Strange star hosts for the second time, with musical guest Arcade Fire.
Hello lowly Conehead nation.
As I noted on Twitter, Dan was always a thoughtful and generous person with me.
Benedict Cumberbatch hosts ‘SNL’.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
A rare, brave soul.
Despite his brief time onSNL,Lorne Michaelsmentored him on several projects, includingasitcomand the infamousNew Show).
Tonight’s host isThe Power of the Dog’sBenedict Cumberbatch, who is here peddling theSam RaimiMCU movie.
I can assume we will get at least one Marvel cameo during this episode.
This is Cumberbatch’ssecond time hosting and an interesting choice, given Mother’s Day is this weekend.
I am joined by formerSNLcast member, Mr. Patrick Weathers.
Let’s dance, shall we?
We head to that important conversation back in London.
Host Benedict Cumberbatch features here, which is always noteworthy.
(Drew Barrymorepointed out the rarity during her recentFly on the Wallpodcastepisode.)
The point being: you’re free to’t base modern laws on centuries old thinking, obviously.
This cold open still has that easy “character enters from stage left” crutch going on.
Still, this is a fraught, deeply sensitive issue and it deserves attention.
Does this meet the moment?
More preaching to the choir?
Monologue
Cumberbatch comes out the writers have only pitched him sketches about Dr.
He asserts he’s been in other films; Lorne told him no one sawThe Power of the Dog.
(Which isn’t true, not sure why comedians keep saying that?)
Weathers doesn’t go in for the comic book genre too much.
“I was beat byWill Smith,” is a funny quip, and it gets a good laugh.
Cumberbatch makes a nice tribute to his mother and wife.
It’s a simple and heartwarming monologue.
Mother’s Day Gifts
Aidy Bryantis a mom opening gifts from her husband and children.
They are giving her several home decor tchotchkes and signs.
They are increasingly crude and insulting.
“These are getting pretty specific and personal,” she says worriedly.
We have seen this premise with Bryant a few times.
Here’sthe birthday gifts onefrom last year.
(Speaking of: Happy birthday.
“We suspect dad has a secret family” one helluva of a zinger to end on.
These have a good energy and are witty.
Just wish we wouldn’t reuse premise gimmicks like this.
Do more (non-Trump) world building!
Blue Bunny
Mikey Dayand a flirtyEgo Nwodimare leading a focus group it’s one of those.
The group of participants includesKenan Thompson,Heidi Gardner,Melissa Villasenorand Cumberbatch.
Cumberbatch and Gardner are “tasting memories of the Dust Bowl… and generations of women.”
They are lost in their own thoughts, as they give their feedback on the flavors they’re tasting.
It’s dramatic and goofy so perfect for Gardner’s skillset.
She wants to “nap” with Mutten’s hurt.
“Got it, it tastes like a widower in pain,” notes Nwodim.
Just Like You
Strong is grounding her daughter (Chloe Fineman) for coming home drunk.
We see her lose her virginity (twice), and get a tattoo.
The grandma (McKinnon) enters and see her throwing her panties atDavid Bowieback in the ’60s.
I yield.).
Chain Gang
It’s a scene out ofCool Hand LukeorThe Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains.
Hot, sweaty manual labor.
Cumberbatch confides he snitches to the warden for special treatment.
And he sleeps with the warden’s wife (Gardner), another confession that slips out in song.
Fun to see Day channel formerSNLhost Strother Martin.
This is a bit of a corny folk rock diddy, probably the weakest track on their new album.
Weathers calls Arcade Fire “a good choice.
Weekend Update
The crowd welcomes our heroes, Jost & Che.
Jost starts off the segment addressing Mother’s Day.
“Do your nine,” she rations.
“Arby’s: we have the babies!”
His sister Amelia (Strong) faints several times, missing the “Fainting Couch” in the process.
Each time, she nails the butler Henry (Day), ruining tea.
Another standout role for Strong she gets to trash the set.
At the sight of blood, her husband (Cumberbatch) gets delirious, spilling hot soup.
Turns out both families are prone to such fits as the result of inbreeding.
New Toilet
Day is instructing his miserable, obedient class about the conventions of using the toilet.
“No slouching!”
Cumberbatch appears as a kind of slick, British John Keating he’s there to changeeverything.
“The ReKline” is the latest innovation in enjoying going to the bathroom.
The liberated class erupts, freedom reigns.
Chuck E. Cheese
A young family is waiting for the iconic animatronic performance.
It’s weird, and the music slaps.
Dieter would be proud.
(And Aristotle Athari gets a brief role, so you have to champion that.)
“We’re all that carrot,” deadpans Cumberbatch.
It’s one of the new singles offWe, the band’s latest studio album.
The Understudy
Fineman is the show’s understudy when a cast member gets sick.
This is great for Fineman, and I generally like the behind-the-scenes material.
Little flimsy or random, since with a large cast these personalities aren’t super developed.
