Saturday Night Live/YouTube
Ahoy, it’sSNL in Review.
Let’s be totally upfront here: tonight’s host,Jon Hamm, hashits.
“Jon Hamm’s John Ham.”
Jon Hamm delivers his monologue on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Credit:Saturday Night Live/YouTube
“Ambiguously Gay Duo” (live-action).
“A-holes: Pitch Meeting.”
“Trick or Treat.”
And yet, tonight will only be his fourth hosting gig, and his first in nearly 15 years.
Okay, save his many, many cameo appearances.
But still, one would’ve thought his chops had him on a Five-Timer trajectory.
Maybe his somewhat bumpy post-Mad Mencareer dimmed his shine a bit.
Or maybe he really loved that aughts era cast.
But the man is back, courtesy of a new Apple+ show,Your Friends & Neighbors.
I am joined again tonight by another bright star in theSNLuniverse, former cast member Gary Kroeger.
He says: “I lovedMad Men.
I was in advertising for 17 years after show business, and the circumstances explored inMad Menstill rang true.
We used ‘Draper-isms’ in actual pitch meetings.
Jon Hamm was spot-on perfection as the archetypal creative executive.
And he has proven great versatility, especially with comedy since.
He innately understands that comedy requires a serious frame of mind so you can work.
I think he is brilliant onSNL, just as I thought onCurb.
Jon Hamm playing ‘Jon Hamm’ belongs on a loop at the Smithsonian.”
Lizzois back tonight as well it’s also her fourth appearance.
Previously, she was the musical guest for Eddie Murphy, Austin Butler and herself!
Narration tells us the story of Jesus and the cleansing of the temple.
Cue: Mikey Day as the son of God as he turns the table over, everything freezes!
AndDonald Trump(James Austin Johnson) appears for a monologue about the past week.
He holds court on his tariffs, his so-called four-dimensional chess.
TheFounding Fathers cold openin January was set up like this, too.
Later, he talks aboutSarah Shermansopen mouth and the success of Miss Eggylast week.
Generally, I think this works.
Gary Kroeger thinks, SNLis handling our political landscape perfectly.
Just as they always have.
And they cant let up.
Reality is producing comedy at breakneck speed, andSNLhas no choice but to keep pace.
Monologue
Playful moment alert: he references when monologues go flat, cameos come in handy.
On cue,Kieran Culkin(in the audience last week) comes out for some banter.
Hamm asserts thatMad Menis better thanSuccessionand wantsCulkins Oscar.
“Check to Check Business News”
Paycheck to paycheck business news for normal people!
Jon Hamm’s anchor Kenneth bought his suit at Kohl’s.
Go back to basics and use bar soap!
Kenan Thompson’s character has consumer tips.
He is not eating Captain Crunch anymore.
Instead, he’s buying Sergeant Munch lower rank, lower price.
The “Side Hustle Minute” spotlights Funko dolls!
yo Dont Destroy Missing Person
Eva Clarkson, a councilman’s relative, is missing.
Police are serious about cracking the case and mention ordering pizza to settle in for the night at headquarters.
Daniels (Hamm) is thrilled beyond enthusiastic.
He acts like a silly kid, and things spiral.
Former cast memberVictoria Jacksonsays this is “hilarious.
“Guess!
Michael Longfellow is back in the slimy game show host role.
Sure enough, he outs himself as racist.
All of his answers are incredibly embarrassing, a total disaster.
Victoria Jackson shares this “had my husband laughing out loud.
His wife is played byChloe Fineman, channelingParker Poseyand her popular take on the North Carolina accent.
Then the cameos begin.Scarlett Johanssonreturns as Ivanka (tapping into Piper Ratliff)!Beck Bennettas Putin!
This is a little on the nose it somewhat works for fans of the HBO show.
Does it work as political satire?
Jon Hamm attempts an RFK Jr. impression.
I dont know; the show couldve spoofedWhite Lotusbetter.
Her shirt reads: “Tarrified.”
“Weekend Update”
Tariffs!
The Chinese Trade Minister Chen Biao (Yang) is back to discuss U.S.-China relations.
This is his sixth appearance at the Update desk.
He is working on a book,Peasant Elegy, in a funny dig at J.D.
And makes a funny joke about giving Glenn Close an Oscar.
Dawn Altman (Sherman) is Jost’s accountant.
Next week is Tax Day, and everyone is nervous about the economy.
Lots of Jost digs.
Wow, three commentaries on Update tonight, all tied to the current political moment.
Here’s Gary Kroeger: “SNLalways handles political satire with great aplomb.
Always the right dose of commentary and humor.
How could they possibly go too far when reality is already off the charts?
Side note: Michael Che has a beautiful singing voice.
“New Parents”
Friends are happy their kids are on a camping trip.
They are being ridiculous, even if their points about tokenism still carry water, refusing to answer anything.
Lizzo cameos as the baby.
They are trying for a baby as well not by adoption, not by surrogacy, but naturally.
This new song reminds me of ’80s Tina Turner, especially You’re Simply The Best.
“Medication Ad”
This one is great.
If you are doing active fun in slow motion, that means it is time to get tested.
“Icebreaker”
A new batch of employees are doing ice breakers.
Leader Chris (Dismukes) wants everyone to share a fun fact about themselves.
Most of them are normal… gardening, painting, competitive swimming, having a twin.
Gregs fun fact is very dark and memorable: his mom killed his dad naked on TV!
This sketch makes me want to stream classicJackass!
