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: It was great to see Kyle Mooney all over the first half of the episode, spotlighting both the weird qualities he excels at, while also allowing him to keep being a great glue guy.

PROBELMATIC: This episode’s Weekend Update was a quality collection of jokes, guests, and a great series of interactions between Jost and Che, so why am I saying it’s problematic? I’ve finally realized what I don’t entirely enjoy about the current desk. It has more in common with Colin Quinn, then with any pairing since Fallon and Fey. Which is to say it’s an atmosphere that makes fun instead of having fun. To each his own!

QUALITY: Riblet is BACK! And Moynihan may be a better anchor then Che… SHOTS FIRED!

PROBLEMATIC: That we can’t have the Alabama Shakes around more often. ROCKIN’ AND WALIN’! With Bobby Moynihan in a head beard and wig, on bass!

QUALITY: Dakota Johnson was an ace host, her age and experience and recognizability helping make her something more of a quality cast member then a host! To ride the wave of inspiration in the writers room, and to work with a cast as refreshed and excited as the entire SNL cast must be after the SNL40 special, it must be a real treat. Johnson is not quite Hader, as a host, but I might just like her better then Pratt. Call her 50 Shades of Drake for the amount she surprised, on just how well she did!

Kate McKinnon, 56 points

• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - alongside former host (Melanie Griffith)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - dancing
• 2 points - swearing ("get the f*ck out")
• 5 points - sketch (Fifty Shades of Grey Press Room)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - host hug

Bobby Moynihan, 41 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - sketch (Cinderella: The Night of the Ball)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - sketch (Winter Office)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (Riblet)
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)

Taran Killam, 39 points

• 5 points - promos
• 7 points - cold open
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (ISIS)
• 5 points - sketch (Cinderella: The Night of the Ball)
• 5 points - sketch (Fifty Shades of Grey Press Room)
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)

Vanessa Bayer, 24 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 5 points - reoccurring (Gretchen Carlson)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)

Jay Pharoah, 24 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - reoccurring (Kanye West)
• 5 points - rapping

Cecily Strong, 22 points

• 5 points - sketch (Cinderella: The Night of the Ball)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Winter Office)

Aidy Bryant, 17 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Winter Office)

Kenan Thompson, 15 points

• 5 points - promos
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)
• 5 points - post-songs pre-taped sketch (Mr. Riot Films)

Kyle Mooney, 44 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - monologue
• 5 points - alongside former host (Melanie Griffith)
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (ISIS)
• 5 points - sketch (Cinderella: The Night of the Ball)
• 5 points - sketch (Fifty Shades of Grey Press Room)
• 5 points - post-songs pre-taped sketch (Mr. Riot Films)

Sasheer Zamata, 31 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 7 points - Weekend Update
• 5 points - singing/dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)

Beck Bennett, 29 points

• 7 points - cold open
• 10 points - "LIVE FROM NEW YORK...!"
• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - post-songs pre-taped sketch (Mr. Riot Films)

Leslie Jones, 24 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)
• 2 points - swearing ("son of a bitch")

Pete Davidson, 17 points

• 7 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)

Dakota Johnson, 72 points

• 15 points - cold open
• 5 points - appears alongside a former host (Melanie Griffith)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (ISIS)
• 5 points - sketch (Cinderella: The Night of the Ball)
• 10 points - pre-taped sketch (Say What You Want To Say)
• 5 points- dancing
• 5 points - sketch (Fifty Shades of Grey Press Room)
• 5 points - sketch (Winter Office)
• 5 points - sketch (Worf M.D.)
• 5 points - sketch (Net Effect)
• 2 points - embraces guest first

REPERTORY LEAGUE

NATALIE PORTMAN'S DRY CLEANING - Sarah R

Kate McKinnon - 56

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Kyle Mooney - 44

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Sound and Color & 2) Don't Wanna Fight

2 points - song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 143

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kate McKinnon - 56

Vanessa Bayer - 24

Beck Bennett - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Future People

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 114

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Taran Killam - 39

Sasheer Zamata - 31

Aidy Bryant - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 87

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

Jay Pharoah - 24

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Hold On

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 87

KEYROCK, KHAN, & ASSOCIATES - Saad

Vanessa Bayer - 24

Aidy Bryant - 17

Kyle Mooney - 44

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 85

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M

Jay Pharoah - 24

Cecily Strong - 22

Beck Bennett - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Hold On

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 80

ISOLATED ARCHIPELAGO - Rob

Taran Killam - 39

Kenan Thompson - 15

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) This Feeling

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 76

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Cecily Strong - 22

Kenan Thompson - 15

Leslie Jones - 24

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Hang Loose

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 66

FEATURED LEAGUE

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Aidy Bryant - 17

Cecily Strong - 22

Sasheer Zamata - 31

Dakota Johnson - 72

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Miss You

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 147

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 56

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Beck Bennett - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Hang Loose

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 131

PARDO ME - Hannah

Taran Killam - 39

Aidy Bryant - 17

Kyle Mooney - 44

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Sound and Color

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 105

DAMIAN AND THE FELINE SOCIOPATHS - Andrew

Kate McKinnon - 56

Vanessa Bayer - 24

Kenan Thompson - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Future People

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 100

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K

Taran Killam - 39

Jay Pharoah - 24

Beck Bennett - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 92

FALLON IN LOVE - Johnny

Kenan Thompson - 15

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 73

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha

Jay Pharoah - 24

Leslie Jones - 24

Cecily Strong - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: No songs chosen.

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 70

THREE LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kate McKinnon - 56

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Kenan Thompson - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Always Alright

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 117

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Doug

Vanessa Bayer - 24

Bobby Moynihan - 41

Kyle Mooney - 44

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Always Alright

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 114

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

Taran Killam - 39

Vanessa Bayer - 24

Sasheer Zamata - 31

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Sound and Color

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 99

SANTA'S MY BOYFRIEND - Megan

Taran Killam - 39

Cecily Strong - 22

Aidy Bryant - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Miss You

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 83

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C

Jay Pharoah - 24

Cecily Strong - 22

Beck Bennett - 29

MUSICAL GUEST - Alabama Shakes - SONGS: 1) Don't Wanna Fight & 2) Hold On

5 points - first song

EPISODE FOURTEEN TOTAL 80

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 40x14)

1. The Ignorant Sluts - 1, 805
2. Natalie Portman's Dry Cleaning - 1, 785
3. The Future Mrs. Randy Goldman - 1, 754
4. Isolated Archipelago - 1, 746
5. Billion Dollar Murrays - 1, 700
6. The Team You Wish You Hadn't Started A Conversation With At A Party - 1, 664
7. The Not Ready For First Place Players - 1, 584
8. Keyrock, Khan, & Associates - 1, 405

FEATURED LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Three Legged Jeans - 1, 935
2. Santa's My Boyfriend - 1, 809
3. The Night Crawlerz - 1, 777
4. Dan Akroyd Rage - 1, 731
5. Martha Stewat's Home for the Holidays: Topless Christmas Special - 1, 714
6. Damian and the Feline Sociopaths - 1, 709
7. Pardo Me - 1, 686
8. Fallon In Love - 1, 680
9. The Land Sharks - 1, 677
10. The Vondrukes - 1, 587
11. Skanky Little Prostitutes - 1, 558
12. Suck It Trebek - 1, 545
13. My Doll's Name is Jenny - 1, 514

Thanks to the McKinnon/Moynihan connection (I’d vote for them), Dan Akroyd Rage moves into the fourth position in the Race for the Gilded Radner! Yes, named after the Detroit-born, British-married, Toronto Second City alum, the Gilded Radner will go to the TOP TEAM of Trivia Club’s Saturday Night Live Featured League! To the team that shines brightest, earliest… kinda like our favorite original cast member! It will also include an automatic promotion to the Repertory League in the coming season!

In the Rep League it still is anyone’s game, but also it STILL is the Ignorant Slut’s chase for the Phil Hartman Trophy to lose! Yes, our reigning Champion is still in first place, and the next three teams have continued to shake-up, with Natalie Portman’s Dry Cleaning once again waiting in that runner-up spot just 20 points away from the poll position! That point total could have been closer, if the Dry Cleaning weren’t the only team not to put “Don’t Wanna Fight” as their first chose, when they made the Musical Guest song choices! Isolated Archipelago fall to fourth due, in part, to a quiet night from Kenan Thompson.

See everyone NEXT WEEK when Thor Odison himself, yes Chris Hemsworth hosts Saturday Night Live with musical guest the Zac Brown Band! Sadly, Dan Akroyd Rage won't get any points for drafting the wrong Hemsworth! Neither will LAST YEARS League, when we draft three-quarters of the Thor sequel... including the tallest and blondest of the MCU Chris Trinity. Will that take every other Avenger off the board? We will have to wait and see!

If Hemsworth shows up clean shaven, I will take the "SHOW NEEDS MORE BEARD" stance...

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.