November 20, 2010
Cold Open—The Rachel Maddow Show. I don’t know if Jim Downey is still writing these, but it seems like the political cold opens are watered down in recent years and “safe”. They used to be the centerpiece of the show; now they just seem like afterthoughts. A lot of it has to do with the fact that Fred Armisen really isn’t an entertaining Obama, in my view. I love Fred, but Lorne would have been better served to sign Keegan Michael Kay, former MadTV actor to play the role.
Monologue— Anne Hathaway. Anne trying to do her monologue and keeps getting interrupted by cast members with sketch change requests for her to get naked. Nothing really special here, looked like it was just thrown together quickly. Fortunately, they spent their creative efforts on making the sketches hilarious this week.
TSA Pre-tape— Very funny stuff. Smart to write this segment when they did since I just saw it get some airtime on The Today Show. Good publicity.
The Miley Cyrus Show— Another good one, but what made this was Hathaway’s Katie Holmes. Spot on. I could see this being a reoccurring sketch every now and then.
Penelope Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen— Kristen was gold again as Penelope. Funny reoccurring character that is growing on me. Wigg is just as important to this cast as Molly Shannon was years before. Hilarious. Side note: Bobby Moynihan was in this and played a homeless guy. I’d like for SNL to give him more character—he is amazing in every role he plays. I see him as a young Artie Lange or Belushi—please don’t screw it up and have him go the way of Horatio Sanz. Bobby can be a big star post-SNL, but they need to showcase him more.
Prince William Engagement— Funniest sketch so far tonight. Now THIS is the kind of stuff I want to see more of! This reminded me of the smart hilarious political type sketches they used to produce during the Mike Myers/Dana Carvey era. I’ve watched this three times and laughed hard each go around. Hader and Armisen were money. “Used to be betta lookin, but still….” “We’re awful peeepoollee!”
Music Break— I miss the days when they had good rock bands play the show, not flavor of the moment pop stuff that will be forgotten in 2 months.
Weekend Update—Bobby had a funny bit as that crazy food network chef. Couple other bits, Chis Hunter Four Loko and the new black guy Jay rapping about Thanksgiving were okay. I just am not a fan of Seth Myers as the Update anchor. I don’t think he has even half the comedic timing of Norm MacDonald. (kind of irrelevant, but I remember how fun Norm’s updates were. Seth’s are cookie cutter and predictable.) Not too sure how he became the head writer, honestly.
The Essentials Wizard of Oz Cutting Room Floor— The Dana Carvey Show did a similar sketch in 1996, and I think MadTV even did one ten years ago. This was hands down the funniest version of it. Armisen as the weathervane was great—I loved this. Another great sketch, thanks to Fred. So far this has been one of the best SNL’s in years.
WXPD News— Herb Welsch celebrating his 60th year in broadcasting played by Bill Hader. Very funny stuff as the old announcer keeps hitting the residents with his microphone and stumbling over what to say. Another sketch that reminded me of the quirky SNL sketches from different eras. Bill Hader carries the show this week with Fred. “I’m not dead you bastards!”
Black Friday Mega Mart—FREE BOX CUTTERS AT THE DOOR! Funny commercial, but I wish Bobby had more high profile roles on this show. This was buried.
Music Break
Horse Play—End of the show stuff, but funny nonetheless. I liked it. Samberg as Robert Smith!
Final Thoughts: Overall one of the best SNL’s in many years. It’s rare when I can honestly say that I liked everything on the show, but I did here—for the most part. The main point of intrest is if they can string consecutive good shows together. That has honestly been their problem. With Robert DeNiro hosting the next live episode, they have a damn good chance to do something special.
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