The very late SNL Review

[bob_barron 0]

SNL Review- Tom Hanks/Red Hot Chili Peppers

 

Since this is so late, I’m just going to post the review. Sorry this is so late, but doing standby + Nets games + newspaper articles= lateness.

 

Cold Opening

Cast- Tom Hanks, Darrell Hammond, Will Forte

Thoughts- Really good way to kick off the show. Darrell’s Cheney was barely used, which is good, and I’m really enjoying Forte’s Bush. I thought Hanks was funny as Bill Frist even though my friend claimed he looked nothing like him. Lots of good funny lines here and I really enjoyed the infomercial part at the end, especially the Magic Mop. All this needed to be truly rock was a cameo by Kevin Trudeau. ***3/4

 

Monologue

Cast- Tom Hanks, Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch, Hammond, Chris Parnell, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis

Thoughts- While it can’t beat the 5 timers Monologue, still a very good effort by Hanks. I liked the questioning of his hair, since well, his hair is really awful. Hader as the albino monk was funny stuff as well, and anytime someone disses the Terminal, I’m a happy man. I thought the parts with Darrell and Rachel were tacked on and not needed. ***1/2

 

Wheel of Fortune

Cast- Hanks, Poehler, Tina Fey, Armisen, Kristin Wiig

Thoughts- THIS is the first skit of the night? It got a better reaction in dress then I thought it would, but not first skit of the night worthy. The actual first skit of the night in dress also died, so I guess they couldn’t settle on anything good. Hanks did a solid Pat Sajak impression, but the rest of this was a half-baked Celebrity Jeopardy rip-off. I laughed at a few of the lines here, but this was pretty cringeworthy at times. Tina added nothing. *3/4

 

Caitlin

Cast- Hanks, Poehler, Horatio Sanz

Thoughts- This was one of the last skits in dress and the crowd loved it. I sat there with my arms folded hoping I could spot Lorne and do the cut symbol. Caitlin has gone from amusing->beating joke into ground->okay, we really don’t need to see this anymore->seriously guys, stop! How did Tom Hanks, who won two Oscars, not see this? ½*

 

SNL Digital Short

Cast- Hanks, Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Poehler, Forte Chris Parnell, Thompson, Andy Samberg

Thoughts- The SNL Digital Short scores again. How can you not love Will’s Andrew Dice Clay getup, or just the whole video itself, especially when Tom Hanks said gay and the camera flashed straight. It went on a tad too long, but for the most part this was very funny loaded with great lines. ****1/4

 

Ma

Cast- Hanks, Armisen, Dratch

Thoughts- One of the few skits that played better in live then in dress. It seemed like Fred playing his Tony Danza character which is good enough for me. Rachel wandering around befuddled was very funny. The guys yelling Ma did get old but I appreciated their efforts to freshen it up with her getting on the roller coaster and bringing back bad pizza. ***1/4

 

RCHP

Thoughts- I wanted to like this song a lot, since it’s a good song and it was fun seeing them dance all over the place, but holy lord Kiedis needs to learn to speak clearly and stop mumbling. During the dress I was having trouble hearing him and the same thing happened in the live show. So boo mumbling. ***1/4

 

Weekend Update

Cast- Fey, Poehler, Forte, Sanz, Armisen

Thoughts- They cut Clinton. A shame too, since it was really funny. They also cut a gossip bit with Tina and Amy, where the only highlight was Tina calling Amy “Will Arnett’s wife.” There were a few funny jokes here (the condoms joke, Tina’s Rosie joke) and the Horatio part didn’t work as usual. It seemed better in dress. Once this Update looked dead, thankfully we had Will and Fred back as one of my favourite WU characters. Sadly they cut a line where they warned parents of the coarse language that might be to follow. That would’ve made it even more hilarious, but alas it was cut. **1/4

 

Yoga

Cast- Hanks, Dratch, Poehler, Rudolph, Samberg, Wiig

Thoughts- They didn’t crack up in dress and with good reason, this skit wasn’t very funny. Hanks and Dratch had a few good exchanges, but a lot of this was gross for the sake of being gross. I can never get into these type of skits, so this didn’t appeal to me. Although Hanks asking for the BJ was funny. **

 

Colin and Son

Cast- Hanks, Mitchell, Thompson, Rudolph

Thoughts- Damn you live crowd. This got a great reaction in dress, but it just didn’t play to the live crowd. I love Sanford and Son, one of my favourite shows, and this was very funny. They got the little things about Sanford and Son right, even though in dress Kenan said Elizabeth and not Alma. Kenan was just awesome here, and I would not mind seeing this attempted as a reoccurring character. ****

 

RCHP ‘Give it Away’

Thoughts- I had no idea what song they might play, but when they cued up Give It Away, I went crazy, as did the entire studio audience. Flea was awesome, Kiedis was awesome, this one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen at SNL. And next week is Paul Simon! I mean seriously, May is the month of awesome music. ****1/4

 

Tennis

Cast- Hanks, Forte, Parnell, Hader

Thoughts- I laughed at the accents and the Ille Nastase reference. Kristin Wiig was cut from dress. *1/2

 

The Bottom Line- Avg. skit was **.85 making this the top show of the year. I know me being there had a lot to do with it, but this was still a fun show. After the first two skits sucked, the show put together solid skit after solid skit, with two great ones. Tom Hanks was his usual good self, and he also benefited from a kick-ass musical guest, giving the best performance of the year. Skit placement aside, not many things to complain about this episode, and I hope the last two can be just like it.

 

Thumbs Up

 

And now the trip report...

 

SNL Trip Report-

 

When we last left me in standby, I broke the racial divide by meeting Queen Latifah and P. Diddy, attempted to raise money for the Kerry/Edwards campaign and witnessed Seth fake a phone call, and ended up getting into the show.

 

That was 19 months ago. The decline in quality of the show and just getting tired of doing standby had meant that at most, I did cameos on Friday night. But when I heard Tom Hanks and the RCHP were going to be on, I knew it was time to make my triumphant return to the line.

 

I arrived to the line at 4:30 and saw that more then 30 people were on the line. Yep, I was screwed. I resigned myself to the fact that hopefully I would have a fun standby.

 

I spent the first bit of standby saying hello to the people at the front of the line and waiting for Conan guests. I met some comedian and said “I love your work!” even though I had no idea who he was. Later on, me and my friend CGA got pictures with him and told him he was “hilarious” even though we had no idea who he was. I hope I boosted his self-esteem. I also met a supermodel who was really nice. She was hot too. Edward Norton was the lead guest but wouldn’t sign for anyone. Apparently he still thinks he’s important.

 

I also ran into Will Forte. Will complimented me on the Nets winning, since I had my hat and shirt on. Gotta show my colours. He told me was a Clippers fan, since when he went to UCLA, he didn’t feel right rooting for the Lakers.

 

Then came the standby tradition of spotting the cast. I saw Horatio across the street, and didn’t see him for the rest of the night. Bill Hader came outside to stop by the standby line. I’d heard so many stories about him being really cool and nice with the fans, and they’re all true. He talked to me for a while about the show, Tom Hanks and You, Me and Dupree.

 

Me: Can you tell Tom Hanks to come out and say hello to us?

Bill: Yea, I’m sure Tom will definitely come down and get mobbed by all you guys.

 

Awesome.

 

I saw Lorne Michaels run into a car. Fascinating I know. To pass the time before the cast came down, we had fun. We saw a horse with a massive erection. I mean seriously, even Tommy Lee would go: Damn. I also verified that another horse was a female by checking to see that it had nipples. And I licked the side of the NBC Building on a dare.

 

Bill and Jason came down and Jason had an amazing moustache. I had to ask if it was for a My Name is Earl skit and he said he was just growing it out. He looked like a wannabe porn star/80s private investigator. I got a picture with him that might be the greatest picture ever. I also went up behind him and said “MY NAME IS JASON!” I began to think that Jason’s moustache would be the standby moment. But it would happen later.

 

I also saw Rachel come down and got to see Kenan too. Kenan was shall we say lucky he didn’t have to have his urine examined, but he was still cool and talked to the fans. I of course had to talk about Snakes on a Plane with him, and I got him to say: Motherfucking snakes off the motherfucking plane.

 

Fred came down and I tried to convince him to do Ferecito with Paul Simon and we started talking about how awesome it would be. Then came…THE STANDBY MOMENT! (Well I think it came after this, and well, let’s pretend it is)

 

I went over to 50th st to see if there was a car for Tom Hanks. (The host usually goes out 50th st, while standby is on 49th) I saw that there was and was going to go back to 49th to tell the others. While I was walking back, who do I run into?

 

TOM FREAKING HANKS!!!!!!!

 

I nearly flipped a shit, but composed myself and said, “Hi Mr. Hanks.” He said hello and asked me how I was doing. Before he left, I told him I really enjoyed his work and got a thank you. I then had to run outside and flip a shit in front of all the standbyers. Needless to say, that made me quite hated for a little bit.

 

I also got to see Robert Smigel. I told him how I enjoyed the special, complimented him on Saddam and Osama for about the 9000th time and got a pic. I also got to see some writers, and Lorne came running out. I also saw Tina and Jeff, and the embargo was temporarily lifted.

 

The people I did standby with were all really cool which made it fun. I even got along with a Montreal Canadiens fan. To put that in perspective, that’s like Malcom X getting along with a white guy.

 

As usual standby got quite dull towards the end, and as usual, I could not sleep. You would think after a while I’d figure out some way to sleep, but alas. I was on too much of a I met Tom Hanks high.

 

At 6ish I got to hear INXS do a soundcheck for Weekend Today. They played Need You Tonight and it was awesome. There was also some standby drama, as we had some line jumpers right in front of me. So at least there was some interesting stuff in the morning.

 

And then at 7 am, I got 25 for dress. Yep, this would take a miracle.

 

Later that night-

 

After an afternoon spent Rocky III and IV, I headed back to SNL. I was pretty nervous as I really wanted to see Tom Hanks, and hadn’t not gotten into a show in 4 years. But I accepted this would probably be the night where the streak would end.

 

NBC has an awesome way of dragging out whether you got in or not. I also hadn’t eaten all day, making it worse. They took the first 10 up, then 5 more. Yea, going all day without food or water really wasn’t a good idea. Then they took up 4 more. I was SO close to getting in now, and I feared another Rock/Andrew WK.

 

Then I heard the immortal words: Send four up. I WAS IN! Holy shit, did I ever feel lucky.

 

I didn’t take notes during the show, but here’s….WHAT….GOT…CUT.

 

What got Cut-

 

A Day Without an Immigrant-

Cast- Tom Hanks, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph

 

Tom Hanks and Amy Poehler played a couple who had their day turned upside down when their housekeeper didn’t show up for work because of the boycott. This wasn’t that funny and poorly received.

 

Commercial

Cast- Jason Sudeikis

 

This was an advert for a head lice product. Basically, you put beetles in your head and they take out the lice. This was pretty funny.

 

SNL Digital Short

Cast- Antonio Banderas, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg

 

In this one Seth and Andy played two cops, but Andy had lobster claws. His lobster claws prevented him from drinking coffee. I liked this as well.

 

Gump: The Musical

Cast- Tom Hanks, Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudekis, Rachel Dratch

 

In the year 2031 Tom Hanks is in Gump: The Musical and is kind of a dick. Kenan played Bubba and him reciting the shrimp was funny stuff.

 

Vasquez

Cast- Tom Hanks, Seth Meyers, Horatio Sanz, Bill Hader, Rachel Dratch

Thoughts- This was probably my favourite skit of the night. Tom Hanks and Horatio played two janitors accused of theft from the office. Hanks was hilarious and Horatio was also really funny. And this was just a really well-written funny skit.

 

Commercial

Cast- Sudeikis, Wiig

Thoughts- This was an advert for a product that put all your gadgets in one thing that you strap to your belt so it looks like a bomb. And this was set in an airport making it funnier. The ending was great too, but I won’t spoil it, in case they air it.

 

Fred as an ugly girl

Cast- Armisen, Hanks, Sudeikis

Thoughts- Fred played an annoying receptionist. He was a girl too. There was one funny line at the end, but the rest was horrible.

 

After the live show-

 

I decided to wait after the live show to see the cast and what not. It turned out to be the highlight of the weekend. I got to see Seth come down and we talked about the Steelers winning the Super Bowl. Then some more cast members came down, and then the awesome happened:

 

Steven Spielberg and Chris Rock came out talking to each other.

 

STEVEN SPIELBERG!!!!!

 

I walked over to Spielberg introduced myself, and we talked about Munich. Munich was a film that was very important to me, so getting to talk to Steven Spielberg about it- holy shit.

 

Right after I finished talking to Spielberg, I saw John Krasinski from The Office walk by. I went over to him and talked about The Office for a bit. He was a really cool guy and I love talking about The Office with anyone, especially Jim freaking Halpert.

 

I then turned around and saw GOB!~ He congratted me on the Nets and then I said: $3,000 suit COME ON.

 

Why yes I am lame. Gob told me he agreed with the Pat Quinn firing (which shocked me, since I don’t) and he was on his way out. I then saw Joey Slotnick from the Single Guy and Boston Public. I’m a sucker for anything Boston Public so it was cool to see him.

 

Soon it was time to go. I saw a few more castmembers, got to see Will Forte gyrate his stomach and even got to see Maya. Yay?

 

And so ends another hugely successful standby weekend. I got into the show even though I thought I had no chance, got to meet Hanks and Spielberg and saw an erect horse!

 

See you next week when I try to see my favourite musician.

[ZGangsta 0]

Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, John Krasinski, and best of all, Will Arnett.

Well met laddie.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I am little bit skeptical. I mean, that's a lot of name dropping.

[randomguy 0]

The only funny part of the night:

 

The View....which will now be called "The Obstructed View"

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

You know, the prior weeks episode technically had hosts (Ace and Gary) and had some new material, thus needs a review.

 

I will wait.

[Mole 0]

I am little bit skeptical. I mean, that's a lot of name dropping.

No way, he met them all. He wouldn't fib about that.

[bob_barron 0]

I am little bit skeptical. I mean, that's a lot of name dropping.

 

Here's some pics of Spielberg at SNL-

 

http://static.flickr.com/44/141812339_c2e1b44220.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/49/141812305_78a44a0674.jpg?v=0

 

You know, the prior weeks episode technically had hosts (Ace and Gary) and had some new material, thus needs a review.

 

I thought some of the AGD stuff was funny, but not as good as their cartoons usually are.

 

Even though it isn't very funny, I was hoping Smigel could've gotten Conspiracy Theory Rock on the air again.

[Black Lushus 0]

Bob, are you in school for any kind of degree that can get you a Hollywood reporter type gig? I think you'd do a great job with that...something celebrity related.

[bob_barron 0]

I'm in journalism school, so yes.

 

I once got to interview actor Lukas Haas which was really cool. I did apply for a job to write for some entertainment website, but I never heard back.

[Special K 0]

I turned it off during Caitlin. I mean, I like Amy Poehler, but this was the most annoying, grating sketch I've ever seen. I couldn't fucking STAND it.

 

And I've sat through half an episode of MAD TV.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

JOEY SLOTNICK?!

[Special K 0]

If I had known a Danza impersonation was coming up, I may have stuck around. Never fails to crack me up.