We have a first-timer at the top of the SNL Relevancy Poll this week! And, considering how great this weekend's episode was, it's actually pretty remarkable to note that it wasn't driven by the usual suspects. So, at least for two weeks, say hello to your new SNLThanksgiving King, Bobby Moynihan.
On to the poll. The NRFPTP Relevancy Poll is driven by a proprietary algorithm involving such factors as quality airtime and maybe, just maybe even a brilliant cut sketch that never even aired this week. If your results differ, let's hear about it.
I don't know what it is (well, maybe I do), but Moynihan brings his "A" game when Hathaway is around (remember their dance-off sketch in 2008?). Moynihan was front and center in the two best sketches of the night: "Black Friday" and "Message from TSA," not to mention his take on Guy Fieri for "Weekend Update."
Hader was also a large part of the "Message from TSA" sketch and scored points for Herb Welch.
If, like last week, I'm going to lay the blame of a terrible episode on Meyers, I also have to give credit where credit is due. After a few lackluster weeks, "Weekend Update" returned to form.
Can we start the "Bring back Nicholas Fehn" write-in campaign right here?
Pretty good run for Bayer. Not a ton of material on Saturday, but her "Miley Cyrus Show" sketch officially became classified as "recurring."
Another solid week for Abby Elliott after pretty much being a ghost for the first half of the season. She's featured in the "Message from TSA" currently going viral across the Internet and even got to yell "Live from New York..." while playing Rachel Maddow in the cold open.
I'm starting to get the impression that no one knows what to do with Jay Pharoah. I mean, when he's on the air, he's brilliant. But he's hardly on the air. When he was on "Update" this week I actually was a bit surprised because we were, for the first time, seeing Pharoah as himself -- not doing an impression. Then he immediately ripped into some (pretty good) rap impressions. (Also, again, Pharoah went down an extra spot in the rankings for wearing a T-shirt with his own name on it.)
Wiig, like always, was a prominent force. Unfortunately, she's somehow made one of her less annoying characters, Penelope, almost unwatchable. (Wiig was excellent as Nancy Pelosi, however.)
Kenan was the driving force behind "Message from TSA" sketch. Actually, it was almost as if his "Scared Straight" character became a TSA agent. Other than this and trying to get Anne Hathaway to be nude in a sketch, not a lot for Kenan this week.
Pretty much the only thing I remember Sudeikis doing on Saturday (other than his "Update" bit) was the Adam Lambert scream, then giving a satisfied nod to the audience. That was very amusing.
I know a Digital Short is not a foregone conclusion for every show, but it was kind of weird not having one this week. Note: Samberg would rank much higher his week if his "Most Uncomfortable Grace" would have actually aired (at 1:30 in this dress rehearsal only sketch from Saturday). My god, how did this get cut? I know it's long, but it would have been in the running for "Sketch of the Night."
