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The Nope star is joined by musical guest SZA.
What more could anyone ask for?
Keke Palmer makes ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosting debut with musical guest SZA.NBC
Tonight’s host is former child star, singer, and all-around talent,Keke Palmer.
It’s getting chillier on the East Coast but, for Palmer, the heat is on.
I am joined tonight by formerSNLcast memberEllen Cleghorne, who says Palmer “was heaven inNope.”
Her singing voice is legendary.
Speaking of which, her role on theHBO showLegendaryis all the shenanigans I am here for."
Let’s see if tonight’s episode can sustain Palmer’s week.
Her musical guest isSZA, who is making her third appearance on the show.
Cold Open
James Austin Johnson is back as Mitch McConnell, withKenan Thompsonas poor dim-witted Herschel Walker.
He’s under siege: the Georgia run-off is this Tuesday.
There’s a lot of obvious, eye-rolling jokes about how stupid Walker is.
And like, yes, he’s aclown.
But despite Thompson’s efforts, he can’t quite make this dog hunt.
Cecily Strongis Marsha Blackburn withMikey Dayas John Cornyn.
JAJ’s McConnell is technically sharp.
This is mostly serviceable and leaves me lukewarm.
Gets a shrug from me.
Monologue
Palmer is out here discussing astrology.
She’s a Sagittarius, same as me!
But also big news!She confirms her pregnancy, showing her baby bump on air.
Ellen Cleghorne shares that she loved Palmer in that movie"mainly because my daughter’s name is Akeyla.
Cut to 2021 and we had our first Black girl win the Scripps Spelling Bee.
Really well-said, and a testament to Palmer’s already-impressive longevity, and what her success represents.
This monologue is charming, good energy.
Palmer also does a decent Aziz Ansari impression.
Would she be like Maya Rudolph, Eddie Murphy, or Kristen Wiig?
The answer: She would be herself, Keke Palmer.
Forceington’s Ridge
It’s an old 1984 episode ofForceington’s Ridge.
Cecily Strong is brilliant as Alexia, really captures that archetypal lead in shows likeDynastyandAll My Children.
Sandrine (Palmer) joins her in her mirror shot.
They fight, and obvious stunt doubles are used.
The timing is scrambled and Palmer is not very good in this role.
‘Big Boys’ music video
It’s Cuffing Season!
An ode to the thick gents who can provide warmth and comfort during the cold winter months.
Meh, kind of cute Cecily seems a little out of place here.
Fun moment: A photo of jacked movie star Chris Pratt is replaced by chubby Andy Dwyer.
Drake PSA
Drake has written hit after hit about women who have wronged him.
These women have been exploited, even ones who do not even know the melodramatic, sad boi rapper.
Now, it is time they organize and stand up for themselves.
I loveHeidi Gardnersaying “Shawty” to giggles.
Palmer is especially funny here complaining about the famous “Kiki, do you love me?”
lyric from “In My Feelings.”
That song ruined her life and she wants justice!
If you’re vaguely familiar with Drake’s music, or Toronto rap, orDegrassi, check this out!
Here’s a weird twist: Hello Kitty is actually a human little girl.
This, rightfully, confuses and weirds out some of the employees.
Phillip (Bowen Yang) and Claire (Palmer) raise questions this does not work for them.
Things escalate, chairs are thrown.
“She’s raceless?!”
This turns into a rallying cry for New York City.
I guess this symbolizes how corporate safe and family-friendly and sanitized Times Square is.
Suddenly,last seasonSNLhost Natasha Lyonneshows up as herself.
This is a point of honor for her, and Spiderman (Andrew Dismukes) and other NYC icons.
Kenan & Kel reboot
This is fantastic.
He’s even got the hair back!
Palmer, who is gunning for an Emmy, has pitched a reboot forKenan & Kelwith her as Kelly.
She accuses Kenan of impregnating her.
Devon Walker gets to play Coolio and Ed fromGood Burger, which is perfect late ’90s pop culture porn.
“The show is… not good,” sighs Kenan.
I won’t even spoil theobvious cameo.
But this rivals when Kenan appeared in anAll Thatsketch onThe Tonight Show.
Arby’s 5 for 10 commercial
Five giant towers of roast beef.
How is this physically possible?
How are they profitable?
Things go off the rails.
To top it off, Ving Rhames (Thompson) is the narrator.
She also made a cameo appearance with DJ Khaled during the season finale ofSNL’s 44th season.
“I’m convinced she is like Keke Palmer, a real artist.
I love her Nationwide commercial, too.
I think she had an Old Navy commercial as well.
I like her easy soulful delivery.
She’s a new era of Black feminist.”
Cleghorne is a fan of “Shirt.”
Weekend Update
Good joke structure this week!
The CTE joke about President Joe Biden is offensive and bad.
Child of divorce Michael Longfellow comes on to discuss the holidays.
This isn’t working quite as well as Longfellow’s first appearance.
She’s hysterical about the characters entering each other anally.
This is a funny, mugging spoof of socially conservative parents who target books and shows they find upsetting.
They are up to no good!
Lots of body humor in this including fetus hands reaching for McDonalds filet fish beware!
Funny we have gotten three scenes featuring Palmer’s pregnant belly this episode.
They are really taking advantage.
Choir Practice
Dede and Dana always gets the solos at Christ Wound High.
Indeed, Palmer crushes this.
This is cute, short.
SZA performs “Blind”
Another moving performance.
This song was teased when the music video for “Shirt” came out a few weeks back.
As it turns out, the plane is old AF as well.
They are carefree and exuberant, but their enthusiasm disturbs the weary passengers.
Nwodim and Palmer are funny together, but this feels like a 10 to 1 afterthought.
Final thoughts
Well, what did you think?Vote hereor sound off below!
Thank you to Ellen Cleghorne as always!
I had an opportunity to interview Kevin Nealon for this story check outhis book!
Pretty Cecily/Kenan strong episode tonight!
I had theKenan & Kelspoof on my bucket list for Thompson.
He can leaveSNLif he wishes now!
Love seeing Kel Mitchell on the stage.
Did Palmer forget to thank him?
