Dwayne Johnson is an odd pop culture figure. He’s huge star, but he’s never launched
his own franchise. He’s
transcended professional wrestling, but still has a huge wrestling
presence. He’s also a very solid
SNL host.
It’s why we’ve got some expectations for him as a host. And Saturday Night Live could really
use a homerun, right about now, with some relatively weak episodes so far this
year. Did Johnson deliver?
Our Rating system
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
And introducing our new Host Rating Scale;
Drake – Outstanding
Edward Norton – Impressive
Josh Hutcherson – Fine Enough
Charlize Theron – Essentially an Extra
Seth Rogen – Expectation, Unmet
Jim Parsons - Awful
The Rock Obama – I feel like this sketch was given. It’s Johnson’s reoccurring character
and while it’s completely predictable, it’s also totally acceptable. The incorporation of Leslie Jones into
the bit was a nice addition.
However it’d have been nice of the sketch actually built to an ending.
Rating: Kristen Wiig
Monologue – The concept of Johnson as “Franchise Viagra” is
a funny one, but the musicality of it had me wary. But Johnson really pulled it off. His bragging and self-deprecation really worked well
together.
Rating: Kristen Wiig
Pep Boys #Genderflect – This was a pretty well done parody
of Starbucks misguided attempt to start a dialogue about race. It’s a simple formula; pressing issue
being broached by people not necessarily equipped to handle the nuance of said
issue. It could have easily been
Palestine/Israel at Chipotle, but this one worked perfectly. This was very well done.
Rating: Norm Macdonald
Wrestlemania Promos – This is right in the Johnson’s
wheelhouse, but it also allows him poke fun at wrestling. Coco tearing into Junkyard Mutt is
hilarious to watch. And the escalation
of things is just great. I think
my favorite line is “I’m going to rip this guy apart and I mean
psychologically. “ You have to
love a sketch that involves herpes, long lost daughters and catfishing.
Rating: Norm Macdonald
Bambi – This was well done, but I couldn’t get past the
notion that Disney wouldn’t make this film. Say what you will, but the Disney brand is strong enough
that I found the violence and profanity distractingly unrealistic for a Disney
flick.
Rating: Kirsten Wiig
Dinner Date – I honestly can’t think of any part of this
sketch that I didn’t love. I loved
Johnson’s meathead character, a character who he makes feel so real. I loved Cecily’s dim Brit. I loved how weird the sketch got at the
end with the onion rings. But I
really loved when Johnson’s character provided the beat for Cecily’s song; he
completely sold it.
Rating: Phil Hartman
Escape From Jungle Island – I liked this sketch. I’m sure that some people will find it
homophobic, but I think it’s really more like a live action Ambiguously Gay Duo
type scenario. I do have to mark
off for them putting the words “guy code” into Davidson’s mouth.
Rating: Kristen Wiig
Brogaine – Here’s a sketch that’s two thirds of the way
there; it’s got a punny product name and funny scenario (Bennett’s baldness is
pretty funny) but the sketch doesn’t really deliver much beyond that. It’s like the writers hoped something
funny would happen, but it sadly never did.
Rating: Tim Meadows
George Ezra First Performance – I can’t lie, this guy did
not hold my attention. I didn’t
care for his voice and song did not hook itself into me. I’m always interested
when SNL introduces me to a new artist, but sometimes they just don’t take.
Weekend Update – Updated benefited from having two ringers
for correspondents; Olya Povalsky and Willie, Michael’s Neighbor. They both hit homeruns, with Willie
being my favorite sadsack since Gil on The Simpsons. There was also some banter between Che and Jost, which is a
good sign. On a less than positive
note, Jost’s riff on The Jinx was a valiant effort that didn’t quite work
out. But all in all, it was a very
solid outing.
Cooking with Paul – What a dud of a sketch. It only had one note and it got old
very quick. I kept hoping that
sketch would veer into uncomfortable laugh territory, but it stuck with
Thompson’s Paul constantly wanting computer access, which is as funny as it
sounds. A rare misfire for the
episode.
Rating: David Spade
Durst Improv Troop – This is one of those sketches that was
clearly supposed to be the cold open (note the lack of both an ending and of
Johnson). The ending is insanely
abrupt and it really tarnishes the goodwill earned by both McKinnon’s Robert
Durst impression and a fun mocking of improv troops. At the end of day, it’s still a sketch worth watching just
for McKinnon’s spot on impression.
Rating: Kate McKinnon
George Ezra Second Performance – I enjoyed this song much
more than the first one. Maybe it
was faster or have a better hook?
I can’t call it, all I can say that this song left me with a positive
impression of someone whose music Ill probably never purchase.
Interrogation – Yet another sketch that illustrates how
adept Johnson is at character-work.
His character’s trash talk is amazing. His apparent platonic crush on Jeff is fascinating. This sketch really was great.
Rating: Phil Hartman
The Circus with Kyle – I’ll admit it; I’m a sucker for Kyle
Mooney’s mumbly awkward guys who have access to video technology. What I like about this how for the most
part, he wasn’t really poking fun at the people he was interviewing; he was
just making things awkward.
Rating: Norm Macdonald
Final Thoughts – I was cautiously optimistic about Johnson’s
hosting SNL and fortunately I wasn’t disappointed. He’s an old pro at this, plus he’s used to working in front
of a live audience.
Johnson really brought is characters to life and he served
as the comedy for most of the sketches.
He really is the consummate SNL host.
Host Rating: Drake
Next Week: Michael Keaton and Carly Rae Jepsen. I really think there’s zero overlap
between those two target demos.
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