Tag Archives: SNL

SNL: 38.18 – Vince Vaughn & Miguel

April 14, 2013 Amanda Broyles 2 Comments

It’s been 15 years since Vince Vaughn last graced the SNL stage and after this week’s show, one has to wonder why it’s been so long? I actually loved this episode as weird as it was, and boy was it was weird.

Unlike last week’s press conference with Kim Jung Un, this week’s with Pres. Obama (Jay Pharoah’s imitation is getting better each time out) and two senators discussing gun control was actually funny. Even if it wasn’t funny, those wigs were enough to laugh at. Bill Hader has a lot of forehead going on there. A lot.

The monologue was a little odd and different but I liked it. I can’t tell you why, but I did. The interaction with the audience, the fact it wasn’t musical, how very “Vince Vaughn” it was, it all worked for me.

Bill Hader’s wig in the cold open was just a preview for the awesomeness that was HBO presents Al Pacino Accused Murderer Biopic Series. Between Phil Spector and the Menendez brothers shouting “Tequila”, I was rolling. Hader’s Al Pacino impersonation is so good that that it isn’t hard to see why they often bring it back. I do wonder when Pippy Longstockings found the time to not only go to law school but then go on to pass the bar and actually become a judge – that is one amazing ginger!

The Weather Channel’s show, Stormy Skies might be the best sketch I’ve seen in a long time. I’d be really okay with The Californians being laid to rest and Stormy Skies becoming a recurring thing. I had tears from laughing so hard. They had every stupid weather man cliche – the time and temp, the standing outside in torrential downpours for no logical reason, and Aidy Bryant as the person who decides it’s their big chance to get on camera behind the weather reporter was a highlight. I just can not tell you how much I loved this sketch. Needs to happen again, please.

I have a feeling that “History of Punk – The Bizarros” has been sitting on a shelf for awhile just waiting for this week. With good reason. Whatever your opinion of the former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was, you have to admit that the pre-recorded bit was pretty good.

Of course whenever you have anything even remotely close to The Sex Pistols it’s going to be awesome by default. I do think they did a good job treading the line between trash talking and paying homage to a very controversial figure.

By the time we got to “Short Term Memory Loss Theatre”, I started to wonder if this was actually the Bill Hader show, hosted by Bill Hader, starring Bill Hader. Not that it’s a bad thing, he just was a very strong presence in every bit of the show so far. This sketch was a good example of what made this episode so good; new sketch ideas, not necessarily based on current events or pop culture references, that are actually funny more than they are strange. It seems like that has been lacking a bit in recent years. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been so long since Vince Vaughn had a huge movie so they didn’t feel as if they could spoof it like they did with Les Miserables, The Avengers, and The Hunger Games but whatever it was, it worked. Of course Bill Hader breaking is always funny. Enter Landlord!

So there are rumors floating around that Seth Meyers is leaving. First his name was included in the running for joining Kelly Ripa on her morning show. Then it was that he was going to be taking over for Jimmy Fallon when he moves to The Tonight Show. I can see him leaving but what I can’t see is who will fill his seat on Weekend Update. I can tell you who it can’t be and that is Kate McKinnon.

Whether she intended to or not, she is quickly becoming one of the best “guests” on Weekend Update. I think I say this every time but I just can’t get over how entertaining she makes these stories of ridiculous people. A woman claims to be raised by monkeys? Let’s get Kate McKinnon on that one. And she nails it! Now if she would only get a bit more comfortable not relying on cue cards so much, things would be perfect.

Have I mentioned that this episode was a bit weird? There was just a feeling about the show in general that was just different and the Junior High Prom sketch was the embodiment of that feeling. As awkward as it was, I still really liked it. Not to mention, more Aidy Bryant! I always get excited when I see her get more airtime. Of course let’s not kid ourselves, the real winner of this sketch was those sweet dance moves. Well that and Nasim Pedrad’s face as Vince Vaughn throws punch on her telling her to “Make better decisions.”

I would like to thank SNL for completely ruining my life. Now every time I hear that theme music, I will start singing ‘babababababasketball”. Life ruiners. Of course then I will think of Dave Tesh with his little hammer and I will laugh so maybe my life isn’t as ruined as first thought.

The night closed out with this happening. As if it couldn’t get any weirder or more awkward they brought back “Last Call if for Lovers” and we all cringed with delight.

Overall, this was a fantastic show. I really wasn’t expecting much which might have played into it but seriously, I loved it. I’d go so far as to say it might have been one of my favorites of the season so far. The writing seemed to be fresher instead of feeling like they had to fit the host into certain sketches and there weren’t a lot of recurring sketches which is refreshing.

Of course it’s that time of year where everyone goes on hiatus again for a little bit so no new episode until May 4th when Zach Galifianakis hosts.

Until then SNL fans!

SNL 38.16 – Melissa McCarthy & Phoenix

April 7, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

I had to check twice that there hasn’t been a new SNL episode since Justin Timberlake because that seriously seems like eons ago, but alas, there were not which made this week’s turn with Melissa McCarthy a bit disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it was still funny, but you’d think with someone as good as McCarthy and well over a month to prepare, it would be a bit better than it was.

The cold open was lazy. Really. Disappointing given that there’s been quite a few episodes in a row where they’ve had great cold opens and I was getting quite used to that. Plus it was Bobby Moynihan who I usually really enjoy no matter what he’s doing. However the real crime was this man.

Dennis Rodman, SNL, Kim Jung Un

Now I understand that someone like Dennis Rodman might have gotten tongue tied due to not being in front of an audience before – that’s scary, I get it – but come on man! The line is, and has been for a very long time, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” How you mess that up, I do not know. Again, perhaps is was stage fright, entirely possible for a man not used to people watching him.

The monologue was great though. Melissa McCarthy does physical and ridiculous humor so well that it was fun to see her get the chance. I will say though, just looking at those shoes made my feet hurt! Her mention of crocs made me immediately think of this.

Melissa McCarthy, crocs, SNL, Gilmore Girls

Oh Sookie St. James how I loved you. You and your love of sensible shoes. Although the monologue did have a musical number, it didn’t have that “oh my lord not another musical monologue!!” feel to it. Actually watching McCarthy try to keep up with Taran Killam while fumbling around was hysterical.

Melissa McCarthy, SNL, Coach Kelly — Credit to: norewardisworththis

However it wasn’t nearly as funny as the ESPN “Outside the Lines” sketch with McCarthy as Coach Shelia Kelly who, it turns out, is even more awful of a coach than the now fired Rutgers coach Mike Rice. Even though it was long (is is just me or have the last few episodes been really bad about long sketches?), it didn’t really get old. Jay Pharoah as the whistle-blowing Assistant Coach who then get’s the the crap beat out of him? Delightful. Bill Hader with a black eye? Yes please. I loved this sketch, so much. I particularly enjoyed the inset of the toaster laying on the ground after it’d been thrown. That’s just funny.

I’m beginning to wonder if NBC has asked SNL to promote The Voice because is it really that great/awful of a show that it warrants two sketches in a season? Outside of a few lines like “I like your misplaced enthusiasm”, it wasn’t much to write home about, especially since they’d done it before.

I’d be okay with them replaying the “Honeybaked Ham” sketch every week. I’m sure after awhile it might get old, but that would be a long while. It is a little embarrassing how loud I laughed when the “presentation” started. Then when she pulled the ham out of the pig costume? I was damn near in tears.

Melissa McCarthy, SNL, Ham — Credit to: tubulartv

Not only was the sketch funny, but it made me really want ham; from Bobby Moynihan’s footie pajamas or not is optional.

SNL, Melissa McCarthy, Bathroom Businessman

When the “Bathroom Businessman” started, it was sort of amusing. When Kenan Thompson crapped his pants, it was mildly funny. When it popped up as a “Decency” PSA? Perfect. I imagine we’ll see this again at a later date when they need something to fill time.

Weekend Update was on fire this week! Not only that but it got a pretty good chunk of airtime which seems like that hasn’t happened in recent episodes. Three guests? That’s pretty good. I do wish however, that they’d do this when it’s a weaker guest and not someone like Melissa McCarthy. Recent Bar Mitzvah boy is growing on me and that’s only because Vanessa Bayer sells it so well. How she captures the awkwardness of a young teenage boy is beyond me but she does, so well. Kenan Thompson’s Charles Barkley is scary good. I felt guilty for laughing about Kevin Ware’s injury, but I did it anyway.

Peter Drunklage, SNL, Melissa McCarthy, Game of Thrones

This was, without a doubt, the highlight of Weekend Update. Perhaps the only thing better was when Peter Dinklage, I’m sorry, Peter Drunklage, said that the IRS stood for “Immigrant Return Services” and Seth Meyers’ reaction to the audience. Fantastic. Shameless plug – if you are a Game of Thrones fan, make sure you check out our reviews each week.

SNL, Melissa McCarthy, Pizza Eater — Credit to: pieceofhumangarbage

Million Dollar Wheel and Dating in the 90’s each weren’t horrible but they certainly could have been better. But Pizza Plan? That was awesome. Instead of bringing back a specific character from McCarthy’s first time hosting (which is very often the case), they did a sketch that was reminiscent of McCarthy’s “taste tester” character.

Between the repeating of her name and constantly giving Jason Sudeikis a new pen, this was fun to watch. Add in the ridiculous, but almost brilliant, idea of a business solely comprising of being paid to eat leftover pizza, and this was a fantastic sketch. Not only was it funny but it clearly illustrated how good Melissa McCarthy is. This was not really a great sketch on paper. Much like the majority of the episode, the writing was a little lackluster, but McCarthy is so dedicated and puts so much effort and energy into selling those sketches, that they work. I’m always amazed at how little she looks at cue cards. I mean she has a improv background (Groundlings) so it makes sense but even the people who still do improv for a living, the SNL cast, are reading off cue cards on the regular so it’s refreshing to see. It does make me wonder how much better the episode would have been had she been given better material. Oh well, we’ll just have to wait until she hosts again to see!

Next week it’s the tall man himself, Vince Vaughn!

Melissa McCarthy, SNL, Vince Vaughn

Until then SNL fans!

SNL: 38.15 – Justin Timberlake

March 11, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

I had plans to wait until I got home from a weekend trip to New Orleans to watch this week’s SNL, but the power of the Timberlake would not let me and I am grateful, because it was fantastic. I’ll admit that there was a bit of reservation initially because my slightly inebriated state may have made the show funnier than it actually was. Any doubt was erased when watched by the harsh light of a sober morning. And if there was any doubt that the writers were taking an easy/lazy break last week to gear up for this episode, they are now erased because minus a few missteps, the writing was as good as it’s been all season to date.

It is really rare to see the host in the cold open, to the point that I can not think of the last time I’d seen it. Of course, this is Justin Timberlake and it is well known that he rises above normal conventions. So there he was, in all his Elton John glory, singing at the funeral of Hugo Chavez. Nothing like a reworked ‘Candle in the Wind’ to start the night off right.

To truly appreciate the greatness of Timberlake’s “Five-Timers Club” monologue, you’d have to watch Tom Hanks’ monologue from his fifth time hosting back in 1990.

You’ve got the very young SNL writer, Conan O’Brien greeting Hanks at the door vs. current SNL writer Mike O’Brien who happens to also be behind one of my favorite webseries, Seven Minutes in Heaven with Mike O’Brien. I’m of the belief that all celebrity interviews should be conducted in a closet and end in awkward kissing. Of course the similarities between the two monologues continue with Paul Simon and Steve Martin. I really enjoyed it, but oh boy does it put a bit of a spotlight on how much more often men are the host of SNL as opposed to women. Well at least, frequent hosts. Perhaps next episode’s host, Melissa McCarthy can bring up that number someday and join Candice Bergen and Drew Barrymore in the ‘Five-Timers Club’.

Even though the monologue ran a bit long, it was really fun to watch SNL living history all come together and watch Bobby Moynihan and Taran Killam fight to the death.

I’ll admit that when the dating show set was shown during the commercial break I groaned a bit. This has been the year of musical monologues and game shows, some have worked but there have been some that really did not. However when it became clear that this was just going to be a vehicle for the singing sleazebags known best for ‘Dick in a Box’, it became infinitely better. Of course I really wasn’t expecting the Festrunk brothers (as often cameos in the monologue stay in the monologue) so they were an awesome surprise. As much as I enjoyed both duos, Bobby Moynihan as the rejected bachelor was equally as funny. He usually plays the weird part of the joke so seeing him as the straight guy is always a refreshing change of pace.

It would not be a Justin Timberlake show without a costumed street singer promoting some random business. I have a feeling if it were anyone else, this sketch premise would have been old and tired by now. Luckily the writer’s have been able to keep the jokes and song parodies pretty fresh each time so it’s exciting to see Timberlake dressed as a big block of tofu as opposed to that “oh man, here we go again” feeling.

SNL, Harlem Shake, Justin Timberlake — Credit to: metaphorphoses

If you were wondering who on earth is still watching Harlem Shake videos and giving SNL the idea that it was still at all relevant and not beaten to death… it’s me. I love them in all their stupid glory and was downright giddy watching the cast do the “Vegan Shake”.

As great as Justin Timberlake is and how awesome his performances were, it was actually the “NuvaBling” fauxmercial that was the funniest to me. Probably because it was unexpected (unlike the rest of the episode, I mean we knew pretty much what sketches were going to be done) but it was hysterical. I mean come on, diamond encrusted birth control? Cool.

SNL, Justi Timberlake — Credit to: dirtypaws

Diamond encrusted birth control that then becomes earrings? Perfect. Between that and the final line of “and yes, it does hurt”, easily my favorite commercial of the year. Birth control should all be “100% effective at getting dat swag on”.

So apparently there was some dust-up between Timberlake and Kanye West? I was unaware so I couldn’t have told you anything about the changed lyrics to “Suit and Tie”, but the internet quickly let me know of my ignorance. I guess we are all now just sitting and waiting to see what Kanye has to say in response.

SNL, Justin Timberlake — Credit to: FabulouslyFlawless

Weekend Update was really short, likely due to the length of the monologue and the first few sketches, but it brought back Stefon who seems like he has been missing for quite a while (John Marbury who usually writes that character has been off working on his pilot for NBC). Bill Hader never fails to entertain as the ridiculous Stefon and this was no different. The club named “Your Mom and I are separating” located in a burnt out Red Lobster is sure to be the hotspot everyone is talking about.

“Sober Caligula” was the obvious low light of the episode. However, I do give them credit for trying a new sketch. If you’ve watched SNL with any regularity you know that when hosts make repeat appearances, they often will pull out the same characters that they know people like and have been successful (Veganville, Dick in a Box), so it was nice to see something new. Of course I wish it’d been a little bit more successful but A for effort and let’s not lie here, there’s nothing wrong with a sketch that features a half-naked Taran Killam.

I would never have thought that Maine Justice would be a recurring sketch. Ever. For good reason. It was great as a one time “this is really weird but oddly entertaining” kind of thing. Coming back? Eh, not so much. Unlike the later sketch with the “not porn stars anymore”, Maine Justice just needs to go ahead and call it a day.

You can sell all the albums in the world and you can star in as many movies as you want; hell, you can be a member of the SNL ‘Five-Timers Club’, but I think we can all agree, you haven’t really “made it” until the Three Amigos introduce you.

“She’s Got a D#*k” was all right. Not much to write home about but it was better than Maine Justice. I did like how Nasim didn’t have a name instead was billed as just an “adorable brunette”.

After a long day, I totally look forward to a glass of “Monica and Chandler” champagne and feel like it’s about time it got a chance to shine. Even though we have a general idea as to what the two idiot former porn stars are going to say, it still is funny as hell. I take that back because at no point did I ever think I’d hear someone tell a story of jerking off a horse on TV. That was a new one.

Overall? Great episode. I do wish they’d tried more original sketches but I understand they were trying to go for that typical cameo filled episode to try to drive up the ratings, and they were successful as more people watched this weekend than have since Charles Barkley hosted last January. I can see them getting close to those numbers with Melissa McCarthy hosting on April 6th because there might be people tuning in to see if Kristin Wiig or Maya Rudolph make cameos. Even if they don’t, McCarthy is a great sketch comedy actress so I’m very much looking forward to that episode.

Until then SNL fans!

SNL: Justin Timberlake Returns – Advertisers Leave…

March 6, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

Whenever Justin Timberlake has a new movie or album or new outlook on life, everyone starts wondering… “when will he be on SNL?” Well thankfully it’s this weekend! As is customary, they’ve filmed and released their promos and it does nothing but make me more excited for this weekend’s show. I’m really looking forward to seeing if they do anything to honor his membership into the “Five-Timers Club”.

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I know I’m not alone, but I wish Timberlake would give up this whole music career thing he’s going for and just join the cast of SNL full time. Wouldn’t that make the world a better place? Solve the hunger problem in America? Stop all wars? No? Well okay then, but still, it would be pretty awesome because nothing makes me happy happy happy like Justin Timberlake on my TV on a Saturday night.

Phil Duck Commander

Sadly, there is a group of people that will likely not be partaking in the fun, as they are still really butt hurt over the “Djesus Uncrossed” sketch that aired during the February 16th episode, hosted by Christoph Waltz. I thought the outrage had calmed down, but apparently the people over at American Family Association have taken it upon themselves to alert SNL advertisers and call for them to pull their ads from the show. If Fox News is to be believed, JcPenney and Sears have done just that.

I find it hard to believe that JcP will bend to the AFA given their reaction to similar group’s response to their hiring of Ellen as their spokesperson but this is a crazy world we live in so, who knows? At the end of the day, none of this really matters because come Saturday night, it’ll be this guy and the ads run during the show won’t have any effect on how awesome it will be.

Justin Timberlake instagram

SNL: 38.14 – Kevin Hart & Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

March 5, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

After last week’s episode was so strong, I figured there would be a bit of a lag this week, and I was right. However, Kevin Hart still made the show entertaining with his earnest efforts and high energy. The show kicked off with a typical politically themed cold open, and it started so slow that I almost just quit watching for a moment. Thankfully I kept with it otherwise I might have missed the most fabulous thing I’ve seen on my television in a while.

Yes, the sequestration is going to hit our country hard, especially the gay sailors, cops, construction workers, and Native American chiefs. Very sad. Very sad indeed. However, their loss is my gain because I could just watch that gif for hours.

While the monologue ran a little long, I loved it. It wasn’t some pointless musical number and Hart didn’t just stand there nervously fumbling his lines, rather he came out and did a stand up bit. The hobo palming some dude’s sandwich at Panera was awesome. Especially when he turned it into his fear of the hobo’s germs when he touched his lip. I was dying. The story of his audition at SNL was good, but not as good but it did what very few monologues I’ve ever seen on SNL do, it told a complete story! There was a beginning, a middle, and an end. Not only that but it had a flow to it and made sense. If I was a creative writing teacher I’d probably be giving him some good marks. I’m not, so I’ll just sit here being impressed.

The Steve Harvey Show sketch is not one that needs to be right after the monologue but this is not the first time this year they’ve done that. Much like the “Girlfriend’s Talk Show”, it just doesn’t have the energy in it to fill that slot. I did like Nasim with the stuffed horse though, no real reason behind it, I apparently am just a fan of watching Nasim Pedrad stand next to large stuffed animals.

You know the minute the camera comes up on Jason Sudeikis as Wolf Blitzer that it’s pretty much guaranteed to be funny. This time “The Situation Room” covered the papal election and I honestly did not see the punchline coming at all. Kevin Hart as Pope Quevenzhane Wallis was hysterical. Complete with her puppy purse and curly hair, perfect.

Kevin Hart makes an adorable little girl turned Pope and his Latin is quite good. Of course having taken Latin in high school, it was like I finally had a little moment where it all paid off. Who needs Spanish when you can spend three years of your adolescent life in preparation for fifteen seconds of an SNL episode? Ego sum homo indeed.

The Verissimo commercial made another appearance as did Bobby Moynihan and Cecily Strong’s worst employees ever. Apparently after leaving their high-powered careers at McDonalds, they found jobs at Barnes and Noble but again find themselves potentially getting fired. I like this bit and these characters because Moynihan and Strong are on point when it comes to timing and delivery of their barbs, but perhaps there needs to be a bit more time in between their appearances. It seems like they did the same exact thing just in different colored shirts.

Weekend Update was great! Most of the headline jokes were good with my favorites being college girls raising their shirts to half mast in memory of ‘Girls Gone Wild’ and of course the baby boom expected in result of the Hurricane Sandy blackouts. I heard a nasty rumor the other day that Seth Meyers was thinking of leaving SNL which got me thinking, who could take over the Weekend Update desk? I don’t think there’s anyone in the cast right now that could do it.

It certainly couldn’t be Bobby Moynihan because then we’d lose a good chunk of what he does so well and that is WU guests. This week he was there as North Korean leader Kim Jung Un with his new best friend Dennis Rodman.

What an odd news story that translated into a great WU bit. Of course Bobby wearing no pants and Jay Pharoah trying to carry him piggy back without accidentally grabbing something he shouldn’t was too funny.

Also funny was the “Really” segment with Kevin Hart. I know there’s been a bit of an outrage over calling all of us Southerners racists but a.) it’s a joke and b.) we don’t really have much of a leg to stand on when it comes to racism in history. I mean come on. Complaining about being the butt of that joke would be on par with complaining that having to avoid the Trail of Tears memorial trail adds ten minutes to your commute time.

I don’t even watch The Walking Dead yet I can tell you that Nasim Pedrad does an awesome Carl. This sketch was funny, to an extent. It was basically the same joke repeated numerous times. Oh and I learned that if being called a racist solely on where you live got people riled up, go ahead and see what happens when you mention something spoilerish of their favorite show. Whoo boy, people are pissed. Of course I’m of the thought that if the show aired more than a couple of weeks ago, either watch it or shut up if you happen upon spoilers. It’s your own damn fault for not keeping up.

“Shark Tank” really had no hope of being funny. The only funny part was Tim Robinson and his “slest”. The sunglasses on a lamp part? Did not work.

If you watched television at all during the 90’s, then you saw exactly what “Z-Shirts” was about. Especially on Nickelodeon which I watched quite a bit of in the 80’s and 90’s (You Can’t Do That On Television and Double Dare mostly). These commercials were loud, obnoxious, colorful, and most often, stupid. Kevin Hart’s screaming “Ist it a F-Shirt?” was perfectly suited to his energy and delivery.

The pre-taped sketch was good on its own, my favorite of the night actually, but when it showed up two sketches later in a nice call back? Love. SNL is not known for those types of techniques so when they do use them it’s really a nice surprise. I’d love to see more of this, much like in the Justin Bieber episode where they had Ellen, a recurring character, be a part of a sketch not centered on her. It’s the little things in life.
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The Dove Chocolate recording session was funny, but it was actually the little “ehh?” Vanessa Bayer puts at the end of each section and then adds it in randomly that was the highlight. I don’t know why but seriously, that had me in stitches. She is one of those people that is really good at finding small things like that and working them in. They aren’t in your face but you can’t help but laugh.

The only thing funny about News 360 was the cameramen, especially Jay Pharoah in the rafters.

Oh, and I forgot about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I’m a fan so I enjoyed it but I wish they’d done “Same Love” instead of “Thrift Shop” (although I realize how ridiculous that is given that it’s “Thrift Shop” that got them on SNL in the first place) especially if they weren’t going to do it live.

I have a feeling the powers that be wouldn’t let them do it live for fear of them forgetting to do a radio edit version because they did come back and do “Can’t Hold Us” live. Recorded or live, there’s no one who can deny that those guys had a good time.

Overall? Wasn’t the best writing, wasn’t the best mix of sketches but it was fun despite it all. I have a feeling the writing will be taken up a notch for next week when Justin Timberlake pulls double duty. Until then SNL fans!

News bit for all those who noticed Don Pardo’s absence, he apparently suffered a broken hip so he’s been out of commission. They did not say when (or god forbid, if) he would return but Darrell Hannah has taken over announcing duties for now.

SNL: 38.13 – Christoph Waltz & Alabama Shakes

February 17, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

After the “let’s just get through this” host that was Justin Bieber, I was really looking forward to this week’s SNL with Christoph Waltz. There’s just something about real actors coming to do the show that makes it worth sitting through the teen idols. Waltz did not disappoint, at all.

Who ate Coco? — Credit to: bloggymoynihan

The cold open was quite strong. I thought they were going to stick with a political open but I was pleasantly surprised when instead the show opened with Jason Sudeikis and Cecily Strong as cruise directors for the ill-fated Carnival Triumph. Unlike last episode’s Super Bowl cold open, the cruise directors were well paced, the rest of the cruise staff was quick and funny, and the jokes were good; sad that this is out of the norm, but it was and it was good. However Ms. Strong, as a daughter of the great city of Mobile, Alabama, it is pronounced “mo-beal” not “mo-bile”. Come on, we are always a little sensitive this time of year, given how no one ever remembers that we were the ones that brought Mardi Gras to America but to not even know how to pronounce our fair city’s name? Well that’s just rude.

As for the monologue, that made me nervous. Here was a great cold open only to have a visibly nervous Christoph Waltz come out and sing. How many musical monologues does that bring us up to for the season? Way too many. I feared that his nervousness would make the rest of the show laborious but thankfully, it was short-lived. Actually you could tell Waltz was battling nerves in many of the sketches but he did a great job despite it.

Game show host Christoph Waltz — Credit to: waltzs

“What Have You Become” has the distinction of probably being my new favorite game show sketch. I would hope that it’d become a recurring sketch but it would be difficult to have the same payoff as the question being turned on the host so I’ll just have to re-watch this one numerous times. Christoph Waltz talking about his overbearing mother making him go to “game show school” was obviously the highlight but almost as good was Aidy Bryant having the chance to say anything about herself and choosing mediocre knitting. Well, mediocre knitting and her bitch of a daughter.

In the first of two pre-recorded bits, Waltz played the retired Pope Benedict. I’m not a retiring pontiff but I was seconds away from setting up a meeting with my local “Papal Securities” office. Something about Jason Sudeikis in a pair of glasses makes me want fork over money.

While I enjoyed seeing Nasim Pedrard getting her own character, Tippy just didn’t do it for me. I respect that it’s difficult to get out of the shadow of a personality such as Kristin Wiig but it’s probably not wise to try to use a character that she would certainly excel at, as a vehicle. That being said, perhaps if it’s a recurring character Nasim can make it her own and work her way out of that shadow. Best of luck.
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The best part of the night was the second pre-recorded sketch, this time a movie trailer for the newest Quentin Tarantino film, Djesus Uncrossed. I am a huge SNL fan and usually laugh pretty heartily at various sketches, but I have not laughed as hard at something in quite some time that I did to this trailer. It was perfect. Anyone who has seen even half a Tarantino film recognized his style immediately, that style being very bloody, and often involving swords. Christoph Waltz was perfect as the freshly resurrected Djesus who sets out to take his revenge on the Romans. If there were any doubts about Taran Killam’s ability to impersonate Brad Pitt, they were put to rest as he did a great job and now I can’t even see the word “Roman” without pronouncing it as “R0-Mans”.

If the sketch itself wasn’t entertaining, the backlash certainly has been. Long story short, people are losing their shit. It has certainly kept my attention this morning and has been quite educational. Apparently if you thought the bit was funny you are either a god-less heathen, atheist, or a “libretard”. Oh and you are most certainly going to hell. I imagine the FCC is fielding their fair share of complaints this morning, and if this compilation of SNL complaints through the years is any indication, they probably make for fun reading. Good times.

By the time the CD commercial came up for the JaMarcus Brothers, the show was on a roll unlike one I’ve seen all year. You could tell that everyone in the cast knew it as well. JaMarcus Brothers was probably one of the funniest “Time Life Music” bits they’ve had in a while, thanks to Waltz as the adopted white virgin. Hysterical.

I’m a huge fan of Alabama Shakes so no surprise that I really enjoyed their two pieces of the night. Brittany Howard is amazing, and I’ve decided that I would like her to follow me around and sing-narrate my life.

Much in line with the rest of the night, Weekend Update was fantastic. No surprise to anyone, Marco Rubio (Taran Killam) made an appearance with his infamous thirst and dedication to maintaining eye contact with the camera. I wouldn’t have pictured Rubio as one to take on a YouTube meme such as the “cinnamon challenge” so you learn something new everyday. I’m waiting for his “Harlem Shake” video to hit the internet.

Kate McKinnon continues her campaign for full cast member status and this week, it came behind the Weekend Update desk. I don’t know if she’s writing these characters herself, or someone is writing for her, but whoever it is, they are hitting it out of the park. Ann Romney and Cecilia Gimenez were both great but they pale in comparison to the Russian woman hoping the meteor was there to turn her into dust so she could be eaten by a goat and finally warm. So good.

If I had to choose to low point of the night? For me it’d be the return of Regine. The only plus to Fred Armisen’s crotch flashing drag sketch is watching the other cast members trying to keep it together. Of course when Bill Hader is involved, there’s not much chance of him keeping a straight face, and this week was no different.

Fox and Friends may seem tired, but it still makes me laugh, no doubt thanks to Bobby Moynihan and his absolutely ridiculous character. He certainly has a talent when it comes to making the dim bulb, Brian Kilmeade, very entertaining to watch. I think we can all agree that it’s about time they start crediting the fourth host of the Fox morning show, Vanessa Bayer’s rack. Woowee she had the girls out for a walk this week!

I probably shouldn’t have enjoyed the “Secret Valentine Admirer” sketch as much as I did. Awkward Christoph Waltz certainly is adorable and the payoff with Keenan Thompson’s reaction to a second “valentine” was great.

Overall? Easily the best episode of the season, if not the best of recent seasons. Even though there are plenty of people pissing and moaning that they are no longer watching the show due to the whole Djesus thing, there were enough of us who loved it that hopefully NBC won’t see any substantial blow-back. It was nice to see the writers taking a step back onto the unsafe and daring ledge, a refreshing change of pace from the somewhat predictable and pedantic.

Next week is a rerun, likely due to the Oscars on Sunday night, but they return on March 2nd with what looks to be a promising episode with host Kevin Hart and musical guest Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Until then SNL fans!

Grizzly Bomb

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