Cold Opening – Mayoral Debate
President Trump (JAJ) interrupts NYC mayoral debate
- SNL just now doing an NYC-centric cold open? I still remember some fans thinking this would be too niche for the rest of the country, but I guess not.
- Nice seeing the solid Miles Teller in the cold open, for the second hosting stint in a row. I’m liking that voice he is using as Cuomo.
- Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani? I like that guy (and Zohran, too, not to get too political for these reviews), but why not a cast member? Ramy is also an Arab (like yours truly) and as far as I know, we aren’t that close looks-wise to how Indian people look like. I’m also sure we don’t need more cameos.
- Heh, I admit cracking up at the visual of Shane Gillis(!) as Curtis Sliwa. I’ll let my usual complaining about cameos slide for this one as I want to give it a fair shake. With that said, I won’t be shocked if this cold open is full-on soft launching the parade of cameos back again, a la all those cameo-filled debate sketches in seasons 45 and 46 (shudder).
- Decent performances from all involved (Shane especially is very good here), but as this sketch goes on and on, I’m just left wondering what’s the point of it. What is SNL trying to say here? Mind you, I’m not saying SNL should “step up” which is a terrible take anyways, but to have a clear through-line for these debate sketches.
- Aaaaand we now get JAJ as Trump. I knew they would be doing a cold open with him, but in the last two minutes of an overlong debate sketch? Fellow reviewer and frequent commenter John wondered if they had him in this as a panic button, which makes me think that is the case.
- Nice vocals from JAJ (always an underrated singer), but not sure I cared for that portion. It feels like a moment typically given to Kate (as John stated again) and oddly doesn’t fit the Trump impression JAJ honed these past five seasons.
Rating: **1/2
Monologue
host talks childhood, house fire
- Like last time, Miles is coming off a natural with likability and warm presence.
- And also, like last time, it is quite endearing seeing childhood photos of Miles’ and how he mixes it with humor and personal stories.
- The part about the fire Miles’ house suffered earlier in the year is sad to hear about. Miles is clearly affected by it still even when brushing it off with humor.
- An alright monologue, despite clunky construction. Helped by Miles’ likability and charm. The short length also helped it.
Rating: ***
What Did I Do Last Night?
hungover contestants are quizzed
- Ugh at the name of Kenan’s gameshow host character. I’ve always disliked this James Anderson leftover habit and it barely, if ever, cracks me up.
- A good, relatable premise fitting for the post-Halloween episode of the season. I never cared for Halloween nor going trick-n-treat but I certainly dealt with people this sketch is parodying often.
- Solid performances from Ben, Miles and Veronika. The latter especially feels so natural in this sketch. The reveals as the sketch goes on and on are well-handled even if they aren’t anything great.
- Is Jane Wickline going to “earn” her salary either playing silent roles or small walk-ons? At least Kam was pretty fun in his small role in this.
- A laugh from the security footage with Ben.
Rating: ***
White House Makeover
East Wing gets Property Brothers makeover
- I know these two are real people (and one or was it the two of them that cameoed a few seasons ago?), but the visual of Miles playing both cracks me up.
- Chloe reprises her Melania Trump since first playing her in The White POTUS short last season. While I’m glad, the show moved on from Cecily’s take, I’m not exactly thrilled by Chloe’s impression so far.
- JAJ is hilarious in this, especially how he “greeted” the brothers. His talk about “dark stuff” and showing that ancient crown also gave me big laughs.
- Loving the way one of the brothers (whom I understand is MAGA) framed how Donald and Melania were “evicted” for four years before moving back again this year.
- While I critiqued her earlier, I’m enjoying Chloe’s facial expressions and the little details in her Melania take (dead-on clapping, BTW), especially how robotic she often comes off. Pretty funny “Christmasmouse” line as well.
- The whole Halo portion, as someone who’s been getting back into gaming recently, is hilarious. This short in general feels out of the ordinary for this SNL era and is a strong utilization of JAJ’s take on the President. I am also noticing more details and new directions JAJ is taking this role towards, especially in pretaped format (and also the solid part where he wondered, last episode, if he is getting to Heaven).
- The portions with the two Miles are very good and I especially love the slow frustration and dread the non-MAGA brother is feeling. Miles is a strong straight man as expected in this short – impressively playing dual roles so opposite of each other flawlessly.
- Man, this short, while a biting take on the President, is depressingly funny. Tons of great lines coming from JAJ’s Trump in particular. This pretaped format has been a much stronger way to satirize the President than cold opens (through no fault of JAJ), which makes me hope we are getting more of these going forward. One of my favorite pieces around the President from SNL, in this and the first term.
- Loved the “ICE!” ending.
Rating: ****1/2
Hockey PSA
PSA filming goes wrong
- Hmm, not too sure about this sketch concept, as I run hot and cold on this type of commercial shooting sketches with SNL.
- Some OK laughs from this premise, even when I feel it is not sustainable for a full-length sketch but rather a throwaway joke in another.
- Miles is so solid in this sketch. His commitment especially is helping to keep it afloat.
- A solid laugh from the right-wing predator line. Easily the best zinger in this whole sketch.
Rating: ***
Missing Wives
men are incompetent without their wives
- This short reminds me of I Was A Bridesmaid from season 48, especially the plethora of jokes thrown our way in every detail.
- A really solid piece so far, especially enjoying the tone with the desperation of the guys without their wives home. Miles is especially great in this.
- A random utilization of Mikey Day, especially being paired with newbie Tommy.
- Loved Ben’s panicking scream as he messes up his food. He’s been such a solid cast member so far.
- The three ladies are good in their roles, though Veronika is stealing those portions for me. Some sharp deliveries from her, particularly when revealing where she went.
- I HOWLED at the Tinder profile of Miles having “wife disappeared” in the bio. Definitely a standout moment in a piece filled with such.
- The “two small men” being Kenan & Ashley’s sons is hilarious. Great delivery from Ashley as per there.
- An overall very solid pretape.
- Nice getting two strong pretapes in the first half of the night alone. Considering how lackluster quite a number of them have been this season so far.
Rating: ****
NewsPoint
background antics disrupt news broadcast
- Not sure a sketch centered around Chloe and Kenan is really what I need, especially with how the episode has been going.
- Ah, I now get the sketch’s premise, with silly background antics by the cast. This is a solid, absurd-humored sketch concept. This season in general has been rather focusing on this type of humor, despite plenty of weaker segments around them.
- Mikey’s physicality is priceless, and he is making me laugh hard so far. By the way, I’m certain this is the first time Mikey cracked me up this season, which shows what a bad season this has been for him at this point.
- The cast is pretty fun during the background chaos, even when I’m not that impressed by Kenan and Chloe’s reactions who are still doing a fine job in their roles.
- The whole Miles portion with the PC is having me in stitches! Great work from Miles there.
Rating: ***1/2
Musical Performance – ”Church & State”
Weekend Update
George Santos (BOY) recaps his post-pardon
Two People Who Just Hooked Up (AND) & (ASP) on the government shutdown
- Meh at the Halloween Trump jokes. Toothless and unfunny. You have to wonder why the pretape earlier tonight was far more biting (while being very funny) than this elitist, out of touch string of jokes.
- Bowen is alright as Santos, and I’m getting some decent chuckles from this piece, even if it is Bowen being Bowen. The problem here is that Santos is already a Bowen character on his own and there is no real take on him here that is saying anything new. This is also the problem I have with Bowen’s Vance, which seems quietly retired.
- After multiple pairings this season and a sketch earlier tonight, we now get an Andrew/Ashley desk piece. Nice to see more variety behind the desk outside of the same rotation.
- This feels like a generic premise SNL’s done many, many times before, especially on Update. But, I’ll give this a fair chance.
- Already, the subtle brilliance Ashley displays with the looks she is giving Andrew (who is standing out on his own against a powerhouse performer) is killing with me. I know she’s been (rightfully) getting an insane amount of praise so far into this season, but Ashley is excellent in this. It genuinely feels electrifying seeing this brilliant performer do her thing.
- Fun way to discuss the government shutdown in the middle of a performance piece by AshMukes. I’m also loving the slow realization from both of them this relationship isn’t working well already. Nice pathos there.
- Even the obligatory Jost Roast mention gave me a big laugh. Thanks mainly to Ashley’s delivery. She has such laser-sharp precision with her deliveries every single time.
- I overall really loved this piece. Excellent work by Andrew & (especially) Ashely. This also continues what an amazing season Ashley has been having so far.
Rating: **1/2
Murder Press Conference
serial killer press conference turns to comic book discussion
- While it is nice seeing the very talented Ashley Padilla being utilized to her maximum potential, at this point, it feels genuinely ridiculous how utilized she is. I’m positive not even Kristen Wiig was utilized this heavily back in the day. This makes the show this season feel like The Ashley Padilla Special, with featured appearances from sketch comedians brought in. Not a sketch comedy show with a large cast. Why not utilize someone like JAJ more than Trump and occasional “Glue”-type roles or have performers do more than their “type” in this show? This just proves, besides what a total mess the cast and writer’s situation is, how the show needs to cut down this cast to 12 or 13 players, as it is very clear they’re only using 5-6 of them for most of the night anyways.
- Great detective voice from Miles. He’s been such a game host tonight. I’m also loving JAJ’s supporting performance. He is adding such fun little subtleties in his reactions that are a delight to notice. Kudos to the writers almost always casting him in Glue-type roles, even when we always want more with this genius talent. I agree with fans who stated these types of roles (much like his usage in the Amy Poehler episode) is what will make him an all-time great. Hell, at this rate, hopefully in the top 10 cast members, it not super close to it (like 12th or 13th).
- A fun, writerly sketch so far. This also reminds me a lot of the also-fun character actors press conference piece from the season 49 finale. This sketch, on the other hand, revolving around oddball homicide details is solid and is right up my alley of humor.
- Loving Andrew’s deliveries here. I won’t be shocked if he had a hand in writing this sketch. The detail with his character’s mustache is oddly funny. Reminds me of how Will Forte would come off in such a look.
- It also feels rather nice seeing Andrew being his usual funny self, and for the second piece in a row, considering the turn his tenure has been taking with him, much like Sarah (whom I even forgot is on the show tonight), either react as a dull straight man or recap sketches for us.
- Even the detail with the newspaper names is solid and is cracking me up.
- The Gar-Girl portion is very funny and deserved more audience reaction, especially how the press conference is now revolving around it instead of the homicide. Not sure why the SNL audiences this season have been so dead, even during solid sketches like this one.
- Ashley suddenly going berserk and having a meltdown is absolutely hilarious. Loving also JAJ’s reaction to her.
- An overall very solid sketch. No clue why this season has been burying some of its best sketches post-Update so far.
Rating: ****
Musical Performance – ”Human”
Italian Restaurant Date
waiters (host) & (MAH) disrupt quiet date
- I actually forgot that Marcello is even a cast member by this point. Much like how I forgot about Sarah earlier tonight.
- Boy, Mikey is really showing his age under this sketch’s lighting. Doesn’t also help he is playing a role he did a trillion times before. Further evidence how useless he is to the current show.
- Ouch at that old boy slam towards Mikey’s character. Won’t be shocked, like the decapitation bit in the premiere, is a subtle hint to Mikey his best days on the show are FAR behind him by now.
- Outside of that, and the fun energy from Miles, I’m not exactly that into this sketch. I’m just not a big fan of these MADtv-esque sketches Marcello does, as often harmless as they are. I remember that was a complaint I had with his Towel Boys sketch he did in his first season.
- Kenan’s utilization this season so far, much like Mikey, feels like a “It’s Kenan!” rather than having him as a part of an ensemble cast.
- This sketch is clearly rushed before we cut to commercial. I’m surprised the YouTube upload is this version as well, and not the dress version which I assume ran more smoothly and longer.
Rating: **
Cut For Time: Jane Wickline
JAW sings about dating
- At least this desk piece being uploaded means it won’t get on the air next week. Odd how the show has yet to upload any actual sketches this season and instead we get two desk pieces back-to-back. (For those wondering: I am not counting Tall Plain Boyfriend as SNL weirdly posted it as a short and not a full video upload, thus making it impossible for me to make screencaps from it for the blog, and thus why I didn’t review it, at least not yet.)
- The concept of singing a date’s message is fun and oddball on paper, but this execution features the usual meandering, awkward vocals and presence Jane always projects whenever given any ”showcases”. This would be better if performed by a more charismatic performer.
- I know, reading how most fans talk about her online, that I am often a lot kinder towards Jane, but I just feel bad for this nice girl, as SNL is just not the right fit for her; it just isn’t. She would do a lot better as a musician on some toddlers’ program or something or maybe one of the humans on Sesame Street.
- Outside of a line or two, as well as Jane being endearing, this featured the typical stone-faced reactions from me towards her work as usual. It is a lot more cute than entertaining.
Goodnights
- Yep, the show is running long as Miles is cut before he even finishes his speech.
Segments Ranked from Best to Worst
White House Makeover
Murder Press Conference
Missing Housewives
NewsPoint
What Did I Do Last Night?
Hockey PSA
Monologue
Mayoral Debate
Weekend Update
Italian Restaurant Date
Final Thoughts:
- An overall pretty good episode with a few strong highlights (including two standout pretapes – a palate cleanser from most of the prior shows’ pretaped work) and nothing that tanked badly. Easily the best episode of the season so far. I also like that it is keeping this season’s streak of having at least one really standout piece a night, which is far more preferable than the endless episodes last season that didn’t pass a 3.5 stars rating for most of the night. The cast utilization wasn’t too bad tonight, and at least most were given chances to shine. I did hope for more Jeremy, considering the fun Wednesday promo he did, but I’m sure he’ll get his chance soon.
- Miles Teller gave another strong hosting job tonight, where he fit effortlessly into the show’s format, got most of the big laughs of the night and was so game and fun. I wouldn’t mind him becoming a recurring host moving forward.
My Favorites Moments of the Episode, Represented with Screencaps:
Up Next:
- In what feels like ages, we get a new female standup comedian: Nikki Glaser hosts, with sombr as MG.
My full set of Screencaps from this episode is here
No matter what I think once I go back to rewatch these sketches, this is absolutely the most I’ve laughed this season. Pretty much every single sketch was strong to me except the last, and I felt every cast member handed a joke delivered a strong performance that got at least one laugh out of me. I’m glad the show’s finding it’s footing, and I’m really hopeful for where we might end up just a few episodes deeper into the season.
Okay, let me make this quick before I actually read the review.
First off, I wanna say this episode started off pretty worrisome with the first few segments. I didn’t like how the cold open was just a cameofest, even if said cameos were ones we’ve never seen before. Thing is, Imalive told me that if Emil were still on the show, he would play Ramy’s part. And the sad thing is, that’s probably true.
I thought the game show sketch had a decent premise, but it didn’t fully live up to it. It also felt like it was going on longer than it should’ve. The Property Brothers sketch was the same deal (well, not the former part, but definitely the latter part). Also, Chloe as Melania Trump does not work for me. Man, where’s Ashley when you need her?
Fortunately, the night got better as it went on. There were plenty of sketches that I found kinda funny, like that predator sketch, the news sketch, and maybe the Gargirl sketch. I might actually have to rewatch that one, since I didn’t fully catch everything.
It’s great that Andrew and Ashley are getting more to do. I’ve heard that people are calling them Ashmukes. Some people on Twitter are calling her the next Kristen Wiig. That said, we certainly don’t want her tenure to end up like Kristen’s, where they pretty much had her play unfunny wacky characters for the second half of her tenure.
The 10-to-1 was pretty awful. I found it painfully unfunny and annoying. I’m also surprised it was Marcello’s first appearance all night, and I didn’t even notice! That kinda speaks volumes.
So on the whole, I wouldn’t call this a bad episode, but I also wouldn’t call it good, either, mainly because nothing rose above being pretty good. I’m a bit surprised how long this comment was, given how the episode left me with nothing.
Oh, I just remembered something else: when Bowen appeared in the news sketch, I then realized we had yet to see him at that point of the show. And just like Marcello, I barely even noticed. In fact, I almost thought it was Chloe’s first appearance all night, until I remembered she was in the Property Brothers sketch.
As always, great review from you Blood and thanks for all your hard work in putting these reviews together!
I too really enjoyed this episode, especially in the wake of the Sabrina episode (especially the first half). You could sense actual EFFORT from the writers this week and it really showed. Just compare the game show sketch tonight with the Jeopardy sketch from Bad Bunny’s episode. While that one had a single joke stretched out to several minutes, this one actually had a proper concept and good characterizations from the contestants. Will I remember this game show sketch in a week or two? Probably not, but there were actual jokes, solid concept, and progression. That alone is to be applauded.
The Property Brothers pretape is easily one of the sharpest and most biting satires of Trump the show has ever done. It was unafraid to go dark and call him out on his bullshit, yet still not losing site of the humor of the whole thing. This is how you properly utilize JAJ’s Trump. This is how you properly critique and satirize Trump. More of this please!
Missing Wives was another standout piece. Great delivery and acting from all involved, especially the males. And credit where it’s due: in spite of how past his prime he is, Kenan gave me some very solid laughs.
Most of the rest of the night was solid, if unmemorable. Which, given how we’re in a slump with the show right now, is something worth praising. I really like how there’s actual attempts at creativity and absurdity in this episode as well as Amy’s. I think/hope that’s fueled in part by the new writers and performers. While the current issues with the show are still readily apparent, I think this season is starting off on a better foot compared to last year. Let’s just hope the momentum continues.
Oh and Miles was a great host! He may or may not be a douche in real life, but when it comes to SNL, he understands the assignment and delivers.
This was my favourite episode by far and a better use of the cast. Except JAJ. Though I’m happy they finally used his excellent Trump impression in a clever premise based sketch, I really wish they would let him do more. The way he was used in the Poheler episode is the way it should be. That said they finally let Andrew do his thing again and Ashley Padilla continues to be this cast’s MVP. Bowen and Mikey are giving me final season vibes but that said I thought Bowen was great in the news sketch and as George Shapiro. Mikey definitely should have left BUT if they let him do more physical comedy then I’m all for that. It’s crazy to me that they only really tapped into that last season. I actually find myself liking most of the newbies and for only four episodes they have already made an impression on me. Though I don’t know how I feel about Tommy and Jeremy was excellent in this week’s promo but is getting nothing roles on the air.
I honestly think it’s impressive how this episode managed to be SO aggressively average, and middle-of-the-road. Nothing in this episode stood out to me as strong (second episode in a row, by the way), but the 10-to-1 was the only sketch that I felt was sub-par (and even that had some redeeming qualities).
The Press Conference was probably my favorite sketch. I liked the escalation, and everyone was solid here.
Miles was a great host once again, despite not carrying the episode like the first time he hosted (which is an episode I’ll defend forever).
I honestly don’t think there’s anything else to say. This season has had a VERY unexciting quality, and fairly dull vibe so far, and not a single episode has stood out as above average to me yet.
I’m fairly excited for Nikki Glaser though.
This was an episode that is kind of hard for me to figure out. On one hand the first like 35 minutes I thought were very, very weak, on the other the next like 20 i felt were decently good but the last sketch here really tanked the episode down for me. Let’s get into what I want to discuss!
The cold open just did not work for me, like you I am perfectly fine with Shane and Ramy but material wise this did nothing for me and as much as I still love James, his Trump I’m getting SO bored by. I also thought with Shane in the building he was going to get a sketch between him and Kam and to be honest I kind of wish that did happen.
Wow never liked Halloween or Trick or Treating, I’ll be damned.
I unfortunately feel the exact opposite from you from the Property Brothers sketch. I guess mainly thanks to my burnout of James’ Trump in general, I’m not gonna care for anything from him not even something with a newer premise (which I know is very unfair to do). This overall while had some tiny bits that I chuckled at throughout this piece, I felt this was just there and didn’t really have anything to really talk about. I do, however agree that the visual of 2 Miles at the beginning was funny.
I agree with pretty much everything you said on the Missing Wives pre-tape, which was the first thing of the night I can actually call a win.
I’m probably a tad bit higher on Update in general for you as I feel the jokes in here from Colin and Michael (especially Michael’s 67/911) joke we’re pretty funny and this was one of the better Bowen as Santos bits to me and like you I absolutely LOVED Andrew and Ashley on here (I see the show is listening to his fans given how much they absolutely love those two appearing together as a duo).
The Murder Press Conference sketch I feel at first started slow because it seemed they were taking WAY too long to actually reveal the whole joke of the sketch, but the moment Ashley started howling at Miles cracked me up and I enjoyed where it went afterwards which I’m so glad I did as it was almost going to be the first Andrew dominant sketch I didn’t care for which shows how good he is.
Even though it seems you share the same thoughts as I did with the Italian Restaurant Date sketch, I will go a full * for that one to be honest. It was another one where I’m just asking “what’s the point and why is this on the show” this being very rushed to didn’t help at all either. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if the sketch in general at its regular pace I still don’t care for.
Overall, yeah, the first real weak show in my opinion of the season, which at least shows how well the season has been going to me. Miles just like his last episode (which I think I prefer over this one) was a fun host and I still would like him to host again because both episodes he hosted while not great (though that’s certainly not his fault) still provided great performance work from him.
Very great review from you Blood as usual see you next week for Nikki Glaser!!!
Thank you as always for the time you take on these reviews and screen captures. I’d meant to comment earlier but was clearly exhausted by the show managing to produce a consistent episode.
You raise a delicate point about Ashley. I’ve seen some reviewers still essentially lumping her in with other featured players, patting her and them on the head as the kids who are still trying to wear the shoes of Heidi and Ego. Yet the reality is closer to what you mention – Ashley is not just a featured player. How anyone could believe that when they look at the state of Jeremy (a month of meaningless roles in spite of a high pedigree of sketch talent), I don’t know. She’s in a much more dominant place than Heidi or Ego were at this time in their SNL tenures.
I don’t think Ashley is the only cast member getting focus, but she is far and away above the female cast member in a steady spotlight, which is a credit to her but is also a consequence of the weakest female lineup in the show’s history.
Ashley is getting some nice moments, and well-deserved praise, which is preferable than warming the bench. Yet that’s not entirely a great thing, because if we’re already here four episodes into a twenty episode season, the burnout and the backlash will start. SNL was not intended to be a place where one cast member gets such a heavy role when so many others can’t handle large roles or aren’t given a chance.
I did greatly appreciate the Update piece with Andrew and Ashley, as that’s something we don’t get at the desk very often (it reminded me of the Ebersol era, or, as someone mentioned, Jason and Kristen), There was more of a subtlety, and genuine acting, rather than the mugging and costume parades.
I’m wary of overhype (remember how Chloe and Heidi were going to be the hot new duo?), but for the time being am also appreciating the Ashley/Andrew teamup, as it’s bringing out a side of Andrew I don’t think we get to see very often. He’s had his moments (like the restaurant sketch with Sydney Sweeney) not really an actor in the way Ashley is, so I could see him upping his game when beside her in a way he wouldn’t with, say, Sarah. Seeing cast trying new things, and succeeding at them, is one of the best parts of SNL.
The only downside is I think another man in the cast could have excelled in Andrew’s part (Andrew still would have had the press conference sketch, which was one of his best since mid/late season 49), as of course Jeremy couldn’t get the chance as the male cast is logjammed and he needs to “wait his turn,” JAJ is someone who has been there for over four seasons and has shown he has real dramatic chops.
Speaking of JAJ – thanks for including my thoughts on his turn in the cold open. Luckily, I haven’t seen a ton of the backlash I had feared for how he was use there, but it shows how the general muted response to his Trump is both a blessing and a curse.
I zoned out of the cold open almost immediately, but I thought Shane Gillis was the best part. I was never as down on his live sketch work as some were but even then he seemed much more at ease here. I would have preferred a cast member over stunt casting, but he did a very good job.
Ramy is very likeable, but my main two thoughts were that at first I thought he might have been Jane in drag, and then that I still miss Emil and wonder how he might have been. Ramy lacks the charisma Mamdani exudes. It’s still a better choice than what I half-joked/half-dreaded, like throwing in Marcello or Bowen (or for a cameo, Lin Manuel Miranda), but not something I need to see again.
After your review, I rewatched the White House pre-tape, which I was cool on during first viewing. Your review definitely helped me appreciate the content more. Miles and JAJ were great (Miles’ expressions of quiet disgust went a long way), and at least it was a different format. What takes me away from the piece is I just felt like they were telling us what we already knew, with little added beyond some easy jokes (like having ICE deport the brothers). I’m aware this is probably risky for today’s SNL, certainly riskier than having an overextended Update segment on the White House Halloween, but it’s another situation where I’d rather they just not talk about the topic when I know they have to be hands off. I just end up feeling depressed.
The Netflix pre-tape was a more rote concept, but the fresh performances and brisk pace helped, along with several genuinely funny moments thanks to Ben and Miles. I laughed when Miles casually told his in laws their daughter was dead, and at Ben shooting his reflection. Kenan was alright, but the whole Kenan Kenaning moment wore me out (especially the poor choice for an ending). Still, the best pre-tape of this season, an example of how important execution is.
They did feature a number of cast I could always see less of, but at least they were not overused – Bowen mostly had Update (one of his better Santos appearances, with Jost’s “my angels” line making me laugh) and an awful sounding sketch cut in dress, while Marcello just had the last sketch. I was not a fan of that sketch, Sanz and Fallon scraped into IL Cantore, but it was cut short. You are so right about how bracing that jab at Mikey felt – I was genuinely surprised.
Mikey had his best use in some time with the news sketch, a simple idea, decently executed. The physical comedy is right up Mikey’s alley, and even Jane and Bowen had an amusing moment with his being shocked by the copier.
That was how much of the night felt – maybe it’s me damning with faint praise, but much as I may want more, at present, the show re-learning how to present sketches and getting them across without three heads, or recapping on top of three heads, is very important to whatever future they have.
Miles Teller was not as heavily used as in his first episode, but he was still important to the quiet competence of this episode. He was basically like one of the cast (one of the cast members who actually gets airtime). I remember the talk from some about how Shane would have been an alpha male for the show. I think that can be a very loaded idea, but Miles did me some quiet alpha cast member vibes (and oddly he even looked a little like Sane in some of his bumpers).
This didn’t have the highs of Amy Poehler’s episode but was more consistently watchable (helped by the performances by Brandi Carlile), and for me the best episode since Jack Black. I hope this was a good start toward stabilizing, and not just one more aberration.
Don’t agree that this is the weakest female lineup in the show’s history. S11 probably takes the cake in that regard. S20 is no prize either, though that’s more due to the dominance of the “Bad Boys”. There are three female performers this year who are solid and reliable (maybe 2 and a half as Sarah is hit and miss), which is more than can be said for either of the seasons I mentioned above.
This certainly isn’t a stellar female lineup though, especially with how horribly unbalanced it is compared to the overstuffed male side.
We tend to blame the “Bad Boys” for the weaknesses of the 90s, but it says something that when Jan Hooks left, they brought in four women at once to replace her. They all missed the mark so much, the show said “fuck it, let’s just make Jan a part-timer again.” I think Julia Sweeney did solid work. Victoria did her thing, for whatever that was worth. Ellen and Melanie popped a bit, but didn’t have sustain. Siobhan, Beth, Sarah, Laura and Morweena didn’t pop (although you could see the potential in Siobhan and Sarah). Janeane was a disaster.
@Carson I adore Jan. She is, along with Phil, my favorite cast member. Yet, much as I do think she was such a rare gem (she could play anything, she could sing, she had insane charisma), I think she had been phased out enough in her final regular season to where they could have replaced her. And I think the lineup in season 17 is not bad at all. Victoria had reached a natural end, but Julia and Ellen had a great deal of promise (to me Ellen is a quiet MVP of 93-95, along with Tim Meadows), and Beth, Melanie and Siobhan had their moments. The looming issue that begins to take a huge toll by 1993 is the heavy contempt for women behind the scenes. It bled all over the screen, and had a significant impact for Julia, Laura, and Janeane, among others.
@James Other than Joan, who like most of the 11 cast just feels very out of place, I don’t think the female cast is bad. Nora is in my top 5 or so for SNL cast members (even if she was given too many Pat Stevens installments that season), and Danitra is so unique, so underrated.
The reason I call this the worst is because there’s no real reason for the position the show is in. Things have been declining since Kate, Aidy, and Cecily left, because rather than the show properly transitioning to the female cast who remained, Heidi and Ego both took some very wrong turns, and Chloe just flopped. Variations of this continued in 49. Heidi and Ego were on stronger footing again by season 50, but Troast had been dumped, and while I don’t criticize the show for that decision, we were given a season with two women (Sarah and Chloe) who proved they weren’t able to carry lead parts and another woman (Jane) who is about as niche as you can get.
Now we have THREE women in that position, a new hire (Veronika) who is promising but is seemingly being locked in the same “earn your place” bubble of new hires, and Ashley.
Maybe there will be a new hire midseason, but that’s a big if, and we never should have gotten to this point.
@John you definitely raise some excellent points.
I myself have been advocating for a while now that we need a midseason hire on the female side. The situation right now is just so precarious. Five women in a cast of 17 is inadvisable at the best of times, but as you pointed out, we really only have 2 women who can be anchors/glues to the show and properly lead sketches. And one of them is brand new.
And, more than anything, I want a midseason hire to take some of the pressure and weight off of Ashley. While I’m thrilled that she’s been getting so much airtime, I’m already concerned she may be facing burnout down the road with how much she’s being used and how she’s carrying the show on her back so much. Plus, in certain circles, I’m already seeing a bit of a backlash to all the usage and praise she’s been receiving, with some already calling her “overrated” and accusing the praise of being astroturfed. It reminds me of what happened with Cecily in S39. And while I don’t think Ashley’s being misused like Cecily was then (at least, not yet), the potential is definitely there, and that backlash could definitely hurt her, at least for a time, in the future.
I wonder if Jan was being phased out or if she was phasing herself out. Remember, at that time, five years was basically the absolute end of the road. By 1991, Jan was locking in a sitcom deal and taking on big movie roles. Clearly judging from the show’s rush to bring her back, the show still had great use for her.
I conceptually like a lot of that female cast from the 90s. Julia delivered and even the Pat sketches got better as they went on, Siobhan, I think, had the most potential, but hadn’t carved out her thing in one year. Ellen and Melanie were more successful at nailing down an identity, but maybe lacked range. Janeane is an interesting case of someone who was probably right about everything going on backstage (though her propensity to hash it out in the media is a real good way to make yourself an office pariah) and I have enjoyed much of her other work, but she still remains, I believe, the worst castmember of all time.
Nora is duking it out with Gasteyer and Poehler for the last couple spots in my top five. While she didn’t quite have a strong connection with the audience, she, along with Jan and Phil, did a sort of heightened comedy that feels entirely unique to that late 80s era.
After watching this episode I was so horrified at how bad it was I searched for reviews to see how it fared out there. Vulture agreed with me this was one of the worst episodes ever. I appreciate the detail in this review but it feels like I am reading a fan club column, not an objective review of the lamest episode in recent history. They got rid of too many star players and the rest are struggling, with no help from the writers apparently. 0 stars from me.
Great review, Blood. A lot of sentiments here generally echoed my own. For those saying this is the best episode of the season, I think that feeling generally stems from this episode having a raised floor (“raising the floor” essentially just means “using Marcello less”). Nothing was an outright dud and that can be refreshing. I think I prefer the highs of the Poehler and Carpenter episodes (I will defend the podcast sketch until I make everyone here hate me). I would rather the show risk complete failure in the hopes of achieving greatness than offer up another middling if pleasant game show sketch. But on the aggregate, yeah, this was probably the better episode.
Blood, your take on the cold open is bang on. I was happy that the show was finally focusing on the Mayoral race and the cameos were a sort of benign evil (and surprise surprise, I thought Shane was strong), but you’d like there to be some kind of conceptual throughline for this kind of thing. I think the bagel questions kind of hit on a few things at once (the inanity of the questions in the real debates, Cuomo’s Israel pandering), but the whole thing was sort of an energetic muddle. The Trump appearance did feel very “we’re hedging,” but I was generally fine with it.
The other Trump piece I appreciated, but wasn’t, like, howling at. It was a far better TV parody/political satire bit than last year’s mostly baffling White POTUS sketch. I’ll also give credit, Chloe as Melania is a good use of her. It might be one of her better roles. But yeah, I know some are getting sick of the Trump pieces, but I’ll actually give the show credit for starting to explore and connect on interesting ways to incorporate him into the milieu of the show. I still preferred last week’s podcast sketch for sheer absurdity, but this was a nicely fanged bit of business.
I also just applaud this episode for officially making Ashmukes a THING. I think the reason Ashley is getting SO MANY accolades is her ability to extract the absolute most out of premises that most castmembers would just let lay there. This week’s Update commentary somehow willed its way into something special, despite a pretty routine foundation. Dismukes has just the right goofy energy to make it work, but Padilla feels like she really internalizes the material and finds humor that can’t really be accessed on the page. Even better was the press conference sketch, which was more centered on Dismukes (it felt very classic Dismukes), but teed up Ashley to go ham for 10 seconds and steal the sketch completely. That all said, the hockey promos bit proves that having this innate ability can only go so far and the writers would be wise to not make it a crutch.
Quick hits:
– Agree that the Trump material on Update was a bit warmed over, but Che’s 6-7 play on 9/11 was pretty damn inspired.
– The other pre-tape was strong, sturdy work. Familiar, but sturdy. The gag with the kids didn’t work though.
– Give Mikey this, he’s a high end physical comedian and he took the most pointed insult in the whole episode.
– Bowen popping up on Update doesn’t thrill me, but this was a pretty strong go-round.
– With Miles Teller and Glen Powell in a couple weeks, is anyone getting flashbacks to when all the Chrises hosted from 2014-16. Even as a generic white guy myself, you can’t have the same type hosting so close together.
– The games show and news sketches kind of washed over me. I gave even less to Marcello’s three minutes.
@Carson, I often wish SNL tried new things, which is why I had some praise for the Carpenter episode, but they never can get out of their way in these instances. There were three sketches in that episode I thought had such promise but poor to very poor execution (the podcast, girlboss, and the washing machine sketch). Until the execution improves, more basic episodes, competently executed, may be the way to go.
I agree with you that Girl Boss and Washing Machine were promising sketches that didn’t quite land their execution, but I am going to continue to go to bat for the podcast sketch. Aside from maybe Chloe, who is, as ever, a bit out of her element, I think the sketch largely executes its premise perfectly.
In line delivery Ashley sorta reminds me of Nancy Walls. I guess in physical appearance as well a bit
Does Jane not know that you can rhyme when you sing?
Kind of a Meh episode IMO with What Did I Do Last Night having sound issues (The Whole episode did when I saw it), However Imalive’s Wife was great in the Couple Bit on Update (Open Secret if you know)
I don’t know.