First, the Trump show. Pretty bland. Feels like they were pulling their punches a bit, and various reviews have said so too. Totally disagree with people who thought it was mean spirited to him in any way. For someone who has said as many blatantly racist and sexist and just stupid things as he has, they might as well been sucking his toes for the obvious ratings grab. The Drake skit was the best obviously, and at least Trump seemed to do that well. The first episode with him being president was decent too. All in all, pretty much just an episode built on hype, with almost no substance.
I agree that the Elizabeth Banks episode has been the best so far this year. But I also agree it looked strong because the rest of the season has been average to bad. Not a home run by any stretch. Above average. Her monologue was solid, but I've never been big on song and dance numbers. Personal preference I guess, there's been a few I've liked, but it's rare. She does have talent though.
The non-live sketches were good, but again, I feel like they're taking the 'live' out of Saturday Night Live. Too many of them. One video or commercial, plus one sketch is plenty. No reason to do more. The video was pretty funny this time around.
I also like that High School play sketch. Still pretty strong, though might be losing a little steam.
Weekend Update was solid, Pete's bit was good again after a weaker one last time he did his WU bit. Mooney, dear god... I think he's done the 80-90's comedian bit before too. It was so predictable. And it going dark wasn't anything more than wince worthy. Didn't make me laugh or think it was clever. It was just said. I described his humour before as weird, but not funny weird. But I think a closer classification would be anti-humour. Which works in some cases but not all the time. Also, successful anti-humour, has to be unpredictable, even more unpredictable than regular humour. That's why no one laughs at the chicken crossing the street joke, though might laugh pretty hard at other anti-humour jokes.
Kyle Mooney is the Jar-Jar Binks of SNL.
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