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This week, Ben Stiller returns to the SNL studio for his first...

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:19:49 -0400

This week, Ben Stiller returns to the SNL studio for his first hosting stint since 1998. Many people, including myself, questioned whether Stiller would ever appear on the show again after pulling out as host in 2001.

In the book “Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live”, producer Marci Klein explains that Stiller was booked to host one of the first few episodes in the 2001-2002 season. Following the September 11th attacks, Klein asked Stiller, a former cast member and New York City resident, if he could instead host the season premiere and try to help the show get back into the business of making America laugh again. Stiller declined and also pulled out of his scheduled hosting stint, claiming he ‘wasn’t sure how to be funny at a time like this.’ Then, Stiller moved up the premiere of his new film Zoolander and went on a nationwide press tour, which Klein believed was the real reason for his declining the SNL appearance. There seemed to be a silent ban on Stiller appearing on the show until his cameo appearance in last season’s Robert DeNiro episode. Coincidentally, as of last season, Marci Klein no longer books hosts for SNL (her title has changed to Consulting Producer).

Stiller was briefly a cast member in 1988, and I’m a huge fan of hosts that are former cast members. Coupled with the fact that his 1998 appearance as host was terrific, I think we’re in for a good show, provided the writers don’t drop the ball. Again.

Also rumored this week, a surprise appearance by Stiller’s Tower Heist co-star Eddie Murphy, who has not appeared on SNL in over 25 years due to his own presumed feud with SNL producers and David Spade (Google the details). While I would love to see a Murphy appearance, I don’t want it to be tonight. I think Ben Stiller deserves to host his own show, and a Murphy cameo would absolutely trump the night. I’m talking a 1 minute standing ovation for the live show, and the web would only be talking about Murphy’s surprise appearance and not any decent sketches that may or may not come out of the show. Plus, I’m guessing the cameo would come after a Jay Pharaoh impression of Murphy (a “sneaker-upper,” as mentioned in Tina Fey’s “Bossypants”). Not incredibly creative.

Foster the People are tonight’s musical guest. Their hit single “Pumped Up Kicks” has earned them national attention. Google the lyrics to that. Seriously, how is that song a hit? (I like the song but, seriously… how’d they do that?)

SKETCH PREDICTIONS: -Though SNL doesn’t have a direct tie to Steve Jobs, I wouldn’t be surprised if they jumped on the bandwagon of Jobs’ tributes. -Stiller’s big impression on the show was Tom Cruise. I imagine it will be utilized. -After a week without a political sketch, I think we’re almost guaranteed one this week. There’s plenty to choose from: Rick Perry’s ranch, Sarah Palin’s announcement to not run for President, the Occupy Wall Street movement. Take your pick, writers!

-Zac

37x02: laura's thoughts

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:50:10 -0400

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

37x02: zac's thoughts

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:01:00 -0400

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

Pre-Show Thoughts:
Melissa McCarthy has had an incredible year, and the SNL hosting spot is well deserved. She was a Groundling too, so I know she’ll mesh well with the cast. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of Kristen Wiig tonight too. I also hope the writing is just as strong as last week.

Sketch Predictions:
-A sketch (or at least an Update commentary) about Glenn Beck wanting to do a children’s show. That seems right in the SNL strike zone.

COLD OPEN: Lawrence Welk
-UGH. Well, so much for the open.
-Melissa and Kristen anchoring this sketch. They should’ve just worn t-shirts that say “Bridesmaids: Out on BluRay and DVD now!”
-This is a tired, played out recurring character that I get no joy out of seeing anymore. LOVED it the first time, but hated it every other time (with the exception of the Betty White episode.
-The only positive thing I can say about this sketch is that it’s NOT a carbon copy. If you look at some of the others, they’re almost beat-by-beat identical. It looks like they tried to make a couple structural changes. Unfortunately, it was still terrible.

MELISSA MCCARTHY’S MONOLOGUE
-She seems very nervous.
-Oh yay, Kristen Wiig again. eyeroll
-Ah, I get it! They’re going to keep stalling the dance. Definitely worth the 3 or 4 minutes of execution. (This comment was ALSO sarcastic.)
-Did something go wrong? It seemed like towards the end Wiig and McCarthy were just trying to get through it.
-This wasn’t funny either. Maybe I was wrong about this show.

COMMERCIAL PARODY: Lil Poundcake
-I tried to guess where the joke was going to come in this. I knew the doll was going to do something, but I didn’t expect the needles from the arms.
-It was a little one-note, but it was still hilarious. And creepy.
-Once again, props to the SNL prop department.

OFFICE FLIRT
-McCarthy sounds a lot like her character from Bridesmaids in this.
-Whoops, I think the camera forgot which sketch it was shooting for a second.
-Love the entrance woo Jay Pharaoh got.
-Man, Melissa is really taking command of this sketch. It’s rare to see a host take charge like that.
-She’s breaking Sudeikis up too, which is pretty rare.
-There was a ton of energy in this sketch! I loved it!
-This ran a lot longer than it was supposed to though. Hopefully it doesn’t mean good stuff will be cut out.

SNL DIGITAL SHORT: Stomp
-Oh good! The Digital Shorts aren’t dead!!
-Ah. This is… not all that funny. Not a terrific payoff either. It’s a shame.
-It looks like some of the blood spatter was removed from the beginning of the Blue Man Group shooting. I can see that being a note from Standards and Practices people.

THE COMMENTS SECTION
-I like smarmy Jason Sudeikis hosting sketches. It channels the best parts of Phil Hartman.
-There was a sketch with a similar premise in the Jim Carrey show last season. I like the concept, but it doesn’t seem to ever play well.
-I did love Nasim’s line “So you think I’m a dumbass?” line.

ROCK’S WAY
-YES!!!! Jay Pharaoh sketch!
-Another dead-on Pharaoh impression. Loved the premise, loved the execution.
-They really need to give Jay more to do on the show.

MUSICAL GUEST #1: Lady Antebellum
-If it’s a band I don’t like, I tend to use this time to take my dogs out.

WEEKEND UPDATE w/ Seth Meyers
-Joke highlights: Nancy Grace’s nipple, Coffee/Depression, Kindle Fire.
-Seth’s crack-up during the France Unprotected Sketch joke was rare. He seemed irritated.
-The Gaddafi Friends sketch was the exact same thing as last time, but I liked it. Okay fine, do it twice, but PLEASE don’t make this something that comes on the update desk over and over.
-I find the Tyler Perry commentaries more accurate than I really do funny.

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH
-Okay. I have a feeling this sketch will end w/ McCarthy eating an entire bottle of ranch dressing.
-This isn’t the most elaborate setup, but I absolutely love McCarthy’s character in this. It was an emotional roller-coaster: she was excited, desperate, angry, jealous. It was a fun performance to watch. She reminded me of a female Ricky Gervais.
-If you google the word “commitment” there will be a clip of Melissa McCarthy squeezing that entire bottle of ranch dressing into her face.
-I think the dressing shot out quicker than she anticipated. But, again, she absolutely committed to it, and took control. As weird as it sounds, the only person I can see making this sketch work is Cheri Oteri.
-By the way, I died laughing at every line given to Abby Elliott. “We all hate you. We hate your guts! She has got to go.”

THE ESSENTIALS
-I chuckled through this, but I don’t think I would watch it again.
-I thought the fall was funny, but it would’ve been funnier with a harder or further fall. I did think she was going to go over that railing at the end.
-Jason’s bit at the end was funny, but I’m guessing was added to fill time. All of the sketches this evening feel like they’re running long.

MUSICAL GUEST #2: Lady and the Antebellums
-Watched this one. I don’t know a lot about this band, but I thought the two singers were brother and sister, which made the duet very, very uncomfortable.

COMPLAINTS
-Another sketch with a simple premise and decent execution.
-Andy does well with sketches like this.
-Funny, but not memorable. I’d still take it over any recurring character sketch.
-Paul Brittain’s appearance wasn’t terrible. What. Is. Happening?

GOODNIGHTS
-It seems like Melissa really enjoyed herself, and that’s always fun to see.
-I also noticed in the credits that John Mullaney is a producer now? Interesting.

FINAL THOUGHTS
This show would’ve died with any other host. The writing was certainly not as strong as last week, but Melissa brought a TON of energy. It was really like having a new cast member. We did have to endure some recurring characters, but for the most part, they were trying new things. I would rather have a season of shows like that than a season of decent writing and terrible January Jones/Blake Lively-esque hosts.

Best Sketch: Hidden Valley Ranch
Worst Sketch: Lawrence Welk
Best Performer: Melissa McCarthy (honorable mention: Jason Sudeikis)
Worst Performer: Abby Elliott

Next week, a host booking I thought we’d never see again, Ben Stiller, and a band with a hit song that I thought would never be a hit, Foster the People. More on all of that next week. Goodnight!

Tonight: 37x02, Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum!

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 23:02:11 -0400

Tonight: 37x02, Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum!

37x01: laura's thoughts

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:58:00 -0400

SNL 37x01 - Alec Baldwin/Radiohead
September 24, 2011

I’m gonna skip the intro for now and jump right into my thoughts on last week’s episode.

COLD OPEN: Republican Debate
I grew very tired of political cold opens last season - very little of interest occurred to warrant a new one every week - but this was well worth the 10 minutes. The Republican nominee field is a perfect mess right now, and using the conceit of a debate for the cold open doubled as a kind of premiere-appropriate “meet the cast” moment, with nice bits from almost everyone.

INTRO
Pumped that Nasim got promoted!

ALEC BALDWIN’S MONOLOGUE
I like going into a Baldwin-hosted episode because I know that, regardless of the quality of the sketches, his work will be totally serviceable. I didn’t find the monologue that humorous (what a waste of both Steve Martin and Seth Rogen!) but he delivered it with style. Also, is it just me or does he look thinner?

COMMERCIAL PARODY: Red Flag
This was, dare I say, perfect.

ALL MY CHILDREN FINALE
Baldwin flubbed his lines a few too many times for my liking (a trend that would continue throughout the episode), and the concept was sorta “meh”, but I reeeeally liked the recurring “Or was I pushed?” bit.

SATELLITE DELAY
I was giving this sketch a serious side-eye at first, but the timing was great (as were the random Wasilla accents), and the further they took the premise, the more I laughed. THAT SNAKE HEAD, Y’ALL.

MUSICAL GUEST #1 - Radiohead
As much as I love Radiohead, they’re kind of the worst possible band to book for SNL. Overlong and soooo boring.

WEEKEND UPDATE with SETH MEYERS
A nice roster of jokes, but damn, was this too short for my liking. Also, I know it’s important that they not run the Stefon thing into the ground, but a little follow-up from the season finale (wherein Stefon and Seth left for a road trip) would have been nice.

WHO’S ON TOP?
Nice premise, nice execution. Baldwin was great in this. I would’ve liked to see someone besides Hader in the host role, though, just for variety.

CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST
Another great sketch featuring Nasim Pedrad as a kid. Her fake crying was AMAZING. “I COULD FALL, LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT!” Baldwin flubbed a bit though. (Sorry, I get really annoyed when people stumble over cue card line readings. Like, REALLY annoyed.)

TOP GUN SCREEN TESTS
Love love love this concept, and I love any opportunity for Hader to do impressions. That Alan Alda is insanely good.

MUSICAL GUEST #2: Moar Radiohead
Snore. Again, I love Radiohead, but in a listen-on-my-headphones-on-the-subway kind of way, not in a would-ever-want-to-see-them-in-person,let-alone-on-SNL kind of way.

FINAL WISHES
Unexciting, but nicely executed.

GOODNIGHTS
Every time the network cuts off the goodbyes an angel falls into the fiery pits of hell!!!

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Surprisingly strong writing across the board, with a LOT of really impressive moments from the cast. Plus: Blessedly brief use of my least favorite performers, Abby Elliot and Fred Armisen. Next week I’d love to see a lengthier Update, at least a little from Jay Pharaoh, and more solid writing to build on this great opener.

Best Sketch: Republican Debate
Worst Sketch: All My Children Finale
Best Performer: Nasim Pedrad
Worst Performer: Honestly? I thought everyone did a fine job.

37x01: zac's thoughts

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:26:14 -0400

SNL 37x01 - Alec Baldwin/Radiohead
September 24, 2011

Well folks, hello! This is my first published SNL review, and I’m very excited about it. You’ll find I’m a huge SNL nerd and will probably give you way more background information than you ever wanted to know. I’m sorry. It’s a curse.

So, let’s talk format. I try to do most of my reviewing as I watch the show. I feel that the real-time analysis and dissection suits a live comedy program. Plus, my thoughts tend to be fresher and more truthful with immediacy. I also tend to write with a lot of parentheticals and CAPS. I’m sorry. This too is a curse.

For those of you on the West Coast, I’ll occasionally live tweet my SNL viewing experience. Feel free to follow me and join in on the conversation @zacross36 .

And NOW! The review:

COLD OPEN: Republican Debate
-Newt Gingrich callback.
-If this is what we’re in store for this political season, then I’m excited.
-A long cold open, but very well written. A deserved 10 minutes.
-First laugh at Paul Brittain. The cut to him as Ron Paul was very well done. Alright, man. I’ll give you a second shot. Let’s see what you’ve got this year.

INTRO
NASIM PROMOTED! Yaay!
And… that’s it.

ALEC BALDWIN’S MONOLOGUE
-Steve Martin, excellent as usual.
-Seth Rogen’s cameo was also welcome. Didn’t hog the spotlight.
-Felt like a finale to the faux rivalry. It was like Steve Martin was officially handing it off.

COMMERCIAL PARODY: Red Flag
-Out of the park on the first night! If the rest of the commercial parodies can’t follow that, they just shouldn’t bother doing any others this year.

ALL MY CHILDREN FINALE
-Looks like we’re being force-fed Abby Elliott again at the top of this season (see the beginning of last season).
-A weak premise with excellent execution. Lots of non-sequitor turns, which I think are the funniest turns.
-Alec is slipping a little.

SATELLITE DELAY
-Yet another weak premise with funny turns and twists.
-Give it up for the SNL props department.
-Oh, hi Abby. No, I know you’re there… just… yeah…

MUSICAL GUEST #1 - Radiohead
-What’s with that guy’s eye?

WEEKEND UPDATE with SETH MEYERS
-The jokes are really solid tonight.
-The Tony Bennett interrupt has almost the exact cadence of a Tony Bennett Show sketch. My guess is this got cut from dress and the best parts were written into a news interrupt.
-One interrupt? Wow. Very short Update tonight. I hope it’s because there’s good stuff to come in the second half.

WHO’S ON TOP?
-Bill Hader is magic. Always a solid game show host.
-I REALLY like this premise. I was worried it’d be only gay couples based on Hader’s initial explanation. SNL has a habit of using “gay” as an easy chuckle. This was actually (dare I say it?) clever.
-Jason quitting at the beginning was hilarious.

CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST
-Folks, we’ve reached the pinnacle of sketch quality for the night. I’ve been waiting for the weird Nasim sketch, and here it is in all it’s glory.
-I had such a huge laugh at Nasim’s entrance. It was VERY well set up. The crane cam moving across and resting, then Nasim entering in that same shot. Flat out beautiful from a production standpoint.
-I really hope Nasim becomes known for her versatility and not her individual characters like Kristen Wiig.
-I really hope they don’t repeat this sketch. Much like Nasim’s other hits (Smash Mouth and Mr. Wizard), it’s perfect the first time. No need to revisit and likely ruin.
-Does Nasim write for herself, or does she write with someone else? Her lines are so perfectly crafted in their bluntness. It’s not a child saying something that sounds like “pay more attention to me,” it’s the child saying literally that.
-Baldwin is slipping again. Man, he’s been the weakest performer of the night.

TOP GUN SCREEN TESTS
-NO. Baldwin has committed a major SNL foul in playing Al Pacino, one of Bill Hader’s notable portrayals. Plus, it really wasn’t that great.
-Laughed quite a bit at the newer characters, and the older characters too, though I was annoyed at how much was recycled from the Back to the Future screen tests (Alan Alda’s gimmick, Prince).
-Please God, don’t let SNL whore out this premise. It’s too good.
-Did this count as the night’s Digital Short? I heard Jorma and Akiva no longer work at SNL. I’m curious what that might mean for the Digital Short.

EDIT: Looks like Jay Pharaoh and a few others were cut due to time. The supposed “bonus” footage is on the NBC website, though much of it did in fact air.

MUSICAL GUEST #2: Moar Radiohead
-I respect the music, but it’s not exactly my cup of tea. I’m sure Coldplay will show up around November. THAT performance I’m quite looking forward to. Their appearance in 2008 was great.

FINAL WISHES
-This felt like it was starting to drag, then it picked up a little.
-Not as good as the other sketches in the back half, but still worthy of being included in the show.

GOODNIGHTS
-Baldwin seemed very distracted and rushed at the end.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
-The writing tonight really felt fresh. No forced characters, no sketches that really didn’t belong. I hope the writers can keep it up!
-The cast really functioned as an ensemble tonight. No one person was in everything.
-WHERE was Jay Pharaoh? Such a disappointment to not see him in anything.

Best Sketch: Child Psychologist
Worst Sketch: Satellite Delay
Best Performer: Steve Martin
Worst Performer (excluding Abby Elliott): Believe it or not, Alec Baldwin. I don’t think he did a TERRIBLE job. He just wasn’t as solid a performer as he usually is, and the rest of the cast happened to be on their game.