Scoring the Andrew Garfield Hosted 'Saturday Night Live': Charming and Overeager with a Healthy Side of Emma Stone

By Dustin Rowles | TV | May 4, 2014 |

By Dustin Rowles | TV | May 4, 2014 |

In last night’s episode, Andrew Garfield really, really wanted us to like him, and for the most part, he succeeded.

Cold Open — In light of his recent racist comments and subsequent lifetime ban from the NBA, former Clippers owner Donald Sterling explains how he plans to make amends. Bobby Moynihan takes the Sterling role, and they hit all the high notes with some expected jokes delivered in expected ways, but I laughed seven times, which is seven times more than I’ve laughed during a Cold Open in months. (Score: 6/10)

Andrew Garfield Monologue — And here’s the expected Emma Stone cameo (one of a few). Emma Stone is there to offer support and advice to Garfield, and basically steals the entire monologue. That said, I do really like Garfield, even if his enthusiasm is off-the-Fallon-hook (it’s particularly egregious during the end-credits at show’s end, where Garfield essentially begs to come back, but it’s endearing because he’s handsome and famous). (Score:7/10)

Stanx Ad — An undergarment that, uh, holds in your farts. An OK idea, very poorly executed. (Score: 4/10)

Celebrity Family Feud — This episode of Celebrity Family Feud sees American and international musicians like Justin Timberlake, Adele, Shakira and Bruno Mars face off in the category, “Something You Do When You Get Bored.” The Fallon-level enthusiasm works well here, as Andrew Garfield as Justin Timberlake is perfect. Absolutely perfect. Keenan’s Steve Harvey impression also never fails to crack me up, either. Everything else about this sketch is terrible. (Score: 5/10)

Oliver Twist — Deirdre, a pushy, chattering, sassy full-grown woman wrecks Oliver’s “could I have some more” speech with her own, “No. Really. F*ck those guys. I‘m the one that needs more.” Eh. (Score: 5/10)

The Beygency — A shadowy underground organization chases down those who slight Beyonce, with perfect cameo appearances from Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Sketch of the night right here folks. (Score: 9.5/10)

Weekend Update — After a three-week break, Colin Jost came back with renewed determination, enthusiasm, and material, and he was just as bad as before. Poor bastard. It’s all the smugness of Seth Meyers, with none of the charm to offset it.

Olya Povlatsky — Olya Povlatsky stops by the Update desk to discuss the Ukrainian attack against Russia and quote her new favorite show, Full House. Eh. One good line: “I have an HBO GO password. I’m not an animal.” (Score: 4/10)

Leslie Jones — I have no idea who this woman is, but I think I might love her. (She’s actually one of SNL’s new writers). “Can a bitch get a beef bowl.” Amen. I think we’ll end up seeing more of her. (Score: 8/10)

Jebediah Atkinson — The sneering 19th century critic takes on the Tony nominees. Taran Killam completely blows a line and makes the best of it. He also goes low with a Lincoln assassination joke and a feline AIDS joke, but it’s pretty great. (Score: 7.5/10)

Spider-Man Kiss Scene — Filming kissing scenes for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was harder than it looked for Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. It took a lot of takes because, uh, they don’t actually know how to kiss (with hilariously gross results). Only two people who were actually together in real life could pull this sketch off, and Garfield and Stone do it splendidly. (Score: 8/10)

Wedding Dinner — Garfield plays a guy who tries to break up a marriage during the dinner party and it goes horribly awry. Eh. (Score: 4/10)

Bird Bible — Rerunning an old ad? Did Kyle Mooney not have anything this week?