John Mulaney is back again to host the final SNL before the 2020 presidential election.
Welcome, my fellow Coneheads, to a particularly spookySNLin Review!
FromDavid S. Pumpkins, toMatt Foleys scary story,Saturday Night Livehas an illustrious history producing memorable Halloween-themed sketches.
(Herspine-tingling monologueremains a personal favorite; she should host again!)
That show featured the notorious and famously chaotic musical performance from Fear, whichyou can view here.
I am joined tonight by formerSNLcast member, Dan Vitale!
I don’t believe the big talk shows have returned to even a limited live audience.
Indeed as Vitale says, Mulaney is a formerSNLwriter, and one of the best stand-ups around.
It makes sense to give him the ball.
Tonight is his fourth hosting gig his last time in the arena wastheSNLLeap Year show in February.
(It feels like a lifetime but was only eight short months ago!)
This is also the Strokes fourth time on the show they first performed way back in season 27.
Buckle up for a fright fest, gang!
Its a spooky time … but also Halloween!
He reminds us about the next holiday: Election Day!
Hillary Clinton (Kate McKinnon) pops up: We lost before!
She warns him about pending doom.
I was wrong before!
says super wonk Nate Silver (Mikey Day), who lays out the odds.
It is fun having Carrey deliver the poem.
Chris ReddandKenan Thompsonpop up to play Trump supporters Ice Cube and Lil Wayne.
Thompson has played Cube on the show before.
Next up is Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) and Mitch McConnell (Beck Bennett).
The Kentucky Senator has Old Man Purple - his blood hates his body.
Rudolph implores the crowd to vote on Tuesday.
Gain an hour and lose a president!
Vitale says: I’ve never loved this Alec Baldwin/Trump schtick, they seem to go on forever …
This Jim Carrey/Biden thing looks troublesome.
I hear he’s been criticized for playing it too intense or manic, but what would people expect?
He also mentions Cecily Strong showing up as Trumps screaming daughter-in-law was a stroke of brilliant comedy.
The elephant in the room?
I know they’re trying to be more diverse but how many friggin featured players do you need?
His maternal great-uncle is William Bates, who also served as a congressman.
There is always a Massachusetts connection, especially in comedy.
Vitale says: I watched the first show, mostly to see Chris Rock’s monologue.
He didn’t disappoint nor did Bill Burr’s the next week.
It kind of harkens back to the very beginning of the show in the fall of 1975.
So that part worked for me…
The cold openings not so much.
Cinema Classics
Ah, Thompson returns as Reese DaWhat in this recurring segment, Cinema Classics.
This is the sixth timeSNLhas done this sketch.
This time, Tippi Hedren (Kate McKinnon) is being tormented in Hitchcocks The Birds.
The birds, just birded a man to death!
As always, this is an opportunity for Kate to mug.
The birds werent raised right!
It might be time to retire this.
Strollin' music video
Punkie Johnson, Ego Nwodim (Just Michelle!
), Redd, and Thompson sing a ’70s anthem about the opportunity to vote.
But Mulaney is an election official, who informs them all their polling stations have closed.
Theyre Strollin' to the polls but the message is how black voters are reportedly being disenfranchised and intimidated.
This is very pointed, and important.
Sleepy Hollow, 1790
Casting Mulaney as Ichabod Crane is hilarious.
yells the Headless Horseman (Beck Bennett).
He has … flexibility.
Now I am sending you both to Hell!
hes enraged, rightfully.
Mikey Day is concerned about the clean-up.
The town is full of Puritans.
Things are coming to a head, chuckles Crane, after William steals the head.
Did Lorne write this?!
Shes not not a professor at Columbia, they speculate.
New Yorkers hold up signs saying “Thank You”, which is touching and heartfelt.
Tonight they are performing the opening track on the album, The Adults Are Talking.
Another very funSNLmusical performance, bueno.
When you get older you start considering these things victories!
Weekend Update
Therecently married Colin Jostjumps into the election, and Trumps winning message.
The crowd loudly boos at the presidents gaslighting about COVID-19 and doctors.
Jost compares Trump to Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy in appearance and behavior.
Michael Che tackles Lil Waynes Trump endorsement, and says as a reminder rappers are not black leaders.
He jokes about formerSNLcast member Gilbert Gottfried solving issues in Israel, which is hilarious.
He ponders whether he and Jost will get drafted in the upcoming race war, referencing Josts new marriage.
Jost is very explicit: he is exhausted by Trump and wants him gone.
The crowd is behind him - Biden is Americas designated driver.
(They also show this admittedlybadass shot of Barack Obamaon the basketball court.)
Kyle Mooney is back as Baby Yoda, which he has done on Update before.
This is bizarre from the voice to the makeup/costume.
Fuego ideas … let me dance more!
Take it easy on the DMs, yo!
Dang, You wanna do what to Baby Yoda?!
He is a fan favorite, to be sure.
Apparently, he has appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast to discuss his new cannabis product.
His brand includes Dago Bud and Wookie Cookies.
He disses Baby Groot, as well.
This guy is spiteful, I don’t put any act of revenge past him.
Big Nicks Souvenirs
This again.
Redd and Davidson are patronizing a Times Square store during the pandemic.
Pete wants to purchase “I Heart NY” underwear.
Absurdity and Broadway medleys begin.
Thompson is the Times Square Minion.
They begin a spoof singalong of Luck Be a Lady from Guys & Dolls.
Bowen Yang is Batman, which I need Warner Brothers to do ASAP.
Lauren Holt is from Frozen.
Alex Moffat plays Times Square Elmo, with Melissa Villasenor as Minnie.
Even Tim Hortons has closed/Canadians weep.
A fun montage, saluting NYCs many landmarks under siege during the pandemic.
Beck Bennett is the Diddler on the Roof.
Chloe Fineman is a woman from Westchester with COVID - A+ singing voice.
A homeless man played by Mikey Day scares her off, asking where former hostRick Moranisis.
They finish with more Les Mis.
I am sure theater kids out there are digging this.
One of the strongest tracks, this is vintage Strokes that also doubles as an exceptional soundtrack to 2020.
Casablancas ends the performance crouched in a pose, contemplative.
Uncle Meme
Ron (Mulaney) works at Brenner Goods.
His nephew is Tyler (Davidson), who has memed him again.
You may rememberthis exact sketchfrom last February.
Mulaney is belligerent (for good reason), and these memes are obviously designed to go viral.
The catch is Mulaneys Uncle Ron is, indeed, pervy.
Not sure we needed this repeated.
Final thoughts
-So, what did you think?!
Crying from laughter … or tears?
Comment below orvote here:
-Thank you to Dan Vitale for joining us tonight, and sharing his thoughts!
