallies

• Here we go, folks: the very first of these election-centric cold opens. Considering how horrible the prior ones were, four years ago, having celebrity cameos eating up the airtime that should be going to deserving cast members, as well the general terrible state of SNL’s political writing in general over this past decade, I’m not going into this one exactly with excitement.
• Andrew as David Muir? Listen, I’ve always found Andrew to be adorable, but he exactly doesn’t have the rugged good looks of David Muir.
• Maya Rudolph has now played Kamala Harris on-and-off for six seasons…… you fucking kidding me with this, SNL?! Why in the world has this impression not get passed on to a cast member, nonetheless played by one from the get-go?! Is Lorne that desperate for clicks to have “star power “ + shill entertainment coverage + mad libs, satire free writing = ratings and Emmys?
• I see that Maya didn’t even update her Kamala Harris impression, despite how different the VP acts and sounds nowadays than her days as Biden’s running mate. While I generally enjoy Maya Rudolph as a performer (and enjoyed her latest hosting stint), this tells me that she is simply not the right choice for the VP this time around. But hey, gotta get those ratings and clicks, amirite?
• In an interview after she was announced as returning to play VP Harris, Maya spent lengthy time talking about how this role is now much bigger than her. Maya doesn’t seem to realize she is playing a parody of a politician. Meaning, she sees her role, with all its mugging, memes and vamping, as some sort of a sacred duty, a crusade for justice and equality. Instead of what it should actually be: a parody of a political figure on a show that’s supposed to be silly and dumb. This is absurd to me. You cannot do satire when you worship whom you are supposed to lampoon. This is just another of many examples of how much satire is clearly dead nowadays, when those practicing it see it as other than what it actually is.
• I see we are starting out with a bunch of outdated pop culture references, such as the Espresso talk, months after that song was released (and performed even on SNL). Never change, SNL….
• Jesus Christ at the typical Kamaya Speak, with the return of Funt, “VaGeorgia” and the whole “not knowing which swing state I am in” takes that worked with Hillary but never again.
• Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz and Andy Samberg as Doug? Talk about random castings, especially Gaffigan. Guess they’ll still try and cash in on the success of Trumpwin. Also, seeing as random a celebrity as Gaffigan (though I like him a lot) playing a major candidate is quite telling of how weak the male cast currently is, for the most part.
• Considering the typical shill entertainment garbage about who should play who this election by people that clearly do not watch SNL, I’m glad the wonderful JAJ is still playing Trump. I hope this is a sign of even more trust in JAJ in this 4th season of his, as he is the perfect placeholder to move the show into its next era after this season’s potential exodus (fingers crossed).
• You probably noticed by now I have yet to actually comment on specific parts of the cold opening, but this cold open is so far nothing but an incoherent mess of mumbly accents, dated references, Maya shtick with the mugging, memes and vamping and piss-poor attempts at satire that’s falling horribly flat.
• Bowen is passable as JD Vance, though that role is just clearly tailor-made for him. Between the couch story and the eyeliner, the real Vance comes off like a typical shady Bowen Yang character anyways.
• We are still portraying the Democratic candidate as smug and surely-to-win? With us now “accidentally” cutting to Maya’s Kamala dancing victoriously next to her podium? Have we learned anything from 2016?
• And now we get Dana Carvey back for the first time since season 42 to play Biden? When Biden is no longer that relevant to the election? I love Dana, but playing an outgoing president is such a waste. Also, between him, Maya and Andy, this cold open is going hard on Member Berries of past eras. And, when your only appeal is bland nostalgia, you really got nothing to show for then.
• Dana’s overhyped Biden is still overhyped to me, and while his physical gestures are spot-on of the President, the voice is very off and sounds more like a combination of Dana’s voice and his Jimmy Stewart impression.
• We are still doing Creepy Biden, complete with the sniffing and wandering around? When not even Dana can make this funny to me, you know it’s bad.
• An overall numbing and terrible start to the landmark 50th season. Between shameless cameos, never-ending length, the lack of any satire to be seen, and lame, cowardly writing masquerading as jokes. Perhaps the worst way for a season to start. At least Trumpwin wasn’t in this or I would’ve thrown myself out of my apartment’s window.

Rating: *

Opening Montage

• New montage!
• The SNL logo now has the number “50” in celebration of the show’s landmark 50th anniversary.
• Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker have been promoted to repertory players. Of the three, I’d say Devon had the most consistent tenure, Michael the more memorable highs but the most troubled tenure as a whole. As for Marcello, he is easily the most successful of the bunch, with both the highest highs and lowest lows, particularly a rough back half last season. I wish the three my best wishes for this season, even when I am, to be honest, tired of all of them – they do not work as cast members in a sketch comedy show, even when individually I find them funny and have their moments. To say nothing that Chloe Troast was fired despite being a stronger, more versatile cast member than most of the S45 and onwards hires, but I’ve said all that I wanted to say about that topic weeks ago.
• Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline are added to the cast starting with tonight’s episode. Of all three, I’m most intrigued by Ashley, as she was mentioned prior as a potential hire, and, being a Groundlings veteran, she seems to be directly hired as a replacement for Chloe & Heidi, considering this is most likely the final season for both of them. Jane seems more into absurdist and oddball humor (and I loved some of her shorts I was shown online), so it’ll be fascinating to see how she translates that to the show’s format. Wakim is a standup, and considering how disinterested I’ve been in standup hires on the show (besides a few highlights, they just do not work in an ensemble), he has the highest climb for me to make. I’ll cover all three with a clean slate and hope they succeed and impress me.
• Considering how frustrated & bored I am with most of this cast, and knowing many of them, especially the veterans, would most likely be out after it, I hope the return to hiring sketch performers that, you know, can do characters and ACT, is a sign the show understands its need to build an actual versatile, reliable cast ahead – instead of a bunch of green standups who either do the same exact parts or dress up in goofy outfits behind the desk.
• This montage is AMAZING. Everybody looks great and I love the combination of various previous montages, especially reminding me of the absurd visuals from the season 10 opening montage with the miniature version of NYC, the mid ‘00s vibes with the POV showing us the cast, to the more recent city landscapes of montages of the past 15 years, as well as the fun use of 8H for the 50th season. I loved this so much; fitting montage for the 50th season.

Monologue

host talk hosting the 50th season premiere while singing “I Happen To Like New York”

• Jean Smart had a phenomenal career and has always been one of my personal favorite actresses. So, it feels so surreal to see her hosting the show. This is if Meryl Streep or Jessica Lange hosted in a more recent season of SNL; it’s that major to me.
• The usual funny delivery from Jean to start the monologue with. The turn with the monologue becoming a hybrid of a real monologue and musical is working, as Jean can make anything sound funny.
• “I Happen To Like New York” is a favorite show-tune of mine and it being used to comment on both the current events, tell jokes and reflecting on SNL’s history, is well-done. This monologue feels like one I could’ve seen done in the Original Era, with the piano next to the host and all.
• The random one-liners from Jean are making the monologue are cracking me up, especially the Saturday Night Laughs and lesbians being obsessed with her are my favorites in this.

Rating: ***

$100,000 Pyramid

celebrities compete for the $100,000

• Starting with the usual “hosts commenting on themselves in a self-aware fashion” with Devon’s Michael Strahan. Nice.
• Ugh at the Hawk Tuah impression from Chloe. She always does the same damn voice when playing Southern women.
• Marcello looks like a high school kid with glued on facial hair playing Bad Bunny. This is another example of how these newer hires aren’t convincing when being used in typical SNL roles. What in the world made Lorne hire so many standups, and very baby-faced ones at that?
• Jean is giving me my first laughs in this sketch with her impression of that chimp lady. By the way, that lady looks like a one-off character Kristen Wiig would’ve played.
• The writing of this sketch is so middling to me that not even Kenan as Mark Robinson gave me as big a laugh as I expected.
• OK, the chimp puppet doing a facepalm was funny, as predictable as it was. What can I say? I am a sucker for puppets in sketches, unless they are those S1 Muppets that is….
• Emil Wakim making his SNL debut as that badass Turkish sharpshooter is certainly something.
• A few laughs from Jean and that puppet, but as a whole, this sketch was a whole lot of nothing. Typical dead SNL pop culture piece of recent years.

Rating: **

Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween advertises the season

• The usual strong commercial spokesman performance from Heidi. I remain surprised, considering the vital utility player she’s been these past few seasons, how little she played such a part.
• I see other cast members are also playing spokesman besides Heidi. That’s fine, though I would’ve loved it had she been the sole spokesman. It’ll also keep this piece focused.
• New cast members Ashley Padilla & Jane Wickline make their debuts playing minor roles in this. Ashley looks even more Nancy Walls-y here than in the montage.
• Mikey is fun in his pervert role, though it feels like he played it way too many times. Normal thing, I guess, with this being his 9th season on the show.
• Some decent lines in this piece, though I’m getting a bit tired of these types of pretapes. This “era” of seasons 48-50 seems to be going awfully heavily on these types of shorts.

Rating: ***

Textbook Writer

math textbook author (host) has unusual methods

• The non sequitur start of the sketch, with the brief back-and-forth between Ego and Ashley fell very flat. The performance of it was fine, but it made no sense in the context of this sketch. Typical overwrought SNL sketch writing.
• The premise of an oddball math textbook is promising, especially given that Jean Smart is the host, but the constant reactions from others, particularly Mikey (in probably sketch #2626 of him playing such a part) are killing this for me, but I’m getting some decent laughs, especially the usage of math terms throughout.
• An alright soap opera turn between Jean, being now joined by Kenan. I’ll admit cracking up at the ending of this sketch, even when it as a whole needed a good revision or two.

Rating: **1/2

Musical Performance – “Liar”

Weekend Update

Eric Adams (DEW) talks federal indictment

Moo Deng (BOY) relishes in recent fame

• If you would’ve told me, back when S40 premiered, that the then-new Che/Jost Update era, would last three presidential terms, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, here we are.
• Considering how unwatchable the desk has been during the last third of last season, as well as the endless string of dud desk pieces with cast members dressing up in goofy costumes, I’m dreading reviewing the editions of the desk this season, to be honest.
• I’m not a person who drinks, but I’m already prepping for a mental drinking game consisting of how many times a cast member would show up in a goofy costume, Che laughing at his own jokes and Jost being called a bigot during this season of Update.
• Some very weak jokes so far – the Trump mentally disabled one is especially lame.
• Ah, and now we get a joke about Colin being racist…. (*Blood jugs a full bottle of Brandy, not even allowing himself time to recover*)
• OK, I’ll admit: the Hoda Kotb joke was pretty good.
• Devon as Eric Adams? At least we are not getting a cameo.
• Devon is playing Eric Adams basically like how he played Tim Scott. Same look, characterization, etc. This really shows how bad a gamble the show took hiring a bunch of standups who can only really do one or two things instead of versatile sketch players.
• I didn’t care for the Hitler/TikTok joke ending up being a Trump-related one. Felt too telegraphed for me.
• We now get Bowen wearing a goofy outfit, for the first of what I’m sure will be MANY mascot desk pieces this season? (*Blood dies from alcoholic poisoning, screaming in agony before this edition of Update is done*)
• Jesus Christ at the hose-spraying parts of this….
• Nothing to say of this edition of the desk. The same as usual, with the overlong edition, tired jokes and the weak desk pieces with a rotation of trend-chasing, mascot parades and pity. Just about as weak an edition as I expected

Rating: **

I love Lucy

original Lucy (host) was much brasher

• Tons of Bowen Yang so far. These premieres usually are about our “stars” as of late. Between him and Chloe. I am surprised, however, with how little Heidi we got so far tonight. Bowen is giving a rather likable performance as the host of this program.
• As a big comedy buff, I love Lucy is one of my favorite shows and I always enjoy parodies of it, (the classic Lucy A-Bomb sketch being one of my favorites), so I am interested to see how they’ll cover it with Jean hosting.
• Can Marcello, for the love of all things holy, change his voice when playing his “characters” and “impressions”? He uses the same exact voice, tone, performance, etc. when playing everybody. I’ll admit, however, he is fine as Ricky in this sketch, even when I still prefer the version by Fred Armisen.
• A version of Lucy being brash and rude is a priceless concept for a parody and Jean is perfect for such a premise.
• While I critiqued Marcello earlier in the sketch, he is doing a fine job and is coming off charming, even when he looks like a kid playing dress-up in this part. Yet another example tonight of how these standup hires just cannot do various typical sketch parts due to their limitations.
• The whole gay talk is pretty funny due to Jean’s very funny delivery, especially when she says it in faux-Spanish.
• I see JAJ is cast in this sketch. I wouldn’t have expected him as Fred, but he is always such a natural for black-and-white sketches on the show. His natural warmth is shining in his part.
• I’m not sure what to make of that gun ending, though I guess it fit where the sketch was going, and also feels like a typical silly gag on the actual classic show.
• This is the best piece to me so far tonight, which is so sad to see as we are nearing the end of the episode.

Rating: ***1/2

Talk Talk

Charli XCX (BOY) recaps the summer

• A groan already from the title of the sketch.
• Typical deathly pop culture chasing with us getting the “fresh” concept of a celebrity hosting their own talkshow.
• Bowen Yang playing Charli XCX is so pandering to me to an unbelievable degree. I wonder how many of her fans, or Sabrina Carpenter, or even Chappell Roan for that matter, give a fuck about SNL, not to mention Bowen Yang.
• Very poor utilization of Sarah Sherman. This role is also relying on her worst antics as a performer.
• This sketch is fucking TERRIBLE so far. There has to be a single moment to come that won’t make me cringe.
• Not even Ego Nwodim can save this sketch with her typical energy. She certainly tried.
• We are now ending this sketch with a “campy” music number from Bowen? Yeah, this sketch is a bonafide dud.

Rating: *

Musical Performance – “Winning Streak”

Real Housewives of Santa Fe

housewives (host) & (HEG) feud over being businesswomen

• Trashy Housewives shows are a guilty pleasure of mine and SNL, more often than not, does a decent job skewering those types of programs.
• I remain surprised Heidi didn’t do a little more in tonight’s episode. With that said, this role of a feuding housewife is one she could play in her sleep.
• Seeing Jean, of all people, in such a role is inherently funny, and her starting to fight with Heidi’s character is immediately cracking me up.
• Jean has been surprisingly flubbing some lines tonight, though her horse insult towards Heidi’s character is hilarious and got a great audience reaction.
• Ashley feels so comfortable and comforting being a part of this sketch with the other girls; it feels she’s been on a few seasons despite this being her very first episode.
• The bit with Andrew with all the Fajita in the background of the fight is hilarious! Andrew’s deadpan is also providing me with laughs – another solid use of his reliable straight man skills.
• I probably, like the I Love Lucy parody, enjoyed this more than some would. But it had the energy, fun performances and gags more than most of this rather dreadful episode.

Rating: ***

Cut For Time: A Father’s Promise

dad (AND) is too protective of his son

• Marcello is always in his element when it comes to pretaped roles. I might have been tough on him in reviews of mine last season, but he’s been decent tonight and is good in this short.
• I said it before, but whenever Andrew plays older roles, particularly while sporting a mustache, he reminds me SO much of Will Forte. This role, however, feels like a hybrid of Beck, Forte and Andrew himself. He is already making me laugh from his normal line readings.
• I’m getting already strong laughs from Andrew’s character being over-the-top in cheering for his son and insulting the other team’s players. This short already feels like one of those great Beck Bennett ones from his last two seasons, which makes sense, as Andrew wrote some of those himself.
• The back-and-forth between Andrew and Ashley is hilarious! I’m getting some Will Ferrell vibes as well from Andrew’s responses.
• While not as prominent as the more OTT portions of the short, the conversations between Jean and Andrew are solid and well-acted.
• A great, fun ending with the whole Mario Kart turn with Andrew. These final moments display in a perfect way the joy and sincerity of Andrew Dismukes – one of the many reasons I’ve been such a champion of his since the start.

Rating: ****

Cut For Time: Blonde Dragon People

House of the Dragon spinoff is hard to follow

• As a big ASOIAF fan, I always enjoy parodies of it, even when I fell off of my watch of House of the Dragon as I got frustrated with it throughout its sophomore season.
• Typical back-and-forth reaction sketch from modern-day SNL, but this isn’t too bad and the cast members playing the show’s cast characters are clearly having fun.
• JAJ is absolutely hilarious in this sketch. His gibberish-y imitation of Aemond Targaryen is priceless, especially his facial acting.
• New cast member Jane Wickline is coming off rather flat, and you can see her rehearsing her lines before delivering them. I’ll give her slack, as it is her first episode and she’s probably understandably nervous.
• The random inclusion of Andy as Legolas is OK and he is as fun as ever, I see.
• The final scene with Bowen and the dog fell pretty flat with me. But, as a whole, this was better than a lot of the aired episode by default.

Rating: ***

Goodnights

• Jesus Christ. Jelly Roll and his entourage are blocking the cast, who are pointing to the newbies tonight. Between him and the cameos blocking the whole cast during the goodnights, I cannot think of a more fitting image of SNL’s 50th premiere to close on.
• Sweet seeing Heidi wearing a Church Lady shirt, considering the SNL legend who played her is in the goodnights.

Segments Ranked From Best to Worst

CFT: A Father’s Promise

I Love Lucy

Real Housewives of Santa Fe

Monologue

CFT: Blonde Dragon People

Spirit Halloween

Textbook Writer

$100,000 Pyramid

Weekend Update

The Harris & Trump Rallies

Talk Talk

Final Thoughts:

• For the premiere of the 50th season of the show, this episode was just abysmal. For any typical season premiere, which are usually so-so affairs, it was STILL abysmal. This episode did have a few highlights, but nothing topped a ***1/2 rating from me (in the aired episode, that is) and there were tons of dud pieces that dragged the night down, including a horrendous cold opening and an overlong Update, for me to give it a better ranking. I also noticed a flat feeling and particularly desperate chase behind trends that are outdated by months now. While I understand SNL needs to comment on big stories of the summer in the big premiere, it was tonight beyond an overkill – giving me unwanted memories to seasons 29-30’s hyperfocus on trashy celebrity gossip. This episode is also an unfortunate way to start your show’s biggest season yet, with the endless pop culture chasing, cameos and poor use of the cast. Just sad affair.
• Jean Smart, however, gave A+ performances as the host, showcased lots of range and commitment and most of my biggest laughs of the night were from her. I only wish she was given better material fitting her stature.
• The three newbies had a typical newbie start of recent seasons. Emil & Jane really barely did anything tonight, but Ashley impressed, got a few roles and is quietly fitting into the show like she was already a veteran for a few seasons. Knowing the Groundlings performer she was prior to SNL, that makes sense. I wish all three the best and to see them showcased the coming weeks.

My Favorite Moments of the Episode, Represented with Screencaps:

Up Next:

• After hosting one of the standout episodes of the last dozen seasons, Nate Bargatze is back at 8H not a full year since his first episode. Coldplay is our musical guest, for the 8th time.

My full set of screencaps from this episode is here