It was an all-star holiday celebration with appearances by Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Maya Rudolph, Jason Sudeikis, Rachel Dratch, Larry David, Fred Armisen and Alec Baldwin.
It’s been years agoEddie Murphyhosted“Saturday Night Live,”and even longer since he was a part of the cast and effectively carried the show on his back for two seasons.
Apparently he was under the impression he still needed to, which could be why there was an over-reliance on some of his most famous characters from the ‘ s. Eddie had teased that he might bring back Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson or Velvet Jones.
He brought them all back.
The problem is that Eddie is a brilliant and ingenious comedian, so we were hoping to see more freshness from him in this return after so many years. Everyone loves the classics, but there is such a thing as too much nostalgia.
The bottom line is that two of those reprisals worked, and the other two did not. Now, one of them worked so briliantly it totally derailed the sketch it was in in the best way possible.
Let’s just say with a litany of guest stars and all the laughter and applause throughout the night, the show went so long they had to cut two whole sketches. But don’t worry we’ve got them for you below, including one featuring musical guestLizzoinspiringAidy Bryant
to be “that bitch.”
As usual, we’re ranking all the sketches from worst to first, including the Monologue, Cold Open, “Weekend Update” and any sketches that were cut for time but made their way online. We’ll skip the musical guests, because they’re not usually funny – unless Ashlee Simpson shows up. We wrap up with a look at the cast-member who had the strongest week.
The Masked Singer
Aside from Eddie Murphy’s accidental s-bomb, we’ve seen this premise before, and it wasn’t quite as funny the second time around. Eddie’s demonic cake from hell just couldn’t compete with the mutation from this sketch’s first appearance. And while we get that these repeat sketches want to hew to familiar beats, this one flew way too close to the original, meaning even the jokes were essentially the same. We’ll have to chalk this one up to a missed opportunity.
Black Jeopardy
Another potentially fun sketch somewhat derailed by Eddie Murphy trotting out one of his characters (and struggling a lot with the prompters). We would have liked him to do something new here rather than bring back Velvet Jones, though they did a decent job of showing how the character looks in this #MeToo era. Still, Eddie is an incredible comedic talent, so it feels like there was an over-reliance on some of his old favorites from his tenure on the show. We would have maybe stopped with Mr. Robinson and Gumby (dammit!), As they wound up dominating the show a bit.
CUT FOR TIME: Aidy Bizzo & Lizzo
swapped in forWoody Harrelsonas Joe Biden in this latest Democratic debate sketch, which otherwise featured return appearances byRachel Dratch,Larry David,********** Fred ArmisenandMaya Rudolph), who brought back Kamala Harris for a couple of cameos, despite dropping out. Jason brought a rejuvenated energy to Joe Biden’s persona, and as the centerpiece of the Democrat party, it was a refreshing “glow-up,” as he put it. Otherwise, this was another muddled, rambling piece that was basically a recap of the events since the last time we did one of these, withAlec Baldwin’sTrump thrown in for more impeachment commentary. That was a nice quick-change byKate McKinnonto switch from Elizabeth Warren to Nancy Polosi, though. That’s one hard-working makeup and wardrobe team!
MONOLOGUE: Eddie Murphy
“Who is America’s Dad now?” Murphy asked in his iconic Bill Cosby impression, talking about how much everything has changed in the last 52 years. We love that he was flanked by other prominent black comedians and cast-members likeTracy Morgan************************************** Chris Rock andDave Chappelle, as his influence as a comedian and groundbreaking as a black comedian can not be overstated.Beck Bennetttrying to briefly horn in on the moment was perfectly in character for his previous crashing of black “SNL” moments, but luckilyKenan Thompsonwas there to shut it down.
CUT FOR TIME: Holiday Gig
(**********************
Kenan Thompson’s band leader Patrice once again got way too personal, this time talking about Eddie Murphy’s mysterious bleeding ailment. It’s Kenan’s earnestness and cluelessness about how much he’s derailing the show that always makes these work, with Eddie doing a great job opposite him as a guy just trying to play some music and leave his personal issues out of it. And we’re so glad they did try to shoehorn in an Eddie Murphy “SNL” character.
North Pole News
(******************
Eddie Murphy carried this bizarre sketch with the sheer force of his personality as an elf trying to tell a local newsman about the polar bear at the toy factory. Mikey Day did a great job of staying in character next to Eddie’s screaming lunatic elf who turned out to be totally sane and right about the horror. Things got weird when “thoughts and prayers” came from the tooth fairy and Santa was made complicit in the horror, but the weirdness all worked here, thanks to Eddie’s consistency throughout.
Robinson’s Neighborhood
With Mr. Rogers having a pop culture moment and Eddie Murphy back hosting “SNL,” this sketch was inevitable. Change was also inevitable, and for Mr. Robinson, that change was gentrification. He stole from his white neighbors and ran away from his biological son at the door, and it was like this sketch never went off the air. Eddie continues to oscillate flawlessly between that Mr. Rogers innocence and wildly offended aggression, making the sketch adorably unpredictable … even when it totally is. Weirdly, we actually wished this one was longer, when usually we’re hoping “SNL” sketches would end a little sooner. The power of charm.
Weekend Update
(******************
and********************************** Michael Chewent in on the impeachment hearings, as well as Trump’s rally where he again went in on toilets and suggested a dead Congressman was in hell looking up to us. “Obviously nobody’s looking up at us from Hell because we’re already there.”
Eddie Murphy interrupted the proceedings as Gumby for a very meta tirade against the show andLorne Michaelsfor not crediting him with saving the show, which Eddie totally did. And he’s right that retrospectives barely touch on his years with the show – which is when Lorne was not there – and his importance to the franchise’s survival. And he roasted Jost and Che like a real champion so hard that even he cracked at one point. It was another pointless return, but one that was hilarious nonetheless.
Pete Davidsonswung by to
not
talk impeachment, instead talking about how he was the youngest guy in the cast after Eddie Murphy, but he’s not Eddie Murphy. Basically, he ripped on himself and gushed over Colin. It was sweet and awkward and totally in line with what Pete does on this show, but also … we get why he wouldn’t want to follow Gumby.
,********************************** Ego Nwodim and
******************************** Chris Redd were regular presences, though not in a breakout way.
Cecily Strong had the strongest character of the night, with Judge Jeanine, while Kate McKinnon gets special mention for droppingtwoimpressions in the cold open. But the slightest of edges has to go toMikey Day.
Not only did he have multiple appearances on the night, he did a great job of keeping it together amid chaos. A straight man is important for comedy, and Mkey delivered in the North Pole News sketch, as the white son-in-law in Home for the Holidays and twice as part of a couple with Heidi simply reacting to Eddie’s antics.
Because of the types of roles he’s usually given, Mikey doesn’t often get to stand out comedically, so props to him for helping others get the big laugh in a key comedy position.
“Saturday Night Live” returns January 25 with host Adam Driver and musical guest Halsey.
Got a story or a tip for us? Email TooFab editors at [email protected].
(******************************************************** (View Photos)
NBC ******************************************************** Miss Virginia Camille Schrier Is Crowned Miss America
(********************************************************** (************************************************************ (Read More) (************************************************
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings