Saturday Night Live featuring Awkafina, Travis Scott
Written by Mark Henely & Bill Bodkin
Host: Awkwafina
Mark: As one of the few people to not have seen Crazy Rich Asians, I didn’t come into this week’s SNL knowing anything about Awkwafina. However, I was immediately impressed. She delivered a traditional monologue competently and brought a lot of energy to every character she played. I don’t know if there were any really classic sketches on this episode, but I didn’t come away from it feeling as if the host held the show back in any way.
Bill: Awkwafina was a bold choice. While she had an awesome summer as a part of Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, she’s still not the most mainstream choice. So I definitely commend SNL for choice. I think she absolutely knocked it out of the park, and I can’t wait to see her future returns as a host.
Sketches to Watch
Mark: If you are looking for a sketch to watching with your friends and laugh, you won’t go wrong with “Emergency Alert” (a pre-taped sketch about the Presidential text notification we all received) and Pete Davidson’s bit about Kanye West on Weekend Update.
However, if you are looking for something a little off the beaten path, check out “Baby Shower.” It is a sketch where a woman brings her younger, liberal friend to her other friend’s baby shower. The young liberal attacks the other women anytime her friend is criticized or made to feel jealous, whether the person sparking these emotions intended them or not. It is an interesting sketch about how people can lose the moral high ground during a debate. It’s a look at how someone who is just “speaking up for a friend” can become a total bully.
Bill: It’s not the best sketch, but “So You’re Willing to Date a Magician” was a bunch of really silly fun. Awkwafina’s dead pan responses combined with Leslie Jone’s patented outbursts was a terrific one-two comedic punch. As always Kenan Thompson, and Kyle Mooney were revelations.
Muscial Guest: Travis Scott
Mark: Like Awkwafina, I went into this episode not knowing anything about Travis Scott. I don’t come to SNL for the music and most musicians’ performances don’t sick with me, but Scott’s 2nd performance of the night, “Sicko Mode,” was visually stunning and very memorable. It’s one to check out.
Bill: I only caught the first performance, and that was pretty forgettable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8U6VI_51Bg
