They have done this a few times over the years, long before Trump was elected. It’s likely based on the idea that SNL is important and needs to say something. On the one hand, that’s very arrogant, but it’s also something many people seem to believe. I think just getting out of the way and letting the chorus sing was…

The celebrity cameos worked for me because they went into PDD’s world (unlike the Taylor Swift piece), but I do prefer them on their own.

Most recurring sketches tend to hit the same beat over and over. Only the best don’t. It’s lazy, but didn’t bother me as much here because at least I could say she wasn’t close to most of her family so might still be surprised.  It wasn’t like the old Blizzard Man sketches, where Kenan would have to be shocked 5 or 6…

I felt that way more in his third and fourth episodes. Beyond the two main recurring repeats I felt like there were more effort this time. 

Yes, I was genuinely happy to see Elliott. I know he was in one about ten years ago but he tends to be forgotten by many.

Yes, any time Alex gets a shot he shows how great he is. I wish it weren’t so rare. At least with Beck gone he’s on a bit more. I  also agree the show would be fine if the longtime vets left. 

I know in early season 45 we were getting a dog every week. Not quite as much now, but still a lot.

I think Colin Jost is a big fan. That may be a sign he’s leaving. 

I do feel like Cecily got some great showcases around 2016-2019 or so, but the last few seasons it’s felt like she has been in and out a lot. This last episode reminded me of how fresh and fun she can still be after a decade on the show, in a way that Kate and Aidy can’t quite be.

I liked parts (generally any that wasn’t Mikey reacting), but I liked the reunion sketch a little more as it wasn’t trying as much for wackiness. I just wish they’d tried to not just do  a carbon copy of the first version. 

I liked the second performance...the nod to Aristotle’s Angelo character helped. 

Best of luck with everything. Whether I agreed or disagreed with you I always looked forward to reading your reviews. I think there was one time, 5 or 6 years ago, when I mostly came here to just complain about Trump coverage on SNL and was a bit curt toward your review that you replied to one of my posts, which I…

Yes, this is a big part of it. The coverage has been terrible for decades. That has an effect more than anything else. 

I’d heard about them before I ever heard their songs. I think there was definitely a time when  Tommy Lee’s music was the last thing he was famous for.

I was never that into most of Colbert Report either, or anything involving the soul-sucking Daily Show enterprise, so I just  see what he used to be comedy-wise in the  late ‘90s and feel sad.  I suppose because there are moments in interviews where you see the  public presence he could be, compared to what we  end up…

Oscar Isaac and Zoe Kravitz are both good picks  (Isaac in particular is someone I could see being a lot of fun), but the problem with having expectations f or hosts is having to remember how often the material will let them down. I hope the show will at least try. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up hosting the finale, or maybe the premiere next season. 

I think Mulaney will be doing standup for his monologue as he has a tour to promote and it is one of the best chances he’ll have to get eyeballs. I wouldn’t be  surprised if he just gets the jacket at the end of the show, like Melissa McCarthy did.

I’m never likely to watch this, especially with Mark Wahlberg involved, but I’m glad for a brief break in the “this  film is NOTHING  without Nathan Fillion” discourse. 

He’s always been a phony, preening, smug shitbag, people were just fine with that because he went after easy targets, and still does. The way he treated Shelley Duvall will never stop disgusting me.