Woody Harrelson likes weed. If you didn’t know that fact, you do now because of Harrelson’s monologue which had the actor singing about the first time he hosted in 1989. This time around, he was joined by his Hunger Games co-stars Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Jennifer Lawrence, who Harrelson thought was Taylor Swift. Because weed.
Saturday’s episode was a vast improvement over the dreadful Chris Rock-hosted episode from two weeks ago. It wouldn’t have taken much to accomplish this, and Harrelson really can’t take all the credit, but he more than held his own in a very consistent episode. No sketches so great you’ll be talking about them Monday morning at the water cooler, and no absolute bombs, but nine solid sketches.
Cold Open: Barack Obama & Mitch McConnell Drink Bourbon
I’ve written a couple times about the SNL writing staff’s inability to make fun of President Obama (Jay Pharoah). This cold open is one of the better SNL/Obama sketches, and it took the President getting drunk with future Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Taran Killam) to make it happen.
Between McConnell’s shock that Obama as a black man is President, and Obama’s crying because the Republicans are “so mean” to him, this cold open covered some the feelings from both sides of the aisle about President Obama, Republicans, and the country’s displeasure with both.
Best Sketch: A New Day
Of course with Harrelson hosting, there needed to be at least one pot sketch and it was a pretty good one. When a stoner (Pete Davidson) hears about New York City’s new marijuana law, he ventures outside and joins hundreds of other like-minded individuals enjoying their “freedom.” Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a Funyuns flag?
Second Best Sketch: The Dudleys
I’m going to change things up a bit this week because this really was a good episode. I thought about putting “Old New York” here as the worst sketch, but let’s reward SNL for putting together a solid show.
By using a fake CBS sitcom, SNL mocked those of us who voice our opinions via Twitter, and actually think it makes a difference. Look out for a cameo from Uzo Aduba from Orange is the New Black.
Weekend Update Moment: Colin Jost and Michael Che’s suits and ties.
A Twitter follower of Michael Che sent him this tweet Saturday night:
@CheThinks dude. Big fan. But same tie every week.
— Steve Leonard (@steezos) November 16, 2014
Not only has Che been wearing the same tie every week this season, but so has co-anchor Colin Jost, and they have both been wearing the same suit. Could this be some sort of social experiment similar to Australian TV host Karl Stefanovic’s? Or are Jost and Che just joking around and saving SNL some money on wardrobe? You can view screenshots from the end of every “Weekend Update” from this season here.
Standout Performer: Kate McKinnon
It’s pretty clear that this is now Taran Killam’s show. He appears in the most sketches and is consistently the funniest person on SNL each week. Outside of Kenan Thompson, who has been a cast member since 2003, the only other cast member who could stake a claim to being the star of SNL is the Emmy-nominated Kate McKinnon, but that star status fades with her lack of airtime each week.
This week McKinnon appeared in just three sketches, and one of those appearances was as pop singer Robyn, but only with her dancing and no lines. The final sketch of the night featured McKinnon for the fourth time as Sheila Sovage, a weird barfly who waits until last call to pick up the last guy in the bar. Once again, McKinnon knocked the sketch out of the park, and showed that she should be in far more sketches than she currently appears.
Other Notes:
Woody Harrelson has hosted SNL three times (1989, 1992, 2014). Each time he has picked up a guitar, and sang a song for his monologue.
Pete Davidson celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday and can now legally drink Schmitt’s Gay beer. Davidson wrote “A New Day” with SNL writer Mikey Day.
“All About That Bass,” that’s the one line Aidy Bryant had in this entire episode when she portrayed Meghan Trainor in the “Young Tarts & Old Farts” sketch.
Saturday Night Live returns this week with host Cameron Diaz and musical guests Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars.
