Saturday Night Live Fantasy League: Episode 39x09: John Goodman & Kings of Leon

December 15, 2013



Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL
QUALITY: This episodes P’s and Q’s are going to be concise, but here are a few quick thoughts starting off with one that may not be agreed on by everyone: Keenan Thompson has his show of the SEASON tonight, in almost every sketch and consistently funny while he was at it. In multiple appearances, it wasn’t just the traditional shouted delivery but something a bit more nuanced and really quite fun.
PROBLEMATIC: The amount that Keenan was involved in sketches proved to throw off the feeling of balance to the show however, nudging out female cast members especially. I likely won’t have to worry about this, especially in January with a new cast member coming in (my money is on Sasheer Zamata). She will be left off the board for any teams, save for if the Tim Robinson Rule comes into effect again (filling in a roster spot for any team who loses a cast member before the season ends).
PROBLEMATIC: Stallone and De Niro, as former hosts it was spectacular to see you… but the reason you haven’t hosted 13 times like our friend John Goodman was baldly apparent with the Three Wise Guys sketch.
QUALITY: Cecily interviews Black Santa during Update?! Myers really IS leaving, if they're finally letting Strong interview! Additional props on the first real fist bump in WEEKS.
QUALITY: Unlike some reviewers, I’m giving tonight’s show a passing grade. I enjoyed myself, of course powered by my love for John Goodman. Even if it felt as if  the writing was weighed down by that same expectation of matching Goodman as opposed to building off the momentum gained by Rudd and especially Hutcherson.
QUALITY: Seriously though, Last Call is amazing. Don’t stop pulling that out once or twice a season as long as you have McKinnon.
QUALITY: And a final thank you to Taran Killam for being thorough in this fun little game we call SNL Fantasy League. One of the stray thoughts when you put together a project like this is that maybe those involved in the actual DOING of the thing will take note. Say suffice to say, the math (as no one will ever say again) was bitch'. And it moved one of his teams to 4th place! Making said teams precipitous fall in the rankings THIS week even more dramatic.

He sings, dances, does the funny, and will balance your spreadsheet. 


REPARATORY CAST
Kenan Thompson, 104 points
  • 15 points - cold open
  • 5 points - dancing
  • 20 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK"
  • 10 points - opening monologue
  • 5 points - sings
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points  - sketch (Dearborn Community Playhouse's Holiday Pageant)
  • 5 points - dance
  • 2 points - swears ("black snowflake")
  • 10 points - Weekend Update
  • 5 points - sketch (Fired For Being Too Hot)
  • 5 points - dances
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 2 points - sketch (Last Call)

Kate McKinnon, 71 points
  • 15 points - cold open
  • 5 points - reoccurring (German Chancellor)
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points - sings
  • 2 points - swearing (Big Ang)
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)
  • 5 points - sings
  • 2 points - sketch (Last Call)
  • 5 points  - reoccurring (Sheila)
  • 10 points - open-mouth kissing

Jay Pharoah, 50 points
  • 15 points - cold open
  • 5 points - reoccurring (Obama)
  • 20 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK"
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)
  • 5 points - raps

Bobby Moynihan, 47 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points - reoccurring (Guy Fieri)
  • 10 points - Weekend Update
  • 5 points - reoccurring (Drunk Uncle)
  • 5 points - sings
  • 5 points - crying
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)

Taran Killam, 37 points
  • 5 points - promos
  • 10 points - commercial parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points - sketch (Fired For Being Too Hot)
  • 10 points - commercial parody (Hallmark Channel)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)

 Aidy Bryant, 32 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points  - sketch (Dearborn Community Playhouse's Holiday Pageant)
  • 5 points - dance
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)

Nasim Pedrad, 22 points
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 5 points - reoccurring (Shallon)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)
  • 5 points – sings

Cecily Strong, 15 points
  • 10 points - Weekend Update
  • 5 points - sketch (Fired For Being Too Hot)

Vanessa Bayer, 10 points
  • 5 points  - sketch (Dearborn Community Playhouse's Holiday Pageant)
  • 5 points - dance

Yes, Kenan Thompson outscored five different TEAMS on tonight's episodes. FIVE! It's a disparety that becomes even more evident when you realize that Bayer was in one sketch in the beginning of the show, Strong was on Update followed by the sketch after, and Nasim made a few appearances near the end of the show... but Kenan was EVERYWHERE! It'll be interesting to see if the balance shifts, but if he keeps this kind of production up Thompson may well shift the standings on his own and otherwise has officially earned his high draft order.


FEATURED CAST

Noel Wells, 30 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)
  • 5 points - sings
  • 5 points - host hug


John Milhiser, 20 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 5 points - sketch (Fire Safety)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)

Kyle Mooney, 17 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
  • 2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)
           
Beck Bennett, 12 points
  • 2 points - cold open NPC
  • 5 points - sketch (Fired For Being Too Hot)
  • 5 points - dances

Brooks Wheelan, 10 points
  • 10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)

Mike O'Brien, 7 points
  • 2 points - cold open NPC
  • 5 points - commercial parody post-second song (H&M)

Milhiser did NOT play an elf again as predicted he DID play a little person... so if anything else, it was certainly in his wheel house. And yes, you read the breakdown correctly Wheelan outscored Mr. Cecily Strong with his inspired take on Kid Rock alone. Enjoy the soft feel of that writers chair again, come season 40, Mike!


HOST
John Goodman, 100 points
5 points - sings
10 points - commercail parody (Full Throttle Christmas Special)
5 points - sings
2 points  - sketch (Dearborn Community Playhouse's Holiday Pageant)
5 points - dance
2 points - sketch (Three Wise Guys)
10 points - in sketch along-side former host (Robert De Niro)
10 points - in sketch along-side former host (Sylvester Stallone)
10 points - Weekend Update
5 points - sings
2 points - sketch (Fired For Being Too Hot)
5 points - dances
2 points - sketch post-second song (Christmas Whistle)
10 points - commercial parody (H&M)
5 points - dances/sings
2 points - sketch (Last Call)
10 points - open-mouth kissing


EBERSOL GROUP

FIVE TIMERS CLUB - Leah
Kenan Thompson - 104
Nasim Pedrad - 22
Mike O'Brien - 7
Beck Bennet - 12
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: No songs selected.
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 145

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt
Kate McKinnon - 71
Cecily Strong - 15
Beck Bennett - 12
John Mihiser - 20
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Supersoaker & 2) Temple
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 118

EXTREME CLOSE-UP! - Jack
Jay Pharoah - 50
Brooks Wheelan - 10
Noel Wells  - 30
John Mihiser - 20
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: No songs selected.
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 110

DAN AYKROYD RAGE - Mark
Vanessa Bayer - 10
Bobby Moynihan - 47
Kyle Mooney - 17
Noel Wells - 30
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Beautiful War & Temple
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 104


RECLUSIVE PENINSULA - Rob
Taran Killam - 37
Aidy Bryant - 32
Mike O' Brien - 7
Kyle Mooney - 17
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Beautiful War & 2) Temple
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 94


DOUMANIAN GROUP

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah
Kenan Thompson - 104
Brooks Wheelan - 10
Noel Wells - 30
Kyle Mooney - 17
John Goodman - 100
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Temple & 2) Beautiful War
5 points for First Song
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 265

MILLION DOLLAR BILL MURRAYS - Russel
Bobby Moynihan - 47
Jay Pharoah - 50
Kyle Mooney - 17
Beck Bennett - 12
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Temple & 2) Wait For Me
5 points for First Song
10 points for Second Song
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 141

THE TEAM YOU WISH YOU HADN'T STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH AT A PARTY - Brian
Kate McKinnon - 71
Cecily Strong - 15
Mike O' Brien - 7
Noel Wells - 30
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: 1) Wait For Me & 2) Super Soaker
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 123

BILL BRASKY - Saad
Taran Killam - 37
Aidy Bryant - 32
Mike O'Brien - 7
John Mihiser - 20
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: No songs selected.
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 96

YOU KNOW, IT'S THE TEAM THE HIGH-WASITED MIDGETS THAT HAVE, LIKE, THE RED PANTS AND THE BIG ASS - Kevin
Nasim Pedrad - 22
Vanessa Bayer - 10
Beck Bennett - 12
John Mihiser - 20
MUSICAL GUEST - Kings of Leon - SONGS: No songs selected.
EPISODE NINE TOTAL 64


DEEP THOUGHTS with the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League

(on the subject on what was to be done with the announced new cast member) “So to summarize what just happened, Russel and Matt just rehashed an argument from the summer, but have switched sides.” – Reclusive Peninsula’s Rob

(Mooney and/or Milhiser as Criss Angel) “Meh. Same guy.” – Ignorant Sluts’ Matt

“Commercial was a nice bizarre mix of impressions. Big Ang was disturbing.” – The Team You Wish…’s Brian

(on Seth Myers’ Update replacement/new co-host for Strong) “Bennett is the clear choice.”  – Ignorant Sluts’ Matt

“Any other characters need to come by to say goodbye? One more "Really?!" with Amy?” – The Team You Wish…’s Brian

“I don't really see one stand out sketch. The snowflake one is probably my favorite so far but I wouldn't put it on any 'best sketch' list.” – The Team You Wish…’s Brian

“By the way, let's talk about that Three Wise Guys sketch… I got nothing.” – Reclusive Peninsula’s Rob

“I think when (the Three Wise Guys sketch) was over, the show was over schedule by 17 minutes.” – Ignorant Sluts’ Matt

“For reference, last time Goodman hosted was November 2001. Three episodes post the famous Giuliani opener after September 11th. Meyers and Poehler's 4th episode. Four years before widescreen/HD.” – Reclusive Peninsula’s Rob


PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY OVERALL STANDINGS (after Episode 39x09)
  1. MILLION DOLLAR BILL MURRAYS - 1, 336
  2. THE IGNORANT SLUTS - 1, 291
  3. THE TEAM YOU WISH YOU HADN'T STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH AT A PARTY - 1,278
  4. DAN AKROYD RAGE - 1, 227
  5. SUCK IT TREBEK - 1, 226
  6. RECLUSIVE PENINSULA - 1, 225
  7. BILL BRASKY - 1,193
  8. FIVE TIMERS CLUB - 1, 143
  9. YOU KNOW IT'S THE TEAM WITH THE HIGH-WAISTED MIDGETS THAT HAVE, LIKE, THE RED PANTS AND BIG ASS - 959
  10. EXTREME CLOSE-UP - 954

Stay in the conversation! Trivia Club would LOVE to hear feedback on Saturday Night Live Fantasy so far, either in the blogs comment section, on Trivia Club's facebook page or in our twitter feed. For now we'll be taking a week away to discuss, debate, and possibly trade amongst ourselves.

Again, I think expectations were neither kind on Goodman or the writing team, but damn if it wasn't nice to see John back in the saddle at SNL. From K.D. Lang (yes that was his first musical guest in 1989) to Ja Rule (in 2001) to Kings of Leon (the music industry, everyone!), Goodman had a diverse list of musical guests. And yeah, the King of Leon were as forgettable as the fact that... wait, they hadn't gone the way of many other bands and broken apart? OH, and did I mention the Tragically Hip was a musical guest for John Goodman? Anyway, that's more something of note for the Canadian fans and followers of the SNL Fantasy League!

Speaking of, Fantasy Leaguers, christ it was a hell of a week for SUCK IT TREBEK! Those are record numbers for both a single cast member point total (Kenan's 104) and a single episode team total (265), which was of course helped along by a healthy show of Goodman singing and dancing more then anyone short of Timberlake (because the big, ol' man is an ENTERTAINER), so bravo to that. It shortens the field and proves, as we continue to hear about new hosts... a single show could truly swing the standings from first to seventh. The Million Dollar Bill Murrays may still be in first, but especially with 4 thru 6 looking the way it does I see that anything is possible.

Bill Brasky has further chances to make up for tonight's roster performance with the Christmas show next week, his first round predicted host will be the Musical Guest! Also, damn it all, Reclusive Peninsula is a fighter, and will make his way back to the promised land! Seth Myers will be exiting the Update desk sooner then later, so WILL we see a NEW co-anchor for Cecily Strong? Could it even be a Featured Cast member?! All this and MORE... eventually. All I know is, next week should be quite the show.

Watch your #1 spot Hutcherson! It's on notice!

Russel Harder hosts Trivia Club at Cardinal Rule (5 Roncesvalles Ave) every WEDNESDAY, at Hitch (1216 Queen St East) every SECOND and FOURTH MONDAY of the month, and Handlebar (159 Augusta Ave) on the FIRST TUESDAY of every month!

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