SNL Scorecard: Adam Sandler/Shawn Mendes
- May 5, 2019
- 4 min read
As was much discussed and advertised, Adam Sandler, former SNL great, returned to host the show this past weekend after 23 years away from the Studio 30 stage. I've seen many a clip from the heyday of Sandler and co. on Saturday Night Live, but given that his last season as a cast member began the same year I was born, I've only ever known the show without him. Still, watching his gig last night, it was pretty evident why he was able to launch a successful comedy career on the back of his tenure there. Sandler was a terrific host, in complete control without preventing other cast members from shining. Versatile, yet familiar. In a night that was short on razor-sharp writing, the host transformed what could have been a very mediocre episode into an extremely solid one.
Here's the sketch-by-sketch breakdown of the 19th episode of the season:
Special Shoutout
“Chris Farley Song”
After much deliberation, I've decided to highlight this moment, but not include it in the official scorecard. Because really, how do you even rate something like this? It wasn’t a comedy skit (though there were some nice laughs in there); it was a musical performance by the host, but not from the musical guest. More than that, it was just a touching, heartfelt, melancholy tribute from one comedian friend to another. This was reminiscent of Kate McKinnon’s post-Election “Hallelujah” sketch, though on a more personal level, as something that just transcended what SNL is typically about.
Sketch of the Night
“Romano Tours”: 7/10
This skit was 99% Sandler brilliance, but was also the most clever writing of the night. I thought the joke was going to be how shoddy the tour company was, but instead, it brought home a funny point: don’t go on a vacation to run away from your problems!! It won’t work!!
The Good
“Weekend Update": 7/10
This was actually not a very good outing from Che and Jost, who are really losing steam down the stretch. I still like them, and think they're solid on the whole; at least significantly better than the nonstop hatred they receive would suggest. All in all, Season 44 might be their best yet, but there have been a few too many weeks recently like this one, where their jokes are uninspired, and their deliveries flat. So, why is this rated so high? Simple: two brilliant guest spots. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kate McKinnon's Elizabeth Warren is the best of her political impressions, and I won't be sad at all if we see much more of her (for multiple reasons)! And Sandler's Opera Man...I was familiar with the character, but don't believe I had actually seen a full appearance before. Let's just say I get the hype.
“Rectix": 7/10
Juvenile? Maybe. Hilariously uncomfortable? Also yes.
"Sandler Family Reunion": 7/10
I don’t follow a ton of Adam Sandler’s work— yes, I still get made fun of for not knowing Waterboy or Billy Madison —so most of the references were lost on me, but still, everybody seemed to be having a great time. Man, it was so good to see Kristen Wiig.
“Monologue": 6.5/10
This continued the 2019 trend of solid monologues. Not uproariously funny, but a fun stroll down memory lane. Pete Davidson’s appearance was probably the best part, though I would have enjoyed seeing more familiar faces return to discuss their firings from SNL.
“War Zone Reporter": 6/10
Interesting take on both the perils of foreign journalism and the idiocy of the social media-driven 24-hour news cycle. Or, you know, maybe just a joke about Snapchat filters. Either way, I enjoyed it.
“Family Feud Cold Open": 6/10
I appreciated the break from the typical political Cold Open, as well as the thinking behind why they needed to not do a political Cold Open (in short: too depressing). Maybe it’s because I’m the only person in America who doesn’t watch the Marvel movies or Game of Thrones, but I didn’t find the cast appearances as funny, but “Steve Harvey’s" one-liners were better than ever.
The...Less-Good
“Last Call”: 5/10
This recurring gross-out sketch is pretty hit or miss for me. There was nothing wrong with the energy on this one, and it was delightful seeing McKinnon and Wiig be in a skit together, but it just wasn’t as funny as I’ve seen these skits be. I'm not sure what to ascribe that to.
“Holes”: 4/10
This was pretty disappointing. I’m an unabashed Beck and Kyle fan, but I thought from the first frame this would be another “Hungarian Rapper” spinoff, and was underwhelmed by this effort.
Musical Performances
Shawn Mendes: 7/10
Shawn Mendes, at the ripe old age of 20, is somewhere between Justin Timberlake and John Mayer musically, and like both those men before him, is rapidly making his claim as the heir apparent to the King of the radiowaves. Case in point: he's 4 years my junior, and yet, I feel like he has been omnipresent on Pop radio for a long, long time now.
His set was a good showcase of his ability and his appeal. I've seen him perform live before (including on this show), and he was a little more pitchy last night than he typically is, particularly in his 2nd of the night, the Grammy-nominated "In My Blood." Nevertheless, in both songs, he brought a tremendous amount of energy to the stage. He's a natural performer, there's no question about it. Also, he hit that high note at the end of "If I Can't Have You," which is really all that matters.
OVERALL SCORE: 6.25 (Comedy Only score: 6.17)
Comments