Saturday Night Live: Paul Rudd / Charli XCX
December 19, 2021 2:45 PM - Season 47, Episode 9 - Subscribe
Christmas episode with no audience and several past sketches due to Omicron COVID spike.
- COVID Open - Five Timer Award: Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Kenan Thompson, Steve Martin, Martin Short
- Grandchild for Christmas: Paul Rudd, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon
- Dick in a Box: Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig
- An Evening With Pete Davidson: Pete Davidson, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Mikey Day, Chris Redd, Paul Rudd, James Austin Johnson
- Naughty Elves: Ryan Gosling, Kenan Thompson, Vanessa Bayer, Kenan Thompson, Bobby Moynihan, Aidy Bryant
- Global Warming Christmas Special: Mike Myers, Tom Hanks, Victoria Jackson, Jan Hooks, Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Edie Brickell?, Kevin Nealon, Ralph Nader, Chris Farley, Julia Sweeney?
- Weekend Update: Michael Che, Tina Fey
- The Story of Christmas Socks: Paul Rudd, Kyle Mooney, Aidy Bryant, Heidi Gardner, Alex Moffatt, Charli XCX
- Steve Martin's Christmas Wish: Steve Martin
- Christmas Pageant: Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Martin Short, Paul McCartney
- North Pole News: Alex Moffatt, Mikey Day, Eddie Murphy, Chloe Fineman
- Adult One Direction Fan: Paul Rudd, One Direction
- Now That's What I Call Christmas: Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Noël Wells, Kyle Mooney, Brooks Wheelan, Jay Pharoah, Bobby Moynihan, Cecily Strong, John Milhiser
- TV Funhouse: Darlene Love
Cool to see something put together ad hoc like this. The Carl Sagan sketch was pretty brutal and a good reminder that Mike Myers used to be smart and funny. (I assume the sketch was his creation.)
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 3:12 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 3:12 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
Thanks for looking those up, rhizome!
Holy smokes! 'Global Warming Christmas Special' was 1991. WTH? I would have pegged it as at least early 1980s. Jeeze, "the 90's" didn't really start until 1996, didn't it?
'An Evening with Pete Davidson' was nice change of pace for a Davidson sketch, and I enjoyed the subtler humour.
WU wasn't bad, considering it was really last minute. Though, I wonder how true Fey's quip about Jost not being there (to "get work done") and whether Jost's absence was planned/ planned-for.
I recall that 'North Pole News' sketch, and Murphy was great and had amazing energy. Must not have been that long ago, since Fineman's in it. Guess it was around when 'My Name is Dolomite' came out?
Not sure what to think about 'TV Funhouse.'
As a pandemic revival Christmas show, there was enough heart and Rudd is a good egg.
posted by porpoise at 4:23 PM on December 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
Holy smokes! 'Global Warming Christmas Special' was 1991. WTH? I would have pegged it as at least early 1980s. Jeeze, "the 90's" didn't really start until 1996, didn't it?
'An Evening with Pete Davidson' was nice change of pace for a Davidson sketch, and I enjoyed the subtler humour.
WU wasn't bad, considering it was really last minute. Though, I wonder how true Fey's quip about Jost not being there (to "get work done") and whether Jost's absence was planned/ planned-for.
I recall that 'North Pole News' sketch, and Murphy was great and had amazing energy. Must not have been that long ago, since Fineman's in it. Guess it was around when 'My Name is Dolomite' came out?
Not sure what to think about 'TV Funhouse.'
As a pandemic revival Christmas show, there was enough heart and Rudd is a good egg.
posted by porpoise at 4:23 PM on December 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
I didn't know Paul Rudd had hosted that many times. If you had asked me I probably would've assumed about 3. I suppose it's easier to get to 5 if you never age.
An Evening with Pete Davidson reminded me a bit of the classic John Belushi Don't Look Back in Anger short.
They've replayed a lot of old Christmas sketches in specials over the years, but I don't think I've seen the Global Warming Christmas one before. I guess they already had Ralph Nader in the building for the original 5-timers sketch.
posted by ckape at 4:40 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
An Evening with Pete Davidson reminded me a bit of the classic John Belushi Don't Look Back in Anger short.
They've replayed a lot of old Christmas sketches in specials over the years, but I don't think I've seen the Global Warming Christmas one before. I guess they already had Ralph Nader in the building for the original 5-timers sketch.
posted by ckape at 4:40 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
Not sure what to think about 'TV Funhouse.'
Let me help: it was brilliant
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:37 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
Let me help: it was brilliant
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:37 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
Darlene Love!!!
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 5:43 PM on December 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 5:43 PM on December 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
"And I got this job on merit."
posted by brainwane at 5:48 PM on December 19, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by brainwane at 5:48 PM on December 19, 2021 [4 favorites]
I found this show depressing. I was looking forward to it and it was ripped out from under us because of, ya know, all of this. I can't judge the show itself, they did what they could do under the circumstances. Props to Hanks, Fey and the rest of them for helping out.
Nice to see Hartman and Hooks in a sketch together. And then Farley walks in without saying anything. I wonder if he was a new cast member at that point.
I don't remember the Global Warming Christmas Special at all but I was watching the show back then so I'm sure I've seen it.
Raise your hand if at one point you went "Oh yeah, Bobby Moynahan. I forgot about him."
posted by bondcliff at 6:45 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
Nice to see Hartman and Hooks in a sketch together. And then Farley walks in without saying anything. I wonder if he was a new cast member at that point.
I don't remember the Global Warming Christmas Special at all but I was watching the show back then so I'm sure I've seen it.
Raise your hand if at one point you went "Oh yeah, Bobby Moynahan. I forgot about him."
posted by bondcliff at 6:45 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]
The thing about Louis CK buying ad time during the broadcast—never mind that it aired right before dick-in-a-box... not cool, SNL.
Also was interesting to see them reach back to an ensemble piece from 1991, and Victoria Jackson referencing Sally Struthers's sobbing infomercialfundraisers. (Kids, this is the person who your parents might know as an equivalent to Sarah Mclachlan and her animal abuse ads.)
What else, OH did Tina Fey flip Che the bird when he made some borderline misogynist joke? I thought I saw something...
And uh oh yeah the best sketch was definitely Eddie Murphy's elf panic.
The worst was, as much as I love seeing Kenan and Vanessa getting all frisky, the naughty elves sketch.
The wierdest was Pete's sketch, and also the funniest by far, except the ending was kinda like old-skool SNL in and of itself..
Kyle's sketch didn't register... [looking at roster above] ... oh yeah THAT sketch. Jessamyn and I have been wondering what's become of Kyle's sense of humor lately, it's like more grating and awkward for its own sake, than FUNNEH. Even his sad comedian character was better than what's happening right now. He was at his best with the Leslie Jones romance storyline. OK, end of Kyle-criticizing time, he's okay eh
And yeah I raise my hand in solidarity with those who totally forgot about Bobby Moynihan's constant presence on the show 7-12 years ago.
But again, that Louis CK ad I just heard about sours the whole "Dick In A Box" thing, and to firther go bleh, the song doesn't hold up over time, it's way too long, it's just like "NOPE STOP PLS PEOPLE DO THAT IRL" nowadays. And Lazy Sunday was a much funner song.
Of all the Xmas sketches why the naughty elves, why
posted by not_on_display at 11:36 PM on December 19, 2021 [3 favorites]
Also was interesting to see them reach back to an ensemble piece from 1991, and Victoria Jackson referencing Sally Struthers's sobbing infomercialfundraisers. (Kids, this is the person who your parents might know as an equivalent to Sarah Mclachlan and her animal abuse ads.)
What else, OH did Tina Fey flip Che the bird when he made some borderline misogynist joke? I thought I saw something...
And uh oh yeah the best sketch was definitely Eddie Murphy's elf panic.
The worst was, as much as I love seeing Kenan and Vanessa getting all frisky, the naughty elves sketch.
The wierdest was Pete's sketch, and also the funniest by far, except the ending was kinda like old-skool SNL in and of itself..
Kyle's sketch didn't register... [looking at roster above] ... oh yeah THAT sketch. Jessamyn and I have been wondering what's become of Kyle's sense of humor lately, it's like more grating and awkward for its own sake, than FUNNEH. Even his sad comedian character was better than what's happening right now. He was at his best with the Leslie Jones romance storyline. OK, end of Kyle-criticizing time, he's okay eh
And yeah I raise my hand in solidarity with those who totally forgot about Bobby Moynihan's constant presence on the show 7-12 years ago.
But again, that Louis CK ad I just heard about sours the whole "Dick In A Box" thing, and to firther go bleh, the song doesn't hold up over time, it's way too long, it's just like "NOPE STOP PLS PEOPLE DO THAT IRL" nowadays. And Lazy Sunday was a much funner song.
Of all the Xmas sketches why the naughty elves, why
posted by not_on_display at 11:36 PM on December 19, 2021 [3 favorites]
I liked Che's aside during WU about he and Keenan being the only cast members doing this episode.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:07 AM on December 20, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 5:07 AM on December 20, 2021 [7 favorites]
I was thinking about it, and I guess Che was there because they needed a Weekend Update host and Jost apparently wasn't available. And Kenan had to be there because if you take out Kenan Thompson, the studio will explode.
posted by ckape at 5:19 AM on December 20, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by ckape at 5:19 AM on December 20, 2021 [1 favorite]
Of all the Xmas sketches why the naughty elves, why
If my brother is anything to go by, this is about the time that parents are totally over the whole Elf On The Shelf nonsense and having to set up little "tableaux" for them every damn morning and the temptation to stage them doing naughty or vaguely pornographic things is very, very great, so my hunch is that "naughty elves" (even if they aren't elf-on-the-shelf elves) satisfies a Hidden Need.
Somewhere I have a copy of the photo we staged late one Christmas Eve of my father reacting in mock shock to their Elf On The Shelf motorboating Barbie.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:06 AM on December 20, 2021
If my brother is anything to go by, this is about the time that parents are totally over the whole Elf On The Shelf nonsense and having to set up little "tableaux" for them every damn morning and the temptation to stage them doing naughty or vaguely pornographic things is very, very great, so my hunch is that "naughty elves" (even if they aren't elf-on-the-shelf elves) satisfies a Hidden Need.
Somewhere I have a copy of the photo we staged late one Christmas Eve of my father reacting in mock shock to their Elf On The Shelf motorboating Barbie.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:06 AM on December 20, 2021
Colin and his wife what's-her-name had a baby in August ("grandCHILdren") so I don't blame him for staying home.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:00 AM on December 20, 2021
posted by Rock Steady at 10:00 AM on December 20, 2021
The HomeGoods sketch is amazingly funny. Way better than anything I expect from SNL.
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:03 AM on December 20, 2021
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:03 AM on December 20, 2021
Wasn't Colin one of the rumored people who got diagnosed? Sounds like the Post outed who got positive tests and I specifically remember Jost and Lorne on that list :/
I didn't know what to make of this and I don't think anyone else did either. I read something about a "4 1/2 Timers" club joke but somehow don't remember seeing it? Poor Paul. Well, poor everybody, really.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:49 AM on December 20, 2021
I didn't know what to make of this and I don't think anyone else did either. I read something about a "4 1/2 Timers" club joke but somehow don't remember seeing it? Poor Paul. Well, poor everybody, really.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:49 AM on December 20, 2021
HomeGoods really got me (those two are so perfect together) as the childless aunt myself. They've been holding it in so long that it all just comes rushing out! I like that it slowly unfolded that their kids are having a baby together?
I actually love the naughty elves... a lot. Hard to make an edgy sketch about sex without going near assault or the violation of consent (see the Dick in a Box scenes where the men are shoving roses and feathers in their sort of unwilling partners' faces? ugh). But they did it! I mean they're disappointed but they asked nicely.
The global warming sketch was a revelation! Perhaps capitalizing on the success of Get Back by digging out that old Dana Carvey Paul McCartney impression.
PS: could never forget Bobby Moynihan! Drunk Uncle! Astronaut Kirby J. Buttercream!
PPS: I didn't really care for the Pete Davidson sketch (it dragged) but wanted to share a meme I saw recently which attempted to explain his appeal (and that of Machine Gun Kelly and others of their ilk) by naming the male version of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Chaos Goblin Line Cook. We've all met one.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 10:56 AM on December 20, 2021 [15 favorites]
I actually love the naughty elves... a lot. Hard to make an edgy sketch about sex without going near assault or the violation of consent (see the Dick in a Box scenes where the men are shoving roses and feathers in their sort of unwilling partners' faces? ugh). But they did it! I mean they're disappointed but they asked nicely.
The global warming sketch was a revelation! Perhaps capitalizing on the success of Get Back by digging out that old Dana Carvey Paul McCartney impression.
PS: could never forget Bobby Moynihan! Drunk Uncle! Astronaut Kirby J. Buttercream!
PPS: I didn't really care for the Pete Davidson sketch (it dragged) but wanted to share a meme I saw recently which attempted to explain his appeal (and that of Machine Gun Kelly and others of their ilk) by naming the male version of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Chaos Goblin Line Cook. We've all met one.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 10:56 AM on December 20, 2021 [15 favorites]
Homegoods killed me! And it felt fundamentally sweet, with how excited Paul Rudd got to have grandCHILdren.
I was so, so sad about Charli XCX not being on, I am a long-time stan.
Only semi-related to THIS episode, but during the pandemic my oldest two got old enough to watch SNL and I usually let them watch it on streaming Sunday (fastforwarding the occasional wildly-inappropriate-for-junior-high-students sketch), and they were commenting on it being so weird to see SNL with only five actors, and I was like, "Oh, gosh, right, when the pandemic started, you weren't old enough to watch SNL yet!" so we went back and watched the "SNL At Home" with Tom Hanks from the very beginning of the pandemic, and we were remembering how crazy everything was at the beginning of the pandemic. Some of the SNL At Home skits really hold up, and had my kids rolling! Others, eh. But it kind-of blew my mind to realize that at the beginning of this thing, I would occasionally show my kids a sketch that I thought they'd particularly appreciate, and that was relatively tame. And now I generally let them watch the whole show (with just a few skips here and there).
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:09 PM on December 20, 2021 [2 favorites]
I was so, so sad about Charli XCX not being on, I am a long-time stan.
Only semi-related to THIS episode, but during the pandemic my oldest two got old enough to watch SNL and I usually let them watch it on streaming Sunday (fastforwarding the occasional wildly-inappropriate-for-junior-high-students sketch), and they were commenting on it being so weird to see SNL with only five actors, and I was like, "Oh, gosh, right, when the pandemic started, you weren't old enough to watch SNL yet!" so we went back and watched the "SNL At Home" with Tom Hanks from the very beginning of the pandemic, and we were remembering how crazy everything was at the beginning of the pandemic. Some of the SNL At Home skits really hold up, and had my kids rolling! Others, eh. But it kind-of blew my mind to realize that at the beginning of this thing, I would occasionally show my kids a sketch that I thought they'd particularly appreciate, and that was relatively tame. And now I generally let them watch the whole show (with just a few skips here and there).
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:09 PM on December 20, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by rhizome at 3:00 PM on December 19, 2021 [2 favorites]