Sunday Morning Quarterback – Kevin Hart & Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Kevin Hart is arguably the hottest comic out.  He’s got a huge show on BET, a couple of successful movies under his belt, so obviously his next step is hosting Saturday Night Live. 

Given SNL’s recent history of clunkers, I was worried going into the episode.  Plus would the writers be able to incorporate a Black comic into the show?  I’m cautiously optimistic.

Let’s review our rating system, shall we? 

Phil Hartman – Comedic gold

Chris Farley – Definitely funny, but kinda messy

Norm MacDonald – Funny, but not for everyone

Kristen Wiig – So-so premise saved by performer.

Tim Meadows – Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, dripping with adequatulence

Darrell Hammond – Funny, but overstayed it’s welcome

Jim Breuer- Crowd pleaser, but a bit obvious

Robert Downey Jr – Brilliant performer, not a lot to work with

David Spade – Trying too hard

Janeane Garofalo – Weird weird, not weird funny

Obama’s Budget Cuts – This was a decent bit.  It’s always interesting to see the writers incorporate actual headlines into the show.  But this bit suffered from the actual material being boring.  The Village People bit was kind of funny though. 

Rating: Tim Meadows

Monologue – First off; I’m glad it’s not musical.  I’m equally glad that Kevin stuck to being a comedian and doing it his way.  It ran a bit long, but it worked well. 

Rating: Norm MacDonald

Steve Harvey – I will never tire of seeing Keenan’s Steve Harvey impression.  Though upon further examination his Steve Harvey is clearly related to his Al Sharpton.  This bit was just “eh.”

Rating: Tim Meadows

The Situation Room – This felt so off.  They tried to tie two different things together and it ended up a mess.  Also they got Kevin Hart in a dress, which makes me sad.  But this sketch was a total headscratcher. 

Rating: Janeane Garofalo

Starbucks Verismo – Eh, this is a repeat. 

Barnes & Nobles – I told Jay1 that this bit would show up.  It seemed like just the sketch that Kevin Hart could be inserted in.  As a sketch it’s pretty formulaic.  Taran Killam’s got the creepy look on lock.  And I’m glad to see Carl’s back.  In fact Seeing Carl make Kevin break, makes this sketch worth it. 

Rating: Jim Breuer

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Performance #1 – The guys are doing a great job of representing white rap.  I will say that Macklemore is a bit too kinetic for my taste.  And for a song that’s been everywhere it’s the first time I’ve read it. 

Weekend Update – This was a rocky road.  Kim Jong-Un and Dennis Rodman was mildly offensive, if only because of Bobby’s impression.  I did like the Fresh Prince of Downton Abbey and White Trash Clue.  But “Really with Seth and Kevin” was horrible.  Clearly cuecards are Kevin Hart’s kryptonite.  He stumbled through it and pretty much ruined the bit.  Horrible. 

The Walking Dead – I liked the play on white guilt and the nearly imperceptible critique on the show.  But by the same token, it also played up the idea of playing the race card.  This sketch could have been so much better. 

Rating: Jim Breuer

Shark Tank – This sketch was awful.  I’m guessing that the impressions were spot on, but this sketch went nowhere and went on way too long.  Again, Kevin Hart is the weak link.  Between his timing and his reading, he’s ruining everything.  

Rating: David Spade

Z-Shirt – Now this was kind of funny.  It was perfectly shot and well written.  It felt like one of those obnoxious commercials.  And the fact that Kevin’s character stuck with it.  Funny. 

Rating: Norm MacDonald

Dove Chocolate – This was a funny bit.  The idea that Kevin’s character knows that he’s not right for the part works so well with the copy and the obliviousness of the casting guys.  Finally, this is a sketch that’s got a funny premise and is executed well. 

Rating: Chris Farley

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Performance #2 – Now this song I’ve heard.  Mostly in commercials and when they were on Letterman, but I’m familiar with this song.  I will say that I’m slightly uncomfortable with white guys doing Black music and being back by musicians who are predominately Black.  It makes me feel creepy. 

Z-Shirt – Great callback that makes the original bit that much funnier.  The awkward setting really seals the deal. 

Rating: Norm MacDonald

360 News – This is such a disappointing final sketch.  It could have been funny, potentially, though the premise is terribly flawed.  But this is just wack. 

Rating: David Spade

Final Thoughts – This was a very disappointing episode.  Not only did the writers not come up with anything particularly funny, but Kevin Hart stumbled his way though nearly every sketch.  I secretly hope that the writers were saving their “A” material for Timberlake’s episode next week.