A funny notion, worth repeating (maybe)

We’re used to the notion that any good “Saturday Night Live” idea will be done again … and again … and …
But this is a surprise: A good (maybe great) “SNL” idea has slid over to another show on another network.
We’re not complaining. It’s a funny sketch (shown here) that helps make the show worth seeing. (“Nate Bergatze’s Nashville Christmas” debuts at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, on CBS, rerunning at 10 p.m. Dec. 24.) Still, it’s a surprise.
The original sketch came the first time Bergatze hosted “SNL.” He played George Washington, explaining to his soldiers the nation they would create. It would be a place that measures things in special ways – three feet to a yard, lots of yards (no one knows how many) to a mile. A place where people play “football,” a game primarily done with the hands. A place …
It was a great bit, so “SNL” had a second version when Bergatze returned as host, a year later. Now he has a slight variation in his own special.
Again, he’s an authority figure, explaining the future to astonished people. This time he’s an angel, telling Joseph (played by Mikey Day, co-writer of the original sketch) and Mary how the nativity will be celebrated .
It’s the comedy highlight of the hour. Other sketches are good and so-so; Bergatze’s opening monolog is uneven, but one from Derrick Stroup builds into big laughs.
The show has lots of talented singers, but doesn’t have them sing. Martina McBride and Jelly Roll are there for brief comedy moments; Darius Rucker just does brief snatches leading into and out of breaks. Only Carrie Underwood and Noah Kahan get to do a full song.
This is a show that survives via comedy – albeit borrowed comedy.