SNL Review

[bob_barron 0]

SNL Review-

 

 

Since I’m going to Wrestlemania this week- next week’s review probably won’t be up until Tuesday instead of Monday night.

 

Sports Report-

 

 

 

Maple Leafs- I’m very happy about the acquisition of Brian Leetch. As someone who had to put up with the Rangers my whole life (even though their collapse has gone from ‘funny’ to ‘pathetic’) I know that Leetch is a terrific hockey player who busts his ass and will give it all to help his team win- and the Leafs need that. If he brings a Stanley Cup home to Toronto I’ll be willing to forgive his 1994 Conn Smythe Trophy. I’m very happy that Eddie is back because they need him or else they are screwed. The Leafs need to get that second seed. The Devils are dangerous in the first round and as much as I rag on them I wouldn’t want to face Ottawa or Boston either. Here’s hoping Eddie can lead them to victory.

 

Canucks- The Canucks sure do know how to win at the right time. Except for one costly lost at Detroit they’ve been unbeaten in 5 out of their last 6 and are slowly closing in on the slumping Avalanche. The goaltending has really stepped up and the Big Line has been playing great recently. Hopefully by the time you read this they will be in first place.

 

The 2003 Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils- With Boston, Toronto and Ottawa battling it out for the Northeast Trophy- the Devils have fallen by the wayside and are now the 6th seed. Somehow Tampa leaped into first place (“Wrap your minds around that one”- Amy as Avril) so seed #6 is not as desirable as it once was. They seem to be on a bit of a letdown after their three game winning streak and now is not the time for that. I don’t see them catching Philly so they just have to ensure that they don’t fall into the 7th slot.

 

Nets- Well the winning streak had to end sometime. All these losses to Western Conference opposition is starting to bother me since it makes them look weak and casts serious doubts over their ability to hang with the big boys. They can’t let Shaq destroy them like he did yesterday. I guess that’s what Kidney Boy was for. K-Mart has really stepped up his game. I went to the Nets game on the 28th and his caught block was insane. I hope this move to Brooklyn happens because it’s getting pathetic going to Nets games and seeing Joe Piscopo being treated as a big name star. They just need Kidd to get healthy and I think they’ll start rolling again. Not like it really matters- they got the Atlantic division and the #2 seed all sowed up.

 

Mailbag!!!!!!!!!!!!!-

 

Nothing in the mailbag again this week but Sean recently started posting the reviews so I’m hopeful I’ll get some mail in the coming weeks.

 

Wanna be in the mailbag???? Email me at [email protected]

 

 

To anyone in the Toronto area-

 

I’m going to be participating in my universities Star Search contest in the comedy competition so if anyone wants to come out and see how funny I am (answer: Not very) it’s March 15th at 9 pm at Oakham House in the Ram in the Rye on 63 Gould St. in Toronto.

 

I just hope I still have a voice after going to two Ring of Honor shows and Wrestlemania XX. But if you want to come out and see me bomb on stage- there ya’ go.

 

My incredibly brief thoughts on the Sex and the City finale-

 

Charlotte has a baby. John. I’m happy.

 

This concludes my incredibly brief thoughts on the Sex and the City finale

 

And now the review....

 

 

Cold Opening

Cast- Ana Gasteyer, Darrell Hammond, Will Forte, Horatio Sanz, Kenan Thompson

Thoughts- Nice to see Ana back on SNL and doing her Martha impression that we all know and laugh. Kenan was pretty funny as the juror and I really enjoyed Forte. Horatio’s Rosie O’Donnell impression is just funny the minute you look at him. Darrell’s Ted Koppell is an oldie but a goodie that I always enjoy seeing him bust out. A few of the lines fell flat but this was very funny with a great effort by all involved. ***3/4

 

Monologue

Cast- Colin Firth, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Seth Meyers

Thoughts- Did we really need to hear Maya doing British theatre in that awful voice? Oh come on- you know I have to pick on her for something. The part where the girls act out British theatre to try to get with Colin wasn’t really that funny but then SETH!~ saved the day with his Hugh Grant impression which has always been one of my favourite things he did. It was the usual hilarious impression even though Hugh doesn’t stutter that much anymore. The interplay between Seth and Colin was cute. This started off slowly but rebounded quite nicely. **1/2

 

 

Problems with the Accents

Cast- Firth, Chris Parnell, Jimmy Fallon, Poehler, Dratch, Meyers, Finesse Mitchell

Thoughts- I guess this is what Cold Mountain would’ve been like had Jude Law shown up drunk to the set. This was pretty funny- I enjoyed Rachel with the megaphone and I thought Colin gave a game performance. Parnell was great as the Chinese guy and he had a great accent. This could’ve been funnier but was very solid and had good effort from everyone. ***

 

Ferecito

Cast- Firth, Sanz, Fred Armisen

Thoughts- Ferecito is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Ferecito so much. This is meant as a compliment: Fred is great at making bad comedy incredibly funny. Ferecito’s jokes were hilarious and Horatio Sanz even had me laughing. Colin Firth’s bad British humour was also pure awesomeness. When this skit began I thought it was going to be a lame skit where everyone speaks Spanish and no one laughs but I was so happy to see Ferecito back. And when he said “I’m just keeeeeeeeding” it made me very happy. I hope they make this character recurring- it’d been too long since we had some Ferecito goodness. ****1/4

 

Now for Ferecito’s fanbase I present this review en Espanol-

 

Ferecito está detrás!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amo Ferecito tanto. Esto se significa como elogio: Fred es grande en la fabricación de mala comedia increíblemente divertida. Las bromas de Ferecito’s eran hilarantes y Horatio Sanz incluso me tenía el reír. El mal humor británico de Colin Firth’s era también awesomeness puro. Cuando este skit comenzó I pensó que iba a ser un skit cojo donde cada uno habla español y nadie risas pero me placía tan ver la parte posteriora de Ferecito. ¿Y cuándo él dijo el?I’m apenas keeeeeeeeding? me hizo muy feliz. Espero que hagan este it’d que se repite del carácter sido demasiado largo puesto que teníamos cierta calidad de Ferecito. **** ¼

 

TV Funhouse

Thoughts- TV Funhouse dissapoints again sadly. Even though I enjoyed the nod to my favourite cartoon ever (Duck Amuck) this was just way too short. Funny- but way too short. And it sort of jumped around. It first looked like a general spoof of FCC Regulations and then turned into a parody of Duck Amuck. I guess I was dissapointed since I wanted Smigel to shock and offend me- and he didn’t. Despite the problems I had with this it was still very very funny and had a good lines and the usual Smigel goodness. I just miss his ****+ cartoons. ***

 

Tim Calhoun

Cast- Firth, Forte, Parnell

Thoughts- Oh yea! I love Tim Calhoun a lot and it’s one of my favourite recurring commentaries on Weekend Update. Whomever decided to give him his own skit is a genius and deserves a gold star. Forte was ON here and all of his lines were pure gold. “This would be so much better if you didn’t have the tape.” Colin was also really funny here as the lawyer and the part where he was whispering into Calhoun and Calhoun was repeating it right after was hilarious. Parnell also played the straight man to perfection. Will Forte has been feeling it this year as he’s produced great skit after great skit. Even when his stuff doesnt work I just like that he’s not afraid to be different or weird- he just wants to be funny. So kudos to Forte on a great season so far and for having his best skit ever. Now if only he could ditch the Falconer. *****

 

Norah Jones

Thoughts- I like Norah Jones a lot. She’s a good singer and a very nice person. She did win 6 Grammys after all. In one year no less. I slagged her a bit last time she was on SNL because while she was good, she was kinda boring. I really enjoyed her this time around. Her song was a lot of fun to listen to and wasn’t boring at all. The good SNL musical guest streak is at two. ***1/2

 

Weekend Update

Cast- Fallon, Tina Fey, Rudolph, Poehler, Sanz, Dratch, Hammond

Thoughts- This was the usual very good Weekend Update but it just wasn’t one of the great WUs that we’ve come to know in life. Two of the commentaries were very weak. Maya’s Martha Stewart thing was just bad. I groaned when I saw that Horatio Sanz would once again be on WU but at least he wasn’t horribly offensive. He just wasn’t that funny. Poor Elijah Wood. He’s a great host and SNL rewards him by having Rachel Dratch impersonate him. Tina and Jimmy seemed to be a bit too loose at times and some of the initial jokes bombed. I always enjoy seeing Darrell bust out his Bill Clinton impression and his analysis of the vice presidential candidates was awesome. It definetley ended WU on a high note. Even though this WU wasn’t as good as the Updates from February I’m glad they gave this one a lot of time instead of cutting it short like they’ve tended to do. Overall this was a good Update that could’ve been fixed with better jokes and less commentaries. ***1/2

 

Overzealous Staff

Cast- Firth, Sanz, Parnell, Meyers, Thompson, Armisen

Thoughts- As much as I enjoyed the ending with Seth and Fred in bed this one didn’t really go anywhere and the initial premise wasn’t funny to begin with so this was pretty much DOA. I love Kenan but he’s not going to get a laugh out of me by trying to have gay sex with Colin Firth. Nothing personal though. This just never could get anywhere. *

 

Meet the Press

Cast- Hammond, Forte

Thoughts- This seemed like it was trying real hard to capture the greatness of the McCain show where he appeared on Meet the Press and was pestered endlessly on whether he would run for president in 2004.

 

Tim Russert: What if President bush does not run?

 

Sen. John McCain: I don't see any reason-

 

Tim Russert: What if he forgets to run?

 

Sen. John McCain: Alright, Tim.. alright, Tim..

 

Tim Russert: The President forgets to run for re-election.. and the Republicans are without a candidate. Does John McCain then step in to fill that void?

 

Sen. John McCain: I would call the President, and remind him to run.

 

Greatness. I admire the effort but they just couldn’t top it and a lot of Tim Russert’s questions just weren’t very funny. The “negative” ads they showed were alright and both guys did very good impressions but in the end it just wasn’t as funny as I hoped it would be. **1/4

 

The Sopranos

Cast- Firth, Hammond, Poehler, Meyers, Sanz, Forte, Thompson

Thoughts- This skit also fell flat even though I thought it had a pretty good premise. I thought Firth was really good as Paulie. Maybe it’s cause I was so tired but nothing was making me laugh here. I did like the part where they watched the Season 4 DVD to try and remember when it happened. When the skit began I thought this was going to be like the Sopranos skit from a long time ago where they played up the critical acclaim the show was getting. This was alright but needed to be a lot funnier. *1/2

 

Norah Jones

Thoughts- This song was good but it suffered from the usual problem I have with the second song. Don’t play a slow soft song with ten minutes left in the show- I don’t want to doze off and miss something. This was a nice song though so I shouldn’t complain too much. I know nothing about the band N.E.R.D- I just hope they don’t suck. **1/2

 

Jesus Hill

Cast- Firth, Rudolph, Forte

Thoughts- It’s a shame they put this on at 12:54 because this was hilarious but was just too short. Forte was amazing here and this was so incredibly tasteless that I couldn’t help but laugh. But then it just ended out of nowhere which sucks cause I think this could’ve been great had it been given some actual time. Another great effort by Forte even though he was sadly cut off at the knees. ***

 

The Bottom Line- Avg, skit was *** making this an easy thumbs up episode and the best episode of the season by far. Even though the show went a bit downhill after WU the show was consistent with *** skits up and down the show. Will Forte was amazing here (the guy carried a ***** skit!) and is quickly becoming one of my favourites on the show. If I didn’t love Tina and Seth to death he’d be 1 or 2. It was also good to see Darrell get to bust out some of his better impressions. As apathetic as I am towards Jeff Richards’ firing (it’s not like they fired someone important) I’d have to say that one positive is that my two favourite guys on the show have gotten increased airtime from it and SNL is starting to turn itself around. 4 out of the last 5 shows have been thumbs up so who knows- maybe they can build some momentum. Ben Affleck seems like a funny guy so this week’s show should be good as well.

 

Thumbs Up

[treble 0]

It was nice to see Ferecito and Tim Calhoun, but I really didn't like the Calhoun skit and the way it kind of just ended. The last skit was hilarious but, like you said, too short and I also liked the bad actors and Sopranos skit.

 

So, overall, a pretty good show, probably one of my favourites this season.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

I actually laughed this week. It was a solid show from what I saw. I liked the Tim Calhoun skit alot.

[Guest thebigjig]

I liked SNL more this week than in previous weeks... nothing really awful, with the only real problem being that it was on the whole boring

 

At least Tim Calhoun made a return, but aside from that, nothing stood out for me.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Yuck...we must have been watching different shows. I'm not going to go into everything.

 

I thought Ferecito was awful. I don't buy the "so bad it's good" argument. It's just not fun to watch.

 

Although after much resistance I am really starting to dig Tim Calhoun, very funny skit.

 

Weekend Update and the opening were the only other parts I liked. And Rudolph managed to go another entire show without producing a laugh from me.

[Guest thebigjig]

I dont mind Rudolph so much... she's not great or anything, but she seems decent

 

and I'd still 'hit it'

[Mecha Mummy 0]

I thought the episode was pretty good. The opening was the best opening I've seen this season, Firth was a good host, and Forte was ON as per usual with him.

 

I, too, don't get why Ferrecito is so funny. It's the same skit repeated ad nauseam. Horatio was surprisingly good in it, though.

[Guest thebigjig]

Now Horatio on the other hand... he is someone I just dont get. I cant understand for he life of me why this guy has a job

[bob_barron 0]

I liked SNL more this week than in previous weeks... nothing really awful, with the only real problem being that it was on the whole boring

 

At least Tim Calhoun made a return, but aside from that, nothing stood out for me.

 

I'm kinda surprised- the show hasn't been getting good reviews and I thought it was great from top to bottom. It's not even like I'm biased towards Colin Firth or something.

 

I'm getting tons of heat for giving ***** to Tim Calhoun- what can I say? I was dying.

 

The skits that they cut sound pretty funny as well.

 

I thought Ferecito was awful. I don't buy the "so bad it's good" argument. It's just not fun to watch.

 

Whenever he makes the stupid joke, does the goofy face and says DIOS MIO it gets me everytime.

 

Although after much resistance I am really starting to dig Tim Calhoun, very funny skit.

 

Glad you're coming around YNA.

 

Weekend Update and the opening were the only other parts I liked. And Rudolph managed to go another entire show without producing a laugh from me.

 

Maya Rudolph goes almost every show without producing a laugh from me. It's nothing new.

 

I thought the episode was pretty good. The opening was the best opening I've seen this season, Firth was a good host, and Forte was ON as per usual with him.

 

I figured Colin would be a good host. I loved him in Bridget Jones, British people are funny and he brought a lot of energy to the show.

 

I, too, don't get why Ferrecito is so funny. It's the same skit repeated ad nauseam. Horatio was surprisingly good in it, though.

 

Dumb joke, funny face, dios mio=laughter. I'm weak what can I say?

 

Now Horatio on the other hand... he is someone I just dont get. I cant understand for he life of me why this guy has a job

 

I think the fact that he's fat is the reason he's employed. I wish he would lose weight and get fired.

[Aero 0]

I thought the show was alright, but I didn't get to see the first half. In weekend update, the joke about J-Lo dating Jesus made me laugh out loud.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Ah yes, it's time for Jobber's weekly foray into the Movies/TV forum.

 

 

This show opened great and then stunk for me.

 

I loved the old Martha Stewart character and I was glad to see it return in wake of current events although the jokes in that bit were a little flat. Everything else, No.

 

Tim Calhoun is up there with Donatella Versaci on my Least Favorite Skits list. The Sopranos thing is amusing but I think it's pretty sad when MadTV has made the best Sopranos skit so far (the censored PAX-TV one.) Meet The Press wasn't as good as the usual Hardballs. It just seemed blah.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Sopranos thing is amusing but I think it's pretty sad when MadTV has made the best Sopranos skit so far (the censored PAX-TV one.)

I thought the same thing when I saw that.

 

Sasso's Soprano >>>>>> Hammond's Soprano

[Richard 0]

From the saturday-night-live.com forum:

 

Has anyone read this guys joke reviews? He has three serious problems.

 

First of all, his reviews suck ass.

 

Second, he has some problem with Maya Rudolph, no matter what material she has (more on this later)

 

Third, he'll bash every single show, yet some how it will still be a thumbs up show, due to his asinine way of review scores.

 

About Maya, what is his problem with her? I wouldn't mind if he just said she wasn't funny but he also says she is ugly, and when she plays black roles he says "She doesn't look black" and when she plays white roles he says "She's black"

 

 

So what i've gathered so far from his hatred of Maya is that he is a

Gay Racist.

 

Another thing about her saying she is ugly.

 

Ever notice many guys on the net like to talk about girls that are look good, and say that they are ugly, and stuff? What? I see many people talking about x-tina, and Spears like this. I mean c'mon, these guys would die if they were with them. Who are you fooling?

 

Anyways, I think i'm gonna start reviewing the show. I'll start on it right after I finish vomiting from reading that crap from Bob.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Right...it's not cause week after week she seems to be the only one who can't produce a laugh.

[Guest thebigjig]

please tell me you did not just say... "x-tina"

 

and no, I would not die to be with her... I would vomit.

 

Spears, and Rudolph however?? I would weep tears of joy

[Guest thebigjig]

and Maya really isnt that bad... she's no Gilda, but she definitely deserves her spot.

[bob_barron 0]

Hey!

 

I have a fan!

 

I think I actually did admit the few times that Maya Rudolph made me laugh.

 

The formula for a show is:

 

**.5 and up=thumbs up

**.3-**.5=thumbs in the middle

**.2 and under= thumbs down

 

And Maya Rudolph simply isn't funny. She doesn't make me laugh. And I think she's incredibly ugly. So when she portrays Charlotte York it makes me sad.

 

The funny thing is: I've actually met Maya Rudolph many times and she has never given me cardiac arrest.

 

I'm glad people are reading though.

 

 

I don't think Maya deserves to be on the show- there must be a funny woman out there who's better then her.

[MDH257 0]

Solid Show, I thought the Megan Mullally show was better. I'd put this in the league of Timberlake and Nick & Jessica, Colin Firth and the other three have been far and away the best shows of the year.

 

Affleck is a funny guy and I'm a Kevin Smith fan, so I'm looking forward to tonight's show. This week's promos have already givin away that there doing the Boston Teens skit, so maybe Seth Meyers can get in on it.