Welcome back toSNL in Review, fellow Coneheads!
Tonight is a coronation.
Our legendary host Will Ferrell a.k.a.
Five-Timers is one of the most grandest parts ofSNLlore.
(Melissa McCarthy and Dwayne Johnson have also had brief onstage ceremonies recognizing the landmark.)
Especially given the range of things Ferrell could be capable of but who knows!
And since then, hes had one of the best post-show careers, fostering a comedy empire.
For that, and other reasons, whenever he comes back is special.
I am joined this week by formerSNLcast member, Patrick Weathers.
He was on the show during its infamous sixth season, and appearedopposite Ferrell inThe Campaign.
Just look at his choice of movies hes made, he adds.
[Ferrell] didnt originally know Id been on the show when we worked together.
That was when he first decided to be on SNL, and make it his career.
Anyways,time to go streaking!
Cold Open
Welp…we return to another grotesque Alec Baldwin-as-Trump cold open.
You either buy into what theyre doing here…or you dont.
Seeing Baldwin enter, face covered, the crowd is immediately on his side.
(Why does it always look like hes purposefully mid-yawn?)
Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Cecily Strong and Kyle Mooney play reporters outside Air Force One.
Surprisingly, Ferrell appears as Ambassador Sondland.
Theres some confusion momentarily when he enters; not sure whats going on.
And, as Sondland, this isnt an impression theres nothing being satirized.
Now, if Bob Odenkirk or Jeff Ross was tackling the goofball diplomat-turned-witness, that would be something.
Otherwise, this is yet another limp, confused political cold open.
The crowd once enthused seems perplexed by the joke by the end.
What can we do?
Monologue
Ferrell reappears without his bald cap to 8H.
He turns to crowd work and Ryan Reynolds is in the audience.
Ryan Reynolds is here!
SNLmakes another acknowledgement that the show is terrible, this time Ferrell calling out the monologue itself.
Then another hard pivot Ferrell begins to (badly) impersonate Tracy Morgan… who pops up onstage.
a rightfully confused Reynolds wonders.
Very odd, guys and not in a good way.
Ferrell is actually funny, with a great improv mind and excellent comedic timing, according to Weathers.
Ultimately, hes a professional.
And the reveal that ketchup bottle farting has been replaced with sexual moaning is clever.
This is a great use of Ferrells talents: the aggrieved and frustrated everyman.
MSNBC Democratic Debate
It is fun seeing Melissa Villasenor as Rachel Maddow!
Previously, Maddow has been played by Abby Elliot and Cecily Strong.
Mama needs a gif!
I especially love her Tik Tok-Lil Nas X homage.
Rachel Dratch is also back as Amy Klobuchar, reflecting on her quivering bangs.
She kills and yet, most of the noise here comes from celeb entrance applause lines.
(If shes here, maybeLove-ahscould be a sketch later in the show?)
For some reason, Ferrell attempts a Tom Steyer, which is…. fine.
The celebrity cameos here are simply out of control.
Even if the writing landed, the star power overshadows everything.
I have no interest in those Dalmation puppies!
Thanksgiving 1600s
Armisen and Rudolph are back as Pocahontas family.
Its an interesting concept, especially following last sketchs references to Elizabeth Warrens supposed Native American ancestry.
Ferrell is the bigoted tribe elder suspicious of John Smith (Beck Bennett).
White actors playing Natives, what year is it: 2014?
Ferrell posits at the sketchs conclusion.
Side note: Armisen and Rudolph were great together in AmazonsForeverlast year.
(Why they played these characters as opposed to other cast members, I am not sure.
Combined with the MSNBC debate, theSNLcast is in the background tonight.)
Party Song
Did you ever want to see Mikey Day and Cecily Strong rap?
Theyre high schoolers throwing a party for their friends.
Their teacher (played by Ferrell) joins the ruckus, apparently suffering from a midlife crisis.
The way this music video is shot reminds me of the underrated 2017 Ferrell comedy,The House.
King Princess 1950
King Princesss first song, 1950, was released way back in February 2018.
In fact, its King Princesss debut song.
Jost takes on Devin Nunes apparent involvementwith Lev Parnas.
Elsewhere: True is true, says Che, reflecting on Mayor Bloombergs controversial stop-and-frisk policy.
It did give him a good excuse for being late to work, and rediscovering his weed.
Ryan Reynolds joins him as Guy Who Knows the Owner I guess Jost and him are on okay terms!
In terms of the segment itself, Reynolds has the tone and delivery of a more handsome Stefon.
This is now the fifth time that Guy Who Just Bought a Boat has appeared on Update.
He last appeared during the Feb. 9 episode hosted by Halsey.
McKinnon is Dororthy to Aidy Bryants Aunt Em.
Ferrell is the doctor, who inspired the Munchkins.
He gets maybe the biggest laugh of the night: WHAT WERE WE WEARING?!
(Tonights sketch also referencesthe urban legendthat one of the munchkins committed suicide on theWizard of Ozset.)
Overall, this is playful and well-executed.
King Princess Hit the Back
Hit the Backis tonights second song from King Princess.
This is her latest track offCheap Queen.
Its funky, and danceable, yet definitely soulful.
Its a little blue, but Thompson and Strongs expressions of horror sell the dark riffs on consent.
Final Thoughts
A ton of star wattage tonight.
I am honestly surprised that Ferrell did not bring out any of his greatest hits tonight.
Not a ton of Thompson tonight.
In fact, we do not see him until over an hour into the show.
He is the hardest working man in comedy.
He remembers heading to Jackson, Mississippi during that visit and diving in a neighbors pool.
They wanted to mess us up.
What a great anecdote about life before joining theSNLfray.
Thanks for joining Patrick!
And happy Thanksgiving everyone!
