Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: Feedback! Hearing from you helps not only us improve, and feel awesome, but it also puts more eyes on the kind of things that you enjoy! Comment in the blog's comment section, on Trivia Club's facebook page or in our twitter feed. We want to hear from you, as we make our way through Season 40! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Subscribe to us on iTUNES! Do the same on YouTube!
QUALITY: That cold open was on point, taking an already tired storyline from last Sunday’s NFL conference championships and giving it the kind of gravitas that makes something I’ve heard about fifty times this week into something entertaining. Bobby Moynihan was on point, and Kate McKinnon is really the only person I want to drive home that Few Good Men reference. Bravo.

QUALITY: Maybe it’s just me, or me and Leah, because I have Kenan on my team… but putting more then half the cast in the cold open and STILL Kenan gets to say “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”? I’m going to miss that guy when he leaves this season!

PROBLEMATIC: You lost me at “I’m kinda like the Justin Beiber of country music…”, Blake.

QUALITY: Though you brought me back around with “trouble making cutey”, you big lug you!

QUALITY: The Weekend Update guests were on point, with Bobby Moynihan proving the lack of necessity in this current Update desk, as Riblet, and Pete Davidson offering up another great stand-up block.

PROBLEMATIC: Back to the desk though, because the fact that there was less of them last week… kinda made them better. This week Che and Jost were back to being a mix of flat and stilted that twelve episodes into this season… well, it’s unfortunate.

PROBLEMATIC: As host of Trivia Club, there’s something about that final sketch about Blake Shelton being a horrible audience member at a Magic Show that made me horribly uncomfortable. So it worked as a sketch, while PAINING ME as a performer!

QUALITY: That final sketch also helped solidify Blake Shelton as an able host in my mind. Let’s put him between Amy Adams and Sarah Silverman in the official Unofficial Host Power Ranking for this season. I could have gone without his entire band crowding out the cast during the goodnights, but he still seemed amped to be there tonight to all in all good stuff to season 40’s inevitable footnote.
PROBLEMATIC: And now for something completely different. This breakdown is going up on a Monday again, but not because of my usual reasons of Sunday's are my day off, but because I watched the Royal Rumble. I didn't just watch it, I'm a pro wrestling fan. I know I know, but I ALSO suspect that the ven diagram for thoughtful pro wrestling enjoyment and deep analysis of weekly sketch comedy in the form of a Fantasy League, is likely a larger cross over then even I'm aware of. So a few quick words on the Royal Rumble, and then we'll return to funny math because this job has a few perks. The Royal Rumble hurt my heart. Why am I using this as a pulpit to complain though, you must be asking? As Brandon Stroud said on his Best and Worst recap (in which I give full recognition for influencing this section of the breakdown) of the show on UPROXX's WithSpandex:

Not only do you have WWE’s chosen guy winning the match against the very-easy-to-observe will of the people (in charge), you’re making sure to tell those people their favorites don’t matter. There’s no struggle. No drama. Just two old guys from 20 years ago saying “this is how it is.”

No matter how hard you try...

Kate McKinnon, 61 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Wishing Boot)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - crying
• 2 points - swearing ("so much f*ckin' money...")
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Keith Urban)
• 5 points - sketch (Topeka Today)
• 2 points - introduced musical guest
• 5 points - dancing
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Magic Show)

Bobby Moynihan, 56 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Wishing Boot)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Texas Man Gobbler)
• 5 points - sketch (Topeka Today)
• 5 points - dancing

Taran Killam, 42 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 2 points - introduced musical guest
• 5 points - sketch (Topeka Today)
• 5 points - singing
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Magic Show)

Kenan Thompson, 40 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - reoccurring (Brian Gumbel)
• 10 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Steve Harvey)
• 5 points - sketch (Texas Man Gobbler)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Magic Show)

Cecily Strong, 35 points

• 5 points - promo
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 5 points - sketch (Texas Man Gobbler)

Jay Pharoah, 34 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Wishing Boot)
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)

Aidy Bryant, 30 points

• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 5 points - crying
• 5 points - rapping
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Wishing Boot)
• 5 points - singing
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Magic Show)

Vanessa Bayer, 20 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)

Sasheer Zamata, 34 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - sketch (Topeka Today)
• 5 points - dancing

Leslie Jones, 30 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 5 points - as herself
• 5 points - host hug

Pete Davidson, 27 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - as himself

Kyle Mooney, 17 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 5 points - singing

Beck Bennett, 15 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Magic Show)

Blake Shelton, 54 points

• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Farm Hunk)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Wishing Boot)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - sketch (Celebrity Family Feud)
• 5 points - sketch (Texas Man Gobbler)
• 2 points - swearing ("sick son of a bitch")
• 5 points - sketch (Topeka Today)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - sketch (Magic Show)
• 2 points - embraces guest first

REPERTORY LEAGUE

NATALIE PORTMAN'S DRY CLEANING - Sarah R

Kate McKinnon - 61

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Kyle Mooney - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Doin' What She Likes

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 139

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

Jay Pharoah - 34

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Pete Davidson - 27

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 119

ISOLATED ARCHIPELAGO - Rob

Taran Killam - 42

Kenan Thompson - 40

Pete Davidson - 27

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Lonely Tonight

5 points - first song

2 points - Pharrell impression

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 116

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Taran Killam - 42

Sasheer Zamata - 34

Aidy Bryant - 30

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Bringing Back the Sunshine

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 111

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Cecily Strong - 35

Kenan Thompson - 40

Leslie Jones - 30

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 107

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kate McKinnon - 61

Vanessa Bayer - 20

Beck Bennett - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Bringing Back the Sunshine

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 96

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M

Jay Pharoah - 34

Cecily Strong - 35

Beck Bennett - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 86

KEYROCK, KHAN, & ASSOCIATES - Saad

Vanessa Bayer - 20

Aidy Bryant - 30

Kyle Mooney - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

2 points - Nicki Minaj impression

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 71

FEATURED LEAGUE

FALLON IN LOVE - Johnny

Kenan Thompson - 40

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Pete Davidson - 27

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Boys Round Here

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 138

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 61

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Beck Bennett - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Light

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 134

DAMIAN AND THE FELINE SOCIOPATHS - Andrew

Kate McKinnon - 61

Vanessa Bayer - 20

Kenan Thompson - 40

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 123

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Aidy Bryant - 30

Cecily Strong - 35

Sasheer Zamata - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Boys Round Here

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 114

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K

Taran Killam - 42

Jay Pharoah - 34

Beck Bennett - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Boys Round Here

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 106

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha

Jay Pharoah - 34

Leslie Jones - 30

Cecily Strong - 35

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Lonely Tonight

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 104

PARDO ME - Hannah

Taran Killam - 42

Aidy Bryant - 30

Kyle Mooney - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Lonely Tonight

5 points - first song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 94

THREE LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kate McKinnon - 61

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Kenan Thompson - 40

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 159

SANTA'S MY BOYFRIEND - Megan

Taran Killam - 42

Cecily Strong - 35

Aidy Bryant - 30

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 109

THE LAND SHARKS - Jason

Kate McKinnon - 61

Kyle Mooney - 17

Aidy Bryant - 30

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: No song choices.

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 108

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C

Jay Pharoah - 34

Cecily Strong - 35

Beck Bennett - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Neon Lights & 2) Boys Round Here

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 99

MARTHA STEWART'S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: TOPLESS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - Robb

Taran Killam - 42

Vanessa Bayer - 20

Sasheer Zamata - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: No song choices.

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 96

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Doug

Vanessa Bayer - 20

Bobby Moynihan - 56

Kyle Mooney - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Blake Shelton - SONGS: 1) Lonely Tonight & 2) Neon Lights

2 points - song

EPISODE TWELVE TOTAL 95

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 40x12)

1. The Ignorant Sluts - 1, 536
2. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman - 1, 489
3. Natalie Portman's Dry Cleaning - 1, 478
4. Isolated Archipelago - 1, 469
5. Billion Dollar Murrays - 1, 385
6. The Team You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party - 1, 375
7. The Not Ready For First Place Players - 1, 364
8. Keyrock, Khan, & Associates - 1, 181

FEATURED LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Three Legged Jeans - 1, 611
2. Santa's My Boyfriend - 1, 539
3. The Night Crawlerz - 1, 487
4. Dan Akroyd Rage - 1, 485
5. Damian and the Feline Sociopaths - 1, 463
6. Martha Stewat's Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special - 1, 432
7. Pardo Me - 1, 420
8. Fallon In Love - 1, 418
9. The Land Sharks - 1, 390
10. Suck It Trebek - 1, 333
11. The Vondrukes - 1, 333
12. My Doll's Name is Jenny - 1, 268
13. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 1, 239

Kate McKinnon was ON POINT this week, after a reminder last week of just what she was capable of with the viral video of the season so far (the Beibs for Calvin Klein), McKinnon had the kind of show that reminded people why she was the co-signed blue chipper in the draft along side Killam! McKinnon even snuck in dancing points along side the rare announcing of a musical guest points, only available when the musical guest IS the host! Glad to see you’re having fun, Kate!

And I’m not the only one, as The Ignorant Sluts (even after being the only team to make song choices, and not get aaany points from them) hang fast at number one in the Race for the Phil Hartman Trophy. Another, unheralded team, has entered the field though! First year Rep League team Natalie Portman’s Dry Cleaning was supported in their push toward the top spot not just by McKinnon’s big night but an almost UNHEARD OF night from Bobby Moynihan since this time LAST season!

Yes, thanks to MVP numbers from Moynihan, Natalie Portman’s Dry Cleaning truly arrived in the top half of the standings! Not only that, but 2015 has been VERY good to Three Legged Jeans, as they build on their brand new lead atop the Featured League! Watch out,  Featured League… those Jeans are building up momentum like a freight train!

See you all NEXT WEEK for another edition of the Deep Thoughts podcast, as well as more Fantasy League breakdown goodness RIGHT HERE on the Trivia Club blog! Our host will be J.K. Simmons, our musical guest will be D'Angelo, and I will be on cloud nine somewhere grinning like Pete Davidson at the Update desk.

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. We want to hear from you, as we make our way through Season 40! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Subscribe to us on iTUNES! Do the same on YouTube! Seriously, the more you like us the better we are at this.

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 Lou Dawg's (76 Gerrard St E) on every other TUESDAY!