The Banshees of Inisherin star and Willow take on Studio 8H.
Spring forth Conehead Nation it’sSNLin Reviewfor tonight’s episode ofSaturday Night Livewith hostBrendan Gleeson.
I am talking about the glorious early ’90s.
Will Heath/NBC
It was high profile, and a savvy way to ingratiate yourself and poke a little fun.
You don’t see that as often these days.
Meanwhile,SNLseems mostly content to chase trends (instead of dictate them).
One other thing happened in the early ’90s: Brendan Gleeson started appearing in movies.
For three decades he has been a beloved character actor.
This year, Mad-Eye Moody gets to hostSNL.
Can it push against its own format, and overhaul its voice?
Or willlast week’s cold openbe a half-measure, tonally?
(Promos like thissuggest perhaps there is some new life afoot this season.)
I recently spoke with former cast memberVictoria Jackson.
They are trying to write something brilliant that will beat out their castmates' submissions.
[Last week] new cast member Michael Longfellow stood out with his smart, funny Update appearance.
He’s a star."
Let’s dive in.
Cold Open
Bowen Yangwelcomes America!
Everyone is angry and crazy in this country.
He’s the host of “So You Think You Won’t Snap!”
Ah, another game show format.
I was initially intrigued by the stark direct address to the audience but alas, another crutch.
I have asked before: inSNL’s eyes, game shows like this are a relevant genre still.
Yang tests recovering alcoholicHeidi Gardnerabout Ukraine and Biden’s age (?).
Strange and gross focus.
Next up:Chloe Finemanis given the opportunity to hit a Frontier Airwaves attendant (Sarah Sherman).
Why did they have that guy host again, if he’s so outrageous?
Today he’s a threat, last year he was a boon for ratings I guess.
Devon Walker gets triggered by Kanye West.
He burns himself with an iron.
I like Walker he gives off a vague Pete Davidson aura.
He whips out his mandolin and starts playing a tune by “Banjo Barney” McKenna.
He describes the weird and wonderful people in his life, including his father.
That leads him to his costarColin Farrell.
They finish the monologue together singing a little ditty.
This was slightly awkward but charming.
When Farrell last hosted, nearly 18 years ago, it was friggin' season 30.
The show was practically in its infancy.
(Shout out the Scissor Sisters.)
It is very “sad balls,” says Day’s Try Guy.
Yang is cracking up his other Try Guys.
Gleeson salutes their courage.
Funny shout outs to old cast members: David Spade, Kristein Wiig, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell.
To Kearney, Kelly Ripa and John Kerry are planning a trip for them to enter Russia.
Molly has a dynamic Melissa McCarthy/Chris Farley vibe.
Blonde
Studio employees Gleeson and Gardner bring Marilyn Monroe (Fineman) fan mail letters.
Some of them are complimentary, but increasingly many are hostile and misogynistic.
“Marilyn you dumb babboon… not a fan.”
Funny to see Gleeson play an old woman despite the clear beard.
Now streaming, Blondeis NC-17 and fetishizes Monroe’s pain.
This sketch hints at its explicit, borderline sexist take on Monroe.
It is a brutal, unrelenting depiction.
“Not a fan!”
“The Marilyn Monroe sketch was funny to me,” Jackson adds.
Headshots
“I’m kidding!
I’m funny!”
asserts Dismukes' pompous photographer.
Gleeson’s grandfather character enters the studio, and captivates the photographer.
“Show me brooding!”
This time it is a high school party.
The guys are joined by Gleeson, playing a junior.
Turns out he is not actually 17 he’s 67 years old.
He slowly explains why his behavior and interactions with them was very consistent for a man his age.
(Great movie by the way.)
Cute riff on teen comedies likeNever Been Kissed.
I sort of miss the behind-the-scenes energy of theirSNLoffice segments.
Willow - first musical performance
“Ladies and gentlemen, Willow!”
bellows Gleeson,channeling Patrick Stewart.
I’m sure Willow is nice, but this reeks of nepotism kid jumping the line.
Back in April, Willow upstaged musical guest Camila Cabello during the Jake Gyllenhaal episode.
Back then they performed “Psychofreak”.
Victoria Jackson said she was “anxious to hear [her] sing.
She’s adorable onRed Table Talk,” She adds: “I like Willow.
She has beauty, talent and a loving, sensitive soul.
But, I’m a Carpenter’s/Bread person.
I’d like to hear her sing ‘Desperado’ or ‘If.'”
Weekend Update
Burns!Colin Jostslams Dr. Oz, andMichael Chegoes after Herschel Walker.
Jost then goes after Joe Biden for a few recent slip ups.
Black Ariel (Ego Nwodim) shows up to discuss the online response to thenew live actionLittle Mermaid.
She requests just being known as Ariel, then reveals her rich upbringing.
She’s no one’s hero.
“I’m dumb too, Colin.”
Pretty funny Nwodim and Yang feel like the breakout stars this season so far.
NewSNLcast member Marcello Hernandez comes out to discuss the current MLB playoffs.
“White guys are so boring; they’re always talking about the game!”
So far it seems like the new guys are getting some face time.
I don’t know baseball, but I couldn’t stop watching him."
Blood Oath
Two ancient tribes have been at war.
It “requires but a scratch” but Gleeson is a novice and has cut deep.
“It’s not a cut it’s a gash!”
One of those classic spraying sketches.
More recently James Franco’s character, a gift-wrapper at Bloomingdale’s, sprayed all over the set too.
Phil Hartman’s weightlifter pulling his arms off, and of course Massive Headwound Harry are other notable examples.
Willow - second musical performance
Holy heavy metal!
The video for “Ur a Stranger,” starring Paris Jackson,just came out.
Willow directed the video, which was produced by Paulo Torres with Benjamin Kang and edited by Mitchell Bisschop.
This is certainly an attempt at hard rock, I’ll give her that.
Eyes
A boardroom is pitching taglines for the City of Denver.
Janine (Sherman) got her eyes replaced, and forgot to keep her original pair refrigerated.
“Today you all put a woman’s body on trial!”
This is a tour de force performance by Sherman - can she even see?
Nice to see the show pencil in her weird idiosyncratic voice here.
Brings an essential energy.
Final thoughts
-Thank you to Victoria Jackson for her great thoughts tonight!
Check out her show and see her live if she tours near you!
(She notes that Molly Kearney “has a lot of confidence.”
She’s a fan.)
-I liked tonight’s show!
What did you all think?Vote hereor weigh in below.
-I hate to say it but Thompson is increasingly seeming out of place amongst the kiddos here.
Jost and Che ready to bounce too right?
-Little lite on Punkie Johnson today, bummer.
