The reality star is joined by Halsey as the musical guest.
Tonight’s host isKim Kardashian.
Since then, much has happened with Kim’s father being namedropped during the show’s O.J.
Kim Kardashian West hosts ‘SNL.’.
So tonight is a culmination of sorts.
The big question: Does her estranged (?)
husbandKanye Westa favorite at Studio 8H make an appearance?
He is open to the idea of reality TV stars being successful at live sketch comedy.
The story coming out of last week’s season premiere was James Austin Johnson’s strong debut.
Tonight is musical guestHalsey’s fourth appearance on the show; they previously hosted in 2019.
Let’s get this thing started.
Cold Open
cracks knuckles Alright!
“C-Span on a Saturday night… Today, it’s the Facebook whistleblower hearing.
Frances Haugen (portrayed byHeidi Gardner) is in the hot heat.
Cecily Strongbrings back her solid take on Senator Feinstein, whileKyle Mooneyis Senator Kennedy.
“Should we do a Squid Jam?”
And Aidy Bryant is again Ted Cruzwe have seen this before.
He is concerned with toxicity online and groups like “Ted Cruz is the real Zodiac killer” proliferating.
Instead of Kate McKinnon as Lindsey Graham, James Austin Johnson gets to play the South Carolina Senator.
He and Cory Booker (Chris Redd) are perhaps closeted.
They all wonder about memes they’re finding in their feed.
This feels likeMikey Day’s work, the cast reciting silly things off the Internet.
That’s kind of all we get here.
A more benign social media mogul from a simpler time.
The crowd screams when Pete appears.
This was another good showcase for James Austin Johnson, folks.
Especially stepping in for Kate’s grotesque take.
Jeff Richards thinks Johnson is great: He’s a “well-oiled, highly functioning machine.
Can’t wait to see all that is in his future.”
Opening Monologue
Kim comes out on stage draped in pink velvet from head-to-toe.
“I know, I’m surprised to see me here too.”
“I credit with him for really opening my eyes to racial injustice.
It’s because of him that I met my first Black person.
Want to take a stab in the dark at who it was?”
Some savage puns about O.J.
Simpson here, who was her dad’s client (and also hosted the show in the ’70s).
“I know it’s sort of weird to remember the first Black person you met, but O.J.
does leave a mark or several or none at all.
I still don’t know.”
I mean, somehow she just knew.
I don’t know how she saw that one coming and not Caitlyn.”
I love the mean blows here.
Her timing is solid, for the most part.
Jasmine and Aladdin
Kim is playing Jasmine opposite Pete Davidson’s white-yet-Middle Eastern Aladdin.
They are flying together on the magic carpet when Aladdin says he needs to tell her something.
“What’s the matter?”
Davidson notes that Jasmine isn’t being very nice.
“I think street rat might be a slur.”
Actually, Aladdin is concerned that, physically, he won’t be able to handle her.
“If we go all the way, you might break me,” he says.
Finally, Genie (Bowen Yang) is summoned, and Aladdin’s wish is for a bigger penis.
His wish is granted.
“That is better,” smirks Jasmine.
“Even though it’s the wrong color.”
They’re out for themselvesa night without their men or kids.
Of course, they immediately fall asleep.
They’re too old for this stuff!
This sketch is fun.
I like Ego paying Aristotle Anthari for his shoes.
(Jeff Richards adds that Anthari “has a great ear.
Really funny guy.")
Kim is not much of a rapper, ha.
They includeJohn Cena, Blake Griffin,Chace Crawford(shout-outGossip Girl), andChris Rock.
Lots of celeb cameos hereAmy Schumerrolls in too.
Always nice to see Rock.
Zeke (Kyle Mooney) is in the final two along with Cena.
She has one token left.
This is like the Chippendales sketchChris Farley versus Patrick Swayze.
“This is CWAP!”
cries Zeke when he is passed over, falling into a pit of flames.
The Switch
Aidy Bryant is hanging out with Kim, when she begins to cry.
The reality star wants Aidy’s “normal, boring day.”
Aidy and Kim get to impersonate each other.
Some fun cameos here, including Kris Jenner and Kim’s sisterKhloe Kardashian.
Pretty funny payoff at the endwhen Aidy and Kris trade places.
They throw to Shonda (Kim) who draws the Powerball Lotto winning numbers: 379… J!
The anchors are understandably confused.
Fortunately, a repairman (Aristotle Athari) shows up to fix the lottery tubes.
Lots of silent appearances by Aristotle tonight.
It’s a pretty powerful jamproduced by Nine Inch Nails members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
you’re free to hear their industrial sound off the bat.
So it’s a standard Update.
Terry Fink (Alex Moffat) returns to discuss this season’s crop of movies.
He’s microdosing LSD to see every movie out there.
His face melts watching things likePaw Patrol.
This might be my favorite Update film critic correspondent since Bill Murray.
I like his uneasy tension with Jost, something interesting there.
He gives theVenomsequel “22 toothless Terrys.”
Heidi Gardner is Kelly Party, a life coach.
Gardner always kills it on Updatethis character is reminiscent of some classic Cheri Oteri.
Her favorite song/anthem is Icona Pop’s “I Love It” (feat.
She plays it repeatedly.
And a truly nice person off camera.”
The People’s Kourt
Kim is portraying her sister, Judge Kourtney Kardashian.
Her sister and mom return for this sketch, whileMelissa Villasenorplays Kylie.
Lots of shade being thrown.
Mikey Day is Kourtney’s boyfriend Travis Barker, and Pete Davidson is his friend MGK.
So cast members pop up for one-off impressions.
Remember theTrump People’s Court?
Or whenthe Devil(Jon Lovitz) visited the People’s Court?
This… is not as good as those.
JCPenney Hard Seltzer
This is excellent.
Everything has a hard seltzer brand now, including the desks atSNL.
Halsey performs ‘Darling’ featuring Lindsey Buckingham
The actualLindsey Buckinghamjoins Halsey!
We all recall Bill Hader’s famed impression of him on “What Up With That?”
But Buckingham also performed on the show back in 1982, and made a cameo in 2011.
Anyway, I am loving this poignant acoustic ode to Halsey’s baby.
Skims Shapewear
Kim is peddling Skims for thick dogsno more plastic surgery for your pets.
Lots of dogs here.
Oh man, animal humor.
Heidi Gardner gets a lick.
Sarah Sherman pops up, a little too normie for my taste.
Final Thoughts
Color me impressed.
Kim is a bit bland, but she handled herself well for the most part!
Not sure all the cameos were needed.
What did you think?
Sound off below orvote here.
Thank you again to Jeff Richards.
Check out the latestepisodesof his podcast,The Jeff Richards Show!
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