Ariana Grande keeps it low key — but can’t keep from calling out Bowen Yang’s ‘toad chode’
Grande is an excellent host. It’s a shame ‘SNL’ let its celebrity cameos infect the episode.
Ariana Grande is a very good SNL host. Last night was a reminder of how buried beneath her safely manicured persona is an entertainer who is an amazing impressionist and someone who has great comedic timing. (This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who remembers Grande’s Nickelodeon days of Victorious and Sam & Cat.)
It’s impressive how effortless Grande makes hosting SNL look when she’s at the center of every sketch. I loved Nate Bargatze’s episode last week (and would still rate it as the overall strongest of the season so far), but more often than not, Bargatze was playing a character who things happened to. Think of “Sábado Gigante,” for example. His character was at the center of that storm. With the exception of maybe “Castrati,” Grande’s characters were a driving force in almost every sketch this episode.
After SNL’s celebrity cameos took a turn for the worse last week, I had hoped that Lorne Michaels might recalibrate. He did not. Even worse, those celebrity cameos got loose this episode, breaking out of the cold open and infecting multiple other sketches.
I’m guilty of cheering on Andy Samberg bringing back the Digital Shorts for “Sushi Glory Hole” last weekend, but at least that move was worth it. That one was a Criterion-level Digital Short.
The work we got from our collection of ringers this week wasn’t worth it.
Samberg and Maya Rudolph taking over “Castrati” was unnecessary and stole two major roles from the actual cast. (I don’t think we saw Ashley Padilla all episode.) But Dana Carvey appearing as Jennifer Coolidge was even worse. With no joke beyond “Hey, it’s Dana Carvey as Jennifer Coolidge,” he ruined what was shaping up to be a wonderful sketch between Chloe Fineman and Grande.
➕ Already a Popculturology subscriber? Please consider becoming a supporter by upgrading your account.
🍪 Wanna add Snackology to your subscription? Update your email preferences on your account page.