SNL: A Return to Form?

[so sorry]

Haven't watched SNL in years, but I decided to give this season opener a shot. Not too bad. Some moments got me laughing. Loved the cold open. I also loved the T-Mobile commercial because I had the same fucking thought when I saw that commercial! Weekend update was pretty good, too.

Most of it wasn't funny though. And none of it made me laugh the way I used to during the Ferrell era.

Michael Phelps was beyond awful. I literally was cringing when his skits came on. And this was the opening of a new season? Wow... I'm not even sure why I happened to tune in that night, but I know I won't be making that mistake again.

[TheBaxter]

phelps was painful, but snl often has non-actors on who aren't really very good. i thought he did ok whenever he played a character who was really dumb or didn't have to say more than 2 or 3 words in a row.

[Chairman Kaga]

The only athlete I can remember being ok was probably Peyton Manning. Hell half the actors who host are awful so no real surprise that Phelps was painful to watch.

[so sorry]

The only athlete I can remember being ok was probably Peyton Manning. Hell half the actors who host are awful so no real surprise that Phelps was painful to watch.

Kaga, did you watch Phelps? I understand what everyone is saying about how they frequently have non-actors as hosts, and I've seen some real stink bombs too.

But Phelps was beyond bad. And the fact that he is goofy as hell looking and has that lisp amplified his horrendous delivery.


It was bad. real, real bad.

[Chairman Kaga]

The only athlete I can remember being ok was probably Peyton Manning. Hell half the actors who host are awful so no real surprise that Phelps was painful to watch.

Kaga, did you watch Phelps? I understand what everyone is saying about how they frequently have non-actors as hosts, and I've seen some real stink bombs too.

But Phelps was beyond bad. And the fact that he is goofy as hell looking and has that lisp amplified his horrendous delivery.


It was bad. real, real bad.

I saw it and I agree but it was a historic opportunity for them to get such a famed olympian etc. It's no surprise they took it though it dragged down the quality of the show.

[TheBaxter]

bad as he was, i still wish NBC would make "Swimcop" a real show.

[Chairman Kaga]

bad as he was, i still wish NBC would make "Swimcop" a real show.

Didn't they make a show a few years ago a blind cop? Not too far off.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

bad as he was, i still wish NBC would make "Swimcop" a real show.

Or at the very least a running gag on "30 Rock" that NBC did make it a real show.

[King Of Nowhere]

The Killers were pretty bad on last week's show.
Flowers seemed like he was struggling with the vocals.

I dunno if it's just the angle of the riser or what, but one very show this year, no matter what band is playing, the drummers looks like they are in some serious in pain.

Aside from the Palin/Biden debate & weekend update, it wasn't particularly funny.

[Fievel]

I thought the Mary Poppins sketch was hilarious.

Regardless, I'm getting sick of watching everyone reading their lines.
They look like pathetic wannabes playing in the playground of Hartman, Belushi, Murphy, etc.

[King Of Nowhere]

True.

Kenan tries to hide it a lot, which just makes it more obvious when he does look at the cards/auto cue/whatevs.
You'd think they would memorize the stuff.
Especially thing like the Lawrence Welk & Marry Poppins sketches, cause you know that those haven't went through drastic re-writes all week.

[Leckomaniac]

Mark Wahlberg talks to animals is gold. Pure gold. I have no idea why I found it so funny, but I have watched it constantly on Hulu and it gets me every time.

[TheBaxter]

mark wahlberg talks to animals was great. a lot better than "mark wahlberg talks to plants", errr i mean, The Happening.
and anne hathaway is hawt.

[so sorry]

Mark Wahlberg talks to animals is gold. Pure gold. I have no idea why I found it so funny, but I have watched it constantly on Hulu and it gets me every time.

Holy fuck, that WAS funny!

[Leckomaniac]

Opening sketch was funny. Bill Murray was great, but that hit a little too close to home for me.

McCain walking in front of the camera was great.

[Fievel]

Too much news.
Keenan needs to go.

[Leckomaniac]

Too much news.
Keenan needs to go.

I think Seth Meyers has done a wonderful job with the news this season, today included. His jokes nailed.

I agree, Keenan is worthless (although his "Smart birds" line did have me laughing a few weeks ago). But the absolute biggest drag on SNL...Amy Poehler. Seriously, she is horrendous. I haven't watched the show in years, but from all I have seen this season she is about as funny as Gallagher. Check that, at least he had watermelon.

Overall, dug this special even though it seemed sort of pointless. Still, the opening sketch had moments and Seth Meyers half of weekend update was a definite plus.

[Fievel]

I'm hoping they give Meyers the news by himself after Poehler leaves in November.


My favorite SNL newspeople:

1. Dennis Miller
2. Chevy Chase
3. Norm MacDonald

Least Favorite:

1. Colin Quinn
2. Jimmy Fallon
3. Kevin Nealon

[Leckomaniac]

I'm hoping they give Meyers the news by himself after Poehler leaves in November.


My favorite SNL newspeople:

1. Dennis Miller
2. Chevy Chase
3. Norm MacDonald

Least Favorite:

1. Colin Quinn
2. Jimmy Fallon
3. Kevin Nealon

Whoa! You are like, in my head, my brother and I just had a 30 minute conversation about how we wish Meyers would be given the desk solo when Poehler leaves.

[Fievel]

The Palin Rap tonight was probably the funniest thing I've seen on this show in years.

[Fievel]

Wow....

The First Child of a Former Cast Member Has Been Cast!

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Wow....

The First Child of a Former Cast Member Has Been Cast!

Whoa, how did Chris Elliot make this?

dibs!

[Fievel]

This past week's episode, with Will Ferrell hosting, was the best episode (front-to-back) that I've seen in years.
Highlights included CELEBRITY JEOPARDY!!!!!!! I also liked the Goodnight Saigon skit.

I have a feeling that Darrell Hammond is leaving. He was in a LOT of skits this past week compared to normal.
Either that or they just loaded him up since his former castmate was hosting.

[TheBaxter]

i haven't watched this weekends SNL premiere yet (it's still waiting on the tivo) but apparently this happened

nice way to start off your first SNL, dumbass.

[Leckomaniac]

I enjoyed that opening sketch riffing on Gadfly Gaddafi's speech at the UN. It certainly was gutsy to have the first sketch be one where the VO was the comedy.

I only saw snippets of the rest and it looked like the same old crap. They need to rid themselves of Keenan. That guy hasn't even rubbed up against funny since he has been on the show.

And what was with U2 playing a THIRD song over the credits? Is that a recent thing or is that new?

[Fievel]

Keenan Thompson's What Up With That sketch is really, REALLY stupid.......

.....but I end up laughing at it anyways. Mostly because of Jason Sudekis, his costume, and his dancing.

[Ribbons]

Betty White to host SNL?

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/44236

[buster00]

Betty White on "SNL" is going to be so saucy! She'll be playing against type!

We haven't seen Betty White's naughty side since Lake Placid!

And "Boston Legal!" And "That 70's Show!"

And The Comedy Central Roasts!

And Bringing Down the House! And The Proposal!

And countless Craig Ferguson appearances! And that Snickers ad during the Super Bowl!

Leave it to "SNL" to break new comedy ground!

[Fievel]

Ageist!

[DerLanghaarige]

Betty White on "SNL" is going to be so saucy! She'll be playing against type!

We haven't seen Betty White's naughty side since Lake Placid!

And "Boston Legal!" And "That 70's Show!"

And The Comedy Central Roasts!

And Bringing Down the House! And The Proposal!

And countless Craig Ferguson appearances! And that Snickers ad during the Super Bowl!

Leave it to "SNL" to break new comedy ground!

Yeah, but she will be definitely a better host than Jennifer Lopez, Seth Rogen or who else they let into the studio these days. I still hope for a quick return of Christopher Walken, though.

[Fievel]

Zack Galifinakis was pretty good last week. I laughed at just everything he was in.
And I also liked.... ummm... well... yeah, Galifinakis was pretty good.

Jude Law and Pearl Jam tonight. Not sure if I'll watch it, but it has potential.
I wonder if they'll make and Stewie from Family Guy jokes with Law.

[Fievel]

Did anyone watch last week's episode with Galifinakis?

I did and just now watched the clips on Herc's page.

The bottom clip shocked the shit out of me.
I had decided after watching the final sketch and then the farewell comments live last week that Zack's beard was fake the whole time.
I figured it was just a really well set fake beard that he had been wearing the whole time.
I thought that during the farewell comments that it really looked fake, but just assumed then that it had been fake the whole time.

[TheBaxter]

this weekend's betty white episode was the funniest SNL in years

[minstrel]

this weekend's betty white episode was the funniest SNL in years

"She's a LESBIAN" ... "She's a LESBIAN" ... "You're barking up the wrong LESBIAN" ...

Hee hee!

[so sorry]

this weekend's betty white episode was the funniest SNL in years

Really? I mean REALLY?

[TheBaxter]

that one macgruber skit, where he asks his grandmother to marry him, it reminded me of this story

[so sorry]

But seriously, this episode was no better or worse than any other IMO. I did like the census skit though.

[TheBaxter]

i think the difference between this episode and previous episodes this season, is that this episode actually made me laugh more than just once or twice

[MacCready]

"Happy Mothers Day, mother f#@kers...." How do you not laugh at that? Betty, you a naughty gurl.

[Nachokoolaid]

Wizard of ASS!!!

Yeah, I also laughed significantly more at this episode than any other in about 5 years or so.

But I will admit, I was a little disappointed that since White had some disparaging remarks about Sarah Palin in real life that the show didn't take advantage of a perfect situation with Fey making a return this week. I think that could have been cool. Something as simple as Palin interrupting her opening monologue and having White grab a guitar from one of the band members and whacking her with it would have sufficed. Oh well.

[TheBaxter]

i didn't know betty white had said something derogatory about sarah palin. that makes me like her even more.

[Ribbons]

"Great Day":

[so sorry]

"Great Day":

OK that was pretty funny!

[Fievel]

Wow I laughed at that!
The Digital Shorts have become he most consistently funny thing on that show.

[TheButcher]

From Variety:
Don Pardo calling it a night? - Voice of 'SNL' looking to step down

Legendary announcer Don Pardo may finally have his Saturday nights back.

It's believed that Pardo is looking at stepping down after 35 years as the voice of "Saturday Night Live."

Pardo, of course, first retired in 2004, but was convinced to come back. He also announced his retirement in 2009, only to return to announce the show's 2009-2010 season. Until next week's 35th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live," anything's possible.

But for now, many believe that Pardo, at age 92, is ready to call it a good night.

Pardo travels each week to New York from his Arizona home to announce the show. Should Pardo once again decide to return to "SNL," his other options include cutting the plane ride and instead doing voiceovers via a home studio (something he tried briefly in 2006).

Pardo has served as a good luck charm of sorts to "Saturday Night Live" exec producer Lorne Michaels. Pardo was there from the first show, and other than a brief period in the early 1980s (when Michaels had departed as well), he has been the show's announcer ever since.

Pardo became the first announcer to be inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame, an honor he received earlier this year. His credits also include shows from the early days of television, such as "The Jonathan Winters Show," on to game shows like the original versions of "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy."

Pardo has also been seen occasionally on screen on "SNL" (participating in a famous 1976 Frank Zappa music performance, for example). Recently, he was seen in an episode of "30 Rock."

Pardo first joined NBC as an in-house announcer in 1944.

[Fievel]

92.... the man is a machine!!! I wondered what happened last year. I remember reading that he retired before the '09-'10 season but then heard the familiar voice every Saturday night. I had read somewhere that Darryl Hammond had subbed a few times, imitating Pardo's voice, when Pardo was ill. Hammond hasn't done anything in TV or film since leaving SNL*... maybe he could replace him eventually?


*according to the horribly redesigned IMDB.

[TheButcher]

Cookie Monster should host Saturday Night Live!:
Sesame Street: Cookie Monster Auditions for Saturday Night Live:

[so sorry]

So I was flipping thru the channels saturday night and turned this on. It was a Paul Rudd skit that involved him bringing his girlfriend home for christmas. And it involved him making out with his:mother, father, brother, aunt and uncle. It was disgusting. Like really gross. And not in a 'because its two men kissing' way either. Just straight up grossness.

[TheBaxter]

So I was flipping thru the channels saturday night and turned this on. It was a Paul Rudd skit that involved him bringing his girlfriend home for christmas. And it involved him making out with his:mother, father, brother, aunt and uncle. It was disgusting. Like really gross. And not in a 'because its two men kissing' way either. Just straight up grossness.

the worst thing is that it's a recurring sketch. they've done the same exact sketch 3 or 4 times before. it's a one-joke sketch, if that can be considered a joke. just a tired attempt to be "shocking" when trying to be shocking on network tv these days is pretty pointless.

when they have to rely on the same lame bits over and over that weren't even funny the first time, it just goes to show how creatively bankrupt snl is. or, as herc would say, "the bestest, most funniest tv show EVAR!!!"

[Fievel]

Jim Carrey is on tonight. Holy shit does he look old.
All that time crying with his ex-girlfriend for children whose autism was caused by the MMR vaccine really took its toll.


.....not to mention that they were completely worthless tears. As worthless as his ex-girlfriend.

But seriously, Carrey looks like shit when the camera is zoomed in on his face. (Even more than the average human looks like shit when the camera is zoomed in on their face). Crow's feet? Shit. Dude's got the Million Feather March goin' on there.