'SNL' Recap: Chris Hemsworth, Will Ferrell Deliver a Holiday Treat
The ghost of cast members (and Presidents) past visited Saturday Night Live last night during the cold open. Hall of Famer Will Ferrell stopped by Studio 8H to reprise the George W. Bush impression that he originated on the series and later took to Broadway. Faced with a “messed up” field of Republican presidential candidates, Ferrell’s No. 43 announced that he’d be throwing his hat in the ring. “I’m telling you I can beat these guys,” he proclaimed, launching into a critique of some of his rivals. Ben Carson? “I can barely hear him when he talks.” Carly Fiorina? “She’s not qualified in any way to be President. In many ways, she reminds me of me.” Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio? “These two guys, the sons of immigrants, hate immigrants.” Jeb!? “It’s a pretty good plot twist that I turned out to be the smart one.”
And then, of course, there’s Donald Trump. “Whenever I get in a bad mood, I just picture his big fat orange Oompa-Loompa face and I just piss my pants.” He also pointedly knocked Trump’s controversial proposal that Muslims be banned from entering the U.S., comparing it to the non-existent time in the nation’s past when a push for Leprechaun internment camps backfired in spectacular fashion. “I say ‘No thanks,’ to Donald Trump,” Ferrell-as-Bush concluded. Guess that’s the show’s way of disinviting him from hosting again.
On the other hand, they apparently couldn’t wait to invite Chris Hemsworth back for a second stint as host, since the Aussie Avenger only made his SNL debut a mere eight months ago. (Wonder if he even bothered going home between gigs — maybe he’s just been hanging out in the 30 Rock cafeteria all this time.) The lighting quick return invitation can probably be chalked up to the fact that Hemsworth knocked it out of the park his first time around, hosting one of the standout episodes of SNL’s 40th season. Whether pitching woo at a live chicken or joining Empire as the requisite white guy in khakis, the big-screen superhero — currently making the publicity rounds for the whaling drama In the Heart of the Sea before he returns to Asgard for another outing as Thor — gamely attacked whatever scenario the writers tossed his way. Feel free to stop by every eight months, Chris.
Best Sketch: “Brunch”
Hemsworth going incognito as a lady who bruches in order to talk up the greatness of Chris Hemsworth is pretty funny in its own right. What gives the skit extra oomph, though, is his lunchmates’ dawning realization about the mysterious Claire’s real identity as C-Hemmy. That nickname’s gonna stick.
Worst Sketch: “Pirate Ship”
Hemsworth and the rest of the ensemble are all dressed up in pirate garb, but have nowhere to go in this pointless sketch that’s mostly all about Mark — the pirate who keeps things fun. Um…we disagree.
Best Use of Chris Hemsworth: “Time to Bleed”
In this expert compilation of cop movie clichés, Hemsworth is aces as a rogue cop who’d rather let his bullet wound bleed out than seek proper medical care.
Episode MVP: Leslie Jones
Anytime that Jones wants to use her Weekend Update airtime to riff hilariously about Breaking Bad is A-OK by us. In fact, can she record some commentary tracks for our next BB binge-watch?
Saturday Night Live airs weekly at 11:35 p.m. on NBC.
