Introducing the SNL Scorecard: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Saturday Night

The Bad

"Christine O'Donnell Cold Open" (Wiig, Hader, Sudeikis): Of course there was going to be a Christine O'Donnell cold open. I mean, why not? The material writes itself. Well, that's also the problem: They let the material write itself. Wiig, as O'Donnell, pretty much spends the entire cold open listing off her strange positions over the years, but ultimately It's funnier listening to the real O'Donnell discuss witchcraft and masturbation. (Note: This and "Ladies who Lunch" were really Wiig's only real contributions to last night's show. In the past, the writer's overdependence on her hasn't helped the show. Perhaps this is a good sign that the rest of the cast will be given more to do on a weekly basis.)

Score: 5

"Maternity Matters" (Armisen, Wiig, Hader, Poehler): Look, the first time they did this sketch, I thought the premise was funny. The sensitive female host calls in sick so her brash producer, Roger Brush, fills in for her. I don't know, there's something here -- the premise is certainly funny. The execution just feels off as a recurring sketch.

Score: 4.5

"Showtime" (Poehler, Wiig, Elliott, Pedrad): The concept is on the mark. Poehler's one-legged "Amber" character is given her own Showtime series. The sketch centers on Poehler, in a junket type environment, trying to describe what motivates Amber. Again, funny concept, but her answers were almost too close to what actors actually say in these situations -- which is not much of anything.

Score: 4

"Ladies who Lunch" (Poehler, Wiig, Elliott, Bayer): Small hats are in fashion. The smaller the hats get, the more jealous Wiig's charter gets. Nothing much here.

Score: 3.5

The Ugly

"Bronx Beat" (Poehler, Rudolph): I have never, ever understood why "Bronx Beat" gets such a good position in the show anytime it's in the lineup. Whatever: I get it's one of Poehler's recurring sketches and I get that it was a good excuse to feature the always welcome Maya Rudolph. Would it have been so wrong to come up with something new? Also, Katy Perry made an appearance wearing a "wink, wink -- get it?" Elmo shirt for really no reason.

Score: 3

Average Score For This Show: 6.04

This Week's Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Player Relevancy Poll

1. Seth Meyers

2. Kristen Wiig

3. Bill Hader

4. Andy Samberg

5. Jason Sudeikis

6. Fred Armisen

7. Bobby Moynihan

8. Jay Pharoah

9. Kenan Thompson

10. Nasim Pedrad

11. Vanessa Bayer

12. Abby Elliott

13. Taran Killam

14. Paul Brittain

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