First of all, before I get to the specifics of this episode of SNL, I'd like to point out the awfulness that is a host pulling "double duty" as host and musician. There are only 20-some episodes of SNL per year, and each is an opportunity to showcase new talent, give that rising star "their shot". This recent trend of a host being guest and music guest robs some individual of "their shot". It goes against everything this show used to stand for, and needs to stop. I don't care "who" it is.
To the episode itself, I think I realized what is wrong with SNL the last few years: their skits no longer have punchlines. There is a premise, then the setup, but no punchline in 95% of the skits.
An example: The View Whoopi Goldberg skit. The premise: Its The View. Premise: Jack Harlow is "into" Whoopi. The punchline: There is none. It never goes beyond "he's got a thing for her". One note.
This phenomena results in skits having no where to land / end, so they just sort of drag on until they do end. Often times I think the audience even gets confused, waiting for a punchline that never comes.
The David S. Pumpkins skit is a rare success for SNL because it actually features a punch line, a solid ending. But unfortunately the majority don't go that way anymore.
A generous 3 stars for the return of David Pumpkins, which coincidentally had nothing to do with the double duty host. Maybe Tom Hanks should've just, ya know, hosted?
