'SNL' Recap: Bill Hader

After last week's Sarah Silverman fiasco (and the week before's iffy Chris Pratt premiere) it was refreshing to have a genuinely strong episode of "Saturday Night Live" last night.

And almost 100 percent of the credit belongs to a returning Bill Hader. He may have left the show in 2013, but there's a reason Lorne Michaels called up one of his best players to return as host only a year later: He's a pro.

He brings more to the table than just impressions, which can be hard for some cast members we've seen come and go. Hader turns his original characters (a few who returned last night to my utter delight) into something offbeat and strange, not just punchlines. And you can tell he has loads of fun doing it. (P.S. why do you think he's my Twitter cover photo?)

Here's my ranking of last night's sketches.

10. "Hollywood Game Night"

This sketch was one of those celebrity impression vehicles, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Usually those differeniate from each other with a unique component (i.e. Andrew Garfield's spot-on impersonation of 'SNL's' best friend Justin Timberlake). But this one just fell flat. It was the only sketch of the night where I didn't laugh out loud. But kudos to Jay Pharoah's rather stellar impression of one of the most recognizable voices in pop culture (Morgan Freeman, duh). Watch here.

9. "Inside SoCal 2 with Bill Hader"

I'm always the one to fight for Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney with those who find them too alternative for "SNL." Sure, I miss The Lonely Island as much as the next person, but usually their weird, retro shorts are so bizarre they're hilarious. Yet last night's second edition of "Inside SoCal" just made me raise my eyebrow. But, unsurprisingly, Bill Hader's bro Sean was the most convincing. He just really couldn't finish his thought. ("Like, I play Madden, right? And so...") Watch here.

8. "Bill Hader Monologue"

As soon as Hader started his monologue, I just couldn't help but think: Damn, he really is one of the best. He delivered his one-liners without a hitch and revealed his bizarrely deep singing voice. Sure, Kristen Wiig may have stolen his spotlight for a little longer than necessary, but Hader nailed his opening presentation. Also, weird cameo by Harvey Fierstein.

7. "The Group Hopper"

The faux movie trailers are usually spot-on with their parodies of whatever box office hit is relevant (like last week's only redeeming sketch that combined Ebola with "The Fault in our Stars"). This sketch had all the right components: Yep, these YA dystopia movies all have weird rules and made-up names for everything. But it just didn't hit the mark it was supposed to. Not even Bill Hader as an Effie Trinket-like villain could save it.

6. "Cold Open: Kim Jong-un"

In comparison to the previous cold opens of this season, this one — highlighting the suspiciousness of Kim Jong-un's recent lack of public appearance — was a riot thanks to Bobby Moynihan. (Sidebar: Moynihan is one of the most senior cast members, but "SNL" doesn't seem to use him as much as it should. And it definitely should. This sketch proves why.) His physicaly comedy alone made the sketch. And this line: "How could I be out of touch when I have the same haircut as Brad Pitt in the movie 'Fury'?" Watch here.

5. "Weekend Update"

Week after week Michael Che gets stronger. I might even be so bold as to say he's better than Colin Jost. He just brings something unique to the Update desk that Jost hasn't quite figured out yet. This week's rendition of Update was solid, thanks to reappearances of Stefon and the awesome Pete Davidson. Hader predictably broke numerous times when he returned as his most popular character, especially whenever he mentioned Dan Cortese. Pete Davidson's stand-up wasn't as provocative and hysterical as his debut from the premiere, but his self-deprication is always a hoot.

4. "Cat"

What an interesting concept: The mystical, traveling Cat in the Hat that brings joy to bored children once had an affair with a mom. I lost it as soon as Hader pranced on screen as the infamous Dr. Seuss character and stopped short with this deadpan: "Linda?" It was honestly such a weird and funny premise that could have been a hit with any host. Spoiler alert: Taran Killam as the husband aka Thing 2 aka Johnathan was a welcome twist. Watch here.

3. "Herb Welch: Virginity Pledge Rally"

There are so many things that make Herb Welch great: (1) Hader's stone cold delivery (2) The various ways the microphone gets in the subject's face (3) Welch's inability to decipher what decade he's in (4) and his offensive quips back at the anchor ("I don't take orders from mannequins.") This time, Hader was so close to breaking, which is something that rarely happens during a Herb Welch sketch. That made it about 10 times more hilarious. Watch here.

2. "39 Cents"

You would think "SNL" has done something like this before: Mock those ridiculous commercials that run on five minutes too long and beg for your sympathy (and money) in the most cringe-worthy way. Which is why I wasn't quite sure where this faux commercial was going, until Jay Pharoah whispered "ask for more." It's a simple premise that's so funny because it's definitely true. This sketch also gets points because Leslie Jones.

1. "Puppet Class"

This sketch was surprisingly even better than the first time it aired with Seth MacFarlane as host, probably because it made us realize exactly what we're missing with Hader gone from "SNL." He just absolutely and fearlessly embodies each character he plays. Anthony Peter Coleman and his identical puppet are as insanely funny as they are crazy. Plus, we even get a puppet flashback to his harrowing time in Grenada. It was "SNL" writing at its most bizarre/clever/heartwarming and Hader at his best.

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