Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: Was everything on point tonight? I think everything was on point tonight! Woody Harrelson was the season’s best host, making up for a surprisingly flat Chris Rock episode with an exceptional Saturday night that ran on all cylinders. Sketches were hilarious, Weekend Update was fun and even Jost and Che finally started playing together to a hilarious result, even Leslie Jones came out swinging this week with her hilarious perspective on realtionships, guests arrived and added some fun moments to the show as well. Finally, Kendrick Lamar joined Woody in the BEST OF, of the season so far and blew all other musical guests out of the water with his first song alone.

PROBLEMATIC: If only his second song was more inherently his. I know his newest album doesn’t even have a name yet, let alone a second single, and as a Torontonian I enjoy a Chantal Kreviazuk cameo as much as the next person (though I draw the line at Raine Maida), but after that first song… I just wanted something more… (though as you’ll see, some of our participants still impressively picked that second song! BOOM!)

QUALITY: But seriously, “i” EVERYBODY! Kendrick Lamar changed by the game by changing his game and becoming the kind of showman, theatrically, that seemed to be the only thing I could think that was missing from his wheelhouse. Sure there were shades of it in his BET Cypher last year, but damn KING!

PROBLEMATIC: I loved his show, and you will too. If anything, this is the perfect example of SNL for those who think it hasn’t been funny since “insert the generation I last enjoyed here”, just don’t put too much weight behind the Campfire Song sketch and we’ll all be golden.

QUALITY: Trivia Club would LOVE to hear feedback on the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League! Comment in the blog's comment section, on Trivia Club's facebook page or in our twitter feed. We want to hear from you, as we make our way through Season 40! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Subscribe to us on iTUNES! Do the same on YouTube!

REPERTORY CAST

Taran Killam, 86 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - crying
• 5 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK..!"
• 3 points - voice-over (The Dudleys)
• 5 points - sketch (Match'd)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - multiple characters
• 5 points - crying
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - recurring (Matthew McConaughey)
• 5 points - kiss
• 5 points - sketch (Crack Has Changed)

Kate McKinnon, 55 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Dudleys)
• 3 points - voice over (Match'd)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - multiple characters
• 5 points - recurring (Lorde)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Last Call)
• 5 points - recurring (Sheila Sovage)
• 10 points - open-mouth kissing

Kenan Thompson, 49 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Dudleys)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - multiple characters
• 5 points - sketch (Crack Has Changed)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Last Call)
• 5 points - recurring

Bobby Moynihan, 44 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - kissing
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 5 points - crying
• 5 points - sketch (Crack Has Changed)
• 5 points - sketch (Campfire Songs)
• 5 points - singing

Jay Pharoah, 39 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - reoccurring (Barak Obama)
• 5 points - crying
• 5 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK..!"
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing

Vanessa Bayer, 29 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Miley Cyrus)
• 5 points - sketch (Campfire Songs)
• 5 points - singing

Aidy Bryant, 29 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - kissing
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing

Cecily Strong, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (Match'd)
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing

FEATURED CAST

Leslie Jones, 51 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 10 points - Weekend Update
• 12 points - swearing (6x "crazy bitch")
• 5 points - sketch (Campfire Songs)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - host hug

Beck Bennett, 36 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Dudleys)
• 5 points - sketch (Match'd)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing

Kyle Mooney, 32 points

• 5 points - sketch (Match'd)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - multiple characters
• 5 points - sketch (Campfire Songs)
• 5 points - singing

Sasheer Zamata, 19 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - reoccurring (Michelle Obama)
• 7 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)

Pete Davidson, 12 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)

HOST

Woody Harrelson, 92 points

• 5 points - singing
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (The Dudleys)
• 5 points - sketch (Match'd)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (A New Day)
• 5 points - sketch (No Concussion Football)
• 10 points - sketch (Young Tarts & Old Farts)
• 5 points - singing
• 10 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - sketch (Crack Has Changed)
• 5 points - sketch (Campfire Songs)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - sketch (Last Call)
• 10 points - open-mouth kissing
• 2 points - embraces guest first

Uzo Aduba, 20 points

• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (The Dudleys)
• 10 points - open mouth kissing

Liam Hemsworth, 15 points

• 10 points - monolouge
• 5 points - singing

Jennifer Lawrence, 13 points

• 10 points - monologue
• minus 2 points - breaking
• 5 points - singing

  

REPERTORY LEAGUE

PARDO GROUP

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Taran Killam - 86

Sasheer Zamata - 19

Aidy Bryant - 29

Woody Harrelson - 92

Jennifer Lawrence - 13

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Never Catch Me

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 244

ISOLATE ARCHIPELAGO - Rob

Taran Killam - 86

Kenan Thompson - 49

Pete Davidson - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Pay For It

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 162

NATALIE PORTMAN'S DRY CLEANING - Sarah R

Kate McKinnon - 55

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kyle Mooney - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) Backseat Freestyle & 2) i

2 points - song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 133

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Cecily Strong - 22

Kenan Thompson - 49

Leslie Jones - 51

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Never Catch Me

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 127

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kate McKinnon - 55

Vanessa Bayer - 29

Beck Bennett - 36

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) King Kunta

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 125

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M

Jay Pharoah - 39

Cecily Strong - 22

Beck Bennett - 36

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) M.A.A.D. City

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 102

THE TEAM YOU WISH YOU HADN'T STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH AT A PARTY - Brian

Jay Pharoah - 39

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Pete Davidson - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Swimming Pools (Drank)

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 100

KEYROCK, KHAN, & ASSOCIATES - Saad

Vanessa Bayer - 29

Aidy Bryant - 29

Kyle Mooney - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Never Catch Me

5 points - first song

2 points - Matthew McConaughey impersonation

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 97

FEATURED LEAGUE

MCKAY GROUP

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K

Taran Killam - 86

Jay Pharoah - 39

Beck Bennett - 36

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 166

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 55

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Beck Bennett - 36

Liam Hemsworth - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 150

DAMIAN AND THE FELINE SOCIOPATHS - Andrew

Kate McKinnon - 55

Vanessa Bayer - 29

Kenan Thompson - 49

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Pay For It

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 148

PARDO ME - Hannah

Taran Killam - 86

Aidy Bryant - 29

Kyle Mooney - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 147

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha

Jay Pharoah - 39

Leslie Jones - 51

Cecily Strong - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Pay For It

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 127

FALLON IN LOVE - Johnny

Kenan Thompson - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Pete Davidson - 12

Jennifer Lawrence - 13

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Backseat Freestyle

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 123

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Aidy Bryant - 29

Cecily Strong - 22

Sasheer Zamata - 19

Uzo Aduba - 20

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) Pay For It & 2) i

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 94

FEY GROUP

THREE LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kate McKinnon - 55

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kenan Thompson - 49

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Swimming Pools

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 153

SANTA'S MY BOYFRIEND - Megan

Taran Killam - 86

Cecily Strong - 22

Aidy Bryant - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 142

MARTHA STEWART'S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: TOPLESS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - Robb

Taran Killam - 86

Vanessa Bayer - 29

Sasheer Zamata - 19

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) King Kunta

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 139

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Doug

Vanessa Bayer - 29

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kyle Mooney - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: 1) i & 2) Pay For It

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 120

THE LAND SHARKS - Jason

Kate McKinnon - 55

Kyle Mooney - 32

Aidy Bryant - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 116

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C

Jay Pharoah - 39

Cecily Strong - 22

Beck Bennett - 36

MUSICAL GUEST - Kendrick Lamar - SONG: 1) i

5 points - first song

2 points - Matthew McConaughey impersonation

EPISODE SIX TOTAL 104

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 40x06)

1. The Ignorant Sluts - 795
2. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman - 784
3. Isolated Archipelago - 734
4. The Not Ready For First Place Players - 719
5. The Team You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party - 703
6. Billion Dollar Murrays - 648
7. Natalie Portman's Dry Cleaning - 633
8. Keyrock, Khan, & Associates - 547

FEATURED LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Santa's My Boyfriend - 781
2. The Night Crawlerz - 767
3. Three Legged Jeans - 738
4. Martha Stewat's Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special - 736
5. The Vondrukes - 729
6. Dan Akroyd Rage - 718
7. Pardo Me - 709
8. Suck It Trebek - 690
9. Fallon In Love - 666
10. Damian and the Feline Sociopaths - 659
11. My Doll's Name is Jenny - 616
12. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 612
13. The Land Sharks – 582

Yes, as you can see… thanks to the season high night by Taran Killam, and Kate McKinnon rounding into that Emmy-caliber spot, as well as a night heavy on guests, and all kinds of fun things, the ranking have shaken up! Though The Ignorant Sluts still hold onto the top spot for the Chase for the Hartman Trophy, second and third have switched places with fourth and fifth, and last week’s VS winner The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman is within spit-take distance of the reigning Phil Hartman Trophy holder!

Things are decidedly more chaotic in the Featured League, though Santa’s My Boyfriend still holds onto the top spot, not much else is the same below that. It could still be anyone’s game to win the Featured League, and speaking of winning, we would like to ask YOU the audience to give us ideas for what our Feature League award should be named! We’ll be giving out multiple awards this year, but along with the Phil Hartman Trophy the most important among them will be our Featured League prize! THANK YOU, ahead of time, for your ideas!

Once again, it was an EXCELLENT show, my favorite of the year, and that’s something that feels especially nice after last week’s episode! Come back next week as we breakdown the Cameron Diaz hosted seventh episode of SEASON 40, with musical guests Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson (because he needs a co-credit, while Rick Rubin just showed up and did his work spinning records for Eminem, kids these days)!

Stay in the conversation! Trivia Club would LOVE to hear feedback on the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League and how we could even improve on it all! Comment in the blog's comment section, on Trivia Club's facebook page or in our twitter feed. We want to hear from you, as we make our way through Season 40! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Subscribe to us on iTUNES! Do the same on YouTube!