The primary “Saturday Evening Dwell” episodes of 2024 had been underwhelming. The writers weren’t in a position to do a lot with Jacob Elordi apart from thirst after his handsomeness, and Dakota Johnson did not convey a lot to the desk apart from enthusiasm for Justin Timberlake being there and a terrific roast of herself and Please Do not Destroy. The episodes had been so dangerous that we did not even do full evaluations of them (actually, yours actually was touring after which sick, however I definitely did not miss reflecting on these disappointing turnouts).
Fortunately, “SNL” lastly picked up the slack with the third episode of the yr, hosted by Emmy-winner Ayo Edebiri, the co-star of FX’s hit sequence “The Bear.” With a historical past in stand-up comedy, Edebiri has the proper background for a late night time sketch comedy sequence, so it ought to come as no shock that she simply slot in with the remainder of the “SNL” solid and delivered a implausible episode.
So let’s dig into the highs and occasional lows of Ayo Edebiri’s episode of “Saturday Evening Dwell.”
What was the very best sketch of the night time?
College Hypnotist – Once in a while, an “SNL” host comes alongside and turns in a personality so good that it feels prefer it’s been soaking for years, simply ready for the correct debut. On this case, it is Ayo Edebiri as Solomon, a younger man who’s “compelled” to disclose that he is bisexual in entrance of his friends, because of a hypnotist making a visitor look in his class.
Edebiri is ideal as this eccentric, Steve Urkel-esque character with flairs of one thing Tracy Morgan might need carried out in his early years on “SNL,” virtually like a Brian Fellow sort. The way in which Solomon freaks out because the “hypnotism” continues is more and more humorous, particularly as he begins talking virtually like a preacher, calling out bible verses as he tries to fend off this supposed Satanic evil. The later addition of Kenan Thompson solely sweetens the deal, and it makes me want Edebiri was a part of the “SNL” solid so we may see this character turn into a recurring bit. She’ll simply should host once more a while to convey Solomon again.
How was the remainder of the episode?
Dune Popcorn Bucket – Should you thought Movie Twitter was the one place you would be seeing jokes in regards to the provocative “Dune” popcorn bucket that can quickly be out there for moviegoers to eat out of, suppose once more. “SNL” latched onto the questionable collectible, which instantly prompted loads of inappropriate jokes on-line. “SNL” took issues to the following degree by making a romantic tune in regards to the “Dune 2” popcorn bucket, with Marcello Hernandez planning an intimate rendezvous with the regarding snack receptacle. However he is not the one one, as a result of Bowen Yang and Ayo Edebiri are fairly horned up for it as effectively. It is a bit of apparent for a gag, however going full musical with the bit stored it from feeling stale, and we love a superb intercourse joke about Shai-Hulud, do not we, of us?
Medication on Campus – Watching Mikey Day and Ayo Edebiri as faculty college students freaking out over their classmate (Andrew Dismukes) taking a bit of chew of a mushroom to assist together with his college nervousness was completely entertaining. They’re as involved as two younger narcs could be who graduated from the D.A.R.E. packages of the ’90s, and their exaggerated tones completely emulate a tacky after college particular. The way in which Edebiri unfurls her rolling backpack so dramatically was magnificent, and nobody shouts incredulously like Mikey Day. Applause throughout.
Why’d You Say It? – Sport present sketches are widespread on “SNL,” and they are often hit and miss, however this one labored moderately effectively, with a easy premise that questions contestants about why they made pointless feedback on Instagram — akin to telling Drew Barrymore that she ought to “die” for having fun with the rain, or saying that you’d smash Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It is a terrific send-up of a sure bizarre sect of the web. However the stealthy cherry on prime is a self-referential joke that Edebiri has, alluding to some remarks she made about musical visitor Jennifer Lopez whereas showing on a podcast a while in the past. The clip made the rounds within the days main as much as the “SNL” episode that teamed up Edebiri and Lopez, and it was good to see her take the quasi-controversy in stride.
Caught within the Elevator – If there was one dangerous sketch of the night time, apart from the underwhelming and troubling chilly open (we’ll get to that later), it was this one. Truthfully, it isn’t even that dangerous, however the premise is not all that robust, and whereas the comedy comes from how shortly the scenario escalates amongst this group of individuals caught inside an elevator, the sketch itself feels prefer it strikes too shortly to truly do something considerably humorous. There’s nothing actually stunning about the place it goes as soon as the bit begins, and the musical ending is not notably satisfying. Want we may have gotten a Please Do not Destroy sketch as an alternative.
These are simply the sketches that I felt had been price highlighting (or shunning). However there are many laughs to be present in a “Folks’s Courtroom” sketch involving a nasty haircut and an intense spat between Ayo Edebiri and Ego Nwodim, whereas a second sport present sketch turned the 2 into unfair allies. There was additionally an amusing bit involving the meet-cutes of seemingly regular {couples} in New York Metropolis who’ve something however typical backstories. They’re all price trying out!
How was Ayo Edebiri as an SNL host?
This was Ayo Edebiri’s first time internet hosting “SNL,” however apart from displaying some nerves in the course of the monologue, you would not have recognized it. Regardless of Edebiri’s historical past with stand-up, she could not assist however be a bit of overwhelmed by being on the primary stage at Studio 8H in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Edebiri was even a bit emotional acknowledging that this was a dream come true. Fortunately, she appeared to get extra comfy because the monologue went on, and she or he fell again into the consolation of doing stand-up. However truthfully, Edebiri was strongest as a sketch performer via the remainder of the night time. She was sport for something, together with enjoying unusual characters, and barely wanted the cue playing cards. Edebiri has the potential to be one of many nice recurring hosts, becoming a member of the likes of Adam Driver, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and Justin Timberlake. Convey her again yearly!
Sarah Sherman messing with Colin Jost is the very best and Nikki Haley is the worst
The variability with which Sarah Sherman has found out find out how to take jabs at Colin Jost is unbelievable. Whereas essentially the most simple try is available in flat out roasts on the desk, she’s additionally used a pretend guru character to poke enjoyable on the Weekend Replace co-anchor. However this time, it is Sherman as a younger man named CJ Rossitano, who received tickets to “Saturday Evening Dwell” from the road lottery. Because the sketch goes on, it is clear that CJ is Colin Jost’s illegitimate son from the comic’s former housekeeper. From the best way Sherman mimics Jost’s actions on the desk to the sudden lower to the filtered digicam as Harry Chapin’s “Cats within the Cradle” tune performs repeatedly, this sketch was hilarous. The allusion to Jost’s spouse Scarlett Johansson was glorious, and the best way Jost performs together with these bits is simply great.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, we now have one other lackluster political chilly open. Whereas I appreciated the addition of Punkie Johnson and Kenan Thompson as Gayle King and Charles Barkley for a little bit of nonsense, the execution of the whole lot was underwhelming. Granted, the bit with Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) discovering conspiracies in Taylor Swift’s tracklist was a pleasant contact, nevertheless it was all ruined by the shock look by GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Now, I perceive that “Saturday Evening Dwell” has all the time given an excellent shake to Republican politicians, however simply as after they had Donald Trump host main as much as an election yr, bringing in a poisonous determine like Nikki Haley simply helps normalize essentially the most heinous and harmful folks in politics. Utilizing “SNL” as a method for her to poke enjoyable at each Trump and Biden is enjoying good at a time when the present needs to be doing something however that. At the least they used Ayo Edebiri to name out her civil battle nonsense, nevertheless it all nonetheless felt fairly weak and misguided, leaving a nasty style in my mouth.
Talking of which, “SNL” will quickly be consuming crow after they convey comic Shane Gillis in to host the February 24 episode. For individuals who do not recall, Shane Gillis was employed as a solid member after which shortly jettisoned earlier than his debut when sure racist remarks got here to mild from a number of podcasts. Gillis has since garnered extra of a following, in addition to his personal Netflix stand-up particular. Contemplating Gillis additionally friends round with the likes of Dave Chappelle, I am not shocked “Saturday Evening Dwell” has taken this flip. How will all of it end up? We’ll discover out later this month.