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Lest we get comfortable from a string of great hosts, Saturday Night Live decided to put us in our place by hiring Bruno Mars to act as host and musical guest. Did Mars’ performance make us want to jump on a “Grenade”, or did we end up “The Lazy Song”? Or maybe [Insert Bruno Mars song pun]?

Presidential Debate Cold Open: Though they found some success with the vice president debate, Saturday Night Live’s first attempt at a presidential debate two weeks ago left much to be desired. Thankfully the concept of the sketch was better, with the focus being on the argumentative and childish nature of the candidates instead of President Obama forgetting his anniversary. After a quick open with Candy Crowley (a very good Aidy Brandt in her first non-“I’m fat” character) they got right into the arguing, most of which was very funny. My one complaint through most of the sketch was that even though Jay Pharoah does a great impression and is far better than Armisen, Obama is still a lifeless character on the show, and I’m not sure that’s entirely the point. That being said, the mike drop at the end at least gave him a little bit of life. Still, the opening had a lot of fun with the strangeness of the town hallers who asked questions and the escalation between Romney and Obama. And hey, it’s Tom Hanks! Score: 8 out of 10.

Monologue: Forty seconds. That’s how long we got into the monologue before he started singing. Yes, Mars is a singer, but the monologue song is a trap that Saturday Night Live falls for far too often. To Mars’ credit, though, he made a point of saying (or singing) he doesn’t know why he is there. And he had a decent delivery of the few jokes he was given in the monologue. Plus, he also showed a lot of energy and excitement and got the crowd pumped. Also he has nice hair. Score: 6 out of 10.

Brad Pitt Chanel: I got very excited when I saw “Brad Pitt” come up, because I knew that meant we’d get to see more of Taran Killam’s hilarious impression. And five seconds later I was proven right. I haven’t seen the commercial this is making fun of, but the joke is easy to understand. Brad Pitt looks homeless and is saying strange things. This didn’t live up to past appearances of the Pitt character on the show, but it had some laughs. Score: 6 out of 10.

Haters: Poor Cecily Strong. I’m sure she’s a very funny person – she’s on Saturday Night Live after all – but every character she has played for the show has been completely unfunny. The gimmick of the sketch was that it’s a parody of shows like Maury or Jerry Springer, but the jokes of the sketch were completely absent. About two minutes in Bruno Mars came out in drag. Two minutes after that the sketch was over. So we had a four minute sketch making fun of trashy shows that somehow forgot to have any jokes. At least Bruno Mars tried. Hopefully that won’t be a recurring statement throughout this review. Score: 2 out of 10.

Brad Pitt Chanel 2: Oh, this again. I liked the reversal that it was a commercial for Taco Bell, but this didn’t have enough of a joke to require a second appearance. That probably means there’s going to be another one. Score: 5 out of 10.

Pandora: The power goes out at Pandora headquarters and every channel stays working except for Green Day. To avoid the crisis, young worker Bruno Mars has to save the day by singing Green Day. He does a nasally voice and mumbles garbage. In other words, it works perfectly! The joke lost its effect after he did Aerosmith, Katy Perry, Beiber, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Jackson, but it was still fun to basically watch Bruno Mars do karaoke. This sketch had a good premise and Mars did a good job throughout. Maybe that Mars kid has talent after all. RIP Devin, Pandora Intern 1988-2012. Score: 7 out of 10.

Sad Mouse: This was the first non-“digital short” digital short we’ve had this season. Bruno Mars plays a down on his luck guy who isn’t sure he can handle walking around Times Square in a rat costume if the people don’t wave back. It certainly feels like something Jorma Taccone or Andy Samberg could have done, meaning that it is odd and pointless yet enjoyable and funny. More things like this, please. Score: 8.5 out of 10.

Weekend Update: I’ve began to dread Weekend Update each week since it has really been off its game this season. This week started off fairly typically with a few average debate jokes. The “Do’s and Don’ts” segment was a little better. I wish Weekend Update would rely on stuff like this more than just mediocre joke after mediocre joke.

Thankfully they then turned to Stefan. Bill Hader, who is probably my favorite cast member, has turned Stefan into one of the most consistently funny things Saturday Night Live has. Stefan somehow hasn’t gotten old and is still as funny now as it has ever been. Hader, who usually breaks character, really broke tonight right around the time he had to reference Jewish Dracula Sidney Applebaum. Hader was almost crying from laughing so hard and so was I. So even though the actual Weekend Update wasn’t very funny, it scores big due to the hilarity that is Stefan. Score: 8 out of 10.

Haunted House: I’ve always enjoyed the creepy robot ride sketch and Bruno Mars was a good addition to it. It’s a one joke sketch, but the joke is funny, and this sketch escalated the joke further than it ever has before. It’s also nice to see the show hasn’t forgotten about Vanessa Bayer after hardly using her this season. And hey, it’s Tom Hanks! Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Brad Pitt Chanel 3: Sigh. I told you it would happen. So this time he’s advertising dog condoms? Ok. That was worth 10 seconds. Score: 2 out of 10.

Yeti Point: Bruno Mars had an eye patch and a Yeti was physically attracted to Bill Hader. The sketch built to a joke that wasn’t there, unless seeing a Yeti costume really makes you laugh. Not doing too good post Weekend Update, SNL. Score: 3 out of 10.

Brad Pitt Chanel 4: Come on. Seriously? There wasn’t even a joke this time. Score: 2 out of 10.

Under Underground: Thank goodness we got something other than the fourth Brad Pitt commercial to end this episode. This political themed Under Underground Festival at least ended the episode with some dignity. Although your mileage may vary, the UUF is a guilty pleasure of mine. RIP The Dan Brothers. Score: 6 out of 10.

Final Thoughts: Tom Hanks did a good job hosting this week although he wasn’t used as much as should have been. Bruno Mars was also much better than I expected, but I wish he would have gotten out of the way and let Hanks do his thing. Overall, good episode that fell apart in the back half. SNL needs to tighten up the post-Update show.

In two weeks: Louis CK. Yes you read that right. Louis CK has somehow been talked into hosting Saturday Night Live. This should be very interesting. Hopefully he will write some material for the show so we don’t get him dressed up in drag or anything. Or he’ll take the show to China and have all the girl cast members die after dating him.

Sketch of the Night: Sad Mouse

MVP: Bill Hader, because of Stefan and him dinging that triangle.

Loose Ends:

Things Stefan informs us of: Nick Nolte and Gabbana, HoboCop, Bark Ruffalo, Little Israel, Sidney Applebaum, Fraisins, and Slimer,

Once again, Louis CK is hosting in two weeks. LOUIS CK.



-Jeremy