SNL -- Saturday Night Live Sketch by Sketch Review -- Hugh Laurie and Musical Guest Kanye West

This is one of several Senate sketches this year, and to me, they fall flat. Putting Blagojevich in front of the Senate to demand outrageous things from the senators sounds funnier than it was. There are a few things here that are funny, including Blagojevich trying to sell Lincoln's wedding ring with his finger still attached, and his constant use of profanity. But the sketch fails to catch fire.

Monologue -- Hugh Laurie -- 8

It is so odd to hear Hugh Laurie's British speaking voice and to see how bald he is. Hugh Laurie seems much more comfortable up in front of the audience than anyone this season, and his monologue is much fresher because of it. Hugh's "royalty free" Christmas carol was also very funny, as he makes each song three words long to keep from paying royalties.

Bronx Beat -- 8

Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph together again. This has never been one of my favorite recurring sketches, but the two are funny tonight, especially in their reactions to Hugh Laurie (playing their butcher) and his accent. As the sketch progresses, it almost seems as though it is being improvised. It looks like Hugh Laurie got a brief case of the giggles during the sketch as the ladies talk about what kind of meat he likes. (Tongue, thigh, etc.) Best line, Amy's assertion that "The dumbest person in England is smarter than anyone we know."

Christmas Dinner -- 9

Ever had a holiday in which everyone seems to be angry at everyone else? That's the premise of the sketch, in which everything that comes out of everyone else's mouth pisses someone else off. This sketch expertly builds the tension (and the funny) among the five people at the table to Hugh Laurie screaming, which he then turns into a group chorus of Silent Night. A very funny sketch.

Wedding Toasts -- 7

A series of increasingly awkward people stand up to give their toast to a bride and groom. Hugh Laurie wants again throws himself into it, playing a confused old friend of the groom, who is trying to figure out how long he's known the bride's father. Slight, but amusing.

Kanye West -- Love Lockdown -- 8

Interesting effect when he pulls away from the microphone. Could it be that it isn't really Kanye's voice? And what's with the 3D glasses? Still, I liked the song quite a bit.

Weekend Update -- 9

I'm going to hell for laughing at Fred Armisen's impersonation of New York's blind governor, David Patterson, complete with messed up eyes. It just keeps getting funnier as he wanders aimlessly through the show, including ruining Amy Poehler's farewell. He gets in some great digs at New Jersey. When asked what he has against New Jersey, he says, "Unfortunately, a Southern Border." I also was glad to see the return of "REALLY!" with Seth and Amy. Very funny with a nice bit of humor at the exiting Amy Poehler's expense.

Funny Lines -- "Barack Obama this week named Nobel Prize winning physicist Steve Chu as his energy secretary, unless he was just sneezing."

"Wal-Mart has announced plans to sell a $99 version of the iPhone at their stores. However, it will be lacking some of the iPhone features, like the camera, the touch screen, and the ability to make calls and its just a calculator."

(Regarding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's hair) "It's like you have a toupee that is also wearing a toupee" and "It's like someone put the hair on backwards on one of those Fisher-Price people."

Three Lamps -- 6

The owners of a lamp store are taken hostage by their three singing and dancing lamps, played by Kristin Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Hugh Laurie. The costumes are funny, but the sketch is so ridiculous I'm not sure if its funny, incredibly stupid, or both. I'll go with both.

Dead Cat's Christmas Letter -- 7

My love for Kristen Wiig has waned this season because it has become obvious that she can only do variations on one or two characters. Still, the writing is crisp here as Wiig's dialogue falls in line with the wacko animal lovers that personify their pets and use bad puns. It also captures the obnoxious spirit of people's Christmas form letters. I just wish Wiig wouldn't do her jerky motion/funny voice character so much.

SNL Digital Short -- Layoffs and Cookies -- 2

Hugh Laurie's manager tells his staff that there are tough times ahead while one of his people eats cookies given to his team by their Philadelphia branch. One of the employees is oblivious to the serious tone of the meeting and keeps eating the cookies, which turn out to be laxatives. Incredibly dumb.

Kanye West -- Heartless -- 4

Why are so many rappers so rhythm deficient? This has the unfortunate effect that most rap the past decade has had on me, instant headache. Cool animation, though.

Overall -- 7.5

It looks like this show may have run a bit long, because they ended with the musical guest, which is very unusual. This show was one of the better ones this season, no doubt because of Hugh Laurie, a gifted comedian. I loved the Christmas Dinner sketch and Weekend Update was a keeper. A good way to end this year, and a nice last episode for Amy Poehler.