Welcome, fellow Coneheads!
Straight out of the box, welcome toSNL in Review!
Woody Harrelsonis an out-of-the-box and refreshing choice to kick off season 45.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Woody Harrelson” Episode 1768 — Pictured: (l-r) Musical guest Billie Eilish and host Woody Harrelson during promos in Studio 8H on September 26, 2019 — (Photo by: Rosalind O’Connor/NBC).Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
(He also hosted in 1992 and 2014.)
At 58, he is the oldest person to host anSNLseason premiere sinceAlec Baldwinkicked off season 37.
Minus Harrelson and Baldwin, the average age for anSNLseason premiere host this decade is 34.
Hitting you with the facts!
John Smoltz giving broadcast insights during the World Series, etc.
Cold Open
Naturally, we start with Baldwin-as-Trump.
Yes, the same Baldwin who hasrepeatedly said hes done with the role.
Its like the MCU but, ya know, awful.
The whole sketch can be summed up by Liev Schriebers unenthused LFNY.
And away we go!
(Side note: You mean Jesus, sir?Beck Bennetttruly is the shows unsung player.
And as predictable as it was forSNLto reintroduce Yang as Kim Jong Un.
And Chris Redds Kanye stays incredible.
The tenor of the season and how new cast members will be received is sort of established.
However, that sort of sets the tone for weeks to come.
There was no special preparation, just a special exhilaration.
Monologue
We see here: Harrelson, the seasoned pro.
Hes in his element here, gamely putting his foot in his mouth.
Is this some meta-commentary on the shows touchy fans (and critics?)
getting riled up over Gillis?
The way he cautions viewers to keep watching as if they may be offended was clever and wry.
Love problematic dad humor.
(Idol was also famously impersonated by Sting during one of Phil Hartmans classic Sinatra Group sketches.)
That doesnt mean they have to be funny or even good: just committed.
That is the magic ofSNL, putting big stars into unconventional situations.
Baldwin aside, the show had resisted its instincts to include celebrities as political figures.
That changes here.Larry Davidis back as Bernie Sanders.
Harrelson is Joe Biden notably not Jason Sudeikis.
Id love to count the airtimeSNLgives Rudolph here.
Its a warm, but not entirely fawning portrayal of a candidate who has slipped amidst charges of inauthenticity.
In other words, theres some nuance here.
My real question: is Ego Nwodim wondering why she wasnt given a shot to impersonate Harris?
Love Colin Josts blink-and-youll-miss-him cameo as Mayor Pete.
Meanwhile, I wishnew cast member Chloe Finemanwas given more time to breathe as wacky Marianne Williamson.
I will say though: Bidens comparison to plastic straws is apt.
Suns Out Nevada
SNLsettles into a groove once it shifts away from politics.
Harrelson plays the caretaker of the Worlds Biggest Cheeto exhibit.
Its silly, and sometimes thats allSNLneeds to be.
I will need to fact check this (Reddit!)
but this feels like a Mikey Day piece.
As much asSNLtends to muck up live musical performances, this is an impressive and trippy stage work.
SometimesSNLs musical guests feel perfunctory this is in-moment.
Outside of Lizzo, this was her summer of pop.
Also: Woody Harrelsons enthusiastic introduction of the incomparable Eilish recalls Patrick Stewarts assertiveSalt-N-Peppaintro way back when.
Welcome back,SNL.
Weekend Update
And we are back withSNLpolitical takes!
Jost, boosting a snazzy grey suit, looks nearly distinguished.
Truthfully, I have never felt Jost has truly settled into the Update chair, even now.
And, potshots at Bidens age aside, this iteration of Update has a habit of vicious digs.
Was the hit at the Weitz Brothers warranted?
The segment immediately bounces back with the return of Thompsons Big Papi.
A great impression, and a wild true story.
Big Papi feels like hes carrying the torch for early Update fixture, Chico Escuela.
It meant you could be light in the show but still have a featured presence…
Previously, Gardner has killed on Update.
She has real chops as an actress and a comic and gives her characters a funny, down-to-earth charm.
It also works as a fun spoof of inspirational locker room pep talks.
Yeah, coach, whats up with your thing?
only Thompson can deliver a line like that.
Inside the Beltway
Wow, its 12:30 a.m. and the show returns to impeachment!
I do love politics, but theyre sure emphasizing it tonight.
Still, its a showcase for Thompson (Aint nothing going to happen!)
as well as Cecily Strong, both of whom were rumored to be leavingSNLat the conclusion of season 44.
Well done, yall.
(Though, I wonder, ripping intoJokers incel leanings may have been a better target.)
At least we (briefly) got to see Kate McKinnons Maggie Smith impression.
I assumeSNLwill give McKinnon more to do, at some point.
Billie Eilish I Love You
Now we get the acoustic, somber second performance.
Still, this is a tender and moving performance.
She was an excellent choice for the season premiere an artist in her prime, just crushing it.
Dad
YES, A KYLE SKETCH MADE IT TO AIR!
Those early 90s pastel colors, the cell phone.
Also, Im not popular and girls dont like me.
It even gives Chris Redd a chance to display his stellar rapping abilities.
And Bryant is still laughing!
Even McKinnon is cracking up.
My hair has been in one braid for forty years!
Goodnights
A very nice shout-out to Greta Thunberg by Harrelson at the end.
Will there be anSNL in Reviewto explain it to them?
Thanks for reading, everyone.
And thank you to Gary Kroeger for his insights into the show.
Gary, that goodnight banter real?Totally real.
There is a collective sigh of relief when its over.
Final Thoughts
-A messy but overall enjoyableSNL.
The issues remain, mostly on their hard swing political takes.
From the looks of Twitter, the big burning question is: WHERE WAS PETE DAVIDSON?
(Was he one of the masked teens in the Chickhams Apple Farm sketch?!
-A brief elegy for Leslie Jones.
She will be missed.
All it took was brief research on Google.
