…clearly, it’s the musical guests.
There’s definitely a glitch in the matrix when it comes to the comedy writing on SNL these last couple years. When Kenan Thompson (who I don’t think is very talented, no matter what Rembert Browne says) is the senior member of your team, you’re in trouble. Take Taran Killam out of the equation, and you have players that are not ready for prime time, or any time.
SNL’s saving grace this season has been the choice in musical guests. Although we’ve had to suffer through now-era Maroon 5 as a featured attraction (man, I remember when I loved those guys,) we’ve also gotten a star-making turn from Hozier (folks liked it, but I wasn’t very impressed) plus electrifying performances from Prince and, most recently, rapper Kendrick Lamar.
My impulse is to turn my nose up at most new hip-hop (I’ll admit to snobbiness in that regard,) but Kendrick, like Childish Gambino, Joey Bada$$ and too few others, has got The Glow. Check out the performance of his hit single “I,” done with a Spandex-tight live band. I was hoping that the performance would herald one of those surprise album drops, but there’s still no sign of K. Dot’s sophomore release. I’ll keep waiting…patiently.