Pitchfork

I didn't catch the whole thing, but I feel confident in saying that Kanye West stole the show on the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live". While the comedy institution's writers struggled to come up with yet another basketball-themed sketch for host LeBron James (which turned out to be unnecessary-- he was funnier when playing against type), Kanye's performances, brimming with the energy of a man who still seems like he has something to prove, made you feel like you'd changed channels. The familiar "Stronger" back-to-back with "Good Life" comprised the more upbeat first segment, and then the reflective "Champion", married to the half-freestyled "Everything I Am", took things in a more poignant direction. Kanye's extemporaneous rhymes aren't going to make anyone forget Biggie, but something about his awkwardness, when combined with his self-deprecation and overall sense of showmanship, makes for riveting viewing. Just as impressive was his acting turn in a sketch about his behavior at award shows. At the "Kids Choice Awards": "I used to believe that children were our future, but fuck that!"

Kanye West: "Stronger / Good Life"