Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: Enjoy our Deep Thoughts on SNL podcast! Subscribe, listen, enjoy! And heck, join in if you feel so inclined, through twitter!

PROBLEMATIC: When last we saw Donald Trump host, the blow-hard alpha-capitalist/infinite-fuck up was easier to both make fun of, and not take seriously, in equal measures. Now that he's latched onto the currant of American political insanity that sprouted out of the Bush administration, and was only bolstered by the likes of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party, a relatively harmless (horrible) business man is now the shining orange face of ugly 'Merica. And he hosted SNL.

PROBLEMATIC: The most disappointing thing about this show, was the lack of challenge to Trump. Having a known non-performer, one-note personality to work around is one thing, but bolstering him, and playing to the megalomania… is a shockingly soulless display for the show. Lorne, just because we're 41 years in, that doesn't mean SNL has to be the least dangerous show on television. Ratings not withstanding, this episode holds the kind of danger to SNL's legacy of legitimacy that everyone assumed the generally inoffensive episode featuring Andrew Dice Clay would, but didn't. In this case, the bland inoffensiveness, and at worst cow-towing, with Trump is the worst SNL we could have hoped for. They were being lapped by Colbert, Stewart, and now Oliver in the last decade or so but they’ve officially given the political satire of the show a real Glue Factory send-off.

PROBLEMATIC: Actually, the WORST of it? The Trump Tweets sketch. Let's look at this from a wrestling perspective, since Trump has a lot in common with his best possible Vice President, Hulk Hogan (orange tan, bald AND outdated hair cuts, racism)... Who thought it was a good idea to bury the people in your cast so badly in the first HALF HOUR, not as characters but as CAST, under so much shit and with no redeeming quality by a host who is LITERALLY phoning it in?! Trump gets to look like the “coolest” and “funniest” guy in the room (in the most destructive way possible) and he doesn't even have to be IN THE ROOM! When you make the choice of doing something that the WWE wouldn't think to do to its on air talent... what the fuck are you thinking, SNL?

QUALITY: Okay, if you DID watch, there was one non-Trump bright spot. The pre-taped Bad Girls sketch was the spiritual sequel to Doing It In A Twin Bed/International Nasty Girls, plus an escalating theme and an amazing look and catchy tune. However, the overall atmosphere of the episode did them zero favors, on air. On any other episode this might have been seen as a season-wide bright spot and potential viral hit. Last Saturday night it was lost in a storm of apathy and/or bullshit.

REPERTORY CAST

Taran Killam, 66 points

Cecily Strong, 62 points

Bobby Moynihan, 59 points

Jay Pharoah, 54 points

Beck Bennett, 51 points

Kate McKinnon, 49 points

Kenan Thompson, 49 points

Aidy Bryant, 39 points

Vanessa Bayer, 37 points

Kyle Mooney, 12 points

Sasheer Zamata, 12 points

FEATURED CAST

Leslie Jones, 56 points

Pete Davidson, 14 points

Jon Rudnitsky, 12 points

HOST

Donald Trump, 62 points

Larry David - 45 points

Martin Short - 20 points

Ivanka Trump, 5 points

HARTMAN GROUP

WAR HORSE CAN DANCE - Megan M.

Cecily Strong - 62

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Beck Bennett - 51

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 187

DESOLATE ISLE - Rob M.

Taran Killam - 66

Aidy Bryant - 39

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 176

MARK WAHLBERG ATE MARK WAHLBERG - Sarah R.

Cecily Strong - 62

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Vanessa Bayer - 37

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 173

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M.

Taran Killam - 66

Jay Pharoah - 54

Vanessa Bayer - 37

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Elastic Heart

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 162

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Kate McKinnon - 49

Aidy Bryant - 39

Beck Bennett - 51

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 154

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

Kate McKinnon - 49

Leslie Jones - 56

Jon Rudnitsky - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 132

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kenan Thompson - 49

Jay Pharoah - 54

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 130

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Kenan Thompson - 49

Kyle Mooney - 12

Jon Rudnitsky -12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Bird Set Free & 2) Alive

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 77

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

RADNER GROUP

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Kate McKinnon - 49

Cecily Strong - 62

Jay Pharoah - 54

Pete Davidson - 14

Donald Trump - 62

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 256

THE DARK, CLENCHED HOLE OF EVIL - Robb

Taran Killam - 66

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Cecily Strong - 62

Sasheer Zamata - 12
Martin Short - 20

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 234

LIL BABY AIDY - Will

Aidy Bryant - 39

Taran Killam - 66

Beck Bennett - 51

Vanessa Bayer - 37

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 208

THREE-LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kenan Thompson - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Leslie Jones - 56

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 193

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Douglas

Kate McKinnon - 49

Kyle Mooney - 12

Jay Pharoah - 54

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 186

KEBERT XELA - Christopher

Kenan Thompson - 49

Aidy Bryant - 39

Beck Bennett - 51

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 166

GILDED RADNER STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

MYERS GROUP

ORGANIC WIFI - Andrew K.

Kate McKinnon - 49

Jay Pharoah - 54

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 174

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C.

Taran Killam - 66

Kenan Thompson - 49

Aidy Bryant - 39

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 169

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha B.

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Jay Pharoah - 54

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 169

NOT A STRONG SWIMMER - Krissy

Cecily Strong - 62

Kenan Thompson - 49

Vanessa Bayer - 37

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 163

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Aidy Bryant - 39

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 162

SPOOKY BEHAVIOR - Emily

Cecily Strong - 62

Beck Bennett - 51

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 125

ANTHONY'S JOE PESCI SHOWMANSHIP - Anthony

Pete Davidson - 14

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Beck Bennett - 51

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Bird Set Free & 2) Alive

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 106

COLIN JOST'S GHOSTS - Colm

Taran Killam - 66

Kyle Mooney - 12

Jon Rudnitsky - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 90

WAYNE’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

FARLEY GROUP

MURRY'D WITH CHILDREN - Johnny

Kate McKinnon - 49

Cecily Strong - 62

Beck Bennett - 51

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 218

EFFIE VILLALOPOLUS' PROFESSIONAL COMPLAINERS - David S.

Taran Killam - 66

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Bird Set Free & 2) Alive

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 180

MISS SWAN'S LOWERED EXPECTATIONS - Patrick

Cecily Strong - 62

Kenan Thompson - 49

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 175

BILL BRASKY'S DRINKING BUDDIES - Saad

Taran Killam - 66

Aidy Bryant  - 39

Jay Pharoah - 54

Sasheer Zamata - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 171

THIS TEAM HAS EVERYTHING - Sarah S.

Beck Bennett - 51

Kyle Mooney - 12

Aidy Bryant - 39

Jay Pharoah - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 171

DRUNCLE - Mick

Kate McKinnon - 49

Kenan Thompson - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Sasheer Zamata - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 169

FARLEY GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

BELUSHI GROUP

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K.

Taran Killam - 66

Cecily Strong - 62

Kenan Thompson - 49

Jay Pharoah - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 246

NUNI AND THE HAIR CHAIR - Megan R.M.

Aidy Bryant - 39

Taran Killam - 66

Leslie Jones - 56

Beck Bennett - 51

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 227

COLOMBIAN DECAFFEINATED COFFEE CRYSTALS - Dylan

Kate McKinnon - 49

Beck Bennett - 51

Cecily Strong - 62

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 176

CRISIS OF CONFORMITY - David W.

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Jay Pharoah - 54

Kyle Mooney - 12

Vanessa Bayer - 37

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 162

HARRY CARAY'S BBQ MOON RIBS - Ian

Kenan Thompson - 49

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Aidy Bryant - 39

Pete Davidson - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 154

TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES - Andrew R.

Kate McKinnon - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Kyle Mooney - 12

Sasheer Zamata - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 132

BELUSHI GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

POEHLER GROUP

BOYFRIENDS TALK SHOW - Andrew E.

Jay Pharoah - 54

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Aidy Bryant - 39

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 223

THE WEEKENDERS - Justin

Kenan Thompson - 49

Bobby Moynihan - 59

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Jay Pharoah - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 214

HEATHER FROM WORK - Lauren

Cecily Strong - 62

Taran Killam - 66

Beck Bennett - 51

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 206

HADERS TO THE LEFT - Samantha L.

Kate McKinnon - 49

Taran Killam - 66

Pete Davidson - 14

Leslie Jones - 56

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Alive & 2) Bird Set Free

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 200

LAZY SUNFEYS - Meg

Kenan Thompson - 49

Cecily Strong - 62

Beck Bennett - 51

Kyle Mooney - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - SONGS: 1) Bird Set Free & 2) Alive

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 178

INTERNATIONAL NASTY GIRL$ - Abby

Kate McKinnon - 49

Vanessa Bayer - 37

Aidy Bryant - 39

Sasheer Zamata - 12

MUSICAL GUEST - Sia - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE FOUR TOTAL 137

POEHLER GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x04)

So THAT went well. Honestly, due to Donald Trump being on screen for 12 minutes it didn’t matter the quality of the show from the Saturday Night Live perspective, because most of the Cast was given enough work to pull big numbers, with multiple teams pulling in 200+ point totals in one episode. So if you’re looking for a silver lining, there it is!

Next week, we’re back to excitement, we’re back to positive outlooks! It’s Elizabeth Banks as Host, with Disclosure (and friends) as Musical Guests! Congrats to everyone on the season so far, as we shift into a second trio of shows, before heading into the holidays!

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. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Subscribe to us on iTUNES! Do the same on YouTube!