It doesn’t seem all that long ago that my first recap for the 40th season of Saturday Night Live was posted here, but 21 episodes later — and one 40th anniversary special — we’ve reached the end of the season. Unfortunately, SNL limped into the summer with an uneven, and at times, very awkward episode with host Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. has now hosted SNL three times, and I’ve been disappointed each time. Louis is a very accomplished comedian, but his episodes have never felt as funny as I think they should be. This could lead to high expectations from me, but that’s probably because Louis is a funny guy and has written some great comedy over the course of his career.
When I think of Louis C.K., I’m reminded not only of his amazing abilities as a stand-up comedian, but also his work as a writer for Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and as head writer of the short-lived, but pretty amazing, The Dana Carvey Show. So, yes, my expectations were higher than normal, but this episode didn’t even come close to meeting my normal expectations for an episode of SNL.
Cold Open: Summertime
I know I keep bringing this up, but President Obama (Jay Pharoah) hasn’t made an appearance since the Dwayne Johnson episode in late March, and that was a “The Rock Obama” sketch which meant that Pharoah had limited screen time. At this point Pharoah could leave SNL, and it wouldn’t make much of a difference because the writers seem almost afraid to try and write an Obama sketch.
It will be interesting to see how many sketches center around Obama or Hillary Clinton between now and the election in 2016. On one side, you have the sitting President, but on the other, you have a woman who has been a part of the American mindset for almost 25 years. I’m not sure SNL will be accused of being to nice to Clinton like they were to Obama in 2008, but we’ll definitely be seeing a lot of Kate McKinnon over the next 18 months.
Best Sketch: Bruce and Louie
The best sketch of the night didn’t actually air on Saturday night, but was posted Sunday afternoon as a digital exclusive to YouTube. The latest Bruce Chandling (Kyle Mooney) sketch has the New York comedian accusing Louis C.K. of stealing his act, and it’s another sad, but funny, sketch from Mooney.
Mooney has had a few sketches cut this season, and each of them could have been one of the better sketches to air that night. On this particular night, this sketch was better than all eight that aired, but somehow viewers got a sketch involving sexually deviant elves and the second appearance of Gene and his wife. I’ll never understand the process, and I’m sure many writers and cast members don’t either.
Best Sketch (To Air): Wood PSAs
The shortest sketches to air were also the funniest, even if they didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Props to the person who decided that Beck Bennett should be blurry while singing the “jingle” during the second PSA.
Second Best Sketch: Police Line-Up
My wife and I once lived in an apartment below an actor, and she would vacuum her apartment at the strangest hours, but she would also read monologues and scripts very loudly on her porch. I once heard her read something with a not-so-great British accent several different ways, and this sketch reminds of her.
Weekend Update Moment: Pete Davidson
We started the season with Pete Davidson in this spot, and we’ll end it with Davidson as well. The youngest cast member turned 21 this year, and he reflects on growing up, and wonders just how he got his current gig at SNL. Here’s hoping that Davidson returns next season because even if he doesn’t know why he is on SNL, it’s clear the guy has talent, and unlike last season’s castaways — John Milhiser, Noel Wells, and Brooks Wheelan — Davidson seems very comfortable in front of the camera.
Other Notes:
Here’s hoping they keep calling Bill Clinton “Billary Rodham Clinton” at least until the election is over.
Rihanna has always had interesting performances on SNL, and she didn’t disappoint with her performances of “Bitch Better Have My Money” and “American Oxygen.” Even if she was accused of lip-synching by the Twitterverse.
Former cast member Chris Kattan tweeted this out in reference to the “Sprint” sketch from Saturday night:
I wrote a sketch similar to a #LouisCK sketch on #SNL40Finale when I did African-American voice they said ‘too offensive.’ Now I’m confused
— Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) May 17, 2015
Maybe someone found Kattan’s notes from 15 years ago?
Saturday Night Live will return for its 41st season this fall, and make sure you check back here for a season 40 recap on Thursday.
