Okay, here’s my review. This episode was a fine palette cleanser
from Trump hosting in addition to other, more important world events lately.
Elizabeth Banks proved to be a fine host who meshed well with the cast and the
writers knew exactly when and where to user her. Her previous experience in
comedies such as “Zack And Miri Make A Porno” and “Role Models” served her well
here. The cast was still just as balanced as ever with the exception of Jon
Rudnitsky still getting nothing but several small bit roles. Anyway, let’s get
right to it.
Paris - This cold open was fitting and very tasteful. Cecily
spoke beautifully.
Monologue - This was nothing to write home about. Having the
host direct didn't do much to salvage another musical number but it really
picked up with the star wipes and green screen treadmill. I also loved the line
"more diverse dancers" and Bobby's appearance. C+
Aron's List – Pete, Bobby and Beck were pretty funny in
this. It was pretty clever for what it was. Otherwise, it felt like humor SNL
has done before. C+
Black Jeopardy II - I never expected them to make this
recurring but this was much better than the LCK 2014 installment. Elizabeth's
character really added something to this and Kenan, Jay and Sasheer were very
funny in it. I especially liked the ending as well as “long ass wire” being
included as a prize. C+
First Got Horny 2 U - This video was much funnier than I
expected it to be. Aidy and Vanessa were great in it and Taran's brief walk on
made the whole thing for me. I think shooting it in the style of a late '90s
boy band video really dovetailed well with the premise. B-
High School Theater III - I'm surprised they made three high
school theater productions but this was the best one. Kenan, Vanessa, Aidy and
Leslie had great lines and Elizabeth was a fine addition. B-
Update was really solid tonight. Virtually all of Jost and
Che's jokes landed. The Yale protest commentary really stood out even though
the gun control commentary was better. Pete's commentary was great and I loved
seeing Che react to Bruce Chandling as he reveals a more unsavory backstory. It
feels a little soon for Kate to bring back her Russian character (possibly
because it'd so similar to her CBB character) but she really sold it this time
even if some of her jokes felt a little telegraphed. B+
Young Ben Carson – This was brilliant. Jay pretty much
nailed the impression and the rest of the cast played well off of him. Leslie
as Mrs. Carson and Kenan as Black Jesus were great additions. This pretty much
proves that anyone but Kenan should be impersonating Carson. I also have to
wonder if this was going to be the cold open before they heard about what
happened in Paris. B-
The Bureau - This sketch was pretty well written and really
deviated from how one note and repetitive of a premise I was expecting from a walk
on sketch. Bobby, Jay and Elizabeth were great. I wonder if whoever wrote the
New Boyfriend talk show sketch from Jane Lynch’s’ show is still on staff
because they could've written this. The only thing that this sketch didn’t have
going for it was the glaring technical miscues. B+
Uber For Jen - This Mike O'Brien short felt like a real long
walk with a few missed opportunities but the payoff was ultimately satisfying. B-
So Ghetto - This sketch
seemed like the closest thing to an Anderlette sketch have all night but for
all we know it could've been a Sublette/Che or Sublette/Tucker collaboration.
It did feel like a much superior version of that intern sketch from Dakota
Johnsons' episode. Elizabeth Banks and Jay Pharaoh pretty much made the whole
thing for me (although it does remind me quite a bit of the Dave Chappelle's
projects/ghetto bit from "Killing Them Softly"). C+
Now, for my updated rankings of this season…
1. Tracy Morgan/Demi Lovato
2. Elizabeth Banks/Disclosure
3. Donald Trump/Sia
4. Miley Cyrus
5. Amy Schumer/The Weeknd
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