SNL Review (Yes I know it's 2 weeks late)

[bob_barron 0]

SNL Review- Ben Affleck/NERD

 

I know this is two weeks late and here’s why:

 

The night of Ben Affleck/NERD I was in Elizabeth, NJ attending a Ring of Honor show. Now the show was awesome, I met Dusty Rhodes and a guy got piledriven off the top of a cage through two tables but I felt a tinge of guilt knowing I would have to miss SNL. But I had someone tape it for me so I figured it was all good.

 

I came home on Monday ready to watch an SNL I’ve heard great things about. Then I found out my friend didn’t tape it. To say I was pissed would be a huge understatement and I let loose a stream of words that contain 4 letters. I’ve only missed one SNL in 8 years and I didn’t want to make it two. I could’ve downloaded it only I lack a computer so that was out. Finally I got a friend in New York to send it to me and it got here yesterday. I missed RAW to watch this (I caught the replay) and now I can finally watch it.

 

 

(I’m not going to do a sports report since I’ll have way too much ground to cover and there’s another live episode this week to talk about it)

 

Mailbag!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Emily Spivey writes-

 

Hey,

 

Maya Rudolph is not ugly. And, by the way, it's a sight for SNL

reviews not

hockey re-caps. You're boring.

 

CJ

 

 

Well beauty is a subjective thing and I think Maya Rudolph is pretty ugly and not at all attractive. Calling me on my hockey recaps is quite odd since hockey takes up only a few lines in the review while my actual review of the show is like 3-4 pages long. So don’t worry- my hockey recaps don’t interfere with me going on tangents on how much I love Seth and hate Maya.

 

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

 

 

And now the actual review…

 

Cold Opening

Cast- Ben Affleck, Jimmy Fallon, Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Chris Parnell, Seth Meyers, Horatio Sanz

Thoughts- I always like seeing the Bahston Teens even though they haven’t been as funny as they once were. I’d been waiting for them to say something about the Alex Rodriguez trade and I was glad we finally got to see them and I was even happier when this skit was hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing the minute they panned to Seth and then seeing the reaction on Sully and Denise’s face was too much and I couldn’t stop laughing. I was even in more shock when Seth and Affleck kissed. That’s quite the odd way to get over J-Lo. This was just hilarious and I loved the enthusiastic LFNYISN. ****1/4

 

Monologue

Cast- Affleck

Thoughts- Ben Affleck may have been horribly overexposed to the point that it killed his career but I gotta give the guy credit for being able to have a sense of humour about it. He also has a natural charisma and good comedic timing that makes him very funny. And I would so buy a Mary Kate and Ash-fleck shirt. This was very funny and I enjoyed most of the t-shirts. (Even though Ben-Gay was a tad lame) It’s been way too long since we had a good monologue (2 months!) so this made me very happy. ***3/4

 

Z105

Cast- Affleck. Fallon

Thoughts- They just did this skit and there’s no reason to do it again. At least last time they had a good foil in Jessica Simpson to play off of. This time they had nothing to work with. Dueling crazy morning show hosts may sound good on paper (well actually it doesn’t) but the execution sucked. Jimmy’s character simply is not funny. The characters on his morning radio show are not funny either. Ben tried but he couldn’t really get anything out of this either and the part where they kept trying to one-up each other got annoying fast. Please never do this character again. My sanity depends on it. *1/2

 

Gigli

Cast- Affleck, Poehler, Chris Parnell, Fred Armisen

Thoughts- My sympathies go with whomever had to watch Gigli to write this skit. Now that’s dedication to your craft. If I ever met Ben Affleck I would ask: When making Gigli did you sense things were going off the rail or was this whole thing a huge shock? I haven’t seen Gigli but I have a feeling people were just out to get Ben and Jen and trashed the movie as a result. Anywho… this had a tremendous premise and was really funny but I just felt it was lacking in spots and the lines could’ve been funnier. The ending was also really flat and awkward. But I shouldn’t be putting down this skit since it was hilarious in spots and Fred was great. Ben’s defence of the title was goldage. Ben yelling at Frondi and the reactions from everyone was also really funny. A very good skit and it was great seeing Ben once again being able to make fun of himself. ***1/2

 

TV Funhouse

Thoughts- I always enjoy hearing that we have a Robert Smigel cartoon to look forward to even though he’s misfired the past few weeks. The Passion of the Dumpty was pretty funny and I loved seeing Mel get interviewed and then clips of the Passion. The big highlight was the George W. Bush campaign ads and it confirms that Smigel’s still got it. I loved the second ad because the cartoon was starting to drag and the Bush ads were a great pick-me-up. Really good stuff and I hope this means Smigel is out of his slump. ***3/4

 

Appalachian Emergency Room

Cast- Affleck, Meyers, Darrell Hammond, Poehler, Parnell, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Finesse Mitchell

Thoughts- Apparently they did this in the Jennifer Aniston episode but that episode was so forgettable that I don’t even remember it. A quick check reveals that I gave it **3/4 and since it aired at 12:45 am I don’t think they give the skit a lot of time. This time they did give it a lot of time and it was hilarious. Amy was awesome here. Her Southern accent was top-notch and I loved the drawl she used. Parnell and Affleck were also really funny. Affleck and the ferret equals pure awesomeness. I’d love to see this become a recurring character because I think SNL can get a lot of mileage out of this and it’s something they can do with any host. ****

 

Only Bangcock

Cast- Meyers

Thoughts- I haven’t seen these ads before so I really don’t know what they were spoofing. This was pretty funny though and Seth had me cracking up as usual. It was refreshing to see a commercial that didn’t involve Huggie’s Thongs for once. ***

 

N.E.R.D.

Thoughts- I really didn’t know who these guys were but I know they are apparently these big time producers so I expected something really good and I was really disappointed. I do remember Pharrell Williams as the drummer in that horrible Beatles tribute from the Grammys. The song was way too slow paced. I liked the chorus (that’s when it got really good) but the rest of the song was draggy and it sucked. What was the deal with that dancing girl? She looked like she was about to have a wardrobe malfunction at any moment. **

 

Weekend Update

Cast- Tina Fey, Fallon, Rudolph, Hammond, Mitchell

Thoughts- I was very happy seeing Tina channel the spirit of Norm by making an OJ joke. And it was a really funny OJ joke at that. So kudos to Tina. I really enjoyed the STDs joke, the joke on Tina and Jimmy meeting (But I still plan to kill you), and Tina’s Martha/Clinton joke. There were a few misfires (Tina’s first Martha Stewart joke, her Bush joke) but other then that it was the usual great WU from a jokes standpoint. Finesse’s commentary was alright even though I’m still not sold on him at all. Maya was also alright but nothing too special. But of course the true highlight was Darrell once again doing his Bill Clinton impression. It’s ALWAYS funny and I never get tired of him doing it. Everything he said had me laughing my ass off (Where’s the impeachment) and this was a perfect way to end WU on a high note. Good jokes and two so-so commentaries but Darrell bringing the awesome as Bill Clinton was the big highlight for the second week in a row. ****

 

Top O’ The Morning

Cast- Affleck, Meyers, Fallon, Forte, Sanz, Mitchell, Kenan Thompson

Thoughts- YES!!! They brought back Top O’ The Morning! It’s been too long since I got to see this and absence did indeed make the heart go fonder. I thought this one was the best one yet. I also admire Seth for being able to avoid what Ben and Jimmy did and not crack up. Top O’ The Morning seems to always make Seth almost crack up thankfully he’s able to avoid it. Even though I thought this was great I do have one complaint: What happened to the Punching Wall??? I liked Seth’s acknowledgement that the flashbacks were not pre-taped and Kenan and Finesse showing up out of nowhere was hilarious. Ben Affleck held his own here, Forte was funny given his one line and Horatio going straight through the wall was a great way to end it. My only complaint is that this was Kenan’s one skit and come on: The brother deserves more. Great stuff here and I hope we don’t have to wait another 10 months for another Top O’ The Morning. ****

 

Only Bangcock

Cast- Affleck, Poehler

Thoughts- This one misfired. I laughed at Ben Affleck playing himself but that was about it. *

 

Donnie G and Sidecar

Cast- Affleck, Poehler, Sanz, Rudolph, Armisen

Thoughts- A pretty funny premise and the bit with Ben getting confused about his right and left was funny and it was so so true. I also laughed at Horatio saying: I’ma ITALIAN! I thought the ending was really weak and I didn’t like that SNL teased us with Fred getting killed again and then just went: Oh- he’s dead. I want to see carnage! This was alright and I like seeing people get hurt so I’ll say: **

 

Only Bangcock

Cast- Kelly Ripa, Affleck, Meyers, Hammond

Thoughts- Random Kelly Ripa cameos, killer lizards, Ben Affleck in drag, and Darrell playing an old man? This was very bizarre but it was also pretty funny. Tied with the first for best of the parodies. ***

 

N.E.R.D.

Thoughts- Aside from artists who sit on stools my second big pet peeve is when artists plug their albums on SNL. First of all: Being on SNL is supposed to be publicity enough and you’re supposed to be so good that people will go:

 

Hey that guy was really good. I’m definitely going to go buy the CD now.

 

Plugging your CD is just really lame and incredibly shameless. Devoting a whole portion of your song to it is just really sad and pathetic. I actually didn’t even mind the song but the shameless plugging really pissed me off and caused me to lower the rating by a bit. So remember my rules for singing on SNL:

 

Don’t suck, don’t do weird dance moves, don’t be boring, don’t sit on a stool, don’t play a slow song for your second song and don’t plug your album. *1/2

 

Full Moon Killer

Cast- Affleck, Parnell, Poehler, Forte

Thoughts- You KNOW you got a kick ass, awesome, excellent show when even the last skit is really funny. Amy and Chris were really funny here and the whole thing was executed perfectly. I loved the thing at the end (“You should’ve seen the look on your face!”). I just wish Will had had a bigger role in the skit since he always shines in weird bizarre skits like this. Good stuff and a good way to end a great show. ***

 

The Bottom Line- Avg. skit was *** making this an easy thumbs up show and one of the best episodes of the year. There were three **** skits here and it only had a few misfires. The show was consistent and everything seemed to be getting laughs. Ben Affleck was a great host and he was very funny and the writing played to his comedic strengths. The musical guest was disappointing and pissed me off but that’s one low point of an otherwise great show. SNL has been on a ROLL since they let go of Jeff Richards and I’m hoping they’ll be able to keep it up in April- especially with the two hosts they picked. After a slow start to begin the season it’s great to see SNL kicking ass again.

 

Thumbs Up

[Mole 0]

Good review Bob, I just have one beef with it.

 

How come you don't tell us more about the skit? For example, Top O' The Morning skit is an old skit, from what you said, but I don't know anything about it. I don't watch SNL that much, so someone like me who doesn't watch the show might need a little information about the skit. Granted it is a review not a summary, but it is just something that bugs me a little bit.

 

I like reading your reviews, so that is why I read them even though I only watch the show once in a while. Plus I have been watching it a little more this year because Keenan is on it. I used to watch All That all the time when I was younger, so I am a fan of him.

 

And it does annoy me that he isn't on the show that much, since he does have a lot of talent.

 

I find it ironic that this episode was really good and it had Ben Affleck hosting it. Everyone seems to hate Ben, but he is a funny guy and it showed in this episode. Well, atleast you say so and you know your SNL like I know my Buffy/Angel.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Been too long. Just going to say it WAS the best episode they did this season. And I loved the Gigli skit...saying even a retard could see the bomb a mile away, which is pretty much how everyone saw it.

 

The radio station bit sucked as always, but other then that a very funny episode.

[Ted the Poster 0]

Hey Bob, how do you find out who the future hosts are gonna be, aside from on-air promos?

 

Frondi rules!

[bob_barron 0]

Good review Bob, I just have one beef with it.

 

How come you don't tell us more about the skit? For example, Top O' The Morning skit is an old skit, from what you said, but I don't know anything about it. I don't watch SNL that much, so someone like me who doesn't watch the show might need a little information about the skit. Granted it is a review not a summary, but it is just something that bugs me a little bit.

 

I understand where your coming from mole. The reason I don't give a summary is because I assume most people who read my review have seen the show and it would take too long for me to write.

 

Top O' The Morning is an Irish talk show hosted by William Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzwilliam. (They've heard the jokes so save it! Yea- save it!) Ben Affleck played their cousin named Ronald McDonald and he talked about the St. Paddy's day party he was going to throw.

 

 

I like reading your reviews, so that is why I read them even though I only watch the show once in a while. Plus I have been watching it a little more this year because Keenan is on it. I used to watch All That all the time when I was younger, so I am a fan of him.

 

And it does annoy me that he isn't on the show that much, since he does have a lot of talent.

 

Kenan's really funny. It seems like he's been getting a good amount of airtime recently- which pleases me. They don't seem to give Finesse too much to work with. The last episode was just an exception.

 

I find it ironic that this episode was really good and it had Ben Affleck hosting it. Everyone seems to hate Ben, but he is a funny guy and it showed in this episode. Well, atleast you say so and you know your SNL like I know my Buffy/Angel.

 

I think people hate Ben just because of the overexposure he got with his relationship with J-Lo which isn't really his fault. I think once people forget about Bennifer he will be less hated.

[bob_barron 0]

Hey Bob, how do you find out who the future hosts are gonna be, aside from on-air promos?

 

Frondi rules!

 

saturday-night-live.com is a great resource as is nbcmv.com.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Fred staring into the camera early in the Gigli skit was awesome.

 

(Even though Ben-Gay was a tad lame)

But it did give the line "Or maybe when ::crosses fingers:: Matt comes around."

 

And I'm pretty sure the Bangkok ads are parodying the "what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas" ads.

 

Great show overall. Say what you will about Ben's acting career, but he makes a great SNL host, and isn't afraid to make fun of himself.

[bob_barron 0]

But it did give the line "Or maybe when ::crosses fingers:: Matt comes around."

 

That is true.

 

And I'm pretty sure the Bangkok ads are parodying the "what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas" ads.

 

Oh okay. I thought there was some sort of Bangkok product they were plugging.

 

Great show overall. Say what you will about Ben's acting career, but he makes a great SNL host, and isn't afraid to make fun of himself.

 

Ben may not be a good actor but he's really funny. He was funny the last time he hosted SNL and I remembered his cameo in the Gwyneth Paltrow episode was hilarious.

[starvenger 0]

Top O' The Morning is an Irish talk show hosted by William Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzwilliam. (They've heard the jokes so save it! Yea- save it!) Ben Affleck played their cousin named Ronald McDonald and he talked about the St. Paddy's day party he was going to throw.

Near as I can tell they essentially took the Myers/McKinney "Scottish Football Hooligans Weekly" and made it Irish. Is there anything wrong with that? Hell no - for some reason drinking beer and fighting is good comedy.

 

Anyways, you must be glad that TSN shows that midnight replay of RAW. HHH/Benjamin was excellent.

 

Ben may not be a good actor but he's really funny. He was funny the last time he hosted SNL and I remembered his cameo in the Gwyneth Paltrow episode was hilarious.

Wasn't that Matt Damon? Or was that a different Paltrow ep?

[Guest Mosaicv2]

bahston

[bob_barron 0]

Near as I can tell they essentially took the Myers/McKinney "Scottish Football Hooligans Weekly" and made it Irish. Is there anything wrong with that? Hell no - for some reason drinking beer and fighting is good comedy

.

 

Except for the Punching Wall there really isn't much violence on Top O' The Morning. But it does have similiarities with Scottish Football Hooligans Weekly which is not a bad thing.

 

 

 

Anyways, you must be glad that TSN shows that midnight replay of RAW. HHH/Benjamin was excellent.

 

The RAW Replay has saved my life on my occasions and I love Canada for it. Had HHH been in better shape I would've liked the match a lot more. With Flair looking like he's about to die, HHH gassed and Batista tripping over his own two feet- The name Evolution is deliciously ironic.

 

Wasn't that Matt Damon? Or was that a different Paltrow ep?

 

Ben Affleck showed up in the February 6th, 1999 monologue for when Gwennie hosted. Gwyneth was pretending to be British and took questions from the audience. (Including a pre-hot Tina Fey.) They had this exchange:

 

Ben: Hold On... Gwyneth! It's me... It's me Ben...

 

Gwyneth:I'm sorry?

Ben: Ben! Ben Affleck.

 

Gwyneth: Oh-ho! Ben Affleck, the charming American actor I worked with in "Shakespeare In Love".

 

Ben: Uhh... Gwyneth, why are you speaking in an English accent?

 

Gwyneth: English people always speak with English accents love! Oh you Yanks are so humourous.. spelled with a "O-U-R".

 

Ben: But you're not British. You're American. You were born in Los Angeles, you were raised in New York. You're whole family's American. I know that.

 

Gwyneth: Well it's odd that an American would know so much about me, an English woman.

 

Ben: I don't know... I don't really think it's odd. I mean... you know.. we... you know... we DATED. We broke up like a month ago, it was in all the papers. Didn't you read about it? You know what? You don't have to do that. People will still take you seriously as an actress, you know, even if you're American.

 

Gwyneth: Really?

 

Ben: Yeah... don't go all Minnie Driver on me, ok?

 

 

(Thanks snltranscripts)

[starvenger 0]

With Flair looking like he's about to die, HHH gassed and Batista tripping over his own two feet- The name Evolution is deliciously ironic.

Yep. The only thing that was missing was Orlando Jones...