This week Miley Cyrus served as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. A rundown of my favorite sketches follows after the break.
With Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis off the show, fan favorite Taram Killam has stepped up his game this season and he’s quickly breaking out to become one of the show’s top performers. This week he stood out with a great impression of actor Christoph Waltz in the “50 Shades of Grey Auditions;” he stepped into John Boehner’s shoes again in a raunchy music video called “We Did Stop” led by Miley Cyrus as Michele Bachmann; he always scores as Piers Morgan, and this sketch also includes a fun nod to the recent Breaking Bad finale; and his subtle performance in the strange “Cheer Squad” bit is also worth a watch. Way to go Taran!
Weekend Update was particularly strong this week with three wildly entertaining guests: Kate McKinnon raved about Grand Theft Auto V as suburbanite Pat Lynhart; Jay Pharoah was uproariously hilarious with an over-the-top impression of NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe; and Vanessa Bayer always kills it as Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy.
Speaking of Bayer, check out her “Poetry Class” sketch. She’s great in it, and newbie Michael Patrick O’Brien also scores some laughs here, too (his delivery of “thank Christ” comes to mind).
The newcomers were given some fun material tonight. A number of them popped up in the “50 Shades Auditions,” and Kyle Mooney really delivered in the episode ender “Miley Sex Tape.” I see much potential here for sure.
Finally Aidy Bryant made me laugh! Though the sketch in general was just alright, she was definitely the highlight of it and managed to break out in a big way. Her delivery of many of her lines are commendable, especially when she goes, “…but I have one more round of hoo-hay-hoes!” Keep it up Aidy and you’ll stick around.
And last but certainly not least we have the quirkiest sketch of the night in “Mornin’ Miami.” Moynahan, McKinnon, and Miley do a great job here as newscasters who hate their jobs. Two words: “Bitch Fantastic.”
Next week on SNL, Bruce Willis hosts with musical guest Katy Perry.