Hello, it is SNL in review – and today's recap is about Adam Driver's fourth appearance as host. He previously hosted at the beginning of 2020. This time the former “Girls” star is not selling a Star Wars episode; Instead, it's a different kind of cinematic universe – Ferrari, the latest film from Michael Mann.
Driver has become a rabbit's foot for many of cinema's best classic auteurs, including Spike Lee, the Coen Brothers, Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Jim Jarmusch, Noah Baumbach, Martin Scorsese and Steven Soderbergh. And like his collaboration with Terry Gilliam – which concluded the infamous renewal of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote – Ferrari tickles a different kind of cinephile itch, giving Mann further insight into his career theme: the loneliness and psychology of Men at work.
Anyway, sorry to interrupt – that’s what he’s here to promote! This fact makes me laugh considering Gen Z avatar Olivia Rodrigo is back as a musical guest.
I recently spoke with former cast member Taran Killam, who just returned to Broadway in Spamalot at the St. James Theater where he plays Lancelot. (A former SNLer veering into Monty Python territory is never a bad thing!) Killam was in the cast during Driver's first gig as host and describes his comedic instincts as “perfect, got the joke straight away, especially on Undercover Boss, [He] understood the premise and the playfulness of it.”
It is true. Despite his serious and award-winning reputation, Driver has spawned several viral skits and memes in his last three Saturday Night Live episodes. Live out [wherever you are watching]let's start!
Adam Driver hosts “Saturday Night Live” with musical guest Olivia Rodrigo and “SNL” cast member Heidi Gardner.
Rosalind O'Connor/NBC
Opened cold
C-SPAN takes us to the recent congressional hearing where elite college presidents – Claudine Gay (Ego Nwodim), Sally Kornbluth (Heidi Gardner) and Liz Magill (Chloe Fineman) – were arrested for their academic, aloof views on anti were challenged -Semitism on campus. Chloe Troast is absolutely stunning as the histrionic and unfair Elise Stefanik.
The only person who would say yes to anything is Kenan Thompson, president of the University of Phoenix. His campus is the Internet, but her model likes to say yes to everything. The crowd seems unsure how to react to this cold opening but loves Kenan's performance. (Killam told me that he remains a big fan of Kenan as a performer and a person: “On writing nights, his office was always a place you could go and check in. He always had time to listen to your ideas. That “He would never poop, but would always give constructive advice on how it works. Always a good laugh.”)
Is Taylor Swift dating Marco Rubio?!
monologue
Driver loves being back on SNL — especially this time of year. He takes the opportunity to speak directly to Santa Claus, who he knows is watching the show. (He hasn't liked that since Chris Kattan left.) The actor serenades Old Saint Nick on the piano, name-checks his movie and asks people to stop accusing him on the street of killing Han Solo . Wokeness did this, not him.
That's down to the driver's confidence – otherwise it's pretty easy. Well, piano playing aside. He lands a funny joke on TikTok about Santa killing the couples who prank each other.
“We try it”
This is an adults-only ski trip in a cozy cabin. Heidi Gardner and Michael Longfellow announce they are trying for their next child. So don't knock! Then we settle into the premise. Bowen Yang and Driver say they're trying too. The other couples question her because the two men cannot give birth. “For us… for now… for us… for now,” they babble. Sure they must mean surrogacy or adoption, but no.
Dissatisfaction with the survey is spreading. “People think they can ask gays anything,” says Yang angrily. “Things change so quickly in the scientific community!” I get the point, but it doesn't really develop past its hook. But solid.
Did anyone else think we'd get an Andy Milonakis reference tonight?!
“Old friends”
Jake (Mikey Day) is back home for the holidays and starts thinking about Keith (Driver), an old childhood friend. Keith is open to reconnecting – and then the strange texts about the bar they go to. Seems like he's a full-blown psychopath now, complete with a Netflix documentary about his crimes. Pretty good! Here's the classic appearance of Mikey Day – increasingly alarmed.
Devon Walker is great as Big Filthy – and there's a fun reveal about Facebook.
“Peep peep”
“Peep peep!” Andrew Dismukes and Driver argue about the placement of food on the holiday table. Since Driver is the host, he believes he has the right of way. Many holiday clichés and rules are invoked because none of them back down. A confrontation with death is suggested.
Love Driver and tempestuous textbook dismukes here – the writing style is also perfect. Just the right amount of relatable tension and escalating absurdity.
“ShopTV Christmas”
Holiday Squeal Spend time with a couple of infomercial hosts (Day and Gardner). The Delaney Chocolates Santa is introduced by Dean (driver) and looks exactly like a giant penis. Yes, it's that kind of sketch – groan-inducing humor. This could be right for you. So if you're interested, feel free to check it out. Consider this a visual Southern version of Schweddy Balls. Day ponders how to take a bite of it without becoming a meme after a perverted Kenan calls and asks if he can try it on TV.
James Austin Johnson is pretty funny in his brief role. And by the way, more people should have seen “I Love That for You.”
Olivia Rodrigo plays “Vampires”
This pop-rock jam is the lead single from Rodrigo's latest album, Guts, which just received six Grammy nominations.
When I spoke with Taran Killam, he spoke of his family's deep appreciation for Olivia Rodrigo, noting: “We know Sour very well. We know the whole Sour album and that was one with Cobie [Smulders] and I listened to it so many times that we kind of made it our own. It's a near perfect album. It's really. The way it's kind of been compared to “Jagged Little Pill”, totally different sound, slightly different effect, but that kind of young woman, distress, lover scorned – it's a good listen! I called the Paramore “Good 4 U.” [influence] – I could hear that immediately. My daughters say, “Who cares?” It’s a good song.
About the new project he says: “'Vampire' is good too. We're still learning it. The new album has really wonderful music. We just haven't lived with it that long…she's a superstar. The Killam-Smulders family is made up of Rodrigoheads.”
Pretty effective performance here – just a piano, stage smoke and Rodrigo.
Weekend update
Colin Jost and Michael Che kick things off with news about the latest indictment against Hunter Biden. Other topics include: Eric Adams, Jeffrey Epstein's jet and Shohei Ohtani's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rockin' day! Alaska Airlines! Flat asses!
Depression rates among American men are at an all-time high. Marcello Hernandez comments: He grew up in a household with four women and knows that they support each other in a way that men don't. It's a bit of a stretch, but a nice way to incorporate your stand-up. The crowd eats it up. Pretty kinetic performance.
Chloe Fineman also appears – in front of the desk! She has a sexy gift idea for the holidays: perform the street ballet finale from the end of Save the Last Dance. This opens up the opportunity for the Update hosts to discuss the film's silly plot while Devon Walker channels Sean Patrick Thomas' Derek. Cameo alert! No spoilers, but Julia Stiles shows up and dances next to Fineman. Pretty nostalgic if you went to school when this movie was popular! (Like me.) Teen films were better back then!
“Airplane Baby”
Sarah Sherman apologizes for taking her 11-month-old child on a plane. The other passengers are not only angry, but disturbed. She was pregnant with him for two whole years, so he looks like a grown man. It doesn't help that Driver channels Stewie from Family Guy – half the jokes involve Driver making funny comments about what it's like to be a baby, the other half are about how grotesque he is. Pretty good, even if it's a bit of a crutch. The payout also works.
A thought: You're continuing to cast Sherman in the traditional roles of mother and friend, aren't you? As an on-air presence, she's actually brave and warm, so it works… but I'd like to see more truly bizarre Sarah Squirm options.
Does anyone ever think about how Baby K is doing these days?
Olivia Rodrigo performs “All-American Bitch”
Now we have real pop punk cosplay. This is the opening track from Guts. Here we have a kind of Alice in Wonderland production, with Rodrigo withering on a fancy dinner display and licking berry juice from her arms.
She previously made her musical guest debut on the penultimate episode of season 46, hosted by Keegan-Michael Key, performing her songs “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U.”
“Older PPE”
Thousands of seniors fall victim to disgusting TikTok pranks every day. They bear witness and we see their pain and anger, with excerpts from the pranks themselves.
Driver is funny as the cranky, decorated veteran (especially considering he's a former soldier himself!). “I don’t deserve to be stuffed with kids at Walmart,” he says. “I’m trying to buy a picture frame for my wife!”
Poor James Austin Johnson wets himself because Marcello Hernanez asks him to say a woman's name. Meanwhile, older Molly Kearney prepares a plate for the return of Jesus. Sad!
“Tiny ass bag”
Another infomercial sketch! Ego Nwodim and Marcello Hernandez sell useless silly bags. “Now available in Medium!” Think about the little cell phone sketch.
Former Disney Channel star Olivia Rodrigo also shows up – her bag is small enough to only contain secrets.
Final thoughts
-What did you think?! Adam Driver always brings it, doesn't he? Vote here!
– Check out Spamalot on Broadway ASAP!
– Adam thanks Santa Claus in Goodnights.
– Nice greetings to former presenter Norman Lear, who died this week at the age of 101.
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