Blogcritics: Comments on Tonight's Episode of SNL: Running Commentary

Comment by va

Fri, 24 Oct 2003 13:35:46 EDT

"I'm packin' my suitcase! I'll be there soooon!" "Rocket...."

Comment by Natalie Davis

Fri, 24 Oct 2003 00:12:18 EDT

Oh, snap: Just saw a promo on NBC. This Saturday, SNL presents "The Best of Tracy Morgan." Is that going to be a special half hour version of the program? Sorry -- I kid because I love. Seriously, that means BRIAN FELLOWS! And Astronaut Jones! It's gotta be better than the Halle Berry ep.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:38:44 EDT

I just call her Xtina. Easy to spell, and certainly simpler than remembering how many Rs belong in dirrrrty.

Comment by Temple A. Stark

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:25:10 EDT

Glad I didn't bother. I have a downloaded MPG version of that Britney-Madonna-Aguilera-Elliott MTV moment and it is actually a great production - except when the kiss comes when it seems awkward and contrived. Remember kids - when wanting to spell Aguilera just rember the guile. (I had to look it up)

Comment by viv

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 13:27:15 EDT

Ah. Bring back Justin indeed.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 13:24:13 EDT

"[A]s many a "fan" will tell you, she can't be expected to sing AND dance - because, you know, no one's ever been able to pull off that feat live." Heh. Gotta love those "fans." I'd say to them: Tell that to Hugh Jackman, who is singing, dancing, leaping, high-kicking, shaking his moneymaker and more -- simultaneously and brilliantly -- in Broadway's "The Boy from Oz." The show may be a bit lightweight, but he is a real talent, unlike Ms. Spears (who did look good, but then, Jackman is way better-looking). And yes, Halle was MUCH better on Letterman's show. I think you are right about having to be shameless -- completely open to doing anything and potentially making as ass of yourself -- to do well on SNL. Then again, working with Dave is probably more inspiring than working with many of those in the often uninspired SNL cast. I miss Ferrell (most of all), I miss Kattan, and *man*, do I miss Brian Fellows!

Comment by Jim Carruthers

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:33:49 EDT

"Uh, Britney? Madonna called and said you were only supposed to try out her act, not keep it. She wants it back." Isn't Britney, like, over? Last night's SNL was filler (and disappointing given how H-O-Triple T" Halle Berry was on Letterman this week. It was a typical "watch until the end of Weekend Update" and go to sleep.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:29:20 EDT

thanks Viv, glad to have you back

Comment by Eric Olsen

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 12:28:36 EDT

Pretty dispiriting episode - Britney should have hosted, she's good at that. Many a fine actor has a hard time with the "no kidding live" aspect of the show - remember how bad DeNiro was? I love Halle and there is no one hotter, but she wasn't shameless enough - I think that's the key. No doubt about the Britney lip-sync - there were no background singers, the mix was perfect, no loud breathing as she hopped around like a spastic android. It isn't a bad song - interestign that she hooked up with Tricky. I did a Britney/Justin story for MSNBC that I thought was running Friday but I guess it'll be tomorrow.

Comment by Tom Johnson

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 10:39:24 EDT

That was a pretty bad SNL. The show's struggling without any strong character players anymore. And yes, Tracy Morgan left last season along with Will Ferrel, sadly. I always loved Astronaut Jones. Britney was indeed lip-syncing - and rather badly - on her first song. I was very surprised to see her actually sing the second one, but, as many a "fan" will tell you, she can't be expected to sing AND dance - because, you know, no one's ever been able to pull off that feat live. I suspect she doesn't sing her more active songs live because her voice is pretty weak and thin (the second song sounded like it was pretty much exhibiting her entire range) and is bolstered in the studio by a slew of computers and software designed to keep her voice on key at all times, and so reliant on it is she that she cannot perform vocally live. But hey, she looked great, and that's all that really matters, right?

Comment by Natalie Davis

Sun, 19 Oct 2003 09:21:56 EDT

I found the show an almost complete waste of time. Tina Fey would be one exception. Britney was OK, but yes, a strange amalgam of Michael and Janet Jackson. Her second song sucked. (I suspect she was lip-syncing the first one.) The sushi-restaurant skit was completely loathsome and unfunny, IMO. What in the world moved them to build a skit around Halle Berry's horrid film BAPS? Even the actor said she only did that film for the money. And Halle... she appeared uninspired, listless, and way too dependent on cue cards. I was glad, in a way, that she and Britney didn't smooch, but by show end, I wished that they had, because at least that would have been something interesting for her to do. I can't even recall how many times this thought ran through my mind: Bring back Justin!