‘Saturday Night Live’ review: Bryan Cranston’s Walter White, John Cena, and Donald Trump jokes (videos)
Going into tonight’s new episode of “Saturday Night Live” hosted by John Cena, there was one question that we wondered more so than any other: Would Alec Baldwin return to play Donald Trump? Given the fact that there were so many headlines this week, this definitely made some sense.
However, what we saw instead was something that was very much genius and unexpected: Kellyanne Conway (Kate McKinnon) showed up during a Jake Tapper – CNN sketch to announce that Walter White (Bryan Cranston) would be appointed in a key cabinet post — one of course very much about overseeing the drug business! Apparently, he is the head of the DEA, and Mr. White of course loves the idea of “making America cook again.”
Basically, this was a perfect dig at the President-elect hiring people who seem to have interests that directly oppose the jobs that they are being hired to do. Cranston was game, and even though the jokes were silly at times, he went with them. The only downside was that this was a really short cold open, and it was over almost before it started. Maybe there was something that got cut at the last minute.
Anyway, we’ll have more updates throughout this episode. Stay tuned!
John Cena monologue – What we really liked about this opening was that it poked fun a little bit at something that has become a little bit of a trope over the years: The hosts always wanting to come out and sing over almost anything else. Cena claimed he wanted to do that, but instead most of the cast members just wanted to wrestle him. Brilliant job in here by Bobby Moynihan as the “Waddler,” a wannabe wrestler who really just waddles everywhere. Also, Leslie Jones being herself was great, even if it was predictable. This played to Cena’s strengths, and he seemed very game to take on almost anything in it.
Hook a Hunk – We thought that the whole game of this sketch was going to be Cena’s character turning into the father of Cecily Strong’s young bachelorette, but instead she fell for him and vice-versa while the rest of the contestants were left out on the lurch … at least until two of them ended up falling in love with each other. This wasn’t too long, and it was great because of that. A very funny start to the show beyond the monologue and the opening.
Karate Teen – This was certainly funny, but at the same exact time it was almost the opposite of the cold open in that it went on far too long, and lasted a minute or two after it needed to. The moment that Cena’s character of the karate bully punched the young karate teen through four walls, that should’ve been the end rather than continuing to find other ways in which to humiliate the kid further.
Science Presentation – This was a fairly blistering takedown of college athletics, accelerated mostly by the performance of Cena as an athlete who refused to play unless he received A+ grades from his professor. His performance, coupled with Kenan Thompson wearing the Alabama face paint, was glorious. This was a simple sketch, but still worth watching just for how ridiculous it got by the end.
Cop duo – Odds are, you know who we’re talking about here — Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant returned, and we still don’t love this sketch. There’s just not that much here beyond the superficial joke, and it really should’ve been a one-off.
Maren Morris – Head over here to read more of our take on her performance!
Weekend Update – This was a particularly funny edition because of all of the meta jokes, whether it be Colin Jost calling out NBC for “The Celebrity Apprentice” while we also had Cecily Strong’s character noting to the camera that Donald Trump is clearly watching what they are doing. Also, there was a great return in here of Kate as Angela Merkel, who had quite a few things to say about Trump succeeding her as Person of the Year. This was funny through and through and equally biting. Perfect for “Weekend Update.”
Where’d Your Money Go? – Inspired Rob Gronkowski impersonation by Cena, and overall a game-show sketch hosted by Kenan’s Charles Barkley that was surprisingly funny. The thing that probably won us over the most was Bobby Moynihan as John Daly, a golfer we haven’t thought about in ages. We’re not sure how accurate it was, but we don’t really care since it was so ridiculous.
Joanne – Bryant starred here as the neglected office employee, who continued to be neglected even when she fell out of the window with part of the tree. Her fellow employees, unfortunately, seemed far more interested in getting the tree back than they did her. Not the best sketch beyond the first minute.
Through Donald’s Eyes – This marked a chance to spoof Trump a little bit more, and the whole premise for this spoke for itself. There were some individual moments that were hysterical, including Trump seeing himself in the mirror as John Cena with enormous hands. Also, having Kellyanne Conway as his keeper was pretty funny. It’s too bad that as good as the sketch was, there really wasn’t that great of an ending for it.
Fabio – This was every bit as nuts as you would expect, with Bryant playing a librarian who had a Fabio-like figure with her at work, helping her fulfill various literary fantasies. Great bit of physical comedy, and love how game Cena was for the physicality of it.
United States Talent – This was a really fun “America’s Got Talent” parody featuring Cena as one of the handlers of a terrible owl that had no discernible talent whatsoever other than spewing gunk on him and his fellow handler. The reaction from the “judge” (Kenan) and the production were pretty on-point. Great for a sketch at the end of the night.
Overall – While not every sketch was necessary a home run, we had tonight a great host and some REALLY inspired sketches. We don’t know how much more you can ask for out of an episode of the show, except for maybe replacing a certain recurring cop sketch and also Joanne and the Christmas tree. Grade: A-.
If you do want to get some other news when it comes to “SNL,” be sure to head over to the link here! (Photo: NBC.)