Welcome back toSNL in Review, Coneheads!
Im your cruise director on this voyage through the seas ofSaturday Night Liveseason 45.
This weeks episode features the delightfulPhoebe Waller-Bridge(Fleabag) and musical guestTaylor Swift.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Phoebe Waller-Bridge” Episode 1769 — Pictured: Host Phoebe Waller-Bridge during the monologue on Saturday, October 5, 2019 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC).Will Heath/NBC
Id be disconcerted, to say the least, and eager to switch things up.
Its unclear if anyone on staff agrees, or agrees enough to let Lorne Michaels know.
It truly is one of the best things on television, rightfully celebrated.
(If you have not read Dennis Perinsscholarly thoughtson the subject, I highly recommend you do.)
Also, this is Swifts fourth time appearing asSNLs musical guest; she hosted in 2009.
Side note: the show missed an opportunity last week to display Melissa Villasenorssavvy take on Billie Eilish.
Surely, it wont botch the chance for her to riff onWaller-Bridges iconic, GIF-able fourth wall breaking.
And new cast member Chloe Finemans takeon Waller-Bridgeis sharp as well.
Speaking of impressions, I am joined tonight by the excellentJeff Richards, who appeared onSNLfrom 2001-2004.
Given his expertise, were lucky to hear his take on the shows many takes on public figures.
And away we go!
Cold Open
Back with the impeachment!
A ton of political checkmarks, oh boy.
We are just going through recent headlines again, like theSouth Parkmanatees are Mad Lib-ing the script.
A few questions:
Did the world really needMatthew Broderickas Secretary of State Mike Pompeo?
Does anyone have a sense of Pompeo enough to justify a celebrity impression, particularly fromFerris Bueller?
Pompeo seems too burly and midwestern for Brodericks nebbish affects.
Is Kenan Thompson actually channeling Jay Pharoahs Ben Carson?
Man, Kate McKinnon goes all in with her savage take on Rudy Giuliani, doesnt she?
Jeff calls McKinnons work freakishly wonderful and strikingly brave which certainly sums it up.
Finally, nice to see Chloe Fineman get in some background work as Pences assistant.
Monologue
I am genuinely pleased so many people have embracedFleabag.
Waller-Bridge describes the character as sexually depraved, foul-mouthed and dangerous.
You may recallFleabagstarted as a one-woman monologue, and it feels like she heavily wrote this.
Which is likely for the best.
Its slyly political and honest.
I also like the shout outs to her role craftingKilling Eve.
Whats Wrong With This Picture?
And Waller-Bridge is trying an… American accent?
We last saw contestants come up with wacky theories during theMay 18th episode with Paul Rudd.
Love Islandspoof
Now weve got a righteous spoof of the British reality dating show,Love Island.
Fineman continues to accrue some screen time tonight and shes crushing it with the accent work!
Hulu: We got this andHandmaids Tale!
WANU Mid-Day News
The suspect is described as A White Male.
This is a nice showcase for Thompson, Chris Redd, and especially Ego Nwodim.
Daytime news is another touchstone for the show, which is totally fine.
I do wish with someone like Waller-Bridge hosting they would venture away from the obvious controls.
This is a well-executed and energetic riff on race, however.
And the crowd loves it.
Rock climbing in Utah?!
The War in Words
Mikey Day dusts off another war letter riff.
You may recallthis sketchpreviously from the Claire Foy episode last December.
you’ve got the option to count on him to react in mock horror, if nothing else.
She sings a very nice, touching version of Lover here, about her relationship with boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
Its one of the albums best tracks, mature, heartfelt, and a good choice to perform live.
you’ve got the option to fault her public persona, but Swifts songwriting and musical ear remain.
(I am not sure I agree with the green art direction motif, however.)
Are we sure its okay to make fun of this guy?
Chesstrongmetaphor is some of the best material the show has done on Trump.
Oh, wow, Bowen Yang gets to debut on Update!
As the top Chinese trade representative, Yang is hilarious.
Im basically the Lizzo of China right now!
Hes certainly getting off on the right foot.
Also: JOST MENTIONS PETE DAVIDSON STILL BEING MIA!
How long can theSuicide Squadshootreally go on for?
Royal Romance
Its fun to see Thompson performing whats essentially Rudy Ray Moore a.k.a.
Dolemite opposite a bunch of still Brits.Dolemite Is My Nameis not even out on Netflix yet, guys!
(Eddie Murphy deserves Oscar buzz, by the way.)
I guess this is whatSNLwants to do with Waller-Bridge tonight playing the straight man/narrator.
Taylor Swift False God
This is not one of my favorite tracks offLover.
I wouldve brought on the Dixie Chicks and doneSoon Youll Get Better,personally.
That one has all the feels.
At least its not Me!
or one of those very mediocre singles.
Honestly, the album is totally misled by very pandering and weak songs selected for promotion.
Im honestly baffled the show asked Waller-Bridge to lean so much on her American accent tonight.
This sketch seems to weave wildly from schtick and some brief moments of pathos.
I guess this was a vets sketch: no Heidi Gardner, no Nwodim, no Villasenor.
Final thoughts
-Was Villasenor in this episode?!
I continue to be shocked thatSNLdoes not utilize her more.
Jeff says: Melissa is the most dynamic and hilarious impressionist Ive seen in a very long time.
-We missed Baldwins Trump this week.
Jeff mentioned to me: Its like Alec is stabbing Trump with his impression.
Like a cat batting around a fake stuffed sardine.
