“I think America is racist”
Cold Open: Hallelujah
5 Stars(or 1 Star)
I don’t like it, but it is effective and moving and Kate absolutely kills it. I know it felt like it at the time but Donald Trump’s election was not worth this. It wasn’t a school shooting, we shouldn’t be opening our comedy show with doom and gloom, especially when you consider a bunch of people voted for him, people who may be watching the show. It matched my attitude at the time but this set the tone for the next four years and even if I agree with you I realize Hilary lost the election because half the country hated her. Look, we all know Donald Trump shouldn’t be President but you can’t go back from here and you’re creating a clear “us vs. them” atmosphere. On the other hand, I don't have any better ideas on how to open the show.
Dave Chappelle Monologue
I remember when I heard Dave Chappelle would be hosting SNL. It seemed bizarre. We hadn't seen the guy in about 10 years and it almost seemed too cool for the show. A guy who hosted his own sketch comedy show is going to host SNL? That seems like something the show should do more often but for some reason doesn't. Then Donald Trump becomes President and Dave gives a roughly 10 minute stand-up set that seemed to calm the nation for a brief spell, a very brief spell. It was pure coincidence but he was the perfect guy to be on stage at this moment and it was great to see him back. He talks about the election, Black Lives Matter, being a rich black man, grabbing a handful of pussy at the Trump Hotel, and ends it with a plea for peace.
"I'm wishing Donald Trump luck and I'm gonna give him a chance and we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too."
It was probably the first time I've ever heard a positive spin on the election results and I too started hoping for the best. That lasted until about Monday.
Election Night
Dave is the voice of reason while a group of Hilary supporters watch the election results. Everyone's attitudes start changing as states are called for Trump. This was a perfect encapsulation of what election night was like (for at least half of the country) and at the time felt like just what we needed. Chris Rock shows up later to get in on the act as both he and Dave are unsurprised that a racist, sexist, old white guy was able to cobble together a coalition of like minded people to elect him President. A lot of great lines from the disillusioned liberals.
"Black people vote late."
"Yeah, let's hope there's 100,000 of us in Green Bay."
Walking Dead Chappelle’s Show
Dave introduces this pre-filmed sketch like he did on Chappelle's Show. I would argue you probably didn't need an introduction but it does let us get right to the premise. Dave is bringing back characters from his sketch show in a Walking Dead parody that ends with Dave as Negan knocking off crack addicted Tyrone Biggums's head which then gives an impassioned plea for peace.
A Tribe Called Quest
“We The People”
Weekend Update
Obviously we get a lot of election jokes and we end with Ruth Bader Ginsburg making her 3rd Update appearance. She chugs from Emergen-C to stay healthy for the next 4 years so Trump can't appoint her successor on the Supreme Court, oops.
Jheri’s Place
A sketch about a bunch of waiters with Jheri curls collapses quickly due to technical issues and bad performances. I have to admit that the first time I saw this I was fooled by Leslie Jones looking in the wrong camera and losing her place on the cue cards. But once the sketch ends we cut to Beck on the sidelines to report on why the sketch failed. We then get a backstage press conference where the cast tries to defend themselves. Dave blames the wigs.
"I thought I was gonna be the next David S. Pumpkins"
We get a replay of Leslie's line flub, "We talkin' about cue cards right now?!?", and a lot more meta humor. Should I take offense to a sketch that seems to belittle nitpicking a comedy sketch? Possibly, but this was a classic.
Kids Talk Politics
Vanessa talks to kids about the election and they give kid answers until one girl talks about how Trump has unleashed racism and xenophobia on the nation and will start stopping and frisking black cats. This turns out to be Dave's daughter. Short and sweet.
Last Call
The 6th appearance of Sheila Sovage and she's joined by Corey Dipships. They go back and forth with how disgusting they are before making out. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. While it lacks surprises it does offer some good visual gags like Kenan washing his eyes with bleach, raining frogs, and Dave carrying a zip-lock bag of emergency underwear.
A Tribe Called Quest return with “The Space Program” and they bring Busta Rhymes with them.
Love And Leslie
Leslie wants love and has found it in Kyle. The first installment in a runner of Leslie and Kyle's backstage drama, this one has Leslie taking Kyle's virginity (with Lorne's approval) and sets up the jealous rivalry between Kyle and Colin Jost. The punchline of them consummating their relationship in Dave's dressing room was fun.
Football Party
Dave's friends are aghast that he still breastfeeds. Not much to this other than the gross-out gag of Dave coming up with a face full of titty milk and then that titty milk getting squirted on a giggling Pete. Not much of this worked for me. I wonder how many times I'll see Sasheer Zamata in a sketch this season and be surprised she's still on the show.
FINAL ANALYSIS
“Note to self, remind me to try crack”
Average
4.1 Stars
MVP
Dave Chappelle
but from the cast
Leslie Jones
Jheri's Place, Love And Leslie, Football Party
Best Sketch
Jheri’s Place
Worst Sketch
Football Party
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
I gave the cold open 5 stars just because of historical context but it didn't sit well with me in 2016 and it still doesn't sit well with me. I hated Trump too, I still hate the guy, I find the majority of supporters offensive as well, but what is alienating the almost 63 million people who voted for him going to accomplish? Granted, it matched the mood of the time. Everything on television was so dire but I came here for an escape. The show after Trump’s election shouldn’t feel more dire than the episode after 9/11. Other than that, the show was pretty much top to bottom great. I could have done without another Sheila Sovage and the breast milk sketch but their inclusion didn't hurt my enjoyment of the show at all.
Host Analysis
In 2016 it was great to see Dave back doing sketch comedy. I kinda wish he was a one and done host and this was the Dave Chappelle episode of SNL, but if had to come back I'm glad he waited 4 years to host the first show after the next presidential election.
Final Thoughts
A classic for a number of reasons. It's place in the show's history plus it's place in the country's history. This was what we all watched a few days after a racist game show host was elected President of the United States of America. Add on to that A Tribe Called Quest, Dave Chappelle's comeback, and the fact that it's just a really funny episode of the show. This is one for the history books. It was just what we needed at the time, like a warm glass of titty milk.
Up Next
Kristen Wiig returns to host for the second time with The xx
The cold open also references the fact that Leonard Cohen had also died that week. Though it's equally odd to devote a whole segment to a tribute to a deceased singer, however legendary, who obviously wasn't a cast member and I'm not sure was ever even a musical guest. It's not like they did a long, serious tribute to Kurt Cobain (I had typed "or John Lennon" before remembering that they actually did air a short film by Yoko Ono about her post-John life, but that was during a time where they were regularly airing outside short pieces).
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