After the high of Woody Harrelson’s episode last week, Cameron Diaz returned to 30 Rock to take her turn hosting Saturday Night Live. I don’t really know what to say about last night’s episode except that I didn’t like it at all but it felt like even more of a disappointment after Harrelson’s being so strong just one week earlier. Also surprising is how Bruno Mars, musical guest alongside Mark Ronson, didn’t get written into the sketches considering that the singer has hosted the show on his own and did so quite successfully.
Below are the highlights from Diaz taking center stage on SNL.
Capitol Hill Cold Open
We all know the Schoolhouse Rock song “How A Bill Becomes A Law” but now, considering the dysfunction in congress, Presidents often turn to the power of the Executive Order to make things happen. This week was no exception as President Obama announced, although not aired on NBC, that he would act alone on immigration reform. Saturday Night Live had some fun with the Schoolhouse Rock song updating it for modern government.
Back Home Baller
The sort-of follow up to the 2013 musical parody “(Do It On My) Twin Bed,” this year the ladies of SNL were going home for the holidays in style and treated like much deserved royalty in “Back Home Baller.”
New Annie
Diaz was hosting to promote her new movie, a modernized version of the classic musical Annie also starring Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne and Quvenzhané Wallis as the little orphan. Diaz took on the role of Miss Hannigan and SNL had a little fun with the behind the scenes HBO First Look. The sketch featured Jay Pharaoh as Foxx and recent cast member and constant scene stealer Leslie Jones as “black Annie.”
Weekend Update: Angela Merkel on the G20 Summit
Emmy nominee Kate McKinnon is always a bright spot on Saturday Night Live, no matter how weak the sketch might be. McKinnon returned to the Update desk to play German Chancellor Angela Merkel, an political leader who is known for her sass and outspoken nature.
While we’re on the subject of Update, if anyone out there is reading this and is a fan of the show like I am (but BOY are they making it hard this season) having some major problems with the segment lately? I’ve written before about how much I like Michael Che and how I was excited for him to take a seat at the desk, but I’m starting to feel like there seems to be something off with him, too. Neither Che or Jost appears to be hitting the timing of their jokes and they lack the crackling energy or chemistry of anchors prior. What do you all think about Update? Is it just me? Should I give them some time to settle in? All I know is that Update used to be, without a doubt, my favorite sketch of the night and now it is something I might as well skip over. Be sure to tell me your thoughts in the comments section below!
This Wednesday brings the SNL Thanksgiving Special at 9/8c and a new episode airs on December 6 with host James Franco and musical guest Nicki Minaj.
YEs, I agree with you that weekend update which used to be and NEEDS to be a steady focal point of the show is not working. Jost never had the distinctive and strong comedic voice that was needed and while I think Che is a lot better he is too unfocused and stumbles too many times.
I feel like Michael Che and Colin Jost have a lot of potential, they just need to find their groove. Give it some time.
I don’t understand what the point of Cameron’s opening monologue was. Kinda dumb and not funny but that Bill/Executive Order skit was hysterical.