Okay, here’s my review. I can’t exactly pinpoint what made
this such an enjoyable episode, but it was greater than the sum of its parts.
Everything that sounded like it shouldn’t have worked on paper actually worked more
than it had any right to. On the surface, Ryan Gosling seemed like another in a
long string of recent bland, forgettable Hollywood pretty boy actor hosts but
as the show went on it became more obvious that he really gelled well with the
whole cast all week (well, the whole female
cast, anyway) and allowed everyone to bring the best performances out of each
other. I would say bringing this cast together in that way was really the only thing
he contributed to this show. It was almost enough to make you forget just how unbalanced
the male cast was in terms of airtime. Anyway, let’s get right to it.
A Christmas Message From Donald And Melania Trump - The cold
open was pretty mediocre and Tarans’ Trump seems to be getting worse, but still
better than the Trump open from the season premiere. I did like the
naughty/nice list concept and the “send me your names/banged a seven Hillary
Clinton” lines and how they kept this shorter than the last one. C+
Monologue – This was too long but the Mike Meyers cameo was
its saving grace. I did like how Ryan tried to poke fun at himself and broke
the fourth wall but he seemed visibly nervous and just a little out of his
comfort zone. He didn't exactly fill me with confidence that he would be a
great host and the musical number was a bit gratuitous. Still, thankfully Mike
Meyers was there to inject a little charisma into it. This was definitely
better than the last shows' monologue. B+
Settl - This ad was a decent premise on paper and the cast
did fine with it. The date between Kyle and Leslie was good but other than that
something was lacking in execution. B-
Close Encounters - This sketch was worth watching just for
Kate. Her character was a little one not but the sheer strangeness of her
performance made me chuckle. I didn't even mind the blatant breaking from the
cast because for once it seemed like it added something to the sketch
especially since it's been such a rare sight since Fallon/Sanz and
Hader/Armisen left the cast. C+
Santa Baby - At first glance, this sketch was something else
that ran too long and meandered with little to no structure. On second glance,
I discovered that Ryan and Vanessas’ intensity and commitment really made this.
Still, the payoff was satisfying enough. I like Becks' exasperated reactions as
Santa as well as the "real" Santa peering in through the window was
funny. B-
Birthday Party - I never expected them to rehash the dad
sketch from Drakes' episode but this was much better shockingly due to several
of Aidy's lines (such as the ones about bathing, ringworm and carseats) and her
Farleyesque tumble over the table at the end. Again, I didn't even mind Gosling
visibly breaking because it seems to be the only non-dull as dishwasher thing
he had done in this whole sketch. C+
Update was good tonight. I did love most of the jokes from
Jost and Che. I especially loved "ISIS Cosby" and Ches' slams at Kobe
and Kylie Jenner. The commentary on gun control/defunding planned parenthood
wasn’t their best rant as a duo this season but it still worked and was poignant
and funny like their other rants this season regardless. Even though Cecily's
commentary seemed to (consciously or not) be a straight up rip off of a Kristen
Wiig piece circa 2011, I enjoyed it on a strictly male level (WAY more so than
the Wiig piece she lifted this from) and I also laughed out loud at the shot of
Che rocking headphones and the popsicle jar. I thought Anthony Crispino should've
stayed in mothballs but for some reason, I enjoyed seeing him interact with
Colin Jost and Ryan Gosling more than an overly enthusiastic Seth. I also
enjoyed the “slippery Gary” line and the Charlie Sheen/Adele/Star Wars Jabs. B-
Hometown Bar - This sketch was quite oddly structured but
Kyles' bar trash Emo Phillips character made me laugh (especially when he took
his shirt off) and Gosling song and dance talents (no doubt left over from his
Mikey Mouse Club days) really added to this sketch as they countered Kyles
character well. B-
Nespresso – This ad was well pulled off. It did seem a
little too strange at first until I realized that the point was to highlight
the sheer strangeness of the original ad this was parodying (which I have seen
just barely enough times to be familiar with) I was expecting Gosling to play
Clooney, but as I should've expected, Taran pulled it off quite well (and with
barely any lines I might add) and Bobbys' Debit was finally utilized to its
full comedic potential here. B+
The Wiz Live: Cut For Time - I was expecting SNL to do
something on The Wiz Live (which from what I've heard was shockingly good) and
I have to say this was much stronger than the previous two live NBC musical
parodies they did the past two Decembers. Kudos to the makeup team as it must
have taken me a full minute to realize Che was the scarecrow and Pharroh was
the tin man. Kenan also channeled David Alan Grier quite well but I couldn't
help but wonder who else would be better in the Ray Bolger scarecrow role than
Ryan Gosling. Still, it was Gosling most committed performance of the night. B-
Santa’s Workshop - I never thought they would (or should
have) recurred the BDSM elves from the Louis CK finale last season but I
suppose it does make more sense to do this sketch at Christmas and place it in
a Santas' workshop setting. Still, Aidy and Ryan didn't add much. C-
Now, for my update rankings for this season…
1. Tracy Morgan/Demi Lovato
2. Elizabeth Banks/Disclosure
3. Ryan Gosling/Leon Bridges
4. Donald Trump/Sia
5. Miley Cyrus
6. Matthew McConaughey/Adele
7. Amy Schumer/The Weeknd
Well, they really came back strong from Thanksgiving break. Next
week, Chris Hemsworth returns to host and given how his episode from last
season turned out, I could not be less excited. Still, this season has made
some great improvements over the previous season so maybe it will turn out
better. Who knows? I think it all depends more on the writing than Chris’
ability as a host. See you guys then!
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