Maya Rudolph/Jack Harlow (3.27.2021)

Okay, here's my review. This show was a strange way to come back from another lengthy break but it really was a testament to the strengths of this current cast (and Maya as a central figure in the shows history) even if the mostly dead audience didn't always reflect that and even if the show seemed written in a way to play towards some of Mayas' weaknesses. Kudos to Andrew and Lauren for getting to get their faces out there a but more. Anyway, let’s get right to it.

Snatched, Vaxxed or Waxed? - It's nice to see Maya front and center in the cold open but this was NOT the role I expected her in (nor the biggest applause break I expected her to get). Still, I loved her energy in this. The sheer charm of Maya and the current up and coming female cast in this really helped me take my mind of how utterly incoherent and rushed this was. That and the reveal of Becks' character as a cop (which was the only thing I even registered as a joke in this) were what made this sketch for me. I also liked whatever Melissa was doing even if I didn't totally understand what it was at first. Mostly, I was left wondering what made them go with THIS as the cold open besides the fact that it was a much more appropriate length for one (we'll get to what was reportedly this episodes' dress rehearsal cold open later). Thankfully, the energy level of this kept it more entertaining than the last lackluster vaccination themed cold open they did. C-

Monologue - This was a much more endearing way to start the show off in the right foot. Even better, it was a great way to get the new cast some airtime. After that cold open (and finding out how much younger Andrew Dismukes is than me), it was nice to see the more low-key absurdist, mellow Maya of recent years (even if she mostly just described the plot to The Breakfast Club Lorenzo McIntosh-style as if she were in it which I imagine Kenan must've at least had mixed feelings about). Most of all, I was glad to see that "sweater/leather weather" line was the only Bronx Beat callback we would get all night. I guess Amy, Bill AND Andy are all done with the show for good at this point, huh? B+

Hot Ones - Since I saw the Instagram post of this being rehearsed on Friday, I had a feeling that Beyoncé might be the impersonation that Maya utilized for this and that it would mostly be something that plays off Queen Beys' unflappable image and general air of mystery. While I was pleased to see how accurately I could predict something, I was a little disappointed to see how overlong this was on first viewing  due to how they had to stretch such as basic premise. Still, it grows on you the second time and I liked this more animated performance of Mayas' Beyoncé than what she used to put on. Props to the hair and makeup team on this one, too. The assists from Mikey, Kenan, Ego and Alex were welcome. B+

Boomers Got The Vax - Hmm, South Park already did this basic joke but SNL turned it into a "Mo Money, Mo Problems" pastiche. I'll admit, it's a fun juxtaposition to have boomers perform the least boomer friendly music genre ever but even I have to admit that it's time boomer humor in general should be put out to pasture. Still, it's great to see Ego now has a legit recurring non-impression character in Edith Puthie. She and The Nororious K.E.N.A.N. really saved this for me. C+

A Kamala Harris Unity Seder - I feel like I spoke too soon about sketches featuring Mayas' most popular impressions being too long. I mean, at least Hot Ones had the focus that this seriously lacked but this one had plenty of things going for it too. As much as outside cameos in political roles feels like something the show should've left in 2017 (along with things like Aidy as Ted Cruz who felt as forced as ever here despite Cruzs' border stunt bring in the news but at least was once again couched in between stronger political impressions) Martin Short is always a welcome presence on SNL no matter who he is playing. I do like that the show managed to find a non-take take on Kamalas' husband, Doug Emhoff. Chloe had a strong presence even if her characterization of Kamalas' stepdaughter, Ella's Emhoff didn't do a whole lot for me (I did appreciate the Easter egg (no pun intended) of her walk-on/walk-off music being the theme song from Mayas' old Donatella sketches which I always seemed to find easier to take than most SNL fans) and frankly I think that speaks well to Chloe Finemans' skills as a performer. Speaking of which, kudos to Cecily for making her Marjorie Taylor Greene both effortlessly funny and as dangerously unstable as the real deal! Kenan performed his part well even if he too seemed a little tacked on. Last but not least, it's nice to see they're actually sticking with Alex Moffat as Biden at least through his first presidential term. He has a better handle on Biden than Carrey ever did and the dummy Major attack was fun, timing issues and all. Mayas' Kamala is still solid but it seems better as part of a single standalone sketch in the show with a different host because in a full Maya-hosted episode where she plays various other over the top characters it just seemed more like Maya as herself but in a longer wig and a blazer. As for this sketchs' rather surprising placement in the show, I actually see why this was moved down from being the cold open despite them not really giving it a proper ending. It didn't have the right amount of energy to lead off the entire show compared to the game show sketch they went with but now that I think about it, maybe Hot Ones would've made for a better cold open? At least SNL is still figuring out how to operate with this weeks' obligatory long, dry political sketches being in the middle of the show rather than right at the top of it. C+

Without NFTs - Even though it's the second early Eminem parody Pete has given us this season alone (at least "Without Me" has been quite as beaten into the ground by the internet as "Stan" has so this felt that much fresher), I was able to enjoy this for the sheer silliness that he, Kate McKinnon as Carl Sagan as Janet Yellen, Kyle and (especially) Chris bought to this. Jack Harlow dovetailed well with this so kudos to whoever predicted he would do something with Pete. I do like how he explained what Non Fungible Tokens actually are better than Chris did (whose verse my only takeaway from was "any random Photoshopped GIF could be one and they are worth ridiculous sums of money for what they are"). B+

Update made a strong return. Jost and Che were really on a roll. I liked the idea of Jost basically pulling a huge bait-and-switch on conservative media critics who think the shows' not going nearly hard enough on Biden (but I didn't like him just telling that Sesame Street joke like he hadn't already been WAY beaten to the punch on Twitter). Cecilys' characterization of Sidney Powell was really funny. Nice to see her use her underutilized talent for mugging for once. Still, I feel like this was a real missed opportunity for the return of Nathan Thurm what with Short in the building and all. I was very pleased to see that not only did they give Bowen the chance to do an Update commentary as himself but they let him address a serious, pressing issue that deeply affects him personally. He also balanced his jokes and sincere appeal to humanity well. B+

Choreographer Clashes - This gave off the biggest "unused 04-05 script" vibes to me out of anything that aired tonight. It was a little repetitive and one note and it played to Mayas' more grating tendencies as a performer but at least it had a clear and concise conclusion which a lot of other sketches lacked. C-

2021 Barfly Awards - It was nice to see a sketch that finally felt intentionally sloppy tonight. I'm usually not the biggest fan of these specialized awards show sketches the show does from time to time but this really picked up with Laurens' botched caption and the "most bummer detail" award and the appearance of Mikeys' character. I guess it's appropriate to have Mayas' character Sweep whatever this was. The ending felt a little rushed though. C+

The Maya-ning - I like the idea of a very Inside Baseball parody pretape for longtime fans of the show. Although it almost lost me in the middle, it was very well executed. The only thing that bugged me about it was why Tina and Kenan didn't just play themselves like Rachel Dratch did instead of a fictional former writer and a fictional former crew member (and why Andrew played himself as a page rather than having a non-castmember as a page) but they had good material. Even the most vocal critics of Kristen Wiigs' "Gilly" character have to admit she works as the Shinings' two creepy hallway twins (that's probably how Gilly is best remembered anyway). The random Sum-41 shoutout made me laugh and I know Maya caught some flak for a 2012 bumper that showed her photoshopped in with the 70s cast but I guess it is appropriate THIS time given the parody subject. I liked this more than I expected to for something that seemed mostly tossed together as fan service for those who were expecting former cast cameos from Mayas' era. B-

Now, for my updated rankings for this season…

1. Timothee Chalamet/Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (12.12.2020)
2. Regé-Jean Page/Bad Bunny (2.20.2021)
3. Issa Rae/Justin Beiber (10.17.20)
4. John Mulaney/The Strokes (10.31.20)
5. Kristen Wiig/Dua Lipa (12.19.2020)
6. Dave Chappelle/Foo Fighters (11.7.2020)
7. Regina King/Nathaniel Rateliff (2.13.2021)
8. Maya Rudolph/Jack Harlow (3.27.2021)
9. Dan Levy/Phoebe Bridgers (2.6.2021)
10. Nick Jonas (2.27.2021)
11. John Krasinski/Machine Gun Kelly (1.30.2021)
12. Chris Rock/Megan Thee Stallion (10.3.20)
13. Adele/H.E.R. (10.24.20)
14. Jason Bateman/Morgan Wallen (12.5.20)
15. Bill Burr/Jack White (10.10.20)

Well, that defied about 75% the expectations I had for this show (the other 25% of my expectations were just what Maya would be doing which were definitely met). Next week, Daniel Kaluuya makes his hosting debut. After having seen him in Get Out I'm definitely excited to see what he cam bring to the field of sketch comedy! Overall, I'm impressed with the caliber of hosts SNL got for April! See you soon!