Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great enthusiasm I announce that the time is upon us: the return of Saturday Night Live. For those of you who have been reading my blog for quite some time, you know that every season of SNL I always post the sketches I thought were funny the following day. It’s sort of like my Sunday ritual. I wake up, take a shower, get some coffee, and blog about SNL.

Well, I’ve got my coffee, so let’s get it started! Last night was the premiere of SNL’s 38th season and the show was hosted by a man of many voices, Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy.) We all know Seth for his voices on Family Guy, including Peter Griffin, Brian Griffin, Stewie Griffin, and Glen Quagmire. All of those voices are quite iconic and they are basically Seth’s “thing,” so I wasn’t shocked that his opening monologue included arguments between all of those characters and a song filled with a host of other voices.

The opening monologue was quite funny (mainly because of the voices) and of course, later on in the night Seth did a myriad of voices in a few sketches. And since were are on the topic of voices, I definitely have to give Jay Pharoahe props for taking over Fred Armisen’s Obama impersonation. The voice was decent, but I still think Fred does a better job. But perhaps over time, Jay’s Obama characterization will get better; the tone felt a little off.

Alright, so the Cold Opening and Seth’s Monologue were pretty funny, but lets dive into were the true laughter began for me, the Clint Eastwood Sketch. For those of you who follow politics and at least watch the news and aren’t living under a rock like Patrick, then you clearly remember Clint Eastwood’s appearance at the RNC in Tampa and how he literally talked to a chair. Seriously, that was a major WTF moment, and knowing that SNL likes to dive into political commentary and happenings, they of course took the infamous Clint Eastwood vs. the Chair and made a hilarious sketch filled with high-waisted hijinks. Bill Hader does an awesome Clint Eastwood impersonation, I’m glad they brought it back. Sidenote: Why does Clint Eastwood wear his pants so high?! SMH.

SNL isn’t one to shy away from popular trending topics, so somewhere in the back of my mind I had a feeling that Korean rapper PSY and his iconic “Gangnam Style” were going to make their way to the SNL set. Ding, ding, ding, I was correct. In a sketch called “Lids” Seth tried cheering up his co-worker (Kenan) by pushing a big red button and then Bobby Moynihan comes out doing the “Gangnam Style” dancing. Shortly after he comes out dancing again, and after a few moments followed by someone getting fired, Seth recommends turbo mode and out comes PSY and he does the dance that has made him an International YouTube sensation.

The first episode had its usual hits and misses, but there were some other sketches that had a few hilarious moments. The Puppet Class sketch was only funny because Bill Hader had this hilarious puppet that was so angry and depressed from the war. He kept telling all these serious war stories. It was pretty funny, but aside from that the sketch was sort of blaaah. 

For those of you who watch daytime talk-shows, then perhaps you’ve seen the Steve Harvey Show. Ugh, why is that even on the air? He stays wearing those over-sized suits and he tries to give relationship advice, but he is far from an expert (on his fifth marriage now.) His show just isn’t that interesting, but I could watch Kenan Thompson do a Steve Harvey impersonation all day. Too funny!

A few of the other sketches you can watch at the end of this post. But before I close out, I have to post the Weekend Update with Seth Meyers. For those of you who followed the Olympics, we all know that Ryan Lochte was one of the star swimmers this summer. He’s a phenomenal swimmer, but he truly isn’t the brightest kid on the block. Seriously y’all, have you watched him in interviews? He is such an airhead. I know he’s hot, but damn boy, read a book! It’s sad that he truly seems unable to formulate full sentences, but Seth MacFarlane does a great Ryan Lochte impersonation.

Prior to Ryan Lochte’s bit on The Weekend Update the human thumb (nickname courtesy of Joe McHale from The Soup) stopped by with her daughter Honey Boo Boo.

Other Sketches You May or May Not Like

P.S. If you’re wondering why I didn’t talk about Frank Ocean’s performances, well it is because I’m not a fan of his music. Just not really into it. My brother met him last week too, said he was a nice guy, but yeah, I’m just not into Frank Ocean’s music. But seems everyone I know loves him, well I don’t. Oh, so what? Sue me then.