Two types of individuals exist in the world: those who readily accept Saturday Night Live presenters from diverse industries, and those who become agitated when the program invites a professional athlete. If you belong to the latter group and were anticipating a review prior to viewing this week’s episode, I am pleased to inform you that Travis Kelce has achieved the 99th percentile for his category. This information comes from someone who is certainly reticent to watch sports hosts.
Athletes, such as Nancy Kerrigan and Wayne Gretzky, were frequently asked to host during my time when their sole experience on camera was conducting interviews for sports correspondents. (This is not to disparage celebrities who have worked on ice arenas; both of those instances are regrettable recollections from my boyhood.) As an individual who seldom engages with sports-related content across all platforms during Holey Moley’s off-season, I inadvertently overlook the fact that social media has transformed every athlete possessing even a trace of magnetism into performers. Should I begin to follow Kelce on TikTok? Most likely not! However, I am also not angry that I spent this episode with him.
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Kelce begins his diatribe onstage while attired in a suit that is notably avant-garde, complete with a sleeve loincloth. Rather, why not? Kelce greets any nerds (hello) who were only vaguely aware of his recent Super Bowl participation; displays some mildly humiliating self-portraits; and exclaims over his family, including brother Jason, whom he recently defeated in the aforementioned Super Bowl. He appears to be a self-deprecating fool at first glance. Excellent start!
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Kelce then demonstrates his dedication to the most bizarre concepts that SNL writers can present. In his initial formal sketch, he is observed at the American Girl Café, accompanied by two figurines but no children. As his manager (Heidi Gardner) and server (Mikey Day) inquire about his intentions and identity, Kelce’s intricate backstory for his doll companions becomes progressively distressing for all in attendance; however, he remains true to his persona.
A number of the segments for the evening are predicated on the (quite plausible) assumption that a persona resembling Kelce would become entangled in various romantic entanglements. In “Abby The Ex-Girlfriend,” Gardner notices her ex-boyfriend Graham across the bar while out with friends following the release of “Paddington 3” (Cocaine Bear). Almost immediately after reassuring her friends that she can certainly manage conversing with him again after three years, Abby discovers otherwise. Practical effects that are remarkably sloppy demonstrate how little time has passed since her wounds were last treated.