Reese Witherspoon.

The Host: Reese Witherspoon B

“Mrs. Davidson, before Pete says anything, I’d just like to say that I’M sorry, because I’ve only known Pete for a week, but I can only imagine.”
“Thanks, REESE. WITHERSPOON.”

I literally cannot type her name without thinking of this.

With that out of my system…I LOVED THIS MONOLOGUE. It ran a bit long, clocking in at over 8 minutes, but it was worth it. It was the most engaging monologue in a while, possibly in the whole season so far. Not all of the “confessions” were hilarious, but they were all at least adorable.

And can we be real? Kenan OWNED the home videos montage.

Really Delightful

Picture Perfect; All Players A

Bobby Moynihan’s reaction to having to draw “The Prophet Muhammad” is the best quote I can pull.

I never tire of the format “game show where one contestant gets easy suggestions, and the other gets increasingly difficult ones.” It’s overdone, sure, but it still works for me. I love it, especially this one's fun new twist: it’s not necessarily something “impossible” or “too complicated to figure out”, as it is in most of these kinds of sketches, but something the contestant can’t do either out of fear or respect.

I also love that Reese Witherspoon guessed it ANYWAY, so even though their team win, the two men still lost.

Mr. Westerberg; Mr. Westerbeg & Louis B+ & B+

“I’m just saying, his voice is usually like, ‘Louis try on these pants I bought you! I’m gunna dress you cool.’” –Louis

Oh my goodness. I loved this. Like the Picture Perfect sketch, the idea of the “Odd Man Out” isn’t an entirely original one. The sketch about everyone ragging on one thing, and that one guy who just can’t quite fit in with everyone else’s complaints has been done. But because it was so well-written and specific, it worked perfectly and still felt fresh. Beck Bennet saying “And lift it up! And drooooop it. And lift it up! And droooooop it” will both tickle and haunt me for the next few months.

I will say this: did this need to be pre-taped? I think this could’ve easily been live and played just as well. If it was a timing thing, I’m sure they could’ve put “Inner White Girl” in this spot instead, and played this live instead of some of the less delightful sketches below…just a thought.

Inner White Girl; Leslie & Inner White Girl A & A

“Oh boy. White people do NOT like waiting.” -Leslie

WHY WAS THIS CUT FOR TIME! I refuse to believe that Lorne thought trotting out another "High School Theatre Show" was funnier than Leslie Jones screaming in a bank. I’ve said from the beginning that I’d watch an entire episode of Leslie Jones standing in a room angrily screaming at people, so you can bet I loved this pre-taped sketch.

Also, much like the "Mr. Westerberg" sketch, I’m not entirely sure this needed to be pre-taped either. There is that sweet cut where we see Leslie Jones talking to air, and the cut intro where she receives the gift from her grandmother, but neither of those are what made this funny to me. The real crux of the sketch could’ve definitely been done live. What gives?

Less Delightful

High School Theatre Show; All Players C

I mean, all I have to really say about this one is, of all the sketches to make recurring…why this one?

The LA Scene; All Players D

“Umm. Sweetheart. You left your mic on. We had a direct connection to you for all of that.”

Okay. What I think is supposed to be funny about this sketch is that two older women fart and get their periods. Small problem: here’s nothing unusual in that. There are women in the world who prefer to date younger men. Since they’re human, I’m comfortable asserting they also pass gas. And depending on where they are in life, many still get their periods. Since there is nothing unusual to laugh at, it’s logical to assume that the butt of the joke is the two women who have functioning bodies and sexually desire younger men. Do you see where I’m going with this?

And really? The button is that two men run away from an unused poise pad? If that was a real, comedic truth, my life would be a whole lot easier. Some dude staring at you on the subway? Pelt him with tampons. Bro taking up three seats with his manspreading? Bury him in pads. That dick not respecting your space when you are clearly ahead of him in line? I guess what I’m trying to say is, I had a shitty commute today. And also, that this was lazy writing not based in truth. It perpetuates a childish, outdated stigma against the event that enables women to carry children and connect to nature. (Periods suck, yeah, but it’s pretty rad that we sync up with both the moon cycle and our closest ladies). And perpetuates another stigma against women who like younger men. Women like that are called cougars, but what do you call a 40-year-old man dating a 25-year-old woman?

Just to clarify, I didn’t immediately think “Arrrghh, down with the patriarchy!” after watching this sketch. But I expect more from SNL; no topic is off-limits as long as it’s funny. This sketch was completely unfunny, and also had some light sexism in it that would’ve probably been absent if it were well written.

Waterslide; All Players D

Okay, after that rant I almost don’t want to get into this one.

Almost.

What is Reese Witherspoon even supposed to be doing in this scene? She’s just there to…ask the boys to put sun tan lotion on her so the audience can hear them babble nervously? Is SNL just a Pepe Le Pew cartoon now? I’m a little surprised their eyes didn’t pop out, and their tongues didn’t roll out their mouths and onto the floor. Oh! I wonder if someone bakes a pie backstage, if the smell would suspend everyone in the air!

But seriously, what was the point of this sketch? ‘Cause I’m thinking that was prime real estate for “Inner White Girl”. (Not bitter).