TV || By: || December 5, 2010 02:00 PM EST

Saturday Night Live Scorecard: Was the Third Time a Charm for Host Robert De Niro?

Robert De Niro returned for his third Saturday Night Live hosting gig last night, and the usually befuddled host was, this time, surprisingly... OK. Look, the guy is never going to be considered one of the great hosts -- a screen legend always seeming to be a little bit out of his element. For starters, De Niro, more than almost any other recurring host, doesn't really hide the fact that he reads off of cue cards (of course, because of so many last-minute changes, everyone on SNL reads off of cue cards, but some work harder than than others at hiding this). But, dammit, there's something endearing about the fact that he keeps trying. It would be going a little far to say that the third time was a charm -- but his third time was, let's say, serviceable (with some help from Ben Stiller). On to the scorecard!

Sketch of the Night

"Movie Fan" (Moynihan, De Niro, Stiller): Moynihan plays Keith, an 8-year-old who is a huge fan of the Meet the Parents trilogy (which, on its own, is already funny). During a set visit, Keith cannot contain his excitement from meeting everyone from the cameraman to the guy in charge of craft services. One person he doesn't like: Robert De Niro. Line of the night, "Where was he when you made Analyze That?"

Score: 9.0

The Good

"Vinny Talks to Robert De Niro" (Hader, De Niro, Moynihan): One of my favorite things about Vinny Vedecci is the opening montage of celebrities including Don Johnson, Gordon Shumway and Brian Austin Green, in that order. It really never matters who the particular guest is -- though De Niro did a nice job at throwing a pencil -- these sketches are all Bill Hader. Though it was interesting to note that Paul Brittain has taken Will Forte's old spot next to Armisen eating spaghetti.

Score: 8.5

"Digital Short: Party at Mr. Bernard's" (Samberg, Hader, De Niro): The setup is basically the same as Weekend at Bernie's, only once all the guests arrive everyone immediately realizes that Bernie is dead. The Larry and Richard characters are immediately put on trial for their actions.

Score: 7.5

"What Up With That?" (Thompson, Ensemble): I know a few of you are moaning, but I can't help it: These make me laugh every single time. I'm fascinated by the relationship between Deandre Cole and Lindsey Buckingham -- someday I will write a detailed breakdown of this complicated and often adversarial friendship. (OK, this will never happen.) Regardless, it was good to see De Niro, Robin Williams and Boba Fett on screen together.

Score: 7.0

"Book Ad" (De Niro): See, I've been fascinated by these types of authors for quite some time. De Niro takes on authors like Janet Evanovich, who seem to have a new book out, what, every three months? And they're always best-sellers. How does this happen? In this ad, De Niro plays Harlan Kane, who is just out with his new book The Abacus Conundrum. "I wrote another book. Buckle up." In this case, De Niro's nonchalant delivery was spot on.

Score: 7.0

"Wikileaks Cold Open" (Armisen, Hader, Ensemble): Well, my call to replace Armisen as Obama with Jay Pharoah -- who was nowhere to be seen tonight-- was (of course) not acted upon. Instead, Armisen's Obama was replaced by the face of Bill Hader as Julian Assange hosting a TMZ-style Wikileaks show. Instead of celebrities, this crew films world leaders when when they are least expecting it. Though, I could have lived the rest of my life without seeing a dramatized Hillary Clinton crotch shot.

Score: 6.5

"It's a Living" (Sudeikis, Samberg, De Niro, Stiller): See, this is what I miss: the bizarre last sketch of the night (well, not counting the blink and you miss it "I, Hippie"). The eternal question for two thirsty patrons, "Who do you have to screw to get a drink at this place?" Well, as it turns out, there was a guy that had to be screwed to get a drink at that place. This is the kind of sketch that just screamed for the departed Will Forte to be involved.

Score: 6.0

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