As our usual Saturday Night Live recapper Jeremy Klumpp wrote two weeks ago, SNL seems to be getting better with each subsequent show this season. That trend continued with the latest show. I’d argue there wasn’t a weak show in the bunch, though some were obviously stronger than others. Even the final half-hour of the show, typically a graveyard, had some amusing material.
We knew James Franco could bring the funny as host. He was at Studio 8H to promote his new movie, The Interview. Franco still does plenty of dramatic work as an actor, but he’s best known for his comedies. And going to grad school at, like, five different institutions. The only question was how he’d do reading off cue cards in front of a live audience, compared to riffing with the Judd Apatow crew.
Cold Open: Politics Nation with Al Sharpton
We’ve talked plenty about how much SNL will miss Kenan Thompson after this season, right? We probably haven’t talked about that enough. Sharpton’s MSNBC show is ripe for parody because he’s so different from the network’s other polished talking heads. Cracking jokes about the terribly thin Sharpton putting on 100 pounds to match Thompson’s plumper size, his frequent verbal flubs and interrupting guests were all too easy, but had to be made.
http://youtu.be/iS0DUxBMSdE
Best Sketch: Jeremy’s Brain
How often is the best sketch on during the last third of the show? NBC apparently doesn’t share my opinion because a clip of this one isn’t available on the SNL site or Hulu, but to me, this is when SNL is at its best. The premise is simple — a guy needs to clear room in his brain for a password — but allows for a whole bunch of random jokes and impressions from the cast, like Bryant as the word rhombus. Not the shape, just the word. And Jay Pharoah as the Fresh Prince.
Second-Best Sketch: Peter Pan Live!
NBC’s musical broadcast of Peter Pan Live! was another easy target, but the writers and performers nailed everything weird and bad about the program. And isn’t it always fun when SNL makes fun of the network? Cecily Strong’s jokes about being a woman playing a boy were a bit too on-the-nose, but Aidy Bryant as Tonkerbell was good for a few laughs. The standout was James Franco as Christopher Walken’s Captain Hook. Franco emulated Walken’s cadence well, along with his terrible singing.
Weekend Update Moment: Leslie Jones on 420Singles
“Relationship expert” Jones riffing on talking to Harriet Tubman while high on mushrooms (“Crazy white people drugs!”) was funny enough. “Have you ever been called a bitch by Harriet Tubman?” But Colin Jost is never better than when playing straight man to Jones. Or should that be playing her refreshing peppermint patty? “LEMME BE THE CHOCOLATE ON YER PATTY!” The chemistry is scorching.
Standout Performer: Taran Killam
Not only was Killam great as Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes, singing “I Want You” in the “Jeremy’s Brain” skit, but he captured Eminem’s mad energy and simmering rage in “Jingle Ballerz Special.” Killam also shined playing a cranky, decrepit Harrison Ford as an older Han Solo in the digital short spoofing the Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser. Just the usual fine job from SNL‘s current star cast member.
Other Notes:
Nicki Minaj was more than the musical guest. She appeared in three sketches, playing Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and herself. Minaj was probably best as herself, but the other parts gave her a chance to poke fun at her own image.
As if you didn’t know Franco was hosting to promote The Interview, co-star Seth Rogen popped up during the opening monologue and the final skit of the evening to hammer the point home. (Franco stopped by last season when Rogan hosted.)
It was a little awkward at the beginning of “Weekend Update” as Jost and Michael Che tried to find the slightest bit of humor in the Eric Garner story. Pointing out the absurdity of the situation was as funny as they could get.
Saturday Night Live returns next week (Dec. 13) with host Martin Freeman and musical guest Charli XCX.
