My fellow Coneheads, welcome back toSNL in Review!
This week’s host and musical guest,Chance the Rapper, previously performed in 2015 and 2016.
“Can he repeat on this Halloween-focused episode?
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “Chance The Rapper” Episode 1771 — Pictured: Host Chance The Rapper during the Monologue on Saturday, October 26, 2019 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC).Will Heath/NBC
Will he appear asDavid S. Pumpkins' younger, hip-hop-flavored nephew?
I guess we will see.
I am thrilled to be joined tonight by formerSaturday Night Livecast member, and Chance superfan,Ellen Cleghorne!
Referencing Chance’s Netflix new music competition show,Rhythm + Flow, which he judges alongside T.I.
and Cardi B, Cleghorne calls him “the Simon Cowell of hip-hop.”
That spoof’s legacy likely explains Chance becoming a repeat host.
We will see if Chance can compete on the same scale.
Cleghorne adds: “Recently, I saw [Donald] Glover successfully pull it off.
And Janet Jackson.”
Hard to argue with that so let’s get started.
Cold Open
Return of The Donald what can even be said?
The extras seem to be having a good time.
And there are some amusing punchlines: quid bro code, bad Mexico, our current energy secretary.
Cecily Strongremains game as always.
Once she leaves, a recuperated Mikey Day appears, followed byAidy Bryantas Trump supporters.
She’s skewered Graham several times at this point.
The sketch continues with Alex Moffat reprising his creepy and on point Mark Zuckerberg.
Moffat last impersonated him on Weekend Update onApril 7, 2018.
Then we slam into cameo overdrive.Darrell Hammond!Fred Armisen!
Biting Jim Downey territory this…is not.
It’s as if Jost and the writers peruse Politico then see who wants to show up.
Monologue
“Second Best One” is a fun concept and Chance executes the routine well.
Him rapping alongside a capableKyle Mooneyworks surprisingly well, too.
Not a ton of rappers have hostedSNL.
“He was amazing,” she recalls.
“His dancing and rapping and sketch work was phenomenal.
He’s a solid talent.”
League Legends
Wow, Kyle is being given quite the spotlight tonight!
He’s been a breakout (male) cast member in a way few have lately.
First Impressions Court
“No mess, no nonsense!”
Chance plays a knee-jerk judge inSNL’s latest trial show spoof.
Soon, they become unnerved at his home-life situation.
It’s shrewd, dark, and has a nice payoff.
Spooky Song
More Kyle what a treat!
This is the David S. Pumpkins “spiritual” sequel we knew was coming.
It’s silly and slightly spooky, but can you ever truly recapture the magic without Tom Hanks?
Sure, the format is similar and it works, but why rehash just because it’s Halloween?
It’s also worth noting this sketch has great production values those clouds!
And is it just me, or is Chance channelingTyrone Biggumshere?
He stomps out the devil with trap music and makes us laugh while staying woke.”
Her votes on what Chance should perform tonight off the album?
“Hot Shower” and “Handsome.”
This is one of the benefits of live, I guess!
You get to make these jokes in real time it’s the closest thing late-night TV has to Twitter.
Calling Rudy Giuliani the “9/11 of mayors” is a vicious punchline fromMichael Che.
(However, his Bruce Jenner/Kanye West digs fall devastatingly flat.)
Next up, the Trump brothers return to the Update desk.
(He only trails Seth Meyers at no.
Doesn’t it always feel like Colin is still settling in, working through his first segments as anchor?
He has hosted Update twice as long as Kevin Nealon, and longer than Norm MacDonald and Chevy Chasecombined.
They hover together, and it’s mostly sweet and silly kind of how new relationships are!
It’s a nice metaphor, and has some pathos in it, which is rare.
Space Mistakes (movie spoof)
“I’m worried you’ll make a mistake!”
Not exactly hilarious the live audience barely seems to acknowledge it is on but commendable.
Dazzle Designs
Aidy and Kate are back together again!
This is a good showcase for them, and they clearly enjoy bouncing off one another.
Chance the Rapper Handsome
SNL, make some noise!
After being introduced by Jason Momoa, Chance dives into “Handsome.”
And it’s especially impressive tonight given that Chance has appeared in nearly every sketch thus far.
Cleghorne’s time onSNLwas one of the show’s greatest periods for live music.
Some of her favorites?
AndArethathe Queen of Soul herself."
Werewolf Dance Instructor
This is another Halloween sketch.
This time,Kenan Thompsonchews the scenery as a lycanthrope dance instructor in the 1970s.
This is kind of classic as a 10-to-1 it’s absurd.
“Release the drapes!”
So there you have it!
AnotherSNLis in the books.
Chance is more than capable, and the show used him often.
There’s a lot of positive here.
Let me know your thoughts.
Either weigh in below, orvote here.
Might be another reason I am not as keen onSNLembracing him.
Looking for a fun podcast that delves intoSNLhistory?
Look no further than the good people atSNL Nerds.
Their platform, Non-Productive, owns a solid morsel of the pop culture podcast universe give them a shot!
Thank you to the incomparable Ellen Cleghorne for her contributions tonight!
Chance is for Chicago, as is Cleghorne’s mother.
She adds: “I love Chance…I am here for it.
(Stan).”
