Buckle up as we recap the Tesla CEO’s turn as SNL host.
Here we go, on these unchartered waters.
Welcome, my dear Coneheads, to a Very SpecialSNLin Review.
saturday night live
And how you feel about that may say more about you than the show itself.
“Burnt my fingertips, man,” as Bo Diddley says to Dan Aykroyd inTrading Places.
And, sadly, the attention that’s been garnered almost certainly justifies all the controversy and hoopla.
Clicks don’t lie.
Was it really just about the clicks this whole time?
Just one guy’s opinion.
He adds: “He makes super cool cars.
If you have a problem with him just let one of the Tesla cars host.”
I think that settles it!
Cold Open
Then the parade of moms begins.
Kate McKinnon and her mom perform Mary Catherine Gallagher, which is a nice touch.
That sort of thing.
Some were hoping that tonight’s episode will have an outsized Miley presence.
She has become a darling to the show over the years.
The parent shots are amateurish and awkward, but fine for what they are.
He begins to share his version for the future.
“Musk is killing it.
I mean comedy,” says Richards.
“If I wasn’t a waiter I’d really be pissed.”
Musk’s mom appears on stage little stilted, as these things go.
I keep thinking about Philip Seymour Hoffman’s speech inAlmost Famous.
About the swill merchants and the “industry of cool” supplanting music’s soul.
And that cuts both ways here, right?
And it’s just such a boring trope.
Clearly having someone non-traditional stand on 8H’s stage is a net positive, somehow.
And yet, the disdain for the audience can’t be ignored either.
Gen Z Hospital
A soap opera spoof lots of bros and bestie talk.
Multicolored teens fret over their friend with their goofball, eye-crossing lingo.
Think the Californians sketch on acid.
Like, Musk is the doctor (“I stan you.")
and it’s not even the strangest thing here.
That’s been an ongoing issue, Kyle Mooney does it all the time.
“That urn is really iconic,” deadpans McKinnon.
Written by Michael Che and Gary Richardson, who collaborated together on Che’s new HBO show.
Post Quarantine Conversation
It’s every conversation with people you have not seen since the pandemic began.
McKinnon meets Beck Bennett at the party, and they have no idea who the other person is.
“Is she my cousin?”
asks Chris Redd, staring at Ego Nwodim, who he is trying to flirt with.
He attempts kissing her.
“Is this really a conversation?”
This mostly captures the banality of these conversations.
“Do I have brain damage?”
He is perfect for a premise like this.
Ooli Show
It’s Icelandic television, with Mikey Day channeling “Sprockets.”
Then Chloe Fineman appears as Ooli, another strange and specific performance.
“Pretty cool!”
McKinnon appears as the first guest, Frances McDormand.
A little funny, since Fineman has a very good McDormand that shejust did on Instagram, post-Oscars.
Pete Davidson pops up as Steve Buscemi, who co-starred with him inKing of Staten Islandlast year.
Is this why he has that ‘stache?
We wrap up with Melissa Villasenor, fresh off hosting the Independent Spirit Awards, displaying her Bjork.
Two cousin incest jokes in back-to-back sketches.
Hm ok.
New Detective Show
We have ourMare of Easttownspoof.
“With a very specific accent… very specific Whites, Pennsylvania Whites.”
This is pitch perfect, from the beer to the commentary on Kate Winslet’s ponytail.
Complete with a Gritty cameo.
And this follows their specificAmmonitetake from a few weeks back too!
Kate, they’re watching.
A lot of great lines in this one.
“This is where Joe Biden is from.
Very charming and pleasant.
I can see why this is an earworm.
Then he moves into some steady Trump jokes.
Nwodim plays Pauline, a weary mother in her darkest hour.
She has just returned from Disney World.
She is haggard, defeated.
“Sleeping Beauty: why is that hussy so tired?”
This is bleak and hilarious.
Musk comes out as Lloyd Ostertag, who explains cryptocurrency.
It’s an infomercial for Dogecoin but he can’t really explain it.
“What is it man?!”
“Oh, it’s a hustle,” he concludes.
And finally, ugh, the return of Baby Yoda.
He is screaming disturbing.
He is out to discuss his “cool fans” and the recent May the Fourth holiday.
He is swoll, getting into MMA.
Next month, he is planning to combat Baby Groot.
This is Kyle Mooney’s fourth appearance as Grogu.
No mas though I did enjoy him talking about his posse with Lightning McQueen.
Wario
Luigi (Mooney) is testifying at the trial for his brother’s murder.
This is a silly spoof of classic Nintendo, with Musk portraying Wario.
He seems to enjoy doing the dance.
In a shock, he is called to the stand.
It is Grimes as Princess Peach.
The audience does not seem to recognize her.
Wario blames the case against him on anti-Italian sentiment.
Pete Davidson reappears as Governor Cuomo (after a blown cue.)
I am surprised they keep spotlighting this impression but I kind of like it!
Sneaks up on you.
Chad on Mars
Oxygen is dropping fast on Mars.
But a hero emerges: Chad.
Elon Musk is asking him to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Miley Cyrus declares her love to him, and that she is pregnant obviously Chad is indifferent.
This is our first Chad appearance sinceAdele hosted in October.I assume they had killed the character off, honestly.
But here we are, on Mars.
you could do a lot worse with more, just ask Duane fromFull House.
Musk has a mid Seth MacFarlane energy, doesn’t he?
Miley Cyrus “Plastic Hearts”
I really lovedPlastic Hearts.
Not sure whether I should feel shame, but I unabashedly love Cyrus’ sultry, shimmering delivery.
She’s such a throwback crooner.
“Pull me in, but don’t you get too close,” she belts.
I have said it before - but this year’s musical performances have been stellar.
Then suddenly, inexplicably, WTF, (?)
she begins to sing.
God bless Cecily and her knack for song.Always.
Final Thoughts
-Well, it is over.
“After watching this episode I’m considering not buying a Tesla,” shares Richards.
-How would you rate this?Vote here, or weigh in below.
Musk seemed harmless, but I can’t say it was especially good or funny.
-Thank you to Jeff Richards for his thoughts tonight.Check outhis podcastASAP.
Who doesn’t love Cheri Oteri?
They didn’t ask me to.
That’s how much I love and still love baseball.”
(Side note: congratulations toJohn Means.)
