Mk.gee joined as musical guest.
Welcome to the post-electionSaturday Night Livein review.
We live in a new world order.
Bill Burr delivers his ‘Saturday Night Live’ monologue.Saturday Night Live
Will we see anotherKate McKinnonas Hillary at the piano moment, earnestlybelting out Leonard Cohen?
Former cast member Gary Kroeger opined to me: This election was the9/11 of justice in America.
Imitating Trump or[Kamala] Harrisand whatever post election satire is out there just isnt funny.
Bleak words - but they get to the reality of stakes for this episode.
Scroll down and find out how they did.Bill Burris at the helm, back for hissecond gigas host.
Luckily, they quickly show their hand, kissing up to the president-elect and pledging their loyalty.
Later, the cast call out and sacrifice the feature players by name too, a nice cheeky touch.
We should not be on that list!
The cast pledge their loyalty and retroactively claim to have been with him the entire time.
Next,Dana Carveycomes out as formerSNLhostElon Musk.
Overall, this is a smart approach - not just for tonight, but moving forward.
Dare to have a smart POV that is specific but also funny!
Monologue
Burr jokes its a fun week but wants to keep things light.
He laments God keeps creating morons who dont wear shoes on the airplane but not enough Gandhis.
Alright ladies you are 0 and 2 against this guy!
finally getting into the election a bit.
He says Trump is a lunatic but won the election aftersurviving assassination.
He jumps around a bit here, not as seamless as he usually is.
He talks to you and it sounds like a polished bit, but hes not running a bit.
Its his side of a conversation, a great actor.
Hes an accessible guy who tells it like it is.
I know a couple of people who can really do that well, its really interesting.
“Firefighter Psychological Test”
The sketch is set at a firehouse on Hanover Street in Boston.
Things get more elaborate: the dad from Bluey is into BDSM.
The Patriots fan (Burr) is a mess, dysfunctional and hostile.
This recalls some of the (more classic)Casey Affleckad spoofs from years past.
I love this - great song spoofs, and very specific to rock compilation commercials.
A janitor Donny (Michael Longfellow) comes in to crack it.
Things escalate between recognizing the young janitor’s genius and his issues handling the puke.
Even the music recallsDanny Elfman’s scorefrom the movie.
But the traditional men don’t want to be vulnerable.
It is easier to talk about the Eagles, their cars.
This is a well-done look at how men speak in metaphors to discuss their feelings.
A few recurring themes this episode for Burr: therapy and manhood.
Mk.gee performs “Rockman”
This is a pretty dynamic performance.
Was that a bird craw I heard?
ROCKMAN has a real ’80s vibe.
More Americans are lonely.
Active listening to key.
A woman who cant find something in her purse (Nwodim) comes out, but is distracted.
She is registered to vote in multiple states!
Shes looking for her gun!
Whats crazy is I flew here!
Not sure this warranted the Update desk!
Yes, more Americans are feeling down.
Ches neighbor Willie (Thompson) comes out to cheer folks up.
Wow, this is a surprise!
Willie used toshow upa few seasonsago.
and dog fighting, catching up.
Che has technically moved, for the record!
“Bald Guys”
Sherman is out on a first date withMikey Day.
She says nothing weird has happened at all - the food was normal as was the waiter.
Day stops her: everyone in the restaurant is bald.
Is it a coincidence?
A song breaks out.
(Is John Mulaney hosting?!
This one is actually way more inspired.)
This is a surreal ode to baldness, complete with an interpretative dance and a church canton.
I love this - very imaginative.
“Trauma Support Group”
Samuel (Yang) hasnt shared yet with his trauma group.
All his problems seem pretty trivial.
He ruins others sharing by interrupting and his bad attitude.
Burr plays the enabling counselor George … is he channeling Stuart Smalley?
Its moving and introspective.
Someones wife, Linda (Ashley Padilla) gets a chance and totally flops.
Its awkward: Four gorgeous dogs, she starts again, with the same joke.
She melts down, leading to an existential crisis.
It sure wouldnt smell like DADDDD!
should be on a coffee mug or sweatshirt.
Nice to see Padilla get a shot.
Final thoughts
Thank you to former cast members Gary Kroeger and Jeff Richards on this fascinating episode!
I think they landed this once, folks.
There were even recurring themes and I never felt a real lag throughout the show.
But how about you?Vote here!
Nice title card toQuincy Jones, who justpassed away this week.
He hosted back in the 80s.
I didn’t see a ton ofChloe Finemanthis week - you?
