SNL Review

[bob_barron 0]

SNL Review- Brian Williams/Feist

 

I was at the live show, my first live show since Hugh Jackman/Mick Jagger back in December 2001.

 

Cold Opening

Cast- Barak Obama, Horatio Sanz, Amy Poehler, Will Forte, Darrell Hammond, Jason Sudekis, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig

Thoughts- It’s pretty sad that SNL never figured out the Obama quandary and just had Obama play himself. I would say ditto Bill Richardson, but I have a feeling Horatio just had nothing to do last week and asked if he could come back. This was pretty funny, and Darrell’s stale Clinton was fun as always. I really had no idea who Fred’s character was, but this was a fun way to kick off the show. I wonder where Obama had to go that he couldn’t stay for the cold opening. ***1/4

 

Monologue

Cast- Brian Williams

Thoughts- I was very much in favour of Williams hosting, even though I’m usually against non-actors hosting, since the results are usually disastrous, but I’ve heard everywhere that Williams is really funny. Plus, that cameo last year on Weekend Update was ownage. This was a very funny, and I loved the Brokaw bit and the that all changes graphic. ***1/2

 

Maybelline for Men

Cast- Armisen, Sudeikis, Forte, Andy Samberg, Hader, Poehler

Thoughts- Fred was game for this, but this was uninspired material. It was a one-joke premise, and the joke just wasn’t that funny. *1/2

 

Bronx Beat

Cast- Williams, Poehler, Rudolph

Thoughts- Live I was sitting right on top of this and for some reason everyone seems to love Bronx Beat so I actually enjoyed this. Of course, watching this in the comfort of my living room, I remembered that it was still Bronx Beat. I will say that this was the best Bronx Beat ever, which isn’t saying much. Williams was really funny here, and apparently he used to be a fireman so hey. I loved the Borat impression at the end, and the discussion on what you would take in a fire was actually funny. *1/2

 

Riley’s Way

Cast- Williams, Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, Poehler, Samberg, Hader

Thoughts- I believe the version of Umbrella used here was the one by Mandy Moore. Williams again was hilarious here. I should note that the producers of Riley’s Way could’ve gone the Boy Meets World route and have him suddenly show up at the college, a la Mr. Feeny. But Mr. Feeny was kind of creepy anyway. I loved Williams taunting the cast and his interplay with Jason. ***1/2

 

Publisher’s Clearing House

Cast- Williams, Wiig, Rudolph, Poehler, Forte, Armisen

Thoughts- Kristen was doing some odd dance to the music before this skit started. How can you not love Kristen? This was pretty good but I think it went on a stretch too long. I liked the montage of previous winners, but the ending with him being happy about the pizza didn’t work for me. It would’ve worked better if the whole skit, he was just some nonchalant guy who never got excited. The line about him just receiving the money so he didn’t know what to do with it was great stuff. **3/4

 

SNL Digital Short

Cast- Bono, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Williams

Thoughts- Holy crap- Bono! I don’t know how they pulled that off, but it was still awesome. I loved him throwing pennies at the Today Show and waiting to be recognised by someone. Whenever I’m at NBC and see Williams, I always make sure to say hello. So I do my part. This was another very good Digital Short, and another chance for Williams to showcase how funny he is. He does look very similar to Stone Phillips. ***3/4

 

Feist “1-2-3-4”

Thoughts- Always good to see some Canadian representation on SNL and even though this song has been played to death in the iPod commercials, it’s still a fun song and I thought it sounded good live. ***

 

Weekend Update

Cast- Seth Meyers, Poehler, Armisen, Thompson

Thoughts- Live, it’s always fun watching Seth’s reactions to bits and jokes. Yes, I know that sounds creepy but the fun pat of being at live is getting to check out stuff that you wouldn’t be able to see on TV. Fred as a studio executive was mean spirited and petty, but still funny. And Kenan attacking Seth and screwing up his tie is why I love live TV. Also, Amy needs to stop fixing ties. Loved Seth’s A-Rod joke because it was so true. ***1/2

 

Larry King Live

Cast- Armisen, Poehler, Hader, Wiig

Thoughts- Bono, Brian Williams and now a skit referencing one of the greatest movies of all the time (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)? SNL must’ve definitely known I was going to be here. My gaydar never clicked with Dumbledore, so I was surprised when Rowling outed him. This was a nice little post-WU skit, and Bill and Kristen were both funny in their respective roles. ***

 

IPhone

Cast- Armisen

Thoughts- Who knew that this would be the Fred Armisen show? This has got to be the most skits he’s had in forever. This was much better than the Maybelline commercial earlier in the show. When you need someone to play sleazy, but not too sleazy, you call Fred. ***

 

Debate

Cast- Sanz, Williams, Hammond, Poehler, Armisen, Hader, Forte, Wiig

Thoughts- If you thought watching this on television was bad, imagine being there live as the audience as know idea what to make of this and was patiently waiting for it to be over or for any semblance of a punchline. Plus, we saw most of these characters and made these jokes in the cold opening. Not one of Jim Downey’s finest moments. I really wonder how this skit made it on the air, since I can’t imagine it doing well in dress, unless the fact that it was relatively long made it convenient to do for timing purposes. ½*

 

Feist

Thoughts- The Nova Scotian does it again. I wonder if she’s the first Nova Scotian to musical guest SNL. Plus, Feist is such a badass last name. ***

 

NBC Nightly News

Cast- Williams, Poehler, Sudeikis, Forte, Rudolph, Samberg, Wiig, Armisen

Thoughts- More Fred. Unbelievable. This was a fun way to close the show, and I liked Andy’s proposed theme being the Fraiser theme song. Maya’s insane song marks one of the few times I actually laughed at her singing, and possibly the only time I laughed at her singing when it was after 12:30 a.m. And the James Bond opening with Williams kicking Hader’s ass was funny. ***

 

The Bottom Line- The avg. skit was **.77 making this a thumbs up show and another great effort from the SNL crew. Brian Williams was a very good host and definitely added to the show. Who knew the NBC Nightly News guy was so good at comedy? While nothing was fantastic, this was another solid well written show with good skits up and down Lorne’s big board. Not even Horatio could screw this show up.

 

See y’all whenever this strike ends.

 

Thumbs Up

 

[Mik 0]

I really liked Riley's Way and also the Harry Potter skit ruled all.

[King Kamala 0]

I thought the first half of the show was pretty good but everything after WU kind of sucked. I did like the end of the Nightly News sketch though.

 

And lamely enough I researched a bit and found that Feist was not the first Nova Scotian to be musical guest on SNL. Sarah McLachlan was. Go figure.

[bob_barron 0]

I stand corrected. I never knew she was from Nova Scotia, but I knew she was from Canada

[Chazz 0]

This was your first live show in almost 6 years? I thought you got in live before when you were in line for standby?

[starvenger 0]

And lamely enough I researched a bit and found that Feist was not the first Nova Scotian to be musical guest on SNL. Sarah McLachlan was. Go figure.

Hello? Anne Murray?

 

Perhaps lamer, I DIDN'T have to look that up.

[King Kamala 0]

Forgot about her. Easily the lamest musical guest from Season One. She really sticks out like a sore thumb there.

[bob_barron 0]

This was your first live show in almost 6 years? I thought you got in live before when you were in line for standby?

 

I should've clarified that. This was my first time attending the live broadcast in 6 years. I've attended a bunch of dress rehearsals throughout the year.

 

Who knew Nova Scotia has contributed so much to SNL? Anyone from PEI ever been on the show?

[Gary Floyd 0]

I found the Larry King skit to be really bad. Other than that, not a bad show.