‘SNL’ Review: Jonathan Majors’ Best and Worst Hosting Debuts

Continuing the season of new presenters and experimenting with humor, this week”Saturday night live“Seen the star” The Harder They Fall ” Jonathan Majors take on storage duties for the first time. And not just any first-time host duties, as he has to with Taylor Swift as the much-loved musical guest.

Host: Jonathan Majors

One thing to really appreciate about this new season of “SNL,” In all its novelty and novelty, is the fact that it doesn’t rely on gimmicks for its opening monologues. While a scripted Q&A, a tour of Studio 8H, or even some occasional musical performances can be fun, the past few years have been overloaded with revealing monologues. promotions – especially in the musicals category – resulted in a clear sell-out. This season’s back-to-basics nature has taken hold with both the hosts and their monologues refreshed.

But anxiety persists, especially coming from a first-time host, and that’s also been evident this season. For example, Jonathan Majors’ monologue is perhaps the best example of these tensions, as he is both so bombarded with feelings of stress and anxiety that he is rather rushed throughout the entire passage. his monologue, leaving no real breathing room or even room for the audience. to fully understand and laugh – or even just appreciate – what he has to say. Real excitement – real emotions of any kind in this scenario – is appreciated, but unfortunately this sets the tone for the rest of the episode and the performance is shaky. Majors’ shaky (despite commitment, even through stuttering lines) is throughout.

As is the case with most of this volume’s sketches, the “March of the Suitors” hat has some interesting points but isn’t tight (or cohesive) nor relevant enough to really make an impact. strong movement. It’s certainly not for the sake of anyone’s efforts, especially for Chloe Fineman, Mikey Day, and Aidy Bryant, queen and her aides respectively. (Perhaps there’s a way to make Fineman’s Queen Matilda a recurring character, since she’s a living being for the “movie.”) Concluding with Punkie Johnson’s Lady Tawnie (which turned Mad Queen Tawnie into a Human.) terrible) making this one of the few things that could happen the episode’s sketches with a solid ending – and hopefully also create an opportunity for Johnson to be able to do more on the show , because she always hits when allowed. And here she hits; just listen to the live audience during her time.

Also, it’s great that the sketch has the restraint to not just state outright that Andrew Dismukes’ character seems to be the Pete Davidson of that era.

What’s worth mentioning about the “Audacity in Advertising Awards” is that there’s an interesting sketch from the Jonathan Majors premise of “Jake from State Farm” and Heidi Gardner’s “Flo from Progressive,” especially with its “hundred million” year contract with Progressive. ” (“And I love that.”) This is also one of those sketches that has been done in similar ways many times before on “SNL” and can act as a “Me” sketch. think you should leave” (edited). As it turns out, there’s some fun – while it may culminate as a Pepsi/Jenner joke – and a fairly common premise, it doesn’t quite stand out. This has the premise and even a bit of a collage satire, but the edges are just sharpened.

“Strange Kid Tales” is the first of 3 sketches in this volume, especially Black – which would be an interesting tone for the entire episode but instead signal a disconnect between what is. this episode is trying to do with the presenter. sketch to sketch. While Kenan Thompson was the MVP, once he felt more comfortable Majors were somewhat able to keep up with him to keep this up.

The premise is positioned as that of two Syfy hosts who only do the job because they need a paycheck, but the actual reasoning behind it is that the two Syfy hosts Black presenters, dealing with macabre stories about white people. (One of the stories involved passing by a cemetery by chance. This was a good choice.)

Aside from “Strange Child Story” and “Pet Store Ads,” “Broadway Benefit” really delivered the best performance of the Master episode. Unfortunately, the sketch – with a hilarious premise about a drug-obsessed old-school Broadway show – suffered with no way of ending. But at least he got to show off his impressive dance moves.

Best Sketches of the Night: “Three Sad Girls”

In the episodes of “SNL @ Home”, the extent of Pete Davidson’s actual sketch of just a parody music video is really exposed… which effectively makes his version of Please Don’t Destroy video just a video. parody music is even funnier. Although it is, in a way, a very similar premise to The Lonely Island’s “Jack Sparrow” – especially when it transitions to the rap part of “Dune”. But if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, and that’s why “Three Sad Girls” works.

It’s clear that the audience of the live “SNL” has enjoyed the boys Please Don’t Destroy, and this sketch has officially taken them out of the office and into the world of large-scale “SNL” pre-recorded sketches. bigger. The cool thing about this particular cake is that they did so with Taylor Swift, who, in case you missed, they’re a pretty big star.

The Worst Sketch of the Night: “Pastor’s Announcement”

This is the third of those decidedly black sketches, along with “Stories of Strange Children” and “Pet Store Ads”. And it was a mess, outside of Ego Nwodim and Thompson’s exchange.

Best Actor: Kenan Thompson

When in doubt, it’s always Thompson. In this case, his work in “Strange Kid Tales” specifically stamps the contract.

Best Actress: Sarah Sherman & Ego Nwodim

“IN OTHER NEWS…”

For the second week in a row, a “SNL” performer essentially took on the MVP (and in this case sole) role on their Weekend Update feature. Sarah Sherman – completely herself – for a new member signing up as a shoot on Colin Jost is just a whole new thing. At the very least, this could be her audition tape taking the Weekend Update away from Jost (and Che).

As for Nwodim, in many cases – especially “March of the Suitors” and “Pastor An Loan” – she almost single-handedly turned the tide with her performances. Anyone familiar with Nwodim prior to being cast on “SNL” knows she would be a key player on the show if given the opportunity. She also managed to pull off a comedic performance that pulled Robin Thede-esque (see: “A Black Lady Sketch Show”) as a quarter of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

(About: No, there’s absolutely no reason to have a Bone Thugs-N-Harmony sketch in 2021. It’s still funny and easily one of the best performances in its debut post. ruler of the Majors.”You will miss everyone…”)

Epilogue

The “Ted Cruz Sesame Street Cold Open” managed to continue this season’s strong cold opening streak, despite ultimately trying to throw everything at the wall. For example, it’s great to see “SNL” admitting a free-spirited Britney Spears, maybe this isn’t the sketch to do it. Then this sketch also features Pete Davidson – the noted skinny man – playing the part of Joe Rogan – noted for the stocky meat – so maybe all bets are over.

While Aidy Bryant’s Ted Cruz always delivers a sad laugh or two, “I represent America” ​​Cecily Strong. like Marjorie Taylor-Greene is the toughest joke in the entire episode, even though the live audience doesn’t fully acknowledge that fact.

It should be noted that Aristotle Athari also has a great Weekend Update feature like the Robot Stand-Up Laughingtosh 3000 in this episode; unfortunately, he had to follow Sarah Sherman’s showstopping feature.

“It’s not their fault that masculinity makes intimacy so difficult.”

It’s really hard to pinpoint a specific tone or theme or theme for this episode, but in terms of pre-recorded sketches, there are vibes there at least. That’s the key to “Man Park.” It’s a pretty clear outline: “It’s like a dog park but for guys in relationships.” Pete Davidson is probably at his best here, with the seriousness of his and everyone else’s struggle to connect. Simply put, he and the others are like the adorable, shy dogs in this sketch.

Grade: OLD

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