Last night's Thanksgiving episode of SNL benefited from the very funny presence of Matthew McConaughey, and I mean that just in terms of the way he looks and acts. Matthew McConaughey just has a funny air to him, no matter what he's saying, no matter what he's doing. It really shows you how far a host can take this show. And Adele was fabulous of course.
COLD OPEN: Another Fox & Friends bit, with everybody freaking out about the Syrian refugees, and appearances from Kate's Debbie Wasserman-Schulz and Jay's hilarious Ben Carson. It's funny because of him mostly.
MONOLOGUE: Now this is interesting- Matthew (who will be Matt tonight for length reasons) comes out and does an actual monologue about the origin of his famous catchphrase, which of course came from Dazed and Confused. It's mostly just fun to see someone do something besides either stand-up or a song. Good on ya, Matty!
ADELE THANKSGIVING: This one's pretty funny- fights at the Thanksgiving dinner table are interrupted by the playing of Adele's "Hello," which turns everyone into wannabe lip synchers dressed in her clothes.
BLUES: A mild bit with Kenan leading a jazz group that Matt can't fit into, because all his lyrics are rich, white guy complaints. First example tonight of Matthew's delivery and deadpan face elevating everything he says to make you smile, even if it's not that funny.
BIO-PRINT MAN: And the best example of the night of that same thing- this should have been ridiculous, with Cecily introducing a 3D printed man (Matt) among Taran and Beck's normal human men, but Matt makes it by dancing oddly and half-smiling his way through it. Seriously, I don't think this sketch is actually written funny, but Matt's behavior can't not make you laugh.
STAR WARS SCREEN TESTS: A reel with celebrity impressions and cameos, including Emma Stone, Jon Hamm, Michael Buble (how could they not put them together?) and JJ Abrams and the new Star Wars actors in it too. It's just alright (notably, no Matt in this one).
UPDATE: Colin and Michael continue to try to force feed each other, well, each other, and at this point it's simply become fascinating to me to watch two people who clearly have nothing in common, none of the same sense of humor and would never speak to each other in real life, try to force a bond and sense of interaction and "banter" that doesn't exist. It's like a weird sociological experiment now. Vanessa shows up as her Disney channel audition kid to read adult news (she's done this before in a skit), and that's really the only other thing worth noting here.
SHOULD YOU CHIME IN ON THIS?: This skit has Kenan as a game show host asking three "idiots" (Aidy, Matt and Kyle) not to chime in on recent hot button issues. Matt is once again, funny just via the way he talks, but this skit feels weirdly hostile and overtly political. Whoever wrote it was obviously angry about this stuff lately (not that I can blame them).
RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED: Okay, I hate this skit. Taran and Cecily are back as the married couple and their weird southern guests, this time with Matt as a chef who breaks down offscreen. I really hate this one though, I wish they'd retire it.
AMTRAK: Odd last bit with Matt as a local citizen upset about the incoming Amtrak train- rests again on Matt's delivery and he boy does he deliver. He actually made this entire episode.
So that was it guys. I was supremely impressed with Matthew McConaughey, who had to have been their best host since what, Drake maybe? He was funny, quick and completely natural on the stage- bring him back sooner than 14 years later next time. And Adele was incredible with her two songs as well. I give tonight a B+ because of Mathew- easily the best of the season anyway. I'll be back in two weeks with Ryan Gosling's SNL debut, so tune in for that, and in the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Be full and happy!
