37x02: laura’s thoughts

SNL 37x02 - Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum
October 1, 2011

Pardon me as I try to schedule my reviews in a more timely manner! My thoughts on last weekend’s episode are kind of all over the place (and also relatively brief), so let’s get to it.

COLD OPEN: Lawrence Welk
I find this whole sketch concept to be funny in theory, but only sporadically funny in execution (see: the Betty White episode). It didn’t really land for me this time around. Just…not funny.

MELISSA MCCARTHY’S MONOLOGUE
McCarthy looked fabulous, and again, the concept was amusing, but…meh.

COMMERCIAL PARODY: Lil Poundcake
This was fabulous. They’re two for two with commercial parodies this season.

OFFICE FLIRT
I was concerned at first by how quickly the episode resorted to a McCarthy-as-fat-sad-woman sketch conceit, but this was totally saved by her incredible energy and dedication. I couldn’t believe my eyes half the time - first with the balloons, then with the way she was making even Sudeikis break - and I couldn’t stop laughing. So great.

SNL DIGITAL SHORT: Stomp
I wanted to like this, but it felt too much like a half-baked (literally) idea they came up with at the last minute and didn’t have the time or enthusiasm to improve.

THE COMMENTS SECTION
Another recurring sketch with a concept I respect, but which is rarely done well. I think my problem is that it just. Lasts. Forever. Tons of buildup with no substantive payoff = boredom.

ROCK’S WAY
Jay Pharaoh is really just an incredible impressionist. I mean, duh, but seriously, the dude has serious skills in that arena. (Maybe someday they’ll incorporate him into the rest of the show. A girl can dream.) Bonus points for the return of Taran Killam’s Sassy Gay Bystander.

MUSICAL GUEST #1: Lady Antebellum
Gonna be honest: I didn’t watch this.

WEEKEND UPDATE w/ Seth Meyers
Lots of solid jokes, plus Seth breaking, which was random and fun. I went back and forth on Kenan’s Tyler Perry interrupt: On one hand, I appreciate all pointed criticism of The Help/Perry’s penchant for long movie titles. On the other hand, I think there’s some great comedy to be found in Perry’s wealth and his role in the film community, but the writing staff hasn’t quite found the sweet spot yet.

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH
Remember that McCarthy-as-sad-fat-woman thing that I have a problem with? Yeah, here we go. McCarthy, again, sold the hell out of it, but I’m convinced that they wouldn’t do that sort of sketch with a traditionally pretty host, and that pisses me the hell off.

THE ESSENTIALS I…don’t really have any thoughts on this? I love a good tumble down a flight of stairs, and I love Sudeikis’ Robert Osborne, but I was otherwise bored.

MUSICAL GUEST #2
Blah.

COMPLAINTS
Again, no real thoughts on this.

GOODNIGHTS
I want the outro saxophone solo to play at my funeral. Just sayin’.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Melissa McCarthy - her entire being - more than compensated for a lackluster set of sketches. I wish Lorne would have snatched her up a few years ago and put her in the cast.

Best Sketch: Office Flirt/Lil Poundcake Worst Sketch: Lawrence Welk
Best Performer: Melissa McCarthy
Worst Performer: N/A