Plaza and Poehler reprised their Parks and Recreation roles as April Ludgate and Leslie Knope on Weekend Update.
The interesting brood devoted to sleeping outside (thoughthat is changing!)
to the Very Online dissecting the show’s every move.
Will Heath/NBC
But it’s 2023, and there’s still so muchSNLcould do to reward the fandom.
Or dare I invoke the infamous “Live From Mardi Gras” moment in time?
That brings us in a roundabout way to tonight’s host,Aubrey Plaza.
I am joined tonight by formerSNLcast member Matthew Laurance, who is grieving thedeparture of Cecily Strong.
(Aren’t we all?)
Regarding her leaving the cast, he says: “It’s a huge hole.
I cannot say enough about how much I love Cecily Strong.
To me, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon are geniuses with what they do.
I don’t use that word very often.
They would have been incredible on any single cast ofSNL.
I was devastated when Kate McKinnon left, and I’m devastated Cecily Strong left.
She was brilliant sheer talent and versatility.
I don’t know how you replace that.”
Well, we are here.
Cold open
The Fox Sports broadcast team is introduced.
Howie Long (Mikey Day) has the glasses so he is the smart one.
Michael Strahan is played by Devon Walker (Jay Pharoah previously played the former Giants star).
And Terry Bradshaw is played by Molly Kearney.
They discuss how dangerous the game of football is.
From the current cast, Laurance is a fan of Day.
There are some technical hiccups here.
The controversial Congressman George Santos is introduced as a field correspondent.Bowen Yangplays Santos.
(Curiously, formerSNLstar Jon Lovitz just played Santos onThe Tonight Showthis week.)
Overall a bit muted and awkward, inching toward a real premise.
Monologue
HostingSNLis a dream come true for Aubrey Plaza and yes, she really means it!
She notes people often mistake her for being weird and sarcastic because of her characters.
There are a few gags about her fake family being in the audience.
She was a “bad page,” as evidenced when she fields a call from Paul McCartney.
Here’s a fun surprise:Amy Poehlerpops up on the tour!
She last showed up onSNLin spring 2020.
Plaza steals her wallet and departs before reuniting with the old set design team.
She demands they bow before her.
Laurance notes: “I think Aubrey Plaza is great, it’s a great host choice.
She’s a really incredible actress.
BeforeWhite Lotus, I was not too familiar with her.
She’s a helluva actress and that’s why doingSaturday Night Liveis perfect for her.
People need to see that side again afterWhite Lotus.
This is going to be a real pleasant surprise.
Miss Universe competition
Miss Universe is brought to you by80 for Brady.
The contestants judged on their looks scream their responses.
The actual competition happened last week.
Tony Hawk and the Property Brothers are the judges.
Indeed, theFrench model went viralfor screeching.
Other people couldn’t do that.
He makes it work with every character he does, every one.
It’s a real talent.”
The Black Lotus
This is a hilarious spoof of the most recent season ofThe White Lotus.
The staff has no time for anyone’s nonsense.
Don’t dare bring an attitude!
It is really funny watching the various characters and melodramatic situations get spoofed here.
I especially loved seeing Sarah Sherman as Haley Lu Richardson.
Fans of the series should dig this!
“Chloe [Fineman], boy is she good.
When she did Jennifer Coolidge, it was hysterical,” shares Laurance.
And yes, Fineman crushes it.
Laurance was not a big fan of the recent HBO series:“White Lotus, the first season.
I was not a big fan of the second season.
Obviously, it’s really popular.
Everything about it I was like, ‘Can we lighten up here, somebody?’
It’s listed as a comedy!”
They do really well except their answers are very disturbing.
She’s a sociopath.
The night they met she was on fire.
Plaza does a hilarious impression of their demented daughter.
Plaza and Day work well together.
This is a familiar setup, but it’s got a nice energy.
Cecelia recently had a near-death experience she’s touched.
Dismukes pops up as a stammering student.
They sing Lady Gaga.
Lots of Kearney this episode!
“Sister, women be shoppin'!”
So M3gan 2.0 (Plaza) decides to play up the camp even more for the sequel.
When Plaza cattily affirms it “but seriously, you guys are little homos” they cheer.
If there’s one thing gay men love, it’s “unhinged plastic women.”
Another cameo alert:Allison Williams, who stars in the movie, shows up to warn them.
M3gan’s a killer and she will kill you!
I recall it well!
It received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys.
This is dancehall jam with a great, haunting beat.
It’s clear Smith is enjoying their costume!
I like Petras' “Personal Hell” a little bit more, but that’s okay!
Weekend Update
Colin Jostjokes about George Santos.
“Girl, not on my yacht party” he quips, commenting on Santos' fashion.
Michael Chejokes that Barack Obama’s original birth certificate was finally found: in Joe Biden’s house!
George Santos (Bowen Yang) shows up again!
I like when characters transcend the Update/sketch barrier especially within an episode!
The show is having a feast on him, unsurprisingly.
He keeps lying about Madonna calling him.
“But George I am gorgeous,” Jost asserts, repressing a laugh.
The next guest is none other than April Ludgate herself!
She is here to discuss local government and why young people should be civically involved.
“Doing the bare minimum is doing your part,” she says.
With that: Leslie Knope returns!
“Who knew there were cameras atSNL?”
She used to watch Update back during the Seth Meyers era.
She tells a joke.
“Whoa ,this is crazy!”
This pales in comparison and I’m not sure it is better thanthis 2010Avatarspoofwith Sigourney Weaver either.
Skip it unless you adoreAvatar.
Sam Smith performs ‘Gloria’
This hymn was released earlier this week.
Fantastic choir and I love seeing Sharon Stone included as part of the performance.
Some of you will recall this1999 remake ofGloriadirected by Sidney Lumet and starring Stone.
This performance was unique.
Plaza is the director, but she just wants to finish her hot salad.
She gives notes to everyone.
He’s not comfortable with the script and keeps concocting explanations for his nonchalant homophobia.
Clearly, he’s not mature enough to handle this role.
Nice spotlight on Walker here!
Film noir
James Austin Johnson is a classic ’40s private eye named Jack Rawley.
Aubrey Plaza plays the femme fatale she has that vibe, so this is fun casting.
She’s a black widow attracted to old men.
Sharon Stone pops up here, playing Plaza’s mother.
Plaza and Stonego back.
There’s some obvious cue card usage here, which is understandable given the dense, specific dialogue.
I like how specific this is though with a great ending shot of Jack Rawley dying.
And theBasic Instinctcallback has me floored.
Final thoughts
Well, how did we feel about this one?Vote hereor weigh in below.
Yeah you, come close put your face up against the screen.
I mean, REALLY likeSNL?
If you miss it, you will hate yourself!
Mikey Day is (weirdly) coming into his own this season, years into his tenure.
One clear example of what happens with the runway clear.
So many cameos tonight.
It started off a little shaky but I think Plaza got there.
Thank you to Matthew Laurance for his thoughts this evening!
