Tom Hanks Almost Wins 'Black Jeopardy' in Unifying SNL Sketch
"Saturday Night Live" great again.
October 22 marked his ninth time hosting the NBC show, and that experienced showed. You can tell SNL trusts a host when they allow him or her a role in the cold open, and Hanks was part of the third debate sketch as Chris Wallace. He was more of the straight-man than the comic relief in that bit, but showcased his talents throughout the night -- especially as David Pumpkins in the Haunted Elevator sketch, which would not have been anywhere near that funny without Hanks. (Any questions?)
But one of the strongest bits of the night was "Black Jeopardy," including Hanks as Donald Trump supporter Doug, competing against Keeley (Sasheer Zamata) and Shanice (Leslie Jones) -- with host Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson) initially confused about how Doug ended up on this show. However, instead of mocking the Trump supporter, SNL chose to illustrate how Americans have more similarities than differences, with Doug turning out to be a natural at "Black Jeopardy" ... at least until the end.
Doug had all the right answers on not trusting the government, thumbprints, rigged elections, the Madea movie box set he bought at Walmart ("If I can laugh and pray in 90 minutes, that is money well spent"), local fix-it guys, and even skinny women vs. big girls.
"Big Girls" answer: "Skinny women can do this for you."
Doug: "What is 'Not a damn thing'?"
Darnell, Keeley, and Shanice cheered at that, and Doug added, "My wife, she's a sturdy gal."
But things took a dark turn in Final Jeopardy with the category "Lives That Matter." It was good while it lasted, Doug!
Watch that sketch and a few more from Hanks, including a "Sully" sketch with Alec Baldwin and a new "comedy show" for CBS about depressed professors:Benedict Cumberbatch is next, hosting SNL for the first time on Saturday, November 5.
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