Host Michael Keaton Is Slightly Squandered On ‘SNL’ With Billie Eilish

Michael Keaton returned to host Saturday Evening Reside with musical visitor Billie Eilish. The night time felt considerably lackluster after Arianna Grande’s high-energy and viral moment-producing present final week. Keaton was underused this week, which is a disgrace since he has been an iconic host prior to now.

Keaton first hosted in 1982 in the course of the Halloween episode of season 8. He returned in 1992 in season 18 and once more in 2015 for season 40, making him a little bit of a internet hosting veteran. Final night time’s musical visitor was additionally not a stranger to the present. Eilish first appeared as a musical visitor on SNL in 2019 on the season 45 premiere. She returned to each host and musical visitor throughout season 47 in 2021. She returned once more because the musical visitor on season 49. Final night time, Eilish sang “Birds of a Feather” and “Wildflower” from her album Hit Me Laborious and Comfortable. Whereas her expertise makes each performances nicely value a watch, the surreal opening and projected sky for “Birds of a Feather” elevates the efficiency and is simply so cool.

Chilly Open

This week introduced one other political Chilly Open, which solely is sensible this near the election. It spoofs Kamala Harris’s interview on Fox Information and could be very near the Bret Baier-led interview earlier this week. This sketch has some glorious one-liners, and Maya Rudolph’s Kamala impression is at all times a masterclass, however total, the sketch drags a bit. Most of SNL’s political impressions are spectacular; nonetheless, this sketch introduces Alec Baldwin as Baier. Whereas he’s a favourite of the present, he doesn’t appear to be the only option for the character and he isn’t as plausible within the function as the opposite gamers within the sketch.

Monologue

The monologue this week felt brief. Whereas Keaton began by recounting a narrative about being a PA on Mr. Rogers’s Neighborhood within the Nineteen Seventies, he was shortly interrupted by Mikey Day after which Andy Samberg dressed as Beetlejuice. They attempt to strain him to do the impression with them, which is cute. Nonetheless, the massive situation with that is that SNL did a really related bit when he hosted in 2015. On the time, Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan pressured him by means of tune to do Batman and Beetlejuice impressions.

In some methods, a Beetlejuice impression monologue makes extra sense in 2024 after the discharge of the long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice than it did in 2015, however the two monologues simply really feel like they’re making the identical joke. And the 2015 model does it higher. Additionally having Andy Samberg (who has been taking part in Doug Emhoff within the chilly opens) come out as an alternative of Baldwin appears like a missed alternative for a Beetlejuice-themed joke.

Store TV

Whereas some jokes don’t land, this sketch’s premise is de facto enjoyable. The sketch follows a QVC-type present that goes awry when the Halloween cookies a bunch is promoting appear like one thing naughty. A spotlight of the sketch is the virtually swishy southern accents of the hosts that basically construct the characters shortly. The viewers appears like they’ve seen these folks earlier than nearly immediately, which is an asset.

Skydiving

Please Don’t Destroy sketches at all times really feel amongst this system’s most ingenious and freshest sketches. This sketch about skydiving instructors getting a foul feeling in regards to the leap is not any totally different. It’s humorous and tight and in addition, surprisingly, actually showcases Keaton’s appearing chops.

Forbidden Romance

This sketch options Ego Nwodim and Andrew Dismukes as an interracial couple in Nineteen Fifties Detroit who deliver their dad and mom collectively. The assembly leads Dismukes to play Prepare’s “Hey Soul Sister” on a ukulele. This sketch is meant to make the viewers squirm in awkwardness, and it accomplishes that, however it doesn’t totally repay. There’s a cringe issue that works and a cringe issue that doesn’t. Nonetheless, Dismukes’ dedication is commendable.

TikTok

This sketch includes a speedy scroll by means of TikTok. The frenetic tempo helps this sketch. Not every little thing lands, however then it is just 10 to 30 seconds till the following joke. This author is considerably hooked on TikTok, and there are moments on this sketch that really feel like they’re from ages in the past on the app; nonetheless, this in all probability received’t bug much less chronically on-line folks. Sadly, on the identical time, this sketch appears tailored for the chronically on-line and accommodates some very deep cuts. A name again to final week’s Domingo sketch that has discovered virality on TikTok, a Keith Lee-esq impression and the ultimate joke are among the many highlights.

Weekend Replace

Stand-up model units from Emil Wakim and Sarah Sherman elevate this week’s Weekend Replace. Sherman’s discuss on the Victoria’s Secret vogue present goes fairly blue, however she sells it exceptionally nicely. She doesn’t miss a joke and performs off Colin Jost completely.

Wakim’s jokes about being Christian Lebanese and the Center East really feel dangerous (even when they shouldn’t.) Whereas many arab comedians have been talking for months about Gaza and the Center East, normally, they aren’t given as massive of a stage to share their views. For instance, whereas jokes about being queer in Palestine have existed in LGBTQ+ and leftist discourse for months, it appears like untrodden floor for the SNL stage. The gang’s discomfort is palpable at moments, and certainly one of his jokes even bombs. Whereas he saves it masterfully by taking part in off of Colin, you’ll be able to inform the group is on edge. Nonetheless, Wakim is a formidable standup, and this bit is nicely value watching.

Uber Recreation Present

Sherman, Bowen Yang and Nwodim ship a enjoyable sketch about conspiracy theories. All three of them ship good performances, which helps this sketch. It’s mild fare, however a superb time.

Horror Choreographer

This sketch would have been higher if it hadn’t appeared the identical week because the Store TV sketch. In each sketches, Keaton performs an effeminate man who doesn’t fairly perceive the project. Whereas this sketch is barely stronger, it suffers by coming after. Once more, Keaton disappears nicely into the character. Nonetheless, this sketch appears like a good suggestion with out sufficient course to observe by means of.

Desk Facet

The ultimate sketch of the night time is normally the most important swing. Desk Facet is bizarre however undeniably enjoyable. The sketch follows two folks as they reminisce about their previous loves over table-side guacamole. The writing is nice on this sketch and permits Heidi Gardner and Keaton to shine. It additionally ends shortly and nicely, which is usually laborious in sketch comedy.

SNL returns with host John Mulaney and musical visitor Chappell Roan on November 2.