“I’m one of your Cumber-bitches”
Cold Open: Erin Burnett: OutFront
5 Stars
Cecily’s mic doesn’t appear to be on for the first minute of this interview with both Hillary and Trump via satellite. The topic of Hillary’s emails supersedes the fact that Trump seems to literally be in-bed with the FBI, Putin, and the KKK. But then we get a delightful fourth wall break with Alec and Kate running through the streets of New York City in a plea of peace and togetherness. So weird watching this bit of positivity just days before the end of civilized society.
Benedict Cumberbatch Monologue
Benedict sings a Shaft-esque song with his “Cumber-bitches”.
The Koohl Toilet
And to further solidify the coolness of our host, he shows us the hip way to take a shit in an odd 1984 homage.
Why Is Benedict Cumberbatch Hot?
Beck hosts a show to find out what all the ladies are seeing in tonight’s host. Solid performances all around especially from Vanessa and Aidy as they try to articulate their attractions.
Office Hours
It’s our 2nd appearance of Chad but this time it’s his male professor who is infatuated with him. Benedict’s performance is great as he eloquently speaks about forbidden love but Chad’s repeated monosyllabic responses are starting to bore.
Surprise Bachelorette Party
An 83 year old Aidy has a sudden heart attack when Benedict and Mikey enter as male strippers. So they bump crotches and butts against her dead head, later joined by the Chicago Cubs. This sketch seemed designed for breaking but I’m so glad nobody giggled during this.
Solange
“Cranes In The Sky”
Weekend Update
The Church Lady returns for her 23rd and final appearance (not too long since her last appearance the preceding season). She talks about the election and throws in all the beats, “Satan”, “Isn’t that special” but it’s pretty weak material.
And Bill Murray and The Chicago Cubs sing a song celebrating their recent World Series win. Man, I remember seeing The Chicago Cubs finally win in 2016 and thinking “now I’ve seen everything…”
Gemma & Ricky
3rd appearance of Gemma and I remember hating this at the time but I enjoyed this go round. Mostly for Benedict’s magician and Vanessa’s straight woman. I love when Vanessa plays straight women because she’s never fully serious but she’s still real. I don’t know if that’s the best way to phrase that but an example would be her initial offense and then delight in Kenan’s boner in this sketch.
Criminal Mastermind
Benedict is very fun as an evil genius with a bomb giving riddles to the good guys. Too bad they forgot to write a sketch. I thought the joke was going to be his henchmen questioning the use of riddles in his evil plan but then it turned into the good guys figuring out the riddles too quickly then it became clear they didn’t have an ending.
Solange returns with “Don’t Touch My Hair”
Meeting With Mr. Shaw
Benedict is the personal assistant to the wealthy Mr. Shaw, who is an eagle head in a business suit. Wonderful silliness, “he likes your watch, it’s shiny”, and fun absurdity, “guest of both Nelson Mandela and Howie Mandela”. And another terrific performance from Benedict who has to essentially fire himself as Mr. Shaw of course can not speak. Him grabbing his personal belongings (a soccer ball and a flipper) was one last touch of hilarious stupidity.
Average
3.3 Stars
MVP
Vanessa Bayer
The Koohl Toilet, Why Is Benedict Cumberbatch Hot?, Surprise Bachelorette Party, Gemma & Ricky, Meeting With Mr. Shaw
Best Sketch
Meeting With Mr. Shaw
Worst Sketch
Office Hours
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
I hate to say it but you can cut Dana Carvey and Bill Murray. I was liking the show but Weekend Update was a momentum killer this week.
Host Analysis
Really good and didn’t hit a false note the whole episode. Especially the last 3 sketches which he basically carried on his back.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t remember this episode, probably because the world went to hell shortly after it aired. This was a good one and in retrospect feels like the end of an era. This is definitely the last time I can recall the show reaching out to both sides in a plea for unity. It’s like something happened around this time that shifted our political discourse.
Up Next
Dave Chappelle gonna try to make sense of it all.
You were definitely much higher than me regarding that cold opening, but I totally get your perspective on it. I love that Python-esque 10-to-1 and Benedict was such a great host, though I kinda prefer his second episode a little more.
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