(S31E20) Hiya. This is Annie, filling in for Jonathan Toomey. It's probably better that he didn't get a chance to watch the episode because it was somewhat disappointing. I was expecting the season finale to end with a bang, but that was a really stupid thing to wish. Honestly, I'm not even sure why I was expecting that, because the whole season has been somewhat lackluster. However, this episode has cemented my belief that they need to dump their oldest talent (and Finesse) and immediately bump their Featured Players to full status. The host, Kevin Spacey, did a pretty good job with the material given, which wasn't much. Let's just say I'm not going to be pining for this show over the summer.Anderson Cooper 360° - This cold open featured Seth Meyers back as Anderson Cooper. I remember liking his impression a lot more when he did the Katrina report during the season premiere (hosted by Steve Carell). In that episode, he had the Anderson pout going on, but this time, it was just Seth with grey hair. Anyway, Cooper was doing a report about the situation at the Mexican border. He interviewed Arnold Schwarzenegger about what actions California was taking. It was good to see Darrell Hammond actually doing some work on the show, but he stumbled a few times. His energy hasn't been the same in a long time... I love that guy, but I hope they'll drop him this summer and put him out of his (and our) misery. Cooper also interviewed a soldier (Kenan Thompson) who was stationed there, mighty pleased to be anywhere but Iraq. His Jimmy Buffett reference ("Wasting away again in Not-Iraq!") got the most laughs/cheers, I think. That should say a lot about how strong (or how weak, really) this open was.
Kevin Spacey's Monologue - Ahh, another one of those singing ones. At least this one had a point behind it. Spacey demonstrated all the tricks to become an American Idol star. This was a cute concept, but it was awkwardly executed. I don't think the techies could keep up. The best part of this was Spacey rolling around on the stage (a la Madonna's famed MTV "Like a Virgin" performance), making the "Puerto Rican judge who's always drunk" cry with his sincerity. And no, Paula Abdul is not Puerto Rican. She's Syrian-Brazilian-Canadian-American. I looked it up. Oh, and holding up the fingers for the number to call was a nice touch.
Two A-Holes at a Crime Scene - Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig returned as the two a-holes. This time around, they witnessed a car theft and had to describe the perp to the detective, Spacey. Save for "He looked like Jesus" and "Do you know Inspector Gadget?", this sketch wasn't particularly funny. I liked these characters the past few times, but this one was relatively weaker.
Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball - This was a commercial (but not a commercial-commercial like those pre-taped SNL bits) for Oprah's big get-together for all the women that have ever inspired her. Really, this was just an excuse to see Kenan and Finesse in drag again (poor Finesse didn't get any laughs... What a waste of make-up time). Darrell's John Travolta impression slipped into a Bill Clinton one for a few moments (seriously, someone take him off the show. NOW). The best part was a silent, pointless five-second appearance by Seth and Amy as TomKat.
It's Carol - Carol tried to hook up with Spacey's character ("Oooh! You talk like Hannibal Lecter!") and the usual obnoxious "I'm Caaaarol!" cries ensued. Spacey almost started laughing in the middle of the scene, though. I'm not sure if it was because he thought it was funny or if he could feel his integrity slip down the drain. I liked the joke about modeling for plus-sized coffins, though.
TV Funhouse: All New Presidential Out-Takes - Audio of Bush and company making promises that weren't so promising in hindsight. Characters in the background did spit-takes, finally ending with the levees being one giant spit-take. I laughed out loud at the deer spitting out the water from the river during Bush's speech.
"I Lied!" - Spacey called Andy Samberg to his dressing room to bitch him out for being late. Andy gave a rather lengthy explanation as to why he was late and then apologized by offering Spacey some tickets to see Radiohead. Only after Andy left did Spacey realize that he had fabricated the entire story (and apology) by taking ideas from objects around his dressing room. I thought this was really, really funny, because the items just became more and more absurd. It began rather simply with items like a sandwich from Subway (causing Andy to say that he got stuck on the subway) and ended with totally crazy items, like a the radio and disembodied head. The weirdest one was the full string of items... An 'I" (or was it an actual eye? I can't remember that one), a saw, a ewe, an "I", a piece of felt, a fish gill, and a cup of tea ("I saw you and I felt guilty"). Andy's buddy Jorma from The Lonely Island made an appearance at the very end. They should just get to it and make Jorma a cast member.
Weekend Update - Nothing too remarkable about this edition. Um... Jason Sudeikis popped in as Taylor Hicks. Sooooul Patrol! He promised to continue to "sing from the heart and scare the hell out of children". Tina gloated over the fact that she totally called that Britney Spears would get a huge ass in five years time back when she did WU with Jimmy Fallon. Nothing to be proud of, Tina... Everyone knew that body wouldn't last. Oh, I liked the joke about the Cannes reception of The Da Vinci Code being so bad that Sharon Stone ran in and asked, "Was I in this?!" They randomly brought in Maya Rudolph as Whitney Houston to celebrate Tina's 180th episode. That was about it. [Annie edits: Oh. It was Tina's last show, apparently. Thank goodness.]
The Falconer - The Falconer kept using a time machine (made out of twigs) to go back in time and save Donald from getting shot. This resulted in multiple Falconers popping up. Half of the cast showed up wearing beards and crazy hair. Tall Falconers, short Falconers, lady Falconers, black Falconers... It was a Falconer rainbow. Heh, I actually kind of liked this. I'm not sure if it was because it was getting late or if it was genuinely amusing.
Andy's version of "Jay-walking" - Andy Samberg did his take of Leno's Jay-walking by going on the street and asking people simple questions, preparing to laugh when they answered incorrectly. The fact that everyone knew both the first US president and the current vice president did not stop Andy from laughing in their faces.
"Legends of History" - A profile of the man who invented sarcasm, Phillip Sarc. This sketch was worth a few chuckles... probably because Bill Hader reminded me of that real-life Peter Pan fellow.
Neil Young's new album - Spacey dressed up as Neil Young, promoting his new album, "I Do Not Agree With Many Of This Administration's Policies". He sung samples, including the sure-fire hit "George W. Liar" and a song with special guests the Dixie Chicks and Conor Oberst. Nothing to write home about. I mean, not that I write home when there's a particularly good sketch or anything. You know what I mean.
Nelly Furtado - She performed "Promiscuous" (featuring Timbaland, who's lost a lot of weight) and "Maneater". I miss the old Nelly "I'm Like A Bird" Furtado. Back then, she was kind of cool and... unslutty. Alas, she has been sucked into the world of hip-hop giant collaborations and scantily-clad gyrations.
Sesame Street's 40th: Five biggest controversies
Press Kits Unwrapped: The Prisoner
Ask TV Squad: Eureka, The Prisoner and more!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-21-2006 @ 4:47PM
Marvo said...
I don't think they randomly brought in Maya Rudolph, I think they brought her out because Tina Fey is leaving SNL. Isn't she working on a show for NBC? Also, during the credits, Tina was wearing a shirt that said, "Thank You," which would be an appropriate shirt to wear if you're leaving a show.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 4:59PM
Anna said...
I was disappointed that the writers didn't use any of Spacey's talents as an impressionist. He is remarkable. The only talent they did use was his singing ability- which made for a pretty funny opening monologue.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 5:01PM
Anna said...
Oh- and how nasty was Nelly Furtado? It was like Fergie meets Pussy Cat Dolls.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 5:07PM
Tammy said...
This season has been horrible. Other than a few good digital shorts (which aren't live sketch comedy) I can't remember much that was funny this year. Yup, it was Tina's last show but they didn't make as big of a deal out of it like they did when Jimmy Fallon left. If you didn't know that it was her last show, you wouldn't have gotten the whole Whitney Houston thing.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 5:10PM
Brian said...
I love the A-hole characters, I want to know who thought of them. I thought this appearance was just as good as any of their others.
Also, the "I Lied" sketch was based on the climax scene of The Usual Suspects, which Spacey starred in. A great idea, and some of those objects were too funny.
And I'm pretty sure that everyone answered correctly in the "Andy Walking" part, but he lauughed at them all anyway. I liked that.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good show, a little better than average, and I can hardly wait for the next season and whatever changes it may bring.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 5:42PM
Donna said...
SNL has had one of the worst seasons this past year and I have been watching almost every show since it's debut in the Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, etc. times.---I'm old.
They need new cast members--the young ones are just plain stupid (kind of Beavis and Butthead style) and they need new writers--the material is so idiotic.
And when they are lucky enough to have a star with Kevin Spacey's talents and history, how could they humiliate him so badly to make him play that shit?
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 6:00PM
shawn said...
i liked the "usual suspect" skit, the falconer, and the neil young skit.
the rest was "EH"
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 6:35PM
Clint said...
The "I Lied" sketch was the best of the night. I beg SNL to have more off-the-wall humor like that next year.
There definitely needs to be some major retooling for next year. A lot of the older members need to leave or be shown the door, the much-funnier featured players need to be promoted, Weekend Update needs to be re-thought, and there should be some serious consideration toward shortening the show from 90 minutes to 60. And oh yeah, the cast should be smaller next so the players can gel better.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 6:49PM
Ben said...
I don't understand why people keep going on and on about the Featured Players and how they need to base the show around them and get rid of all the old cast members. I for one don't see the appeal of the digital shorts. None of them has made me laugh at all and they are now relying on them way too heavily with two in every show. Watching them you can tell they come from someone with an Internet background because they are the kind of thing designed to be put on the Internet, not on SNL. The one last night with Andy-Walking was beyond painful to watch. It consisted of exactly one joke that they stretched out way too long. I know that a lot of times the skits on SNL rely too much on a single joke as well, but at least they go somewhere with it. Andy-Walking was just asking people questions and then mugging for the camera over and over and over and over again. The Usual Suspects one was a bit better, but again, as soon as you figured out where they were going with it, the joke stopped being funny. But they kept stretching it out longer and longer until they were spelling out each syllable. This is the kind of thing they would have used to do on the show between skits, only it would last 45 seconds and not 5 minutes. If digital shorts are the future of SNL, then create a digital short program. Have an hour of SNL and then half an hour of the shorts so I can turn my TV off before they come on. Or make an SNL website and show them on there rather than on the show where they already have the Internet audience. All I know is that if digital shorts and the Featured Players are the future of the show, I won't be watching.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 7:14PM
purpleslog said...
The "Peter Pan" link is disturbing.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 7:48PM
Dorv said...
Ben: Because "I'm Carol" just proves that they need to make some changes, quick.
I'll take the "I'm Walking" and "I Lied" sketches over Carol and Debbie Downer any day of the week.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 8:42PM
Bob said...
Wow... tough crowd. I watch SNL regularly.
I though the Falconer sketch last night was one of the best in years. I was in tears.
I didn't like the Carol sketch last night, but I thought the one with Alec Baldwin was a classic.
The digital short was just awful.
Nelly Furtado was looking like a serious hoochie mama during her first set.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 10:16PM
Vanessa said...
Nelly Furtado? I'm sick of those type of musicians. They shouldn't be allowed on the show. I'm so sad about Tina. She said she wasn't leaving. What a liar. Update is going to suck! And now there will be no more Jimmy voice over. And Rach? UGH! Now it's a three woman cast again. Too small. I'm dreading the premiere. I can't bare to watch the new Update.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 11:12PM
Kevin said...
They definately need to make Jorm a Featured Player next year. He's not as goofy as Andy, but he's hilarious and he does have a background in theater.
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 11:22PM
Tammy said...
I laughed at The Falconer, and I was in tears with the "I Lied!" skit. Kevin Spacey's monologue was funny, but everything else was just okay. As for Nelly Furtado, I think there should be a new rule that when women perform in postage-stamp sized clothes, the men they perform with should dress accordingly. No more baggy, comfortable clothes for the men!
Reply
5-21-2006 @ 11:58PM
Jim said...
What qualifications are required to write for TV Squad? More to the point, how can you review the "I Lied" sketch and not acknowledge "The Usual Suspects?"
Anyway, here are some of my thoughts on the episode (and the review):
* To say Kevin Spacey's monologue was "awkwardly executed" is flat-out wrong. He was excellent, and it was refreshing to see a good monolgue for a change. i.e. not one of those dumb Q&A sessions.
* The Oprah skit was not an excuse to see Kenan and Finesse in drag; it was an opportunity to showcase Maya's great impersonation. Kenan mouthing "WTF" was a nice touch.
* Weekend Update was pretty bad. The first three or four jokes were absolute duds; the Taylor Hicks bit didn't work as well as the first time they did it; and the send-off for Tina imploded when the extra characters came on the set.
* The Falconer was great -- probably the best one ever.
* The Neil Young sketch was well-written but probably lost on most viewers, especially with the Bright Eyes impersonation. Maya's cross-eyed Dixie Chick was perfect.
* Nelly Furtado ... wow, she sure has changed. For the worse.
Reply
5-22-2006 @ 12:18AM
Annie Wu said...
#14: I've never seen 'The Usual Suspects'. So... That's how I reviewed the sketch without mentioning it.
And I thought Spacey's monologue was a pretty good concept and I thought he did a great job, but the technical aspects ruined the moments for me. That's why I said, "I don't think the techies could keep up". I didn't say Spacey did poorly.
Reply
5-22-2006 @ 3:04AM
Melissa said...
Why can't people just appreciate SNL for what it is? "Funny" is objective, and varies from person to person. Instead of giving us your biased opinion on whether or not you thought a sketch was funny, give a summary and perhaps a constructive criticism! Reading an entire blog that is made up entirely of your negative views of each sketch, and what wasn't funny about SNL, is disheartening, frustrating, and a complete waste of everyone's time.
Reply
5-22-2006 @ 7:32AM
Rosey said...
While the bulk of the night was again a disappointment, definitely a couple standouts. The Usual Suspects bit with Andy was funny, and I thought The Falconer was REALLY funny. TV Funhouse got a couple chuckles as usual.
Otherwise, yes, not impressed. They definitely need to bring in some better writers, the bulk of live sketch stuff was again pretty sub-par this year. You can't let the couple of digital shorts, like Lazy Sunday (and the Gangsta Rap Natalie) fool you -- the bulk of writing sucked again this season.
Reply
5-22-2006 @ 10:29AM
Jort said...
Horatio flashed a shocker at the end of his Carol segment, nice how they got that past the censors :)
Reply