Here’s the points breakdown for our Fantasy League of Saturday Night Live episode 21 the season finale of Season 44, which originally aired on May 18th, 2019.
REPERTORY CAST
Cecily
Strong, 78 points
5 points - promos
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Melania)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – sketch (Time Travel)
5 points – reoccurring
7 points – Weekend Update
5 points – reoccurring (Jeanine Pirro)
5 points – sketch (Fancy Party)
5 points - singing
5 points – sketch (The View)
5 points – reoccurring (Abby Huntsman)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
Kate
McKinnon, 63 points
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – sketch (Time Travel)
5 points – reoccurring
10 points – open-mouth kiss
5 points – sketch (The View)
5 points – reoccurring (Joy Behar)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
2 points – in costume during goodnights
Leslie
Jones, 62 points
7 points – Weekend Update
5 points – as Herself
2 points – scripted swear
5 points – sketch (The View)
5 points – reoccurring (Whoopi Goldberg)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Leslie & Kyle)
5 points – as Herself
10 points – open-mouth kiss
5 points – singing/dancing
15 points- blurkled nudity
Aidy
Bryant, 56 points
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Huckabee-Sanders)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – sketch (Time Travel)
5 points – reoccurring (Dr. Markowitz)
5 points – sketch (What’s Wrong With This Picture?)
5 points – sketch (The View)
5 points – reoccurring (Meghan McCain)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
Kenan
Thompson, 50 points
7 points – cold open
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
7 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points – as Himself
5 points – sketch (What’s Wrong With This Picture?)
5 points – sketch (Fancy Party)
5 points - singing
Beck
Bennett, 46 points
5 points - promos
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Pence)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points – singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – sketch (The View)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Leslie & Kyle)
5 points – as Himself
Kyle
Mooney, 43 points
5 points – sketch (Fancy Party)
5 points – singing
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Leslie & Kyle)
5 points – as Himself
10 points – open-mouth kiss
5 points – singing/dancing
5 points – eating
5 points – blurkled nudity
Mikey Day, 38
points
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Trump Jr.)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points -singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – sketch (Time Travel)
5 points – reoccurring (Dr. Hanley)
Pete
Davidson, 28 points
7 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points – as Himself
5 points – singing/dancing
6 points – scripted swear x3
5 points – sketch (What’s Wrong With This Picture?)
Alex
Moffat, 28 points
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Eric Trump)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
Melissa
Villaseñor, 15 points
5 points – sketch (The View)
5 points – reoccurring (Ana Navaro)
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
2 points – in costume during goodnights
FEATURED CAST
Chris Redd 33
points
7 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Kanye)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
5 points - singing
1 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
5 points – host hug
Heidi
Gardner, 8 points
5 points - promos
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
Ego Nwodim,
3 points
3 points – 10 to 1 sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
HOST
Paul Rudd, 88
points
5 points – sketch (Time Travel)
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points – singing/dancing
6 points – scripted swear x3
5 points – sketch (What’s Wrong With This Picture?)
5 points – sketch (Fancy Party)
5 points - singing
5 points – sketch (The View)
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Leslie & Kyle)
5 points – dancing
10 points – open-mouth kiss
5 points – sketch (Demon Slumber Party)
2 points – embraces guest first
Alec
Baldwin, 45 points
15 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Trump)
5 points - singing
5 points – alongside former host (Robert De Niro)
15 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
Robert De Niro,
40 points
15 points – cold open
5 points – reoccurring (Mueller)
5 points – alongside former host (Alec Baldwin)
15 point – “LIVE FROM NEW YORK…!”
DJ Khaled, 15
points
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points – singing/dancing
Jane Fonda,
15 points
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points -dancing
Lily Tomlin,
15 points
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
5 points – as himself
Jacob
Anderson, 10 points
10 points – pre-taped sketch (Game of Thrones/Grace & Frankie)
Billion
Dollar Murrays – Russel H.
Cecily Strong – 78
Aidy Bryant – 56
Chris Redd – 33
Robert De Niro - 40
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled - SONGS: 1) Higher & 2) Just Us
5 points – song
20 points – second song
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 232
Hunter the
Hungries Gotta Eat – Rob M.
Cecily Strong - 78
Kenan Thompson - 50
Chris Redd - 33
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 161
War Horse
Can Dance – Megan M.
Alex Moffat - 28
Kenan Thompson - 50
Aidy Bryant - 56
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 134
Holtzwomenn
– Sarah R.
Beck Bennett – 46
Kyle Mooney – 43
Mikey Day – 38
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 127
The Not
Ready For First Place Players –
Kevin M.
Beck Bennett – 46
Heidi Gardner – 8
Pete Davidson – 28
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 82
The Team
You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party – Brian E.
Mikey Day - 38
Alex Moffat - 28
Melissa Villasenor - 15
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 81
The
Ignorant Sluts – Matthew S.
Kyle Mooney – 43
Heidi Gardner – 8
Pete Davidson – 28
MUSICAL GUEST – DJ Khaled – NO SONGS CHOSEN
EPISODE TWENTY-ONE TOTAL 79
For an additional breakdown of Season 44, we recommend you check out this article on Vulture! Also, for a ranking by Stephen Thompson at NPR, of the Musical Guests you can click here!
Thank you to Rob M. and Matthew S. for double and triple checking points! The Chase for the Phil Hartman Trophy came down to the wire, so it was good to decide on how nude was nude (as it turned out very), how open-mouth was a kiss (again very, well done Paul Rudd), and what was a reoccurring character (how this is the first time Kenan has played Clarence Thomas, I do not know). Paul Rudd was of course a wonderful choice as host of the season finale of Saturday Night Live Fantasy League, even if he didn’t necessarily have an entirely memorable sketch to sink his teeth into, it was a well written episode that had Rudd there to add his infinitely likable strengths to the cast instead of pull focus.
Thank you to Rob M. and Matthew S. for double and triple checking points! The Chase for the Phil Hartman Trophy came down to the wire, so it was good to decide on how nude was nude (as it turned out very), how open-mouth was a kiss (again very, well done Paul Rudd), and what was a reoccurring character (how this is the first time Kenan has played Clarence Thomas, I do not know). Paul Rudd was of course a wonderful choice as host of the season finale of Saturday Night Live Fantasy League, even if he didn’t necessarily have an entirely memorable sketch to sink his teeth into, it was a well written episode that had Rudd there to add his infinitely likable strengths to the cast instead of pull focus.
DJ Khaled continues to showcase the least case scenario of what a “superstar
producer” is capable of in the 21st century. Sure, he seems to have
more friends then pop producers of the 1960’s, but he certainly isn’t making good
music. Even if the rolodex is deep, slapping together a beat and keeping notable
musical acts paid so that you can yell over them, does not an entertaining
experience make. DJ Khaled is a musical guest, like Shane McMahon is the Best
Wrestler in the World. From a song choice perspective though, he at least gave
us half of his album for choices.
While I’m unimpressed, I do believe I’m finished with this era of
Weekend Update and the defacto head writers who anchor it. Colin Jost has
proved replacement level at best as a performer. His position of power on this
show seemingly earned just as much by sticking around since the Myers era of
the writer’s room as anything. Not good enough to leave is not the same as good
enough to lead. The fact that Michael Che was given little if any penalty for
the abuse he gave to Steven Hyden has soured me on Weekend Update and Saturday Night Live, but
suffice to say if I wasn’t breaking down points I wouldn’t watching the bloated
middle of the show.
Phew… let’s be positive though, this is the finale of season 44.
We’ve made it to the end of the SIXTH SEASON of the SATURDAY NIGHT
LIVE FANTASY LEAGE! This is a season in which we shared the responsibility of
points breakdowns as well, with most every member of the seven member Hartman
Trophy group taking rotating twice through the first fourteen episodes! Then
for the final seven episodes, to keep pace with the broadcast, I returned to
breaking down each episode.
The larger cast has strengthened, with Kate McKinnon still in the
forefront, but the responsibilities, trust, and thus the points being spread a
little bit more evenly throughout the shows. Beck Bennett had the single
biggest episode for points, with a 95 point night for episode nine this season!
Cecily Strong also had two plus 80 point episodes, as did Kenan Thompson, while
Kate McKinnon only had one 80 plus episode. Still, Kate McKinnon is Kate
McKinnon so she finished her first season purposefully undrafted with more then
1,000 points! She was not alone though, as Kenan Thompson finished season 44
with only 81 points less then McKinnon, exceeding the 1,000 point plateau with
1,010 points total! Aidy Bryant and Mikey Day were the only repertory cast
members who did not lead the cast in points in any one episode but finished
with the sixth and seventh overall points for the season, respectively.
On to hosts now, as this year proved a bit less predictable in terms
of prospective Host picks! In total the Hartman Trophy group correctly picked
nine of this season’s hosts with Matthew S. of The Ignorant Sluts picking four
of those hosts correctly! In a first Matthew S. shared Hosts points, as he
chosen Rachel Brosnahan for Megan MacKay’s War Horse Can Dance! Four other hosts
were drafted, who ended up making guests appearances, three of which were
picked in the late rounds by Billion Dollar Murrays specifically for their propensity
for guest appearances. Unlike last season, we saw two teams go pointless with
Host picks this season. Powered by their three guest hosts in Robert De Niro (who proved the single most valuable Host pick for 195 points),
Jimmy Fallon, and Fred Armisen, who collectively made seven appearances, as
well as second episode host Awkwafina The
Baldwin & Martin Award for more
points with the hosts is awarded to the Billion Dollar Murrays who
gained 315 host points! Though as noted above, The Ignorant Sluts put in
another strong year with four correct host choices for 254 points.
For the third consecutive year the Billion Dollar Murrays
also picked up the G.E. Smith Award for most points from song choices, and
once again I feel like running the league episode to episode of course gives me
that advantage to remember to make Song Choices. Interestingly, even with Song
Choices given a greater weight in points in an attempt to raise episode to episode
attention, this year saw the most missed episodes for Song Choices (including
three episodes for me) as teams missed an average of eight episodes, or two
thirds of the season. War Horse Can Dance impressively enough not making a
single Song Choice through twenty-one episodes! After a while, you just have to
stick to the bit.
For a new award this year, we’re introducing the Ready For Primetime Award for most points from your cast, showcasing
both great drafting and also great redrafting as for the second season teams
had a chance to Elvis Costello after the fourth episode. The team whose cast
scored the most points throughout the season was in fact a team that was
together all season long! Hunter the Hungries Gotta Eat scored
2,349 points across twenty-one episodes, with a roster of Kenan Thompson,
Cecily Strong, and Chris Redd! Led by Kenan Thompson, who put up McKinnon-type
numbers all Emmy award winning year, along with continued consistent production
from Strong, and the further evolution of Chris Redd. It should be no surprise
that the runner-up had also drafted Kenan, as War Horse Can Dance finished up
two points behind the award winners, bolstering Kenan with points from Alex
Moffat, and the key fifth episode replacement for Leslie Jones, Aidy Bryant!
So it’s with trepidation that we now announce the winner of the
Phil Hartman Trophy! Trepidation you say?! Well okay, dropping the Trivia Club “we”,
even though I, Russel H., have played this game since the beginning, have of
course wanted to win, and have come close a couple of times… it’s a tough look
if you actually win your own game, right? And unlike our fifth season, this
season was a close race! Though The Not Ready For First Place Players grabbed a
lead out of the gate in the premiere episode of season 44, by episode five they
had slipped behind Billion Dollar Murrays by just eight points, while also
holding a slim two point lead on The Ignorant Sluts! By episode ten, Billion
Dollar Murrays had opened a one hundred and seven point lead on The Not Ready For
First Place Players, but Hunter the Hungries Gotta Eat had also moved into second
place by fourteen points! At the end of episode fifteen, Hunter the Hungries Gotta Eat had
not just caught up to Billion Dollar Murrays but had moved into first place by
seven points! After trading the lead in the sixteenth and seventeenth episodes,
Hunter the Hungries Gotta Eat would strengthen their hold on first place from one
point to four points to thirty-nine points, and finally sixty-nine points by
the season’s penultimate episode!
Suffice to say the finale for Season 44 would be an uphill battle,
but only one person could take home the trophy. Boosted by Song Choice points, guest
Hosts, and the midnight hour clutch play of Aidy Bryant, alongside Cecily
Strong, and seventeen episodes of Chris Redd to go with four episodes of Leslie
Jones… winning by TWO POINTS with 2,668 points and winning the Hartman Trophy for the FIRST-TIME, yes I am writing my own congratulations as it turns out…
| # | TEAM NAME | ∧∨-- | HIGH[EP] | CAST | HOST | SONG | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ∧1 | 244 [09] | 2078 | 315 | 275 | ||
| 2 | ∨1 | 205 [06] | 2349 | 137 | 180 | ||
| 3 | -- | 213 [10] | 2347 | 90 | 0 | ||
| 4 | -- | 190 [08] | 2079 | 128 | 160 | ||
| 5 | ∧1 | 172 [09] | 2153 | 0 | 75 | ||
| 6 | ∨1 | 182 [04] | 1805 | 254 | 165 | ||
| 7 | -- | 147 [09] | 1791 | 0 | 80 |
Congratulations to Russel Harder and the Billion Dollar Murrays!
Two points of course means that this win, even at the end of the
season, falls under a margin of error as well in every possible way of getting
points that may have been missed. I always try, as has everyone responsible
this season, to break down points fairly and correctly to our scoring system. So
even if I accept the trophy now, I know how much it can also belong to Rob
Moden and Hunter the Hungries Gotta Eat! So if you check back in a week and we have a different winner, then ready your congratulations just as I will! Thank you to Rob for being so
supportive of this League of mine and this group that we’ve all created. Thank you to
everyone in the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League, to Matthew, Megan, Sarah, Brian,
and Kevin! And to everyone who might be playing at home!
Saturday Night Live Fantasy League can feel like a lot of work,
especially when the show itself isn’t clicking from a personal position of comedic
taste, but being able to chat with the six other members of this core group
makes it a worth while endeavour. Cue the music!
LAST EPISODE: EMMA THOMPSON
THANK YOU FOR JOINING IN ON
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE FANTASY LEAGUE
 |
| Also, as long as I’ve won this Trophy I will be a diva about it. It was my Birthday a month and a half ago, so this plays. |
Give Trivia Club that feedback on the Saturday Night Live Fantasy League and how can be improved! 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!
S N L
Support Trivia Club on Patreon! Russel Harder hosts Trivia Club at Hitch (1216 Queen St East) every 2nd & 4th MONDAY, at The Rec Room (255 Bremner Blvd) weekly every TUESDAY, and every 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY at Farside (600 Gerrard St E)! Trivia Club's Pause & Play podcast, a portable version of our live events, is available on SoundCloud & iTunes!
