Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: It’s times like the Fox and Friends cold open, that I’m reminded how much I enjoy a good Bobby Moynihan laugh. His comedy of ignorance is something I’ve grown a big fan of.

PROBLEMATIC: Amy Schumer needed more time for her opening monologue. Being a first-time host, she doesn’t get the 15 minutes that Louis got last season, but even on a crunch for a reliable bridge between jokes (the Hillary Clinton name drop didn’t work because you were barely finished talking about a baby’s butthole, Schumer!), I also enjoyed how flattered she was by Bradley Cooper even talking her.

PROBLEMATIC: This was an oddly balanced show, which on one hand can be seen by the points that some cast members got (except for Vanessa Bayer… hey girl, heeeey!), but the sketches post-Update also didn’t bring the heat as much as the first-half sketches.

QUALITY: As a Torontonian I’m biased, but The Weeknd killed it as Musical Guest! Good to see that freak having fun, and bringing out Nicki Minaj as well to spice up his current #1 hit just in time for Saturday Night. I had heard that she looked as if she didn’t want to be there, but if anyone plays a character more then Minaj… well, there name is Miley Cyrus. Everyone looked like they were having a time.

QUALITY: Schumer didn’t have as strong an episode as Cyrus overall, but was the funnier host in my eyes. So it’s surprisingly tight, but I’ll give Amy the edge so far in the Host Unofficial Power Rankings.

REPERTORY CAST

Vanessa Bayer, 54 points

Taran Killam, 37 points

Kate McKinnon, 34 points

Kyle Mooney, 34 points

Aidy Bryant, 32 points

Bobby Moynihan, 27 points

Kenan Thompson, 27 points

Jay Pharoah, 21 points

Cecily Strong, 16 points

Sasheer Zamata, 15 points

Beck Bennett, 7 points

FEATURED CAST

Pete Davidson, 14 points

Leslie Jones, 5 points

Jon Rudnitsky, Did Not Participate

HOST

Amy Schumer, 67 points

HARTMAN GROUP

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M.

Taran Killam - 37

Jay Pharoah - 21

Vanessa Bayer - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Into the Night

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 114

MARK WAHLBERG ATE MARK WAHLBERG - Sarah R.

Cecily Strong - 16

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Tell Your Friends & 2) Can't Feel My Face

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 107

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Kate McKinnon - 34

Aidy Bryant - 32

Beck Bennett - 7

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 88

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kenan Thompson - 27

Jay Pharoah - 21

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 86

DESOLATE ISLE - Rob M.

Taran Killam - 37

Aidy Bryant - 52

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Tell Your Friends

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 76

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Kenan Thompson - 27

Kyle Mooney - 34

Jon Rudnitsky - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Earned It

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 66

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

Kate McKinnon - 34

Leslie Jones - 5

Jon Rudnitsky - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 54

WAR HORSE CAN DANCE - Megan M.

Cecily Strong - 16

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Beck Bennett - 7

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) In The Night

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 52

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

War Horse Can Dance went from one point away from third place to the back of the bus, scoring less points then Vanessa Bayer this week. The season-topping performance (so far) from last season’s surprisingly under-scoring Bayer brought The Not Ready for First Place Players into first place! Mark Wahlberg Ate Mark Wahlberg scored one less point this week, but their teams consistency brought them from worst in the Hartman Group in week one to third place in week two! Two teams in the Hartman Group had both songs in the right order.

RADNER GROUP

LIL BABY AIDY - Will

Aidy Bryant - 32

Taran Killam - 37

Beck Bennett - 7

Vanessa Bayer - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Tell Your Friends

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 132

KEBERT XELA - Christopher

Kenan Thompson - 27

Aidy Bryant - 32

Beck Bennett - 7

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Tell Your Friends

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 105

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Douglas

Kate McKinnon - 34

Kyle Mooney - 34

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) In the Night & 2) Can't Feel My Face

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 104

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Kate McKinnon - 34

Cecily Strong - 16

Jay Pharoah - 21

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 100

THE DARK, CLENCHED HOLE OF EVIL - Robb

Taran Killam - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Cecily Strong - 16

Sasheer Zamata - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Tell Your Friends

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 97

THREE-LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kenan Thompson - 27

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Leslie Jones - 5

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) In the Night & 2) Can't Feel My Face

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 83

GILDED RADNER STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

A rising Bayer brought Lil Baby Aidy from second to first, in the search for that Gilded Radner, moving The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil down to second place! My Doll’S Name Is Jenny remained in third, while last years Radner winner remained in last place. Skanky Little Prostitutes shifted to fifth, though with the announcement of Donald Trump as the host of the fourth episode of the season, things are lookin’ up for the appropriately named team! Also, the Skanky Little Prostitutes were the only team to guess both songs in the correct order.

MYERS GROUP

NOT A STRONG SWIMMER - Krissy

Cecily Strong - 16

Kenan Thompson - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 101

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C.

Taran Killam - 37

Kenan Thompson - 27

Aidy Bryant - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Often

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 98

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 34

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Aidy Bryant - 32

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 97

ANTHONY'S JOE PESCI SHOWMANSHIP - Anthony

Pete Davidson - 14

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Beck Bennett - 7

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Often & 2) In the Night

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 75

COLIN JOST'S GHOSTS - Colm

Taran Killam - 37

Kyle Mooney - 34

Jon Rudnitsky - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - NO SONGS CHOSEN.

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 71

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha B.

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 68

ORGANIC WIFI - Andrew K.

Kate McKinnon - 34

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 64

SPOOKY BEHAVIOR - Emily

Cecily Strong - 16

Beck Bennett - 7

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - NO SONGS CHOSEN.

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 57

MYERS GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

Not A Strong Swimmer makes the biggest leap forward, while Suck It Trebek jumps into the lead, thanks to strong production from their three cast members, with love time rival Dan Akroyd Rage and first episode leader Colin Jost’s Ghost very close behind! The Vondrukes nailed the two songs, and their correct order, with three other teams in the Myers Group guessing the incorrect order on the two songs played.

FARLEY GROUP

EFFIE VILLALOPOLUS' PROFESSIONAL COMPLAINERS - David S.

Taran Killam - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 147

MISS SWAN'S LOWERED EXPECTATIONS - Patrick

Cecily Strong - 16

Kenan Thompson - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 146

BILL BRASKY'S DRINKING BUDDIES - Saad

Taran Killam - 37

Aidy Bryant  - 32

Jay Pharoah - 21

Sasheer Zamata - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) Acquainted

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 107

DRUNCLE - Mick

Kate McKinnon - 34

Kenan Thompson - 27

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Sasheer Zamata - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) In The Night

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 105

THIS TEAM HAS EVERYTHING - Sarah S.

Beck Bennett - 7

Kyle Mooney - 34

Aidy Bryant - 32

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 98

MURRY'D WITH CHILDREN - Johnny

Kate McKinnon - 34

Cecily Strong - 16

Beck Bennett - 7

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills (was listening to the lyrics for Tell Your Friends... you can't say that stuff on television)

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 66

FARLEY GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

Murry’d With Children owns the dubious record for biggest difference in points episode-to-episode, with a 119 point drop in production, which shifted the team from second place to second-last in the Group! Effie Villalopolus’ Professional Complainers take the lead thanks to Bayer anchoring a strong night by Killam and Moynihan, jumping from third to first, while Druncle drops down to third. Two teams chose both songs correctly, in the Farley Group.

BELUSHI GROUP

CRISIS OF CONFORMITY - David W.

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Jay Pharoah - 21

Kyle Mooney - 34

Vanessa Bayer - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 140

HARRY CARAY'S BBQ MOON RIBS - Ian

Kenan Thompson - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Aidy Bryant - 32

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 131

TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES - Andrew R.

Kate McKinnon - 34

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Kyle Mooney - 34

Sasheer Zamata - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 125

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K.

Taran Killam - 37

Cecily Strong - 16

Kenan Thompson - 27

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 116

NUNI AND THE HAIR CHAIR - Megan R.M.

Aidy Bryant - 32

Taran Killam - 37

Leslie Jones - 5

Beck Bennett - 7

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Angel

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 86

COLOMBIAN DECAFFEINATED COFFEE CRYSTALS - Dylan

Kate McKinnon - 34

Beck Bennett - 7

Cecily Strong - 16

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 75

BELUSHI GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

Total Bastard Airlines are one of two teams to hold onto the lead in their Group, expanding on their initial two point lead with a 17 point headway on the competition thanks not only to another quality episode from Kate McKinnon, but also Kyle Mooney. Only one team DIDN’T guess both songs correctly, with two teams guessing the right order as well.

POEHLER GROUP

INTERNATIONAL NASTY GIRL$ - Abby

Kate McKinnon - 34

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Aidy Bryant - 32

Sasheer Zamata - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) I Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 139

THE WEEKENDERS - Justin

Kenan Thompson - 27

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Vanessa Bayer - 54

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 133

BOYFRIENDS TALK SHOW - Andrew E.

Jay Pharoah - 21

Bobby Moynihan - 27

Aidy Bryant - 32

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Can't Feel My Face

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 100

HEATHER FROM WORK - Lauren

Cecily Strong - 16

Taran Killam - 37

Beck Bennett - 7

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Can't Feel My Face & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 98

HADERS TO THE LEFT - Samantha L.

Kate McKinnon - 34

Taran Killam - 37

Pete Davidson - 14

Leslie Jones - 5

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) The Hills & 2) Real Life

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 95

LAZY SUNFEYS - Meg

Kenan Thompson - 27

Cecily Strong - 16

Beck Bennett - 7

Kyle Mooney - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The Weeknd - SONGS: 1) Real Life & 2) The Hills

2 points - song

EPISODE TWO TOTAL 86

POEHLER GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x02)

One team in the Poehler Group guessed the two song’s in the correct order, with another three teams choosing the correct songs but out of order. Heather From Work keeps her lead over Haders to the Left, while Lazy Sunfeys falls from third to fifth, thanks to the double whammy of a slow week from Cecily Strong and Beck Bennett.

It was another, even stronger episode for Vanessa Bayer, who has really found her footing over the summer to become a vital part of the cast once more over the first two episodes of the season. Closing out the traditional three episode back-to-back-to-back, will no doubt be one of the more emotional yet chaotic episodes in recent memory, when Tracy Morgan hosts! Morgan, of course, suffered extensive injuries more then a year ago, when his tour bus crashed. It was a crash that also killed a fellow comedian, and a friend of Morgan’s, while leaving the SNL alum in a coma. But the infamous wild card is BACK, having worked hard no doubt to get in the kind of shape it takes to get everybody pregnant.

Morgan will be hosting the October 17^th episode of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Demi Lovato! We’ll see you shortly after for next SNL Fantasy League points breakdown! November 7^th it has ALSO been announced that Donald Trump will host, in what will no doubt be he opposite of the heart-warming fun of the Tracy Morgan episode. Trump WAS picked in the Host Draft, as well, by ONE TEAM… Skanky Little Prostitutes! It’s almost too perfect, but yes congrats to the Radner Group team, for picking up the first Host of the year, for the League!

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