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That's Drak Pack!
Welcome. Come on in.
I'm Andrew Pollard, and I'm your guide for a deep descent into the dark, dreary, deviant, depressing and decidedly decent den of sketch comedy in the year 2020.
2020 has been a year, no? A year of depression, illness, paranoia, mania, separation, isolation, loss of feeling, loss of employment, loss of life, loss of enjoyment, loss of toilet paper... So much that came this year from one thing or another hit us like a ton of bricks , and yet the one thing that made us shed the most tears was the Peanuts holiday specials are no longer airing on network television. (Seriously? The tradition's not dead! Just buy them on DVD or digital, or swallow your pride and sign up for Apple, it's free for three days. It's not deep.)
But in these times, we all need a laugh before we go a little crazy, one of the most prominent spaces to get one is Saturday Night Live. So far, the 46th season is... mixed. Some episodes had me nearly die laughing, others nearly make me want to die. But hey, any season after five makes you feel that way, right? But since we're in a certain pandemic, even the worst sketches seem like comedy gold. right? Well, that's what we'll hopefully get this empty Halloween night (and it's rare for SNL to have a Halloween episode on Halloween, so that's a treat.) And with our host this week, comedian, former show writer and victim of a shitty Seinfeld-esque sitcom namesake (that reached a grizzly, gruesome, critically-maligned and well-deserved demise), John Mulaney, there's a promise of no tricks. Each and every time he's hosted, his light, smarmy attitude and evenly quirky-yet-surprisingly brashly humor (whether in the monologue or in sketches) has me on the floor (Although the big joke to me coming in is that despite being a well-known and liked comic, the show still manages to find white guys as musical guest that are even more well-known and liked (like the second you hear their name).) Hell, I listen to "Look What God Made Her" by Thomas Rhett more times than any of Mulaney's stand-up routines. That's my standing with him.
Also a treat, returning musical guest The Strokes. While I've never played their music, their appearance in my mental consciousness is strong, thanks to this show and their sets have been straight rock bangers I've enjoyed from the word "go". I'm sure their appearance here will not disappoint.
We begin with a Cold Open featuring Joe Biden (played by Jim Carrey, who has to be a cast member at this point) reminding America a horrid nightmare that it got itself into - electing Donald Trump.
It's hilarious, well-written and mixed political satire and corny spooky stories together. I'm now in the pro-Carrey-as-Biden camp again, Kate McKinnon returns flawlessly as Hillary along with nice touches of Mikey Day as Nate Silver, Kenan as Ice Cube (?), Chris Redd as Lil Wayne (if he got his face stung by a bee), Maya Rudolph as Kamala and Beck Bennett as blue-hand Mitch McConnell (whom at this point I'd be happy to dance on his grave when it happens). Let's hope all goes well on November 3
... and beyond.
Mulaney continues to kill with his stand up monologue. Hits include comedians being "last responders", the fun of watching NY Governor Andrew Cuomo's daily Coronavirus press conferences, the arguments of family taking the kids to grandma's, "Play Covid!", the game of "America's Favorite Grandpa" (and praising Jane Lynch), "new nazis" and especially the one with the one girl at the bitch of a classmate's sleepover. His story about his 94year-old grandmother is something special too. The audience is there, but they still don't accentuate how hilarious Mulaney's set is.
Ahh, Cinema Classics. One sketch that comes up behind you and hits you over with brilliant one liners and random stuff that happens from classic films. This time it's The Birds - that classic Hitchcock film where he tortured Tippi Hendren the whole time. The campiness and absurdity of the iconic payphone scene is delicious, Kate McK's take on Hendren is wonderful, the sardonic performance by Mulaney is fantastic and the use of puppets birds is life-changing.
Reese De'What can reminisce on my life if he'd like.
The Pre-Tape After, Strollin', add levity to the struggle black community goes through to vote in the election. The funk and soul riff is badd, the stars of the sketch (Kenan, Reddman, Lego My Ego and PUNKIE POWER!) are dyn-o-mite! and the production is perfectly shot. I love this one and this was needed at this time to give us hope to find whatever polling places are in white neighborhoods, go to them in carpools and wait as long as possible (with snacks from the nearby Dollar Tree).
Next week, the post-election sixth episode... hosted by... DAVE CHAPPELLE! (Yes again.)
The next time I read or watch the stories of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, I'll always remember when Crane, Pete Davidson and Mikey "Mr. Sketch Security" Day asking H2 if he blows himself, roll into women's bathrooms, and other strange things to keep them from going to hell. I have a feeling Mulaney co-wrote this sketch, because that's his strongsuit. But the jokes are pretty inventive and hilarious.
Speaking of Job Security... Kate McK stars in this sketch celebrating New York City as it gets back to being itself after the summer pandemic-- a vast wasteland of assholes, commercialism and lots of trains. But the light, airy, sweet lens and praise of frontline workers and helping hand neighbors makes it all good.
THE OCCASIONALLY PLACED LED BACKGOUND SCREEN TELLS YOU TO
OBEY.
Update Time!
First off, congratulations to the newly-married Mr. Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost!
This week, he and Michael Che discuss President Trump keeping his fans freezing in the cold during one of his rallies and shaming the people who save his obese orange ass from dying, rich black rappers supporting 45 just to keep from paying more taxes, Jared Kushner being a little racist shit again, and the hope of Trump not getting reelected. I swear Update continues to slay this season. The topical jokes are political satire are about top notch, and our two anchormenpersons continue to destroy your innards with laughs.
Kyle Mooney returns as Baby Yoda (aka The Child) , the true star of The Mandalorian, and is better than ever as the rich male Jerry Springer guest we actually like and laugh with.
Oh look, Diner Lobster Part 3 or Airport Bodega Part 2: Either Way It's Strange.
This time, Unnamed Chris Redd and Pete Davidson characters go to a Times Square souvenir shop and Pete Dave guy continues to go for disgusting item he shouldn't reach for, leading to the Mulaney main worker character to admonish him and sing with random Times Square costume workers (led by Kenan) waxing lyrical about the weird, questionable yet resilient lives and jobs they live and work.
This has to be the most expendable sketch ever by now. Each time Mulaney appears they do a new version, and yet it turned out to be the best and brightest of them all. This one is no exception. But you wouldn't catch me wearing those clap-carrying driveway-making drawers. I get them but still. I can do damage to my own when they're clean.
Where were you during Moscow 1972?
Our musical guest The Strokes are a breath of fresh air. Their sweet, fun brand of indie/garage/punk rock is also needed at this time, and their SNL appearance tonight hits the mark. I'm starting to regret not listening to them when I had the chance to... but after tonight, I'll give them a listen or several.
For every "Musical Store" sketch, there's the "Mr. Bennet Gets Memed" sketch. This one I didn't feel as much as last time because it was written sloppily and quickly to cash in on number one and the directing was off. But the memes themselves were still funny. Although Mellisa and Heidi deserve better slots though. Also, if Benner wants a young adult 18-24, he could give Aalyah Mysterio a shout. She likes being confused. (What if y'all are okay with the WWE storyline with Rey Jr's daughter dating a 32-year-old grown man hand waving it as "two consenting adults", then you're okay with me making this joke.)
Overall, this was a very good episode. It's on par with Episode 2 with Bill Burr and Jack White, although this one slips a bit in quality and pacing towards the end and, mostly thanks to the long-as-hell "Souvenir Underwear" sketch. I see Lorne is back on his tick of featuring the top four cast members (Kenan, Kate McKinnon, Mikey FunDay and BeckBenn replacing the absent Cecily Strong, whom I think doesn't want to come back at this point - hope she's okay). Other Andew wasn't there either but Punkie and probably Lauren Holt too somewhere. Hopefully, the cast is spread evenly next week.
And speaking of next week, join me when Dave Chappelle hosts the second consecutive post-presidential election episode (musical guest TBA). Hopefully he won't have as much as a hard time as last time. Although he was brilliantly hilarious last time, so either way, it's gonna get the highest ratings so far. I bet you that.
Thank you everyone for joining me, a 26-year-old weirdo dressing as Fred Jones from Scooby-Doo to review the Halloween episode on Halloween Halloween night. Maybe next time it happens, I'll be married with kids in a deluxe apartment in the sky rich from my job as an ad executive... and still reviewing while dressed as D.D. from Clue Club. I'm Andrew Pollard saying "I love New York and I'm also that lady". Goodnight... and good riddance.
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