Minding the P’s and Q’s of SNL

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QUALITY: J.K. Simmons is an inspired choice as a host, and something that the Fantasy League was quite excited to see. I feel that Blake Shelton did quite a good job as quite the opposite end of the spectrum, a musical guest first and host second who also happened to be a reality show judge. Simmons, as a front-runner Oscar nominee for Whiplash instead arrives with a pedigree, cinema geek favoritism, and high expectations. With the 40^th Anniversary Special right around the corner you have to wonder how much heat this show had, but Simmons delivered. The show didn’t hit from top to bottom, but Bayer did wonderfully with the Activity Pack short, the Whiplash gag in the monologue showed why Leslie Jones has become a much needed weapon in SNL’s arsenal, and pantsless Simmons made an otherwise half on the mark music video into a memorable sketch!

QUALITY: Moynihan is the only current cast member that could make “Pushie” work.

QUALITY: God DAMN D’Angelo! Can we keep this kind of musical guest selection up, SNL?

PROBLEMATIC: As positive as I’m being, there was a pacing problem in even the best sketches. Mike O’Brien was great to see, but the gag of The Jay-Z Story wore out pretty fast. As I noted before, Teacher’s Snow Day was full frontal Simmons away from being a non-starter. The ideas are excellent, the execution just didn’t fully land.

QUALITY: I’m still giving J.K. Simmons high hosting marks for the show. He was game, and he’s one of those high I’d ride for… SO I’d put him somewhere between Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz this season.

Aidy Bryant, 54 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - sketch (Miss Trash 2015)
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 2 points - swearing ("pretty tought ass")
• 5 points - sketch (Letter to Phil)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Jay Pharoah, 52 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 4 points - swearing ("punk ass mayor", "happy ass shaggy dog")
• 10 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Super Bowl Activity Pack)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)
• 5 points - rapping/dancing

Bobby Moynihan, 44 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Super Bowl Activity Pack)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 5 points - sketch (Letter to Phil)
• 5 points - dancing
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Cecily Strong, 39 points

• 5 points - sketch (Miss Trash 2015)
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 2 points - swearing ("zero f*cks givin'")
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (One-Dimensional Female Character)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Kenan Thompson, 34 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Cinema Classics)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Reese De'What)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping

Kate McKinnon, 32 points

• 5 points - promos
• 5 points - sketch (Miss Trash 2015)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Cinema Classics)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping

Taran Killam, 32 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Cinema Classics)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (Jebidiah Atkinson)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)
• 1 point - sketch voiceover (Japanese Messy Boy)

Vanessa Bayer, 17 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch sketch (Super Bowl Activity Pack)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Miss Trash 2015)

Pete Davidson, 46 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 10 points - monologue
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 2 points - swearing ("thought my teachers were bitches")
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)
• 3 points - post-song sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)
• 5 points - host hug

Kyle Mooney, 41 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 10 points - monologue
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 4 points - swearing ("motherf*ckaaas")
• 3 points - post-song sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Sasheer Zamata, 39 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - dancing
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)
• 5 points - reoccurring (Beyonce)
• 3 points - post-songs sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Leslie Jones, 25 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 3 points - post-song sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)

Beck Bennett, 14 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch sketch (Super Bowl Activity Pack)

J.K. Simmons, 83 points

• 2 points - swearing ("kiss my ass")
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Super Bowl Activity Pack)
• 5 points - sketch (Miss Trash 2015)
• 5 points - singing
• 5 points - sketch (Cinema Classics)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Teacher's Snow Day)
• 5 points - dancing/rapping
• 4 points - swearing ("ass")
• 15 points - nudity (full frontal)
• 5 points - sketch (Letter to Phil)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)
• 5 points - post-songs sketch (Japanese Messy Boy)
• 2 points - embraces guest first

Fred Armisen, 10 points

• 10 points - monologue

Jason Sudeikis, 7 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (The Jay Z Story)

REPERTORY LEAGUE

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

Jay Pharoah - 52

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Pete Davidson - 46

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 147

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Taran Killam - 32

Sasheer Zamata - 39

Aidy Bryant - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Going Ain't That Easy & 2) Sugah Daddy

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 125

NATALIE PORTMAN'S DRY CLEANING - Sarah R

Kate McKinnon - 32

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kyle Mooney - 41

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Ain't That Easy & 2) Really Love

2 points - song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 119

ISOLATED ARCHIPELAGO - Rob

Taran Killam - 32

Kenan Thompson - 34

Pete Davidson - 46

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Back In The Future (Part I)

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 117

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Cecily Strong - 39

Kenan Thompson - 34

Leslie Jones - 25

Fred Armisen - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 113

KEYROCK, KHAN, & ASSOCIATES - Saad

Vanessa Bayer - 17

Aidy Bryant - 54

Kyle Mooney - 41

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 112

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M

Jay Pharoah - 52

Cecily Strong - 39

Beck Bennett - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Another Life

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 110

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kate McKinnon - 32

Vanessa Bayer - 17

Beck Bennett - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 68

FEATURED LEAGUE

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Aidy Bryant - 54

Cecily Strong - 39

Sasheer Zamata - 39

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 137

PARDO ME - Hannah

Taran Killam - 32

Aidy Bryant - 54

Kyle Mooney - 41

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 127

FALLON IN LOVE - Johnny

Kenan Thompson - 34

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Pete Davidson - 46

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 124

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha

Jay Pharoah - 52

Leslie Jones - 25

Cecily Strong - 39

Jason Sudeikis - 7

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 123

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K

Taran Killam - 32

Jay Pharoah - 52

Beck Bennett - 14

Fred Armisen - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) 1000 Deaths

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 113

DAMIAN AND THE FELINE SOCIOPATHS - Andrew

Kate McKinnon - 32

Vanessa Bayer - 17

Kenan Thompson - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 88

SANTA'S MY BOYFRIEND - Megan

Taran Killam - 32

Cecily Strong - 39

Aidy Bryant - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 130

THE LAND SHARKS - Jason

Kate McKinnon - 32

Kyle Mooney - 41

Aidy Bryant - 54

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 127

THREE LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kate McKinnon - 32

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kenan Thompson - 34

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 112

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C

Jay Pharoah - 52

Cecily Strong - 39

Beck Bennett - 14

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 110

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Doug

Vanessa Bayer - 17

Bobby Moynihan - 44

Kyle Mooney - 41

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 102

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

Taran Killam - 32

Vanessa Bayer - 17

Sasheer Zamata - 39

MUSICAL GUEST - D' Angelo - SONGS: 1) Really Love & 2) Sugah Daddy

5 points - first song

EPISODE THIRTEEN TOTAL 93

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 40x13)

1. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman - 1, 614
2. The Ignorant Sluts - 1, 604
3. Natalie Portman's Dry Cleaning - 1, 597
4. Isolated Archipelago - 1, 586
5. The Team You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party - 1, 522
6. Billion Dollar Murrays - 1, 498
7. The Not Ready For First Place Players - 1, 474
8. Keyrock, Khan, & Associates - 1, 293

FEATURED LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Three Legged Jeans - 1, 723
2. Santa's My Boyfriend - 1, 669
3. The Night Crawlerz - 1, 600
4. Dan Akroyd Rage - 1, 580
5. Damian and the Feline Sociopaths - 1, 551
6. Pardo Me - 1, 547
7. Fallon In Love - 1, 542
8. Martha Stewat's Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special - 1, 525
9. The Land Sharks - 1, 517
10. The Vondrukes - 1, 456
11. Suck It Trebek - 1, 443
12. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 1, 376
13. My Doll's Name is Jenny - 1, 370

Yes, once again The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman is on top of the leader board in this Chase for the Phil Hartman Trophy. Wonderfully supported by an MVP night for Aidy Bryant, trashing it up as Miss Delaware among other things. Also, making a big play on  The Ignorant Sluts’ uncharacteristically weak Saturday Night, are Natalie Portman’s Dry Cleaning who are now nearly tied with our reigning Fantasy League champions, thanks in part by an excellent night from Bobby Moynihan! Save for possibly Keyrock, Khan, & Associates (who we still can’t mathematically rule out… probably) Season 40 could still be ANYONES year!

Three Legged Jeans held fast atop the Featured League standings, continuing a strong second-half to Season 40. The rest of the Featured League otherwise stayed as it was, save for Pardo Me and Fallon In Love making the biggest moves, hopping into the top half of the League over Martha Stewart’s Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special.

And speaking of specials! Some table setting, as it were, in preparation for the 40^th Anniversary Special Spectacular on the 14^th of February! As some of you may have noticed, we have given out points to those cast members who have appeared along-side former SNL hosts or cast members. These points won’t be given during the three-hour special. That would be insane. We WILL though, still give points for cast members appearing in scenes, and all the requisite activities. As well, all prognosticated Host picks that appear would also receive points for doing whatever it is that they do.

I’m really excited for this. And not just because of the names mentioned during the SECOND promo, aired during the Super Bowl.

MURRAY! Alright, see you all on February 14^th, ladies and gentlemen! We’ll likely have a live podcast on the YouTube channel so look for THAT, and there will also be plans and announcements pertaining to the season finale and what we at the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League have in store!

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! 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!