It’s not the most well-known part of his career, but Larry David was a Saturday Night Live writer for one year in the ‘80s. It didn’t end well. I’m not sure anything ends well for David. Feb. 6, he returned to 8H. I know we’ll see Bernie, I know we’ll see some kvetching. What else is anybody’s guess.
Like I always do, I’ll be writing the recaps “live,” meaning I’ll watch a sketch and immediately write a short blurb reviewing and recapping it. For each segment, I’ll rate it on a scale of 0-5 stars. At the end of the piece, I’ll share some quick overall thoughts and the best/worst sketch of the night.
--
A Message from Senator Ted Cruz: * * ½
While it may not have been in the cards for Taran Killam to play Trump, he surely makes a great Ted Cruz. The impression is a fun one (that laugh is just hilarious) but the material was just so-so. It’s fine but a fairly toothless commentary that’s been done (and done better) before. In a night where a lot of Bernie Sanders feels like an inevitability, this is a strange way to kick off the night.
Opening Monologue: * * * *
“I don’t host things, no one’s ever even been to my house!” says David, whose SNL monologue is a bit of pure, old-fashioned stand-up. There are some good lines here (“Wherever I am I want to get the hell out of there” and the eating disorder joke were terrific) but I can’t help but feel like this monologue was a full hour-long set distilled into a three-minute bit. It felt disjointed, but very Larry David.
FBI Academy: * * * *
It took me a while to warm up to this sketch. I couldn’t figure out where it was headed and it seemed broad, loud and dumb. But the sight of David dressed like a cross between ‘80s Billy Bob Thornton and The Mask is so bizarrely funny I couldn’t resist falling for its oddball charm. By the time David said, “Can a bitch get a donut” I was sold.
Bern Your Enthusiasm: * * * * ½
Forget what I said earlier, this is the best possible use of Larry David’s Bernie Sanders. Reminiscent of Louis CK’s Lincoln short, this works exceedingly well as both a political sketch and a Curb parody. Just plain funny and well performed. Nice, too, to see SNL’s Sanders from out behind the podium.
Deck Of The Ship: * * * * ½
The first half of this sketch is comedy gold, the kind of timeless comedic idea that takes one joke and expands on it beautifully. “That’s a kid? He’s more of a man than I am! He has a happy trail” is one of my favorite lines in recent SNL episodes. Then we get the real Bernie Sanders as Bernie Sanderswitsky (“yeah, that’ll trick ‘em” made me do a literal spit-take alone in my living room). The sketch would have been just fine without Sanders (and his one percent rant did slow down the sketch’s flow) but who am I to deny Sanders joining the party?
Totinos Pizza Rolls: * * * * ½
Wow, I didn’t expect to see a sequel to the Totinos ad from the JK Simmons episode! This riff was really great, mostly due to Vanessa Bayer’s phenomenal performance. She’s a real MVP, even if she doesn’t always get the most airtime.
Weekend Update: * * * *
When Che and Jost are alone at the Update Desk, WU was on fire. The bit about the botched debate entrance was killer as was the Black History Month back-and-forth. But while their jokes built great momentum it all came to a screeching halt when Barb or Jon Rudnitsky joined. And while I like Zoolander as much as the next guy, his material too was weak and oddly lacking energy.
Songwriting Class: * * ½
David looks like a Gus doesn’t he? Like the sinking ship sketch, this one was built off one joke. But unlike that one, it just wasn’t funny enough to support an entre skit. David tried his best to save it, but it just didn’t work.
Superbowl Greeting: * * * ½
I’m not a football fan. I don’t know who Cam Newton is (I do know who Cam Jansen is, but that’s neither here nor there). I will say that the Manziel joke was wonderfully biting and that the audience didn’t know how to react.
Last Call: * * *
While these sketches peaked with Louis CK (the John Goodman one was great too) this was a game addition, with David one again proving he is up for anything.
--
Best Sketch: Bern Your Enthusiasm
Worst Sketch: The cold open
Musical Guest: The 1975
I’ve heard a lot about The 1975 and I can see why. They are a new band with an old-school vibe you don’t see much nowadays. While I can’t say I’ll buy a ticket to their concert anytime soon, I enjoyed their SNL stint.
Overall Thoughts:
Larry David proved a very game host and was even able to play against his Larry David-ness to great effect. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 40 years for him to return.