This is the third time that Zach Galifianakis has hosted SNL, but his first time making funny with several newcomers in the cast. We wondered if he’d find crazy chemistry with anyone, but the spotlight was on the Hangover comedian most of the evening. His bizarre and often aggressive brand of humor doesn’t always translate well for live television, sometimes alienating audiences, but all was redeemed in a two-part sketch with a surprise guest appearance (one of several throughout the show). It turned a clunky beginning into the best payoff of the night. Icelandic group Of Monsters and Men showed up to sing that seafaring song that gets stuck in your head for days whether you like it or not, and the episode sprinkled with rewarding moments and no major regrets ended.
The Best
Zach Galifianakis Monologue III
The Galifianakis opening monologue has traditionally been a series of oddball non-sequiturs, and last night followed suit. Nothing earth-shattering, but familiar like an old sweater. All we needed was a bidet joke to feel complete. We also learned what the comedian has to deal with when he’s out shopping: “Has anyone ever told you that you look like the guy from The Hangover? No offense.”
Match.com Commercial
We want to be friends with Kate McKinnon. The actress takes over Martha Stewart duties for a short about the popular dating website, Match.com. The lifestyle mogul is searching for “the simple elegance of a good bang.”
Game of Game of Thrones
If only for seeing Galifianakis in a dragon suit and watching him flirt with the surprise guest: “We could shower together, and I wouldn’t look down. I would want to.”
Weekend Update: Randall Meeks
Because laughing at people wearing Google Glass isn’t old just yet.
Darrell’s House
Darrell’s House II
SNL’s double-header about a public access television host with a wild temper had a fun finish. We’re not sure if these two-parters will inspire more people to tune in live, but it’s a nice treat for those of us who do.
The Worst
Michael Jordan’s Wedding
We liked Jay Pharoah’s Dikembe Mutombo impression, even if it was a little Arsenio Hall with those fingers. The rest of the Michael Jordan wedding jugglers sketch dragged with a repeated cocaine gag that we’ve seen many times before. We know Jordan gave money to a coke dealer that one time, but we think the athlete’s wedding would actually be pretty boring.
New Balance
The dorky guy gag isn’t that much different from the Google Glass sketch, but with fat jokes and blah blah blah.