Woohoo! The first former SNL cast member to host this season! The promos were cool and fun! They played nicely with him being just down the hall.
As for the show, it was surprising to see a lot of the same motifs playing through from the start of the season: continually bashing Kanye West, more Kavanaugh jokes, and another sexual harassment sketch (but it’s okay because women were doing the harassment).
They also had more sketches that introduce characters that don’t really interact with anyone. These being the “special screening” and “Louisiana” sketches. I call these “Heya, I’m a recently divorced chicken that likes to wear tight pants and rub spaghetti all over my body, wanna makeout with my beakface? Bawk bawk bawk bawk” sketches. Basically where the characters are introduced, say something, anything really, and move onto the next until the sketch awkwardly ends. My problem with these is that all of the production work that goes into these doesn’t kinda seem worth it. Or, it does because that’s the part I find the most interesting. Those costume designers and makeup artists and such really put in the work to make these people look good. The jokes? Usually don’t work. They get a one or two throwaway lines because there isn’t much to build off of or interact with.
The episode had a number of recurring ideas and themes within itself as well. Seth Meyers stayed at a consistent level of himself. Most of his characters were “What am I doing here? Is this really happening?” guys. I think he pushed himself out nicely with the “beta max” commercial. My favorite part again, being the costuming. It was fun to see Seth as both a bald guy with a goatee, filled with machismo as well as paunchy, meek husband.
Seth Meyers reprises his Weekend Update “Really!?! segment! Cool.
A number of sketches (dinner sketch, Marriott, thirsty sisters, and Cosby) had him or the cast being negative, saying “no” repetitively which stunted the progress of the sketches. Where do you go from no? Usually forced action requiring someone to do a lot of heavy lifting. With an improv background, what happened to “yes and?”
The “Cosby” sketch had the best premise although I wish they held onto this idea and fleshed it out more… but meeting Cosby in jail? Nice!
And I’m gullible. Rhythmic, dance beats, and music? You got me. The “Trees” rap was fun. The Pete Davidson weed interruption and saying Al Gore over and over again was awkward and really messed with the jam but luckily they went back to the good stuff: trees.
Michael Che vs Colin Jost: this was a weak week but if I had to choose, it’d be Colin Jost for “…Amazon also sells their lowest rating products at a place called- Radioshack.” (current tab: Michael – 1, Colin – 2)
Other Good Points:
- This show had more sketches than the last two episodes. Nice!
- There wasn’t as much cast disparity in this episode. Nice!
- Two black women heavily featured in a sketch? Nice!
- Heidi Gardner continues to show her talent and range (actress in Screening Room and Weekend Update Goop Girl). Nice!
Life in the Jon 