Sean L. McCarthy

Torres remains a unique and special voice not just in comedy, but in the performing arts, and we could use more voices like his.

With a tried-and-true formula, SNL UK‘s cast most likely will find their voices and establish themselves as a separate entity, albeit with the same plusses and minuses that the American show has. Some sketches and performances will become legendary; but most, forgettable. Unless SNL UK can break out of this formula and determine what makes them special, the show may never match the heights of Monty Python, or even the Canadian alternatives from SCTV through Kids in the Hall.

It’s gratifying to see Chris Fleming stay true to the vision he had starting out in stand-up two decades ago and be richly rewarded for it. Strap in and enjoy the ride!

If you’re a Chappelle fan, nothing I say will change your mind. But if you want just the heart of the comedy matter without all of the unnecessary cruelty or trolling, then SKIP ahead to the 33-minute mark, where you can then STREAM IT for his closing story.

As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into, STREAM IT to see what Sherman is like outside of the constraints of NBC and 30 Rock. Just note it might not be a great idea to eat or think about eating while watching this!

Maron’s at the top of his game, and we’re all the better for it.

This hour feels like a reset. .... Getting to peer behind the proverbial curtain of fame and fortune (it’s quite something to hear a comedian reveal themselves to be a multimillionaire!) feels more special when the famous person isn’t dropping a lot of names, just truth bombs.

The dad stuff may hit home for many viewers. But what’ll definitely stand out to comedy fans is Birbiglia’s description of his invitation to join Jim Gaffigan, Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien and other comedians on a trip to the Vatican last summer to meet Pope Francis. There’s fun to be had just in learning more about this. But the comedian also takes this moment to hammer home how his views of the church differed from those of his parents, and how he’ll still zing the Catholics for their multi-generation molestation scandal

As her late father might’ve written: “Tell ’em Schleppy sent you.”

His thoughts are shallow and ugly. Sometimes they’re afterthoughts. The second episode devotes a full parody to Steven Seagal. It’s neither nostalgic nor revealing.