On the Record Cold Open [R] - A very flat cold open. Is it written somewhere that all cold opens must either be a political address or a political talk show? I know they occasionally violate the rule, but the fact that these types of sketches are consistently used over and over to open the show lessens whatever impact they might otherwise have. Not that this sketch would have fared a whole lot better in the middle of the show. Really just a chance for Wiig to display her tepidly amusing Greta Van Sustren impression and not much else. The message: Fox News dislikes democratic policies. Ho hum. Tell us something we didn't know or how about showing all of the MSNBC clowns licking the boots of Obama and Pelosi? Still, crappy but at least it would be "fair and balanced" to mock both sides. Grade: C-

Monologue - A clever take on Ashton's move towards maturity. This started off like it was going to pretty much suck, but the time they got to the old lady dance-off, I was laughing. A good way to start the show. Grade: B

The Will - Ashton dedicates a decade of life to pleasing a prune with expectation of getting a big payday after her passing. In reality, the only thing he gets is a litany of long-forgotten STDs. I liked this sketch. It was different and had some very funny lines like "give birth to a ghost". Keep the original sketches coming. Grade: A-

The View [R] - Back to the lousy recurring sketches. This sketch is always a letdown and tonight's was no exception. I still don't know who they are trying to appeal to with this sketch. Maybe there a lot more unemployed people stuck at home watching daytime TV? Anyway, lame as usual with a bad Mel Gibson impression by Ashton. Grade: D-

Cialis for Threeways - Commercial promoting a product to help guys prepare for threeway encounters. Not particularly funny. In fact, the real ED commercials are funnier with the talk of 4-hour erections and the like. Grade: C

Ancient Rome - Ashton is a slave boy who feeds grapes to Forte. It worked just liked it sounds. Still, I would prefer a failed original sketch to a failed recurring sketch, Grade: C-

Weekend Update - What a mess! Seth had quite a few good jokes but the side was let down by series of lousy guests. In order: Samberg as Samberg, Hader as Elliot Spitzer, Kenan as Jean K. Jean, and Fred and Kristen as the annoying singing couple. Grade: C+

Burn Notice - This "sketch" sets a new low for SNL. It was actually nothing more than a ? minute promo of the USA Network show Burn Notice. It's no coincidence that NBC Universal owns USA Network. How obvious and pathetic having Suds read a bunch of glowing reviews and then air an actual clip from the show. Even if nobody had heard of the show before, this little publicity stunt is guaranteed to drum up some interest. It isn't like SNL hasn't done promos before. Hell, they used to do live Polaroid commercials during the first season. But to disguise it as a sketch? Disgusting! Grade: F-

Access Hollywood - Mocking the fact that by adding more nominations, the Academy Board doesn't even try to hide anymore that it is nothing more than a giant promo for Hollywood. Not a lot to like or hate here. Grade: C

Rahm Emanuel - The Sam man show his astounding "range" by using his Wahlberg voice to mimic the irascible Emanuel. Although the impression was pretty lousy, the lines were funny and overcame the performance. Grade: B+

The Wedding Band - Wow! Easily the best sketch of the season and an instant classic that stacks up well against time-tested classics from all eras of SNL. I love the concept of an aging group of musicians reuniting to play a wedding and then blasting out some hardcore punk. The sketch was well played by all and brought a blast of energy to the show rarely seen since Ferrell left nearly 7 years ago. Great stuff! Grade: A+

Overall - Not a strong episode overall but the last sketch was great and there is noticeable restraint with the use of recurring sketches which is a good thing. Weird to have such a great sketch (Wedding) and such an abominable sketch (Burn Notice) in the same episode. Despite some questionable writing, Ashton confirmed that he can still be an engaging host. Grade: C