The last time “Saturday Night Live” aired an episode following Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election it was November 12, 2016when Dave Chappelle hosted. The cold open was a somber Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton sang “Alleluia,” and the monologue and skit that followed seemed like perfectly articulate and intelligent responses to a shocking outcome.
For the first post-election episode of 2024, stand-up comic Bill Burr hosted, and the episode…wasn’t that at all. The show tried several different approaches, just one week after Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on the showincluding a cold speech that mocked Trump by having the entire cast pretend to support him and a monologue from Burr that, depending on how you looked at it, was either extremely insensitive to downcast Harris supporters, especially women, is provocatively ironic.
By the time “Weekend Update” arrived, with two non-election-related character elements missing the mark, the sketches began to feel tired and rote, with poor premises and weak writing. He never recovered afterward. If the show aligned with the guest host’s sensibilities, one has to wonder in hindsight whether scheduling Burr to host a few days after such a contentious election was the right choice. There were some minor positives, including a parody of “Good Will Hunting” and a promo for a “Sex Rock” CDplus a few we’ll talk about below, but the rest were forgettable, unfunny, or both.
Meanwhile, musical guest Mk.gee (a man and not a website) performed “Rockman” And “Alesis.” There was no Please Don’t Destroy video, as has been the case for every episode. but one this season.
The show paid tribute to producer Quincy Jones, who died this weekwith a title card before the closing farewell. He hosted the show in 1990.
You’d think “SNL” would come out in full force to denounce Trump’s victory, but instead, this week’s cold, open talk joked about the president-elect in a different way: with false flattery.
The cast faced the audience and recounted the election results before Kenan Thompson said, “This is why we at SNL would like to tell Donald Trump…we’ve always been with you!” Cast members, including Ego Nwodim and Marcello Hernández, joked that everyone in the cast voted for Trump. “Because we see ourselves in you. We look at you and think… ‘That’s me,’” Nwodim said.
Colin Jost even seemed to throw his “Weekend Update” co-star under the bus, saying, “I hate the way the lame media – Michael Che – tries to spin it to make you look like an idiot.” » He also spelled out Che’s last name so Trump could remember it more easily.
A muscular red bandanna wearing a “sexy, jacked” version of Trump was introduced by impressionist James Austin Johnson, who said as Trump: “They finally got the body right.” » The skit ended with Dana Carvey returning fist pumping and jumping Elon Muskwho said that he now runs the country, which will be like one of his rockets. “But there is a small chance that it will explode and everyone will die,” Musk said.
Is Bill Burr’s comedy meant to be taken literally or is he doing a self-parody of the Edgelord type of comedy that sparked anger after Trump rally at Madison Square Garden? It was hard to tell from Burr’s monologue, which began with a story about a flu caused by an ethnic slur: “You’re trying to figure out who gave it to you.” You go through this Rolodex of people coughing on you, sniffling near you, walking next to an Asian or something. Burr finally addressed the election material, starting by lecturing the women: “OK, ladies, you’re 0-2 against this guy. » He suggested that the candidates ditch the pantsuits, stop trying to respect themselves and “prostitute themselves a little.” He suggested that “ugly women…I mean feminists” won’t want to hear this, but that candidates need to win over swing states by “making a farmer feel like he has a chance.” Burr moved on to Trump, mocking his jerky movements, which he said could have thwarted an assassination attempt, and chastising him for his appearance at a McDonald’s. “That’s the only time I’ve seen this guy really happy,” Burr said.
Best sketch of the evening: Mike Wazowski like you’ve never seen him before
A group of firefighters from a Boston train station are gathered for a meeting with a mental health specialist (Heidi Gardner) who shows the group a series of Rorschach test images. While some men see things in black and white images, Ralphie (Burr) continues to see color images of Disney characters in compromising positions. One of them is Mike Wazowski from “Monsters Inc.” in wedding lingerie and high heels. Another shows a topless Elsa from “Frozen” and Olaf running off with her bra. Snoopy and Charlie Brown, the Master Chief from “Halo,” the dead wife from “Up,” and Bandit, the dad dog from “Bluey,” find themselves in the mix. It’s a very stupid premise, but the commitment to the bit works, especially the incredibly specific details that Ralphie knows about so many animated characters.
Also good: dads who talk about everything but themselves
Two pickleball players (Devon Walker and Andrew Dismukes) decide to call their fathers and see how they are doing. The fathers (Thompson and Burr) deviate, one of them only wanting to discuss the Philadelphia Eagles and the other diverting the conversation to his son’s car. It turns out that both fathers are going through things and are willing to talk about them through metaphors about their sports team or their cars. “Last week, the Eagles fell in the shower,” Thompson says. “I thought, ‘Maybe this is where the Eagles die.’ “It’s a funny and surprisingly touching piece.
“Weekend Update” Winner: Oh No, There’s a Pennsylvania Ballot in That Purse
Thompson appeared on “Weekend Update” as Willie, the most optimistic guy Michael Che knowsbut it was Nwodim who made the biggest impression as “A Woman Who Can’t Find Something in Her Purse.” The giant purse contains a dead goldfish in a bag, a pistol, a small overnight purse, and an uncounted Pennsylvania ballot. What was she trying to find? Nothing, really, she says: “It helps you get your point across when you need to storm off when you’re angry.” »
