Saturday Night Live
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When an esteemed actor is invited to hostSNLfor the first time, theres an implicit challenge.
In the case of this weeks host the multitalented Regina King this challenge wasnt hers alone.
The distinctions, made so you can appeal to different personality types, are also thoughtfully articulated.
The entire package is well-shot, well-paced, and a great ensemble piece.
Whats Your punch in?
Sure, the sketch identifies all of them as cringey, but Days rambling monologues really are squirm-inducing.
Her lusty purrs and creepy exclamations show off a great commitment to character.
Short answer: no.
Long answer: no, no, no, no, no, and no.
Its a bit of a risk, relying on a rat-a-tat dialogue to power a sketch.
Some of the pacing is off, and some lines get lost, but the wacky world-building wins out.
(Dumb, for instance, doesnt feel like the best catchall descriptor for what happened.)
Then Lauren Holt comes on in her first Update feature as dating coach Mackenzie Taylor-Joy.
She immediately gets dumped by text message, and its clear where things are heading.
Later, Beck Bennettwheels on as Drunk Tom Brady.
At least, thats the circumstances with which this negotiator (Regina King) is dealing.
Without her playing the intermediary between satanic Marge Simpson and the viewer, it would all be too much.
This means one thing: changing every anatomical reference from vagina to elbow.
If youre white, you probably know me fromWatchmen, or this monologue right now.
Meanwhile, King establishes her rhythm while appearing anything but nervous.
Well, one particular sort of gift: novelty signs about drinking that imply Trish is an alcoholic.
The wigs in particular the waggling wand atop Kings head are also pretty hypnotic.
As a whole, though, it feels a bit too easy.
The writers really gave King room to show off her incredible combination of talents this week.
