Minding the P’s & Q’s of SNL

QUALITY: JLD had to be in the top five hosts of the season, if not for consideration of the top three. Whether it was bringing back Elaine Benes in the cold open, or the wonderful work done in the Cinema Classics sketch (then again I am a sucker for Reese De’WHAT!), Julia Louis-Dreyfus is potentially more reliable as host then Tina Fey or Jimmy Fallon, when it comes to former cast members. How IS IT, that she’s only hosted three times? I suppose it was only recently that the Seinfeld have seemed to play nice with their SNL family.

PROBLEMATIC: As a Canadian I don’t really have a dog in the American political fight (except my own moral political leanings), it has to be said though that SNL is biased to a distracting degree whenever Clinton and Sanders share the screen. When one character is burying themselves to put over the other, the writing is on the wall.

QUALITY: Nick Jonas is as take him or leave him, on a musical level, as Ariana Grande, but like his fellow Disney alum (and potentially because they’re both still so pre-packaged) it was great to see him so game, almost scoring as many host points as a musical guest as Russell Crowe did as a host last week! Also, after Margo Price last week, Nick Jonas song choices were a vacation (then again, this is the biased opinion of a third year SNL Fantasy Leaguer)!

REPERTORY CAST

Kate McKinnon, 57 points

Kenan Thompson, 42 points

Vanessa Bayer, 38 points

Cecily Strong, 31 points

Taran Killam, 29 points

Aidy Bryant, 25 points

Sasheer Zamata, 23 points

Beck Bennett, 22 points

Bobby Moynihan, 20 points

Jay Pharoah, 15 points

Kyle Mooney, 11 points

FEATURED CAST

Pete Davidson, 17 points

Leslie Jones, 10 points

Jon Rudnitsky, 6 points

HOST

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 94 points

Nick Jonas, 15 points

Tony Hale, 10 points

HARTMAN GROUP

BILLION DOLLAR MURRAYS - Russel

Kate McKinnon - 57

Aidy Bryant - 25

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 119

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

Kate McKinnon - 57

Leslie Jones - 10

Jon Rudnitsky - 6

Nick Jonas - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 103

THE NOT READY FOR FIRST PLACE PLAYERS - Kevin M.

Taran Killam - 29

Jay Pharoah - 15

Vanessa Bayer - 38

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 97

MARK WAHLBERG ATE MARK WAHLBERG - Sarah R.

Cecily Strong - 31

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Vanessa Bayer - 38

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Champagne Problems & 2) Close

2 points - song

2 points - song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 93

WAR HORSE CAN DANCE - Megan M.

Cecily Strong - 31

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 88

THE IGNORANT SLUTS - Matt

Kenan Thompson - 42

Jay Pharoah - 15

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 83

DESOLATE ISLE - Rob M.

Taran Killam - 29

Aidy Bryant - 25

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 79

THE FUTURE MRS. RANDY GOLDMAN - Leah

Kenan Thompson - 42

Kyle Mooney - 11

Jon Rudnitsky -6

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 59

After a third straight episode with the top score of the Group, the Billion Dollar Murrays move into second place! Still it will take a continued surge for them to overtake War Horse Can Dance, with nearly a 150 point advantage on the closest team. The Ignorant Sluts are also still fighting for something, as they have a 19 point lead over the closest team, for the G.E. Smith Award for Musical Excellence!

PHIL HARTMAN TROPHY STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

RADNER GROUP

SKANKY LITTLE PROSTITUTES - Mike

Kate McKinnon - 57

Cecily Strong - 31

Jay Pharoah - 15

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 135

THE DARK, CLENCHED HOLE OF EVIL - Robb

Taran Killam - 29

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Cecily Strong - 31

Sasheer Zamata - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 118

LIL BABY AIDY - Will

Aidy Bryant - 25

Taran Killam - 29

Beck Bennett - 22

Vanessa Bayer - 38

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 114

MY DOLL'S NAME IS JENNY - Douglas

Kate McKinnon - 57

Kyle Mooney - 11

Jay Pharoah - 15

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 108

THREE-LEGGED JEANS - Lori

Kenan Thompson - 42

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Leslie Jones - 10

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 104

KEBERT XELA - Christopher

Kenan Thompson - 42

Aidy Bryant - 25

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 100

The Skanky Little Prostitutes hold the lead for the Gilded Radner, over Lil Baby Aidy, in these final few shows with the high score of the week! A less productive streak of episodes have seen the first-year team Lil Baby Aidy fall further and further from the lead!

GILDED RADNER STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

MYERS GROUP

NOT A STRONG SWIMMER - Krissy

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 42

Vanessa Bayer - 38

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 126

DAN AKROYD RAGE - Mark

Kate McKinnon - 57

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Aidy Bryant - 25

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 117

SUCK IT TREBEK - Sarah C.

Taran Killam - 29

Kenan Thompson - 42

Aidy Bryant - 25

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 111

ORGANIC WIFI - Andrew K.

Kate McKinnon - 57

Jay Pharoah - 15

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 97

ANTHONY'S JOE PESCI SHOWMANSHIP - Anthony

Pete Davidson - 17

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 77

SPOOKY BEHAVIOR - Emily

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 64

COLIN JOST'S GHOSTS - Colm

Taran Killam - 29

Kyle Mooney - 11

Jon Rudnitsky - 6

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 61

THE VONDRUKES - Samantha B.

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Jay Pharoah - 15

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 45

Though this is the third time in six episodes that Not A Strong Swimmer have led the Group, the team still holds steady at fourth place and will need an impressive surge in the final month to close the gap for the Wayne's World Championship which looks like Organic Wifi's to lose. The true battle may be, in fact, for second!

WAYNE’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

FARLEY GROUP

DRUNCLE - Mick

Kate McKinnon - 57

Kenan Thompson - 42

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Sasheer Zamata - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 142

MISS SWAN'S LOWERED EXPECTATIONS - Patrick

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 42

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 137

MURRY'D WITH CHILDREN - Johnny

Kate McKinnon - 57

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 120

EFFIE VILLALOPOLUS' PROFESSIONAL COMPLAINERS - David S.

Taran Killam - 29

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 104

BILL BRASKY'S DRINKING BUDDIES - Saad

Taran Killam - 29

Aidy Bryant  - 25

Jay Pharoah - 15

Sasheer Zamata - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 92

THIS TEAM HAS EVERYTHING - Sarah S.

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 11

Aidy Bryant - 25

Jay Pharoah - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 88

Proving the important of song choice points, Miss Swan's Lowered Expectations (coming soon to CW!) have kept them in the race for the top of the Farley Group, as Druncle and Murry'd With Children have each gained less then twenty points from Musical Guests! Still, thanks to Kate McKinnon's strong second-half of the season performance, Murry'd With Children have been able to grab an impressive lead in the Group with top Group scores in four of the last five episodes.

FARLEY GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

BELUSHI GROUP

THE NIGHT CRAWLERZ - Kevin K.

Taran Killam - 29

Cecily Strong - 31

Kenan Thompson - 42

Jay Pharoah - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 132

COLOMBIAN DECAFFEINATED COFFEE CRYSTALS - Dylan

Kate McKinnon - 57

Beck Bennett - 22

Cecily Strong - 31

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 127

HARRY CARAY'S BBQ MOON RIBS - Ian

Kenan Thompson - 42

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Aidy Bryant - 25

Pete Davidson - 17

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Chains

5 points - first song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 127

TOTAL BASTARD AIRLINES - Andrew R.

Kate McKinnon - 57

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Kyle Mooney - 11

Sasheer Zamata - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 111

NUNI AND THE HAIR CHAIR - Megan R.M.

Aidy Bryant - 25

Taran Killam - 29

Leslie Jones - 10

Beck Bennett - 22

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Levels & 2) Close

2 points - song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 88

CRISIS OF CONFORMITY - David W.

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Jay Pharoah - 15

Kyle Mooney - 11

Vanessa Bayer - 38

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - NO SONGS CHOSEN

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 84

With top Host Points, top Song Choice points, and being in a field all their own as the first team to pass 3,000 points this season, The Night Crawlerz have broken the game wide open. Bravo to them, but also impressive have been the late in the season surge to second place from Columbian Decaffeinated Coffee Crystals! 

BELUSHI GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

POEHLER GROUP

INTERNATIONAL NASTY GIRL$ - Abby

Kate McKinnon - 57

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Aidy Bryant - 25

Sasheer Zamata - 23

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Believe & 2) Chains

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 143

LAZY SUNFEYS - Meg

Kenan Thompson - 42

Cecily Strong - 31

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 121

HADERS TO THE LEFT - Samantha L.

Kate McKinnon -57

Taran Killam - 29

Pete Davidson - 17

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Chains & 2) Close

2 points - song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 115

THE WEEKENDERS - Justin

Kenan Thompson - 42

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Vanessa Bayer - 38

Jay Pharoah - 15

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Jealous & 2) Chains

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 115

HEATHER FROM WORK - Lauren

Cecily Strong - 31

Taran Killam - 29

Beck Bennett - 22

Kyle Mooney - 11

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Close & 2) Champagne Problems

5 points - first song

10 points - second song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 108

BOYFRIENDS TALK SHOW - Andrew E.

Jay Pharoah - 15

Bobby Moynihan - 20

Aidy Bryant - 25

Leslie Jones - 10

MUSICAL GUEST - Nick Jonas - SONGS: 1) Chains & 2) Close

2 points - song

EPISODE EIGHTEEN TOTAL 72

Even though Haders to the Left continue to hang out at the top spot, due to their mix of blue chippers and fluctuating Featured talent, there seems to be a battle raging late into the season for 1 through 3, as well as between 4 & 5! It's entirely possible that Lazy Sunfeys, who at one point were fifth overall after the Ryan Gosling hosted episode, could still take this Group with continued production from Kenan and Cecily, or a with a well-timed Host pick!

POEHLER GROUP STANDINGS (after Episode 41x18)

Can our Group leaders be caught?! Some look to be in a more susceptible position then others. If recent tradition holds we’ve got three more episodes for that to happen, and two of them with unannounced hosts to make it easier. Yes, host points got most of these potential group Champions in the position that they’re in… and currently though only the Belushi Group has put itself in an insurmountable position, hard work is still ahead for all!

Especially with Brie Larson on May 7^th, in three weeks! She’ll be joined by musical guest Alicia Keys, and though no one has picked either as Hosts in our pre-season drafts, that doesn’t mean we can’t hope for additional points… or that we won’t be looking forward to an exceptional episode! Brie Larson has had quite the memorable 2016, having won an Oscar before being cast in the upcoming King Kong film Skull Island! Now? Host of SNL! Not the biggest thing she's done this year, sure, but possible because of it and a wonderful bonus for us.

Bonus!