Keke Palmer was an engaged, multifaceted and superb host with a big secret to share, while SZA's otherworldly talent as a singer was understated, informed by some measure of visible listlessness. Here's everything that happened on Saturday Night Live this week.
The Cold Open
Embattled Republican senatorial candidate Herschel Walker (Kenan Thompson) was summoned to see Republican leader Mitch McConnell (played to perfection by James Austin Johnson) to discuss his election prospects. Backed up by Republicans John Cormyn (Mikey Day) and Marsha Blackburn (Cecily Strong), McConnell determined that the observably stupid Walker had to be dealt with in a particular (and rather unfunny way), and that's how this stilted open ended.
The Cold Open
Embattled Republican senatorial candidate Herschel Walker (Kenan Thompson) was summoned to see Republican leader Mitch McConnell (played to perfection by James Austin Johnson) to discuss his election prospects. Backed up by Republicans John Cormyn (Mikey Day) and Marsha Blackburn (Cecily Strong), McConnell determined that the observably stupid Walker had to be dealt with in a particular (and rather unfunny way), and that's how this stilted open ended.
The Monologue
Actress and game show host Keke Palmer took to the stage in a spirited manner, ripping into an amusing story about her child acting days and laughing right in Laurence Fishburne's serious face. Before long, she dramatically revealed that the rumours about her pregnancy were correct, which drew a huge roar from the studio audience, who clearly appreciated how much fun she was there to have.
Forecington's Ridge
A parody of a dated soap opera, a crowd gathered at a party dispersed, leaving Palmer and Cecily Strong to play aristocratic frenemies who come to blows over infidelity. A fistfight ensued, but the joke here was that the performers were replaced by stunt people, which led to some purposefully clunky editing, and bemusement from Strong, all of which led to some silly physical comedy.
Big Boys
In this remote music video, SZA, Palmer, Cecily Strong, Ego Nwodim and Punkie Johnson sang a quasi-rap tribute to larger men they wished to pair up with this cold winter. This was somewhat random and somewhat funny.
United Tings of Aubrey
In this amusing bit, women who may have encountered Drake in some fleeting or prolonged fashion, or else had been referred to by him in song, unionized to fight back against his advances and unnecessary allusions. Featuring Palmer and many cast members, this was funny and almost made some cast members break.
Hello Kitty Orientation
Things went awry at a Hello Kitty NYC store orientation, when prospective employees (Palmer and Bowen Yang) rejected the entire make-believe premice of the Hello Kitty universe. Out of nowhere, Natasha Lyonne appeared to back up the workers, and this strange, sort of funny thing (with strange technical issues) wound down.
Kenan & Kel(ly)
In this remote, Kenan Thompson reflected upon the strange week he'd had when Palmer convinced him to revisit their child star days with a series called Kenan & Kelly. What he assumed might be a lighthearted romp like his own old sitcom, Kenan & Kel, soon turned into a heavy, Emmy-chasing drama, complete with a cameo by Kel Mitchell, all of which was nostalgia-laden and just fine.
Arby's Deal
An Arby's ad, voiced by Ving Rhames and touting a deal for five sandwiches for $10, was seriously scrutinized by customers and actors played by Palmer, Mikey Day, Cecily Strong and Bowen Yang, who were confused how the math made any sense for the restaurant chain. This took on a surreal bent, with Kenan Thompson appearing as Rhames, other chains mentioned, and even more tech issues — but still, the performers' incredulity made this work.
SZA
Dressed casually in an oversized Harley-Davidson tee, SZA let her voice mostly be the focus for "Shirt." Though there was some stage production via cool lighting, two skilled dancers and other effects (including revealing December 9, as the release date for her sophomore album, S.O.S.), it was understated and left the focus on SZA, who seemed present, but also somewhere else.
When she returned to the stage for "Blind," SZA was sporting an untied tie and oversized collared shirt, positioned in front of the image of a lighthouse with waves crashing behind her, which obscured a number of bandmates as they played a rather subdued soundtrack as she sang. Overall, this was a muted SNL appearance for the gifted artist.
Weekend Update
Colin Jost tackled the Kanye West saga with mixed results, while Michael Che made some cracks about the recent political legislation opposing interracial marriage. Both went on small runs about how Florida should replace Iowa as the first primary state, and then Che made a solid (if dark) joke about child labour at Apple factories in China.
After bombing with a Kanye/Kim joke, Jost introduced Michael Longfellow to do some desk standup about being a child of divorced parents. Longfellow told some amusing jokes here, including stories about seeing one of his stepdads nude many times, while another one of his dads was a divorce attorney. Good stuff here.
Che made a remarkable joke about the Jerry Jones controversy, though he split the audience with a Michael Jackson jab. Pretty sure Che wrote Jost a pretty great n-word joke, though the pair notably shared their confusion with their audience's reactions, generally. Sarah Sherman appeared as Trish Dale, the president of a Peppa Pig fanclub, who is upset that the show is introducing a same-sex polar bear couple, who are parents. It seemed that Dale was most concerned about the polar bears having anal sex, because she'd experienced some pain in that department herself. And with this hysterical performance, Sherman may well have stolen Update again.
Twins
Palmer played a pregnant woman getting an ultrasound by a doctor played by Cecily Strong, who was baffled by the images she was seeing. Twins, played by Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman, were up to a lot down there, including smoking cigarettes and ordering a Filet-o-Fish sandwich that they shared. This wound up having a Twilight Zone vibe and twist ending, which was mildly amusing.
O Holy Night
At a Catholic girl's school, Palmer played a new student named Kayla, who turned up at choir practice, astonishing her teacher and peers with an incredible singing voice, which disrupted the student power dynamic a bit. A showcase for Palmer to reveal her talents, this was more of a singing display than a comedy sketch, but yet, it had its charms.
Late Night Flight
Palmer and Ego Nwodim played amped up flight attendants, excitedly telling passengers about how both they and the plane they were on had logged at least a million miles. The unsafe craft and trip alarmed the passengers, which was the point of this somewhat funny bit that was sold by Palmer and Nwodim digging in, and Michael Longfellow channeling Norm Macdonald, dryly trying to make a half-decent sketch work.