Ep 5. Chris Rock/Prince
- TV14
- November 1, 2014
- 55 min
-
6.3 (265)
In this episode of Saturday Night Live, seasoned comedian Chris Rock takes on hosting duties for the third time. Known for his sharp wit and social commentary, Rock brings his signature style to the sketches and delivers a monologue that touches on topics such as police brutality, social media, and relationships.
The episode features an array of sketches, including a parody of the popular game show Jeopardy! in which the categories are oddly specific. Another sketch, titled "How's He Doing?", pokes fun at President Obama's approval ratings and the media's obsession with polling.
One of the highlights of the episode is a digital short featuring Chris Rock and Prince, who serves as the musical guest. In the short, Rock attempts to invite Prince to a party, but Prince is less than enthused about the idea. The two later team up for a performances of "Clouds" and "Marz" from Prince's album Art Official Age.
Throughout the episode, the cast of SNL demonstrates their versatility with impressions and characters. Taran Killam delivers a spot-on impression of Senator Ted Cruz in a sketch about the government shutdown, while Kate McKinnon brings her interpretation of Justin Bieber to a Thanksgiving-themed sketch.
As always, Weekend Update delivers a dose of current events and biting satire. Colin Jost and Michael Che cover topics such as the midterm elections and the controversy surrounding the Washington Redskins' team name.
In the final sketch of the night, the cast bids farewell to long-time member Cecily Strong, who had announced her departure from the show earlier in the season. The sketch functions as a tribute to Strong's various characters and impressions, and features appearances from Darrell Hammond and Tim Meadows.
Overall, Chris Rock's hosting stint is a strong addition to a already solid season of Saturday Night Live. With a mix of political commentary, celebrity impressions, and original characters, the show continues to showcase why it is a cultural institution.