Saturday Night Live season 43 episode 9 review: Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart took the Saturday Night Live stage for the third time and it was a glorious episode. With musical guest the Foo Fighters, it was a great one.

Saturday Night Live gave us a winter wonderland of a holiday episode. Or more like the last few minutes were perfect and just pictured the cast ice skating with Scarlett Johansson and Kevin Hart. From amazing performances by the Foo Fighters to sketches about a man pooping himself, it was quite the interesting episode.

Cold Open

Ever wonder what kind of ornaments would be on the White House Christmas tree? Well, this sketch lets you know that everyone who has been outlawed this year by Trump gets an ornament. Honestly, I can’t tell you what happened after Ivanka made an appearance.

That’s right, ScarJo made an appearance and then things still happened but who cares after that because she was there.

Monologue

Kevin Hart made a joke about old men having kids while Alec Baldwin was there and honestly that might be the best part about this entire episode. Now was it intentional? No. Did they bring attention to it? No but that doesn’t mean we, as the audience, didn’t put it together.

Other than that, it was the typical “A stand up comedian is our host” monologue. It is clear that Kevin wrote his own jokes and just performed like he was doing his own set rather than hosting Saturday Night Live.

Pandora

Ever get your mom, wife, daughter, sister, or friend more and more generic charms for her jewelry rather than getting her something she will use? Well, this sketch is about you. It is calling out the Pandora bracelets and how it gives you an easy way out for all gift purchasing.

Of course, the women hate it. And the sketch basically points out that it is a basic gift that isn’t great to get the women in your life but still, it’s pretty funny.

Bathroom Break

Sometimes you don’t want to admit that you have to use the bathroom. So much so that this guy is willing to go to the bathroom in his pants because he doesn’t want to admit that he has to go. Basically he blames family emergencies on why he has to go.

The problem? He does it every day and his coworkers are on to him. So they say something and eventually have to help him feel better about the fact that he pooped his pants.

Captain Shadow

Some superheroes need their energy dust and sometimes that dust is cocaine. Basically a superhero gets pulled over and he ends up getting in trouble for having drugs. Other than that, there isn’t really anything happening in this sketch.

Not that that is necessarily a bad thing but it just makes it kind of bland. There wasn’t really anything else to it except for that.

Inside the NBA

Shaq and Charles Barkley fight about Alabama and then they try and have a basketball battle and Kevin Hart is on stilts. Is that basically the entire sketch? Yes. And they never get to talk about actual basketball because instead, they’re all too busy fighting about stuff in the world.

Again, it is a weird sketch that doesn’t make sense but it was fine and had some funny moments in it to keep us somewhat entertained.

The Foo Fighters

Every time the Foo Fighters sing, it is a fun time. While the first was a newer song and not the classics we all know and love, it is pretty incredible to see them perform. They’re high energy, fun, and it makes you want to go out and get their album (which I highly suggest you do).

But more than that, the second song was everything we could have wanted and more. It was a fun mash-up of “Everlong”  and Christmas songs and really, there is not greater joy in life. You just have to experience the magic and scream like the rest of us nerds did.

Weekend Update

Guy who just bought a boat came by and that’s all you need to know about this Weekend Update, because he came back from rehab to talk about his dating tips as well as his small situation. No really, that’s his whole deal and it is great.

This segment was honestly the best part until the very end. But it was great, the jokes were on point and even the little side bits between Colin Jost and Michael Che were pretty good this week too.

Christmas Show

Sometimes you want a camel but they’re expensive so you get a llama in mating season to be in your nativity story and everything is a mess. But luckily Leslie Jones is into the llama’s anatomy she can see so she isn’t upset about what is happening on the stage.

It’s just a llama joke sketch and it weirdly works. It’s funny, it’s simple but we still can see what made them think of it. Even though it makes me question where they were and why they’re obsessed with llamas.

Christmas Eve Party

Sometimes your boss doesn’t stand up for himself. And sometimes he lets his wife bully him to the point where he undresses a stuffed animal and gets ready to sleep with it. Luckily, we don’t see that but still, the idea is in our head and never going away.

Honestly, this is really another sketch where I don’t know what was going on. Why it happened or how it didn’t get cut is shocking but it is there and we have to watch it and I have to talk about it so I guess you’re all welcome.

PBS Pledge Drive

Active Jack used to tell people to get in shape, but 45 years later and he’s not doing too well. But when PBS called him back to raise money, he did it. He just couldn’t really do what he was supposed to do because he’s out of shape and 45 years older.

It was fine. Not as pointless as some of the sketches tonight but also not great.

Ice Skating

Okay so this was maybe the best part of the episode? And it wasn’t even a sketch! So for the last few minutes of the episode, Kevin Hart says his goodbyes and then everyone just ice skates to the credits. It is beautiful, it’s fun and everyone is having a great time.

So maybe it wasn’t the best Christmas episode the show has ever had but it was still pretty fun overall.

Next: Saturday Night Live season 43 episode 8 review: James Franco

Check back here on Culturess for news and recaps for Saturday Night Live when the show returns in January.