SNL Review

[bob_barron 0]

SNL Review- Peter Sarsgaard/The Strokes

 

Sports Report-

 

Maple Leafs- Well we knew it was going to be bad, but after Eddie was insane through parts of the first period, I was semi-hopeful. Ron Maclean talking about how Danny Heatley always kills the Leafs was the highlight of the night.

 

Canucks- It’s the tale of two hockey teams!! A great game against the Habs tonight and this team seems to have found its touch and Auld is coming into his house.

 

Nets- They had that bad road trip without R-Jeff, and lost to freaking Boston, but won again tonight. It looks like they’re starting to take control of the Atlantic, so #2 seed here we come!

 

Mailbag!!!!!-

 

[email protected] writes-

 

Hi Bob, I was searching the net trying to find suggestions on how to better my chances of getting standby tickets for SNL. I came across your website, and am wondering (if you still access this email), if you can give me ANY bit of advice about getting tickets. I will be in New York for four days from Minnesota (my first time ever in NYC) and would KILL for tickets to the show. Thanks for any help you can give! Sincerely, Tim "Desperate for tickets" Campbell

 

The best way to get tickets is to wait outside NBC Studios at 30 Rock on 49th st. If you wait overnight for a standby ticket, depending on the host and mg, you might get to see the show!

 

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

 

And now the review…

 

Cold Opening

Cast- Seth Meyers, Darrell Hammond, Finesse Mitchell, Amy Poehler

Thoughts- Wow, good to see Seth in the cold open. Given the quality of this show he probably didn’t have that much writing to supervise. Darrell’s Jesse Jackson was nice to see and Amy’s Hillary Clinton is always very funny. The Ray Nagin stuff was whatever but this was a good way to kick off the show, and it’s interesting they didn’t just Hardball this. ***1/2

 

Monologue

Cast- Peter Sarsgaard, Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch, Poehler, Tina Fey, Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis

Thoughts- Wow, Peter Sarsgaard sure is not funny. This was alright. The bit with Tina and Amy was pretty funny and the thing with Kenan was random at best. I wonder if the naked thing was supposed to be a rib at Kinsey where we saw Peter’s dick. Hey, I didn’t know that going in, I swear! **1/4

 

Bald Babies

Cast- Bill Hader

Thoughts- This was pretty random but it had its moment. It didn’t work at the beginning but the ending with Hader holding his son and the Baby Beards is what clinched it for me. **1/2

 

Target

Cast- Sarsgaard, Poehler, Chris Parnell, Thompson, Kristin Wiig

Thoughts- And….why did they bring this back? I still haven’t really formed an opinion on the Wiigster but this skit is horrible and her voice is just grating and not funny at all. Poor Parnell, being wasted in a skit like this. Sarsgaard constantly talking about his break was funny at first, but soon grew old and forced. *1/2

 

Pirates

Cast- SARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRsgaard, Will FoRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRte, PaRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRnell, ARRRRRRmisen, Horatio Sanz, SambeRRRRRRRRRRg, Sudeikis, HadeRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Thoughts- Talk about a lame joke for a skit. I mean seriously, that’s the best they could do? Forte was pretty funny, as was Fred’s name, but the rest was killed dead by the lame joke. I laughed at a few of them, I’ll admit it, but is the best they can do? **

 

Carol

Cast- Sarsgaard, Sanz, Poehler, Sudeikis

Thoughts- Flipped over to the Canucks game. When I flipped back, I got lame double entendres that would be out of place in Boat Trip, so yea, I don’t think I missed anything. DUD

 

Chuck Norris

Cast- Poehler, Armisen, Samberg, Sudekis

Thoughts- Man, SNL must’ve really loved those facts. Too bad they’re already getting old and the fad is over. Plus, Chuck Norris’ response to the whole thing was funnier then the facts themselves. That said, this was actually quite funny. The fact that Samberg looked nothing like Chuck Norris added to it. I loved him beating up those people in the fights or them showing his various poses. The skit took a bit too long to get going, but once it did I really enjoyed it. Pretentious songs rule! ***1/2

 

Cat Fancy

Cast- Sarsgaard, Meyers

Thoughts- I hate cats and prefer Dog Fancy so 0 for 2 right off the bat. I have no idea what they were going for, but it was horrible, and skits like this need someone like Will Forte to truly work. This skit was not the cats meow! A-hem. The cats meows and Sarsgaard tripping over his lines also brought down this skit. What a waste of Seth. DUD

 

Strokes ‘Juicebox’

Thoughts- What happened to the loveable Strokes who were the Gods of NYC rock and all that? This song wasn’t too fun, and in fact was too slow and boring for me. I do love the guy Fab plays the guitar. **1/2

 

Weekend Update

Cast- Drew Barrymore, Fey, Poehler, Hammond, Meyers

Thoughts- Good to see Darrell back as Gore, even though his impression was not what it was. And I love Seth’s John Kerry. So yay for that commentary. Tina and Amy were really awful tonight, moreso then usual. Amy especially had a horrible night. I mean, ouch. Tina had a few good ones towards the end, but she was bad as well. I don’t get why they wasted Drew with such an awful cameo, put her in a skit or something. Not one of Fey/Poehler’s best that’s for sure. **

 

Gays in Space

Cast- Sarsgaard, Parnell, Dratch, Armisen, Thompson, Fey, Mitchell, Forte, Hader, Paula Pell

Thoughts- I hate this show. DUD

 

The Hotel Where Things Go Wacky

Cast- Sarsgaard, Dratch

Thoughts- You know, if Sarsgaard was so unhappy with the TV, why didn’t he just go downstairs and either chill at the bar, or complain to the front desk personally. I mean he had his options! The screwups didn’t do much for me, even though they were amusing. It was more distracting then anything else, and Sarsgaard’s inability to get his lines right was again a distraction. This was whatever, but the ending was horrible. *1/2

 

Tap Those Phones

Cast- Sarsgaard, Poehler, Dratch, Sudeikis

Thoughts- This was a funny little skit, and I enjoyed the performances of Sarsgaard and Sudeikis. Amy talking about the kids being 9 and 11 was the highlight of the skit, as was Sarsgaard being excited about the stock tip. The ending killed it a bit for me, but I liked it for the most part. ***1/4

 

The Strokes

Thoughts- I liked this a lot better then the first song. It was more fun to listen to and watching Fab play the guitar is always enjoyable. ***1/4

 

Sarsgaard SARS Guard

Thoughts- People in Toronto still remember SARS, you insensitive bugger. This was another uninspiring skit in a series of them. I mean, they do TWO skits about the dude’s last name. Come on!! I laughed at a few lines, but Peter Sarsgaard is just not funny. I’m sure he’s really unpopular at parties. *1/2

 

The Bottom Line- Avg. skit was *.97 making this a horrible show. I think with Steve Martin coming and with this guy hosting, SNL decided to take the week off and just phone it in. As long as Martin’s show is good, that’s okay and I have no problem with that. Peter Sarsgaard was awful and they weren’t going to get anything out of him if they tried. The two best skits didn’t even involve him! The next show is so key though. They got good shows with Baldwin and Black, but they need to make the Steve Martin one count. All eyes will be on SNL and they cannot screw it up. No more disappointments like Jason Bateman, this one must live up to expectations. I hope they’re up to it.

 

Thumbs Down

[Mole 0]

Sarsgaard creeps me out, ever since I saw Kinsey.

[bob_barron 0]

Sarsgaard creeps a lot of people out.

[spman 0]

Is there any legitimate possibility of NBC just flat out canceling SNL, or is it just a sacred cow that's immune from anythig, no matter how bad it gets?

[bob_barron 0]

They've almost cancelled it a few times.

 

The show is $$ to produce, but I think they do well in advertising. I could see it being cancelled if Lorne steps down for god and the new people just can't produce a profitable show.

[Black Lushus 0]

I DVRed it and watching this morning...seriously, the whole time watching it I said "oh man, Bob's gonna rip this show up" It was dreadful....absolutely dreadful!

[King Kamala 0]

For some reason I really enjoyed the Pirates skit. What can I say? I guess I'm a suckeRRRRRR for a good pirate joke.

 

Who thought it'd be a good idea for Peter Saarsgarrd to host? I mean I wouldn't even say he's one of the most recognizeable character actors You're right when you say it seems like they're taking a show off. Totally pedestrian show.

[bob_barron 0]

While watching this show I was like: Wait, I have to review this show?

 

I guess Sarsgaard won the Paul Giamatti Memorial Award for host a lot of people will not have heard of.

[Aero 0]

I didn't think it was THAT bad. I guess it was just me on two of these, but I liked the monologue, Cat Fancy, and the pirate skit.

 

What was with all the mess-ups? First in the intro, then Sarsgaard was flubbing lines in the Cat Fancy, which also had a mic appearance, and then (I think it was a mess-up), the TV turned off in the hotel skit, which was one big mess anyway.

[Precious Roy 0]

Sarsgaard is up there for worst host ever....

[snuffbox 0]

Who's the music guest next Sat?

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Sarsgaard is up there for worst host ever....

 

There's no way he's as bad as Wayne Gretzky was, Anal Retentive Sportsman nonwithstanding.

 

I stopped caring about SNL last night the moment they showed that Carol sketch. Chuck Norris was funny (partially because Samberg looked more like Owen Wilson than he did Chuck Norris), and the "I'm taking my assistant, Stuart." "FINE! TAKE HIM! *Hands over cat.*" lines were funny, and that's about it.

 

I only tuned in to see The Strokes, anyway.

[Precious Roy 0]

Sarsgaard is up there for worst host ever....

 

There's no way he's as bad as Wayne Gretzky was, Anal Retentive Sportsman nonwithstanding.

 

But at least with athletes you expect them to be bad going in, that's part of the humour, it's a novelty. I enjoyed Gretzky, Jordan, Montana, Barkley, Brady....didn't care about the Nascar guy or the Skier because I'm not a fan of those sports...

 

Sarsgaard is a trained actor, he's supposed to be some hot young star, and not only did he have no comedic timing but he was constantly flubbing his lines and cues.

 

Plus, does he always lisp like that? Dude came off really gay

[bob_barron 0]

Who's the music guest next Sat?

 

PRINCE!~ on Feb 4th

[Aero 0]

I know they showed the graphic for Steve Martin & Prince on 2/4, but I think they also showed a graphic for Dane Cook next week. I can't remember who the musical guest was, though.

[bob_barron 0]

James Blunt

[snuffbox 0]

Who's the music guest next Sat?

 

PRINCE!~ on Feb 4th

 

Looks like the Neil Young/Jack Black show wont be the only one I watch this season.

[bob_barron 0]

There's no way he's as bad as Wayne Gretzky was, Anal Retentive Sportsman nonwithstanding.

 

Gretzky's stiffness was part of his charm I think.

 

Sarsgaard is a trained actor, he's supposed to be some hot young star, and not only did he have no comedic timing but he was constantly flubbing his lines and cues.

 

Plus, does he always lisp like that? Dude came off really gay

 

Yea, in every movie I've seen Sarsgaard in, he always comes off as very homosexual. I think he was just nervous, but yea, he was horrible.

 

He's dating Maggie Gyenhaal.

[King Kamala 0]

You know which "famous" character actor should host SNL? Philip Seymour Hoffman. I don't know why but I think he could be a solid host.

 

I still don't get why they got Peter Saarsgaard to host, does somebody in high places at SNL owe him a favor?

[Ed Wood Caulfield 0]

Yeah, this wasn't one of their strongest shows.

 

I have a cat, so that's a big reason why I liked the Cat Fancy sketch. I noticed in that sketch that Sarsgaard was flubbing alot of his lines, which led me to ask, "What the hell? Is he on crack?"

 

I thought the Chuck Norris Digital Short was just okay. Samberg looked like a 70's porn star while Sudekis looked alot like Ted Nugent. Samberg fighting Armisen was the best part. I doubt that any SNL Digital Short this year will be able to top The Chronicles Of Narnia rap.

 

During the weekend update commentary with Al Gore and John Kerry, I was waiting for Gore to start saying "I won the popular vote." seven million times like he did in that sketch back in 2000. I also liked the ending of the Drew Barrymore segment where Tina and Amy shook Drew's breasts.

 

Hey Bob, when was the last time you gave a show just one star? I know that when you give a show one star it means you thought it was really horrible.

[UZI Suicide 0]

I'm still trying to figure out who Peter Sarsgaard is.

[Mik 0]

If I hadn't just seen the Skeleton Key a week or so ago, I would have had no idea either.

[bob_barron 0]

Hey Bob, when was the last time you gave a show just one star? I know that when you give a show one star it means you thought it was really horrible.

 

The last show to avg. less then ** was Hilary Swank/50 Cent, which was like watching paint dry.

 

I'm still trying to figure out who Peter Sarsgaard is.

 

He was in Garden State, Flightplan and Jarhead.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

I actually thought I knew who he was until I saw a picture of him and realized that I had confused him with Stellan Skarsgard.

 

And I agree that actors should be held to higher standards as host than sports figures, but I just sort of got tired of watching Gretzky play himself or a hockey player in every sketch he was in.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I think Fabrizio is the drummer, Bob

[bob_barron 0]

My bad-

 

So of these three, who I was talking about?

 

Nick Valensi- guitar (rhythm and lead)

Albert Hammond, Jr.- guitar (rhythm and lead)

Nikolai Fraiture- bass guitar

[Precious Roy 0]

Albert Hammond Jr. He's the one who dates Barrymore

 

I didn't really know who Saarsgard was either. The name sounded familiar, and I recognized him from Garden State, but if I hadn't seen that flick I would have been clueless. As is, I barely remember which character he played in that flick. I only watched because the Strokes were on, and because I'd downloaded the JB/Neil Young episode and thought they might have been in a groove creatively. Sadly, I was wrong...

[Black Lushus 0]

he was the killer in Boys Don't Cry, if that helps jog the memory...

[treble 0]

I didn't know who he was until I read an interview of his saying something along the lines of how he didn't like comedy, which made me scratch my head when I heard he was hosting SNL.

 

The SARS guard thing was a funny concept, but sucked in execution. And I liked the pirate sketch.

[MDH257 0]

Peter was also in Shattered Glass, about a reporter at The New Republic who makes up stories. Hayden Christansen played the reporter and Sarsgaard played the edtor. That's what the Cat Fancy skit was supposed to be a take off of.