I like Saturday Night Live's tastes in hosts more this season. The show doesn't stray too far from the mainstream in picking most of them - no one should expect otherwise from one of the longest-running television shows currently on air - but there's more of a focus on people who might do well under the SNL format. Bringing in a few ringers (Justin Timberlake, Alec Baldwin) doesn't hurt either, and it looks like Jeremy Piven will continue the trend of decent hosting choices next week.
The first four episodes of this season had me wondering where the hell the show was going, but so far there hasn't been stunt casting on the level of Lance Armstrong. Around this time last year Peter Sarsgaard's name was the centre of more sketches based on how funny his name was than necessary, and sketches like that are never necessary. If this SNL season isn't an improvement on last season, I'll change my name to Shecky Shabazz.
Bush Cold Opening - Dubya wants to draft anyone with a uniform and/or a gun (anyone - policemen, Civil War reenacters, mailmen, Crips, Bloods etc.) to bolster his troops for the War in Iraq. Stronger-than-usual political cold opening for this season as Jason Sudeikis' Bush is improving. His Dubya is going to be here a while.
Monologue - No one wants to promote Zodiac instead of going for the easier Brokeback Mountain jokes? At least that "gay cowboy" itch was scratched, and Gyllenhaal's performing a song from Dreamgirls wasn't nearly as bad as it should have been. He also didn't look that bad in a dress, not that I'm "that way" or anything.
Deep House Dish - This is worthy of being a lead-off sketch? It's been little more than a month since the last installment. Is this really necessary? Andy Samberg and Kenan Thompson are developing a routine within the sketch's format - Samberg's character T'Shane makes a bad pun and Thompson's DJ Dynasty Handbag shoots it down. The sketch still has a repetitive format (song, interview segment, banter between hosts, repeat) and it just isn't funny. Routine and annoying? More like "rounnoying!" CAN I GET A WHAT WHAT UP TOP, T-BAG?
Bronx Beat - Not a bad trial balloon for a prospective couple of recurring characters, Betty Caruso and Jodi Deitz. This felt a bit too much like Coffee Talk with Linda Richman but without the Yiddish and the references to getting verklempt. It's two ladies, they talk about stuff, the sketch is okay, no big whoop.
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Article comments
1 - Lono
Monologue:
I loved it. It was cool of Gylenhaul to immediately address the elephant in the room... the whole gay thing. I thought he handled it beautifully, by doing the gayest possible bit - a broadway tune in drag. I respect the dude for having the security to prove he isn't gay by referencing his gay movie with a super gay drag scene. I think it was clever because it wasn't the obvious choice.
Lasercats:
Lasercats rules because it is the stupidest thing on the planet. It is even more sophmoric than the Sandler and Breur years. That is what is cool about it. They never pretend for a second that it is good theatre. They take pains to make the special effects insulting to the viewers. Great! If i want real sci-fi I will watch one of the 30 Star Wars movies. SNL's duty is to deliver stupid and silly. Well played.
The rest, as usual, was just ok. As always, the news part is the high point. I was kind of disappointed by the Shins. Though I enjoy their music, that was the most boring performance I have ever seen. I think maybe Beck set a new standard of excellence so high it may not be achieved again for years.
Anyhow, those are my two cents. As always, I watched the show off the DVR on about a 30 minute delay. the purpose is to be able to fast forward through painfully bad skits... like 'Stock Footage Awards'. Funny premise, and the first 60 seconds were clever. After that... it just dragged.
If you ever need a night off from watching SNL, drop me a line. I never ever miss it. Generally, I am only really dazzled about once a show... but those moments are priceless to me.
2 - chantal stone
damn...i'm sorry i missed it
3 - Baronius
I flipped past it twice: they were making fun of Donald Trump and Whitney Houston. I can't imagine anything further from the cutting edge.
4 - Bullopololpopl
I LOVE AFI! someone with no music taste at all would hate afi. you should be shot!
lots of love, Bullopololpopl
5 - sahara
Jake Gyllenhall was BRILLIANT