Saturday Night Live
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This week,SNLis as much a public service as it is a show.
And finally, no, Brad Pitt did not play Anthony Fauci.
Other things to keep in mind for this unusual show: One, it definitely wasnt live.
All the bits were filmed and edited at an earlier time.
SNLis a well-funded, well-oiled machine when it films at 30 Rock.
Therell be some good stuff, maybe one or two stinkers.
You know the drill.
So if you think our usual dissection gives away too much, watch the bits first.
Even in this weird circumstance, Hanks looks at home in part because he is literally at home.
This one would have made it at 8H.
Always a bridesmaid, never the Democratic nominee, he says with a sigh.
As for his future, Bernie plans to relax and finish that heart attack from October.
(All three roles are played by Chloe Fineman.)
From concept to execution, this bit wins.
In the midst of it all, Ginsberg is harassed by her cruel trainer (Kate McKinnons cat).
Theyve long since moved out of the sewers and given up ass-kicking.
Now, theyre sober, shopping at Whole Foods, and lugging out the recycling bins.
(Without laughs, Che says, it would look like hostage footage.)
They zoom in on Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden, and how the coronavirus affects different communities.
In the second half, there are some good-and-tasteless bits about, among other things, gerbils.
Its a flash of the playful torture between these guys that has always been a highlight of their Updates.
Theres also a round-up of what Tisdale and his wife saw out the window.
The whole package is clever and pitch-perfect.
Whatcha Cookin?
Longtime creative partners Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney FaceTime each other to brainstorm ideas for the show.
Unfortunately, neither of them have a clue.
Eventually, theyre joined by Fred Armisen.
She goes from highlighting her eyebrows to adding blush to her cheeks and color to her lips.
Nwodim plays this just right, without much of a wink to the audience.
Shes seenThe HuntandEmma,both of which were awkward, andThe Invisible Man,which was cute.
Meanwhile, Baileys mom is posting pictures of herself in a bikini and otherwise making Bailey feel invisible.
The material is clever, and as the character appears on Update, it translates easily to this format.
The writing here isnt stellar, but Bryants endearing presence makes everything hold together.
This means whatever cars hes got in the driveway and a handful of cash that looks impressive on camera.
Which, when broken down, isnt really all that much.
Pete Davidson Drake Music Video
Drake hashis quarantine jam, Toosie Slide, and Davidson has this.
Namely, that the Canadian rapper misses his ex.
Drake takes a lot of shit for being a sensitive guy, and this is moremerdefor the heap.
After re-spawning, hes picked off again.
Go back toFortnite, one of his rivals taunts him.
The remainder of the bit is essentially filled by gamer cliches.
Some, like Chloe Fineman, understand the front-facing-comedy medium and know how to make it work for them.
But all that said, this show was less a risk than a gesture of solidarity.
The star-studded tribute to musical director Hal Willner solidifies that impression.
At the close of the show, Hanks says he hopes it gave the audience something to do.
It did that, and more.
