Fun
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Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
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Weird
Two weeks ago, after the Tom Hanks-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live, everybody’s instant takeaway was that David Pumpkins had owned the night. But a closer look revealed an even more impressive MVP: the “Black Jeopardy” sketch that aired in the same episode managed to not only be the best of the night but also the best of the season, and maybe even the best piece of comedy about the entire 2016 election.
We’ve seen “Black Jeopardy” before, and like most recurring SNL sketches, each return followed the same format. Two black contestants, one out-of-place white contestant, answering insular questions about the black community. The white contestant always proves to be clueless, and there are almost always some solid jokes in there, but there isn’t much deviation. This particular “Black Jeopardy” threw a curveball, with Hanks dressed as a “Make America Great Again”-style Trump supporter named Doug who nonetheless provides answers that are surprisingly in line with his black competitors. The key to the sketch, though, was Kenan Thompson as the host, whose genuine shock, surprise, and eventual fondness for Doug sells the sketch beautifully. (Of course, the brilliant kicker is that the Final Jeopardy is “Lives That Matter.” As Kenan says, “It was nice while it lasted, Doug.”)
The sketch had me thinking about what an underrated performer Kenan Thompson has been over the course of his 14 seasons (one more year and Kenan will be the longest-runningSNL cast member of all time). And in particular, how great he’s been in the oft-thankless role of host. The host is almost never the interesting part of the sketch. He’s there to move things along while the funny characters do their funny things. But Kenan Thompson almost always manages to make an impression, without hogging the spotlight.
Whether it’s a game-show host, a talk-show host, or a classic-clips show host, Kenan manages to put that extra bit of zing on his lines to really sell a sketch even when he’s not necessarily the focal point. And with due respect to folks like Bill Hader and Will Ferrell, I think I’m ready to call it: Kenan Thompson is the best fake-host in Saturday Night Live history.
Some evidence:
“Celebrity Family Feud”
Kenan’s Steve Harvey impersonation has always been a winner, and when Harvey was given the reins of Celebrity Family Feud, that what a gift that’s kept giving for SNL. The sketch is ultimately a chance for the show to trot out a half-dozen impressions out there, but Kenan’s Steve Harvey is always good for an aside or two that really help sell the impressions. “Show me another pretty girl who likes to eat!”
Forgotten TV Gems with Reese De’What
A secret favorite of mine, in part because his impact is so comparatively minimal. But the verve with which Kenan tends who say his character’s name, plus the fun he has with delivering Reese’s traditional embarrassing anecdote, is infectious. The classic-Hollywood sketch that accompanies him is rarely as good.
What Up With That
The crown jewel of Kenan’s hosting prowess, host DeAndre Cole’s variety show/three-ring circus is a celebration of chaos, with a good 70% being Cole singing the show’s theme song. And even with Jason Sudekis doing the world’s most cheerful running-man and Bill Hader keeping that Lindsay Buckingham joke going for so long that it went past unfunny to brilliant, the best part of any “What Up with That?” is still the moment when the guest starts telling a story, only for the music to start quietly, and DeAndrew sings their words back to them. It should work every time, but by God, it works EVERY TIME.
Here’s hoping Kenan does make it to that record-breaking 15th season, if only so he can keep on hosting.
