Here we go folks! Alec Baldwin returns to studio 8H to host Saturday Night Live for a record-breaking 17th time. His first time in 6 years as well. Had this detail happened any other season it might be a bigger highlight because it truly is a remarkable feat. However, with Baldwin practically being a cast member this season there is a bit of familiarity with him hosting. But as the show is currently seeing its best ratings in 20 years, leaning into Baldwin and all of his Trumpness is a safe bet. Would that be all we get in this episode? We'll have to wait and see. Will Rosie O'Donnell actually show up as Steve Bannon? If he doesn't, we're sure there'll be a way the show tackles it cleverly. Let's run it down.
Cold Open: Sean Spicer Press Conference
While bringing Melissa McCarthy back as Sean Spicer just one week after her totally explosive turn as Sean Spicer does nothing for the element of surprise, it does allow us another chance to see her in action, trying to tongue tie reporters and driving the podium into the press pit. It also gives us our first subversive act of the night. Rumor has it, our President doesn't like the idea of women portraying the men in his cabinet, he thinks it makes them look weak. SNL's perfect response, have a lady portray everyone in his cabinet including him (more on that later).
Monologue
Baldwin manages to address our thoughts in the monologue by stating how frequently he's been around the show. He then changes gears and brings out Pete Davidson, one of the show's youngest cast members ever. Pete interacting with Baldwin just goes to show how long he's been at it. The old looking guy jokes are just fun digs.
Russell Stover
The goofiest part of this commercial is that somewhere, at some point in time, there was a someone at a company where a conversation similar to this happened.
Pitch Meeting
This sketch is in direct response to last weekend's Super Bowl. A night where many brands opted for a heartfelt message over a silly one. Even if said brand was one where silly was more than likely the better strategy. Hard cut, Cheetos.
Jake Tapper
Last week, CNN held a temporary ban on Kellyanne Conway for a variety of reasons. When they let her back onto the airwaves they put her right into the line of Jake Tapper who held her feet to the fire. SNL ratcheted things up even more and had her got a bit fatal attraction on the Tapper.
Drill Sergeant
While it doesn't fully meet the standards of Nepotism, if your dad is a drill sergeant and can get you out of a push up or two, would you take it?
Ed Sheeran "Shape Of You"
Ladies and gentlemen, Ed Sheeran and a song about a lady.
Weekend Update
Update hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost didn't suffer from the flubs they made last week and it was better for it. The material was biting, funny, and they probably felt compelled to really nail it this week and put away the the errors of last week.
Unfortunately, the desk guests were the weakest parts of Update. Even Kate McKinnon pulling out a fun Elizabeth Warren couldn't help them.
Guy who just bought a boat
Greg and Shelly Duncan
Trump People's Court
When Trump's immigration ban was shot down once again this week, he quickly tweeted, "We'll see you in court." But he literally just came from there. So what court's next? The People's Court of course. This sketch had us with the small details - "Steve Bannon" the reaper and the Trump children lurking in the background for some reason just made us laugh so much.
Beyonce's Babies
When queen Bey announced she was expecting twins last week, it seriously got the SNL writers thinking about just what kind of kids those children would be and one of them must be Tracy Morgan.
Leslie Wants To Play Trump
Here's another subversive shot at our prez and his rumored not liking women portraying men in his cabinet on the show, get all the women on the show to take a shot at him. Because what fun is it if you can't mock him directly.
Ed Sheeran "Castle On A Hill"
Once again Ed Sheeran
Gym Class
With an episode chock full of Trumpiness, the 10-to-1 sketch was a welcome respite of fart jokes. Sometimes the world just needs a fart joke.
And that's a wrap for this week. We'll all reconvene in a few weeks whe Octavia Spencer will host the show on March 4th.