Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: This week’s episode of SNL (your commish’s birthday episode too!) was NOT afraid to get weird, with highlights including Naked and Afraid: Celebrity Edition, Space Pants, and Glory Hole Restaurant. It does remind me that a great donut place in my city, Glory Hole Donuts, is a REALLY racy name if you haven’t gotten used to it.

PROBLEMATIC: Okay, not so much problematic as much as it was disappointing that they didn’t hit more then one note on the Game of Thrones Season 6 preview. Though if anything, this is as close as I (the Billion Dollar Murrays) am going to get to Emilia Clarke points, hey? Sigh.

QUALITY: It’s safe to say that Weekend Update has found a groove, yeah? Good for Jost and Che. Though Michael Che can still be unlikable for his at times overtly male perspective, Jost’s sharp whiteness paired with Che’s honest perspective have found become reliably watchable Update!

PROBLEMATIC: Actually problematic was putting Honeymoon Suite and Vacation Nightmares back to back. Two great, and again WEIRD, ideas about awful locations with Cecily Strong as the wife makes especially Vacation Nightmares unnecessarily distracting.

QUALITY: Though let’s bask in Kate and Aidy as two large and intimidating Danish men, bitch.

QUALITY: Join Brian Edwards, of the SNL Fantasy League team The Team You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party, on our Deep Thoughts on SNL podcast! Subscribe, listen, enjoy! Deep Thoughts, when they can, also tweets during the show, so join in on twitter!

Kate McKinnon, 57 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones: Season 6)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 10 points - swearing ("bitch" x5)
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Magic Show)

Beck Bennett, 48 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 3 points - voice-over sketch (Naked and Afraid: Celebrity Edition)
• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 5 points - sketch (Honeymoon Suite)
• 5 points - kiss
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)

Bobby Moynihan, 47 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - reoccurring (George R.R. Martin)
• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones: Season 6)
• 3 points - sketch voice-over (Honeymoon Suite)

Cecily Strong, 37 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 3 points - sketch voice-over (Denny the Real)
• 5 points - sketch (Honeymoon Suite)
• 5 points - kiss
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 2 points - swearing ("bitch")

Taran Killam, 32 points

• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones: Season 6)
• 5 points - sketch (Honeymoon Suite)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Magic Show)
• 2 points - in costume for goodnights

Kenan Thompson, 30 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (David Ortiz)
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Magic Show)

Aidy Bryant, 25 points

• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 10 points - swearing ("bitch" x5)
• 5 points - kiss

Vanessa Bayer, 23 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 3 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Magic Show)

Kyle Mooney, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones: Season 6)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 5 points - host hug

Jay Pharoah, 20 points

• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 5 points - sketch (Honeymoon Suite)

Sasheer Zamata, DNP (Did Not Perform)

Leslie Jones, 57 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Naked and Afraid: Celebrity Edition)
• 15 points - full nudity
• 5 points - as Herself
• 10 points - swearing ("ass", "s*it", "b*tch", "maf*cker", "the f*ck")
• 5 points - kiss

Pete Davidson, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - as Himself

Jon Rudnitsky, 17 points

• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones: Season 6)

Peter Dinklage, 72 points

• 5 points - sketch (Denny the Real)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Naked and Afraid: Celebrity Edition)
• 15 points - full nudity
• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Glory Hole Restaurant)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Game of Throne: Season 6)
• 5 points - sketch (Honeymoon Suite)
• 5 points - sketch (Vacation Nightmares)
• 5 points - 10 to 1 sketch (Magic Show)
• 2 points - embraces guest first

Gwen Stefani, 10 points

• 5 points - sketch (Space Pants)
• 5 points - singing/dancing

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Kate McKinnon - 57

Aidy Bryant - 25

Beck Bennett - 48

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 145

WAR HORSE CAN DANCE - Megan M.

Cecily Strong - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Beck Bennett - 48

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 137

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

Kate McKinnon - 57

Leslie Jones - 57

Jon Rudnitsky - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Used to Love You & 2) Me Without You

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 133

DESOLATE ISLE - Rob M.

Taran Killam - 32

Aidy Bryant - 25

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 119

MARK WAHLBERG ATE MARK WAHLBERG - Sarah R.

Cecily Strong - 37

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Vanessa Bayer - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 112

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kenan Thompson - 30

Jay Pharoah - 20

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 87

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M.

Taran Killam - 32

Jay Pharoah - 20

Vanessa Bayer - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Use To Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 80

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Kenan Thompson - 30

Kyle Mooney - 22

Jon Rudnitsky - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 69

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. War Horse Can Dance - 2153
2. Desolate Isle - 1985
3. The Not Ready for First Place Players - 1982
4. Billion Dollar Murrays - 1957
5. Mark Wahlberg Ate Mark Wahlberg – 1878
6. The Team You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party - 1709
7. The Ignorant Sluts – 1697
8. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman – 1442

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Douglas

Kate McKinnon - 57

Kyle Mooney - 22

Jay Pharoah - 20

Leslie Jones - 57

Peter Dinklage - 72

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Misery & 2) Make Me Like You

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 232

THREE-LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kenan Thompson - 30

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Leslie Jones - 57

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Misery & 2) Make Me Like You

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 160

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Kate McKinnon - 57

Cecily Strong - 37

Jay Pharoah - 20

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 151

LIL BABY AIDY - Will

Aidy Bryant - 25

Taran Killam - 32

Beck Bennett - 48

Vanessa Bayer - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 143

THE DARK, CLENCHED HOLE OF EVIL - Robb

Taran Killam - 32

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Cecily Strong - 37

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 131

KEBERT XELA - Christopher

Kenan Thompson - 30

Aidy Bryant - 25

Beck Bennett - 48

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 125

GILDED RADNER STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 2693
2. Lil Baby Aidy - 2617
3. The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil - 2528
4. My Doll’s Name Is Jenny - 2373
5. Kebert Xela – 2109
6. Three-Legged Jeans – 2072

ORGANIC WIFI - Andrew K.

Kate McKinnon - 57

Jay Pharoah - 20

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 139

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 57

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Aidy Bryant - 25

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used To Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 134

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha B.

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Jay Pharoah - 20

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 124

SPOOKY BEHAVIOR - Emily

Cecily Strong - 37

Beck Bennett - 48

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 107

NOT A STRONG SWIMMER - Krissy

Cecily Strong - 37

Kenan Thompson - 30

Vanessa Bayer - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Misery

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 105

ANTHONY'S JOE PESCI SHOWMANSHIP - Anthony

Pete Davidson - 22

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Beck Bennett - 48

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 93

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C.

Taran Killam - 32

Kenan Thompson - 30

Aidy Bryant - 25

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 92

COLIN JOST'S GHOSTS - Colm

Taran Killam - 32

Kyle Mooney - 22

Jon Rudnitsky - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Used to Love You & 2) Make Me Like You

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 73

WAYNE’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. Organic Wifi - 2193
2. Dan Akroyd Rage - 1967
3. Suck It Trebek - 1938
4. Not A Strong Swimmer - 1930
5. The Vondrukes – 1717
6. Spooky Behavior - 1634
7. Colin Jost’s Ghost – 1556
8. Anthony’s Joe Pesci Showmanship – 1537

MURRY'D WITH CHILDREN - Johnny

Kate McKinnon - 57

Cecily Strong - 37

Beck Bennett - 48

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 199

DRUNCLE - Mick

Kate McKinnon - 57

Kenan Thompson - 30

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 134

EFFIE VILLALOPOLUS' PROFESSIONAL COMPLAINERS - David S.

Taran Killam - 32

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 124

MISS SWAN'S LOWERED EXPECTATIONS - Patrick

Cecily Strong - 37

Kenan Thompson - 30

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Used to Love You & 2) Misery

10 points - second song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 122

THIS TEAM HAS EVERYTHING - Sarah S.

Beck Bennett - 48

Kyle Mooney - 22

Aidy Bryant - 25

Jay Pharoah - 20

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Misery & 2) Red Flag

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 117

BILL BRASKY'S DRINKING BUDDIES - Saad

Taran Killam - 32

Aidy Bryant  - 25

Jay Pharoah - 20

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 77

FARLEY GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. Murry’d With Children - 2638
2. Miss Swan’s Lowered Expectations – 2462
3. Effie Villalopolus’ Professional Complainers – 2448
4. Druncle – 2396
5. Bill Brasky’s Drinking Buddies – 2047
6. This Team Has Everything – 1943

NUNI AND THE HAIR CHAIR - Megan R.M.

Aidy Bryant - 25

Taran Killam - 32

Leslie Jones - 57

Beck Bennett - 48

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 167

COLOMBIAN DECAFFEINATED COFFEE CRYSTALS - Dylan

Kate McKinnon - 57

Beck Bennett - 48

Cecily Strong - 37

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 164

TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES - Andrew R.

Kate McKinnon - 57

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Kyle Mooney - 22

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Spiderwebs

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 131

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K.

Taran Killam - 32

Cecily Strong - 37

Kenan Thompson - 30

Jay Pharoah - 20

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 119

CRISIS OF CONFORMITY - David W.

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Jay Pharoah - 20

Kyle Mooney - 22

Vanessa Bayer - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 112

HARRY CARAY'S BBQ MOON RIBS - Ian

Kenan Thompson - 30

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Aidy Bryant - 25

Pete Davidson - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Misery & 2) The Sweet Escape

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 102

BELUSHI GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. The Night Crawlerz - 2818
2. Columbian Decaffeinated Coffee Crystals - 2484
3. Nuni and the Hair Chair - 2408
4. Total Bastard Airlines - 2310
5. Harry Cary’s BBQ Moon Ribs – 2088
6. Crisis of Conformity – 1986

HADERS TO THE LEFT - Samantha L.

Kate McKinnon - 57

Taran Killam - 32

Pete Davidson - 22

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 173

BOYFRIENDS TALK SHOW - Andrew E.

Jay Pharoah - 20

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Aidy Bryant - 25

Leslie Jones - 57

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You
5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 154

HEATHER FROM WORK - Lauren

Cecily Strong - 37

Taran Killam - 32

Beck Bennett - 48

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 144

LAZY SUNFEYS - Meg

Kenan Thompson - 30

Cecily Strong - 37

Beck Bennett - 48

Kyle Mooney - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Make Me Like You & 2) Used to Love You

5 points - first song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 142

THE WEEKENDERS - Justin

Kenan Thompson - 30

Bobby Moynihan - 47

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Jay Pharoah - 20

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 120

INTERNATIONAL NASTY GIRL$ - Abby

Kate McKinnon - 57

Vanessa Bayer - 23

Aidy Bryant - 25

Sasheer Zamata - 0

MUSICAL GUEST - Gwen Stefani - SONGS: 1) Used to Love You & 2) Make Me Like You

2 points - song

EPISODE SIXTEEN TOTAL 107

POEHLER GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x16)

1. Haders to the Left – 2576
2. Heather From Work - 2508
3. Lazy Sunfeys - 2482
4. The Weekenders - 2323
5. International Nasty Girl$ - 2314
6. Boyfriends Talk Show – 2088

The two stories of this episode were Sasheer Zamata’s third DNP of season 41, and Taran Killam giving another lower point total performance! Like with Ariana Grande, Peter Dinklage proved an untraditional host in terms of material and this proved a boon for Leslie Jones, while giving Kate McKinnon a heck of a lot to work with if not necessarily star in.

Enjoy the woman behind the Hartman Group's top team War Horse Can Dance, Megan McKay, being interviewed by the host of episode five of this season, Elizabeth Banks! What a badass! The top teams of each Group held strong, save for Skanky Little Prostitutes once again taking the lead for the Gilded Radner, and otherwise the top three to four teams in each Group continue to position themselves for a late surge given a correct Host pick! Speaking of which, no one was lucky enough to nab the next TWO hosts, give as many as three chances left to make a charge for their Group title!

Russell Crowe (yeah, I known right?) will be putting his well regarded sense of humor on display on April 9^th, with equally well regarded musical guest Margo Martinda—I mean, Margo Price! And a week later on April 16^th, we’ve got Julia Louis-Dreyfus with Nick Jonas! But before we get to the award-winning star of Veep, next week we’ve got THIS Nice Guy…

Cheers.