Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: I’ll save my more detailed opinions on this week’s episode for when you listen to the latest edition of Deep Thoughts on SNL, in which I guest on, alongside War Horse Can Dance’s Megan McKay! Deep Thoughts on SNL has a NEW HOST, Brian Edwards of prior Deep Thoughts guest spots and the SNL Fantasy League team The Team You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party! Enjoy our Deep Thoughts on SNL podcast! Subscribe, listen, enjoy! Deep Thoughts, when they can, also tweets during the show, so join in on twitter!

PROBLEMATIC: The 1975 were possibly my least favorite Musical Guest of the season, though may have been because I was hoping for The Strokes and I got One Direction through a Duran Duran filter, with none of the likable aspects of either. In other news, I’ve just started a fight with fans of The 1975.

QUALITY: On the other hand, Larry David hosted potentially the strongest episode of Season 41 so far! Their wasn’t so much as a sour sketch in the episode, with each aspect of Weekend Update (save for Zoolander and Hansel) hitting the right notes. I had not expected Larry David to take the lead in the Host Unofficial Power Rankings, by their you go!

Taran Killam, 64 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - reoccurring (Ted Cruz)
• 10 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 5 points - kiss
• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)
• 5 points - sketch (Super Bowl Greeting)
• 5 points - reoccurring
• 5 points - singing

Kate McKinnon, 62 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 5 points - crying
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)
• 5 points - singing
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Last Call: Ace Chuggins)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Sheila Sovage)
• 10 points - open-mouth kissing
• 5 points - host hug

Kenan Thompson, 37 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 2 points - swearing ("coolest bitch in town!")
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 5 points - sketch (Super Bowl Greeting)
• 5 points - singing
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Last Call: Ace Chuggins)
• 5 points - reoccurring

Vanessa Bayer, 34 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 5 points - reoccurring
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)

Cecily Strong, 31 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 14 points - swearing ("*sshole" x2, "f*ck" x4, "sh*t")
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)

Bobby Moynihan, 24 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 2 points - swearing ("bitch!")
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 5 points - sketch (Super Bowl Greeting)

Beck Bennett, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 5 points - sketch (Super Bowl Greeting)

Jay Pharoah, 21 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 2 points - swearing ("f*ck")
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)

Aidy Bryant, 14 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 2 points - swearing ("f*ck you, Bernie!")

Kyle Mooney, 14 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)

Sasheer Zamata, Did Not Perform

Jon Rudnitsky, 29 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - crying

Pete Davidson, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 2 points - swearing ("bitch!")
• minus 2 points - breaking
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)
• 5 points - singing

Leslie Jones, 17 points

• 5 points - promos
• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)

Larry David, 95 points

• 5 points - sketch (FBI Academy Training)
• 4 points - swearing ("bitch!" x2)
• 5 points - dancing
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Bern Your Enthusiasm)
• 4 points - ("f*ck" x2)
• 5 points - sketch (Lifeboats)
• 20 points - sneaker-upper (Bernie Sanders)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Totino's Pizza Rolls)
• 5 points - sketch (Intro to Songwriting)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - sketch (Last Call: Ace Chuggins)
• 10 points - open-mouth kissing
• 2 points - embraces guest first
• minus 10 - no thanks to cast at goodnights
• 15 points - 5.0 rating or higher (5.1)

Ben Stiller, 15 points

• 10 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (Zoolander)

Owen Wilson, 10 points

• 10 points - Weekend Update

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M.

Taran Killam - 64

Jay Pharoah - 21

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Owen Wilson - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) UGH!

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 131

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

Kate McKinnon - 62

Leslie Jones - 17

Jon Rudnitsky - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 123

DESOLATE ISLE - Rob M.

Taran Killam - 64

Aidy Bryant - 14

Leslie Jones - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 110

MARK WAHLBERG ATE MARK WAHLBERG - Sarah R.

Cecily Strong - 31

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Vanessa Bayer - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 104

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Kate McKinnon - 62

Aidy Bryant - 14

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) UGH!

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 103

WAR HORSE CAN DANCE - Megan M.

Cecily Strong - 31

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 92

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kenan Thompson - 37

Jay Pharoah - 21

Kyle Mooney - 14

Ben Stiller - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 91

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Kenan Thompson - 37

Kyle Mooney - 14

Jon Rudnitsky - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 80

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. Desolate Isle - 1606
2. The Not Ready for First Place Players - 1570
3. War Horse Can Dance - 1486
4. Billion Dollar Murrays - 1425
5. Mark Wahlberg Ate Mark Wahlberg – 1387
6. The Ignorant Sluts – 1297
7. The Team You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party - 1237
8. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman – 1140

LIL BABY AIDY - Will

Aidy Bryant - 14

Taran Killam - 64

Beck Bennett - 22

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Ben Stiller - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) UGH! & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 151

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Kate McKinnon - 62

Cecily Strong - 31

Jay Pharoah - 21

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) UGH!

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 138

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Douglas

Kate McKinnon - 62

Kyle Mooney - 14

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 17

Owen Wilson - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Lostmyhead

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 129

THE DARK, CLENCHED HOLE OF EVIL - Robb

Taran Killam - 64

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Cecily Strong - 31

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 123

THREE-LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kenan Thompson - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Leslie Jones - 17

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Lostmyhead

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 105

KEBERT XELA - Christopher

Kenan Thompson - 37

Aidy Bryant - 14

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 87

GILDED RADNER STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. Lil Baby Aidy - 2023
2. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 1975
3. The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil - 1852
4. My Doll’s Name Is Jenny - 1751
5. Kebert Xela – 1590
6. Three-Legged Jeans – 1561

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C.

Taran Killam - 64

Kenan Thompson - 37

Aidy Bryant - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 130

COLIN JOST'S GHOSTS - Colm

Taran Killam - 64

Kyle Mooney - 14

Jon Rudnitsky - 29

Ben Stiller - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) Chocolate

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 124

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 62

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Aidy Bryant - 14

Owen Wilson - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) UGH!

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 115

ORGANIC WIFI - Andrew K.

Kate McKinnon - 62

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 115

NOT A STRONG SWIMMER - Krissy

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 37

Vanessa Bayer - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) UGH!

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 107

ANTHONY'S JOE PESCI SHOWMANSHIP - Anthony

Pete Davidson - 22

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 82

SPOOKY BEHAVIOR - Emily

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 67

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha B.

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Jay Pharoah - 21

Leslie Jones - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 62

WAYNE’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. Organic Wifi - 1704
2. Suck It Trebek - 1535
3. Dan Akroyd Rage - 1478
4. Not A Strong Swimmer - 1422
5. Colin Jost’s Ghost – 1234
6. The Vondrukes – 1223
7. Spooky Behavior - 1161
8. Anthony’s Joe Pesci Showmanship – 1119

EFFIE VILLALOPOLUS' PROFESSIONAL COMPLAINERS - David S.

Taran Killam - 64

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) UGH! & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 146

MURRY'D WITH CHILDREN - Johnny

Kate McKinnon - 62

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Leslie Jones - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 132

BILL BRASKY'S DRINKING BUDDIES - Saad

Taran Killam - 64

Aidy Bryant  - 14

Jay Pharoah - 21

Sasheer Zamata - 0

Ben Stiller - 15

Owen Wilson - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 124

DRUNCLE - Mick

Kate McKinnon - 62

Kenan Thompson - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 123

MISS SWAN'S LOWERED EXPECTATIONS - Patrick

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 37

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Kyle Mooney - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 120

THIS TEAM HAS EVERYTHING - Sarah S.

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 14

Aidy Bryant - 14

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) UGH!

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 73

FARLEY GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. Effie Villalopolus’ Professional Complainers – 1916
2. Murry’d With Children - 1879
3. Miss Swan’s Lowered Expectations – 1818
4. Druncle – 1797
5. Bill Brasky’s Drinking Buddies – 1626
6. This Team Has Everything – 1459

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K.

Taran Killam - 64

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 37

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Love Me & 2) The Sound

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 157

COLOMBIAN DECAFFEINATED COFFEE CRYSTALS - Dylan

Kate McKinnon - 62

Beck Bennett - 22

Cecily Strong - 31

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 137

HARRY CARAY'S BBQ MOON RIBS - Ian

Kenan Thompson - 37

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Aidy Bryant - 14

Pete Davidson - 22

Owen Wilson - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 132

NUNI AND THE HAIR CHAIR - Megan R.M.

Aidy Bryant - 14

Taran Killam - 64

Leslie Jones - 17

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) If I Believe You

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 122

TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES - Andrew R.

Kate McKinnon - 62

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Kyle Mooney - 14

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 100

CRISIS OF CONFORMITY - David W.

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Jay Pharoah - 21

Kyle Mooney - 14

Vanessa Bayer - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 93

BELUSHI GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. The Night Crawlerz - 2208
2. Nuni and the Hair Chair - 1853
3. Columbian Decaffeinated Coffee Crystals - 1803
4. Total Bastard Airlines - 1662
5. Harry Cary’s BBQ Moon Ribs – 1627
6. Crisis of Conformity – 1493

HADERS TO THE LEFT - Samantha L.

Kate McKinnon - 62

Taran Killam - 64

Pete Davidson - 22

Leslie Jones - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Chocolate

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 170

HEATHER FROM WORK - Lauren

Cecily Strong - 31

Taran Killam - 64

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 146

LAZY SUNFEYS - Meg

Kenan Thompson - 37

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) Love Me

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 119

THE WEEKENDERS - Justin

Kenan Thompson - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Jay Pharoah - 21

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 116

INTERNATIONAL NASTY GIRL$ - Abby

Kate McKinnon - 62

Vanessa Bayer - 34

Aidy Bryant - 14

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) Robbers & 2) Choclate

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 110

BOYFRIENDS TALK SHOW - Andrew E.

Jay Pharoah - 21

Bobby Moynihan - 24

Aidy Bryant - 14

Leslie Jones - 17

Ben Stiller -  15

MUSICAL GUEST - The 1975 - SONGS: 1) The Sound & 2) UGH!

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 96

POEHLER GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x12)

1. Haders to the Left – 1996
2. Heather From Work - 1880
3. Lazy Sunfeys - 1834
4. The Weekenders - 1775
5. International Nasty Girl$ - 1732
6. Boyfriends Talk Show – 1589

Larry David has had a hell of a season, points-wise, but as was brought up at the start of the season… no one could have suspected the perfect casting that was Larry David as Bernie Sanders! Not only that, but years away from the last season of Curb’d, no one expected Larry David to be hosting.

The Larry David-hosted episode DID bring Host points, however, in the form of a Weekend Update category from Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. As I noted as well, Zoolander also brings reoccurring points as the world famous male model made an appearance during a Stephan Update! Every Group picked both to Host, save for the Belushi Group that didn’t grab Ben Stiller, while no one in the Poehler Group snapped up Owen Wilson. Bill Brasky’s Drinking Buddies in the Farley Group snapped up both Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson!

Melissa McCarthy is Hosting next week’s episode and was ANOTHER popular choice in our Host Draft for Season 41! This will be her fourth time hosting, and she’ll be joined by KANYE WEST as the Musical Guest! Congrats to The Team You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At The Party, The Dark Clenched Hole of Evil, The Vondrukes, Miss Swan’s Lowered Expectations, Total Bastard Airlines, and International Nasty Girl$, on your Host choice! Added bonus to anyone else who drafted Kanye West to Host, as his cameo chances have raised considerably.

See you February 13^th for the 13^th episode of Season 41! Hopefully we get ample Ghostbusters shtick, and if not we’ll always have…

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