TVSquad

(S32E18) Scarlett Johansson hosted just over a year ago (January 2006), but I don't remember much from that episode. I only recall the "Lazy Sunday" buzz still going strong, and nothing about Scarlett's performance. I suppose that entire month was a bit of a cupcake-y blur.

I wasn't expecting much from Scarlett this week, so I think she did okay. She was one of those hosts that couldn't tear their eyes away from the cue cards at any time, but at least she made each of her characters varied and fun.

Cold Open ("President Bush on Alberto"): This is the hot topic of government news, so it would be unreasonable them to ignore it. However, this stretched way too long... The never-ending sketch. Plus, it was only mildly funny.

Monologue: Scarlett's dress was amazing... And by "amazing", I mean "incredibly distracting". I suppose they didn't know how to work a final Sanjaya shout-out into a proper sketch before letting him go forever. And how did Andy change his hair so quickly?! The SNL crew really doesn't get enough credit for what they do. Also, that crying girl has been made fun of on so many shows. The poor child is never -- NEVER -- going to be able to live that down.

"Live with Regis and Kelly": Finally, Darrell Hammond is used in an episode like a normal cast member. Lately, they haven't been using him very well, so it was good to see him doing more than one sketch and not playing Donald Trump in any of them. By the way, they didn't make Ivanka's breasts big enough. Those things are terrifying, and I did not feel the same sense of fear when Scarlett walked onscreen.

"Virginiaca": Surprisingly, I really like this character, mainly because Kenan Thompson milks it for all its worth every single time. Scarlett perfectly executed the "coochie ups and downs", too.

"SNL Digital Short: Roy Rules": This sounded a lot like "Sloths!", the Digital Short from a few episodes ago. I think it was the "24/7 69" line that caused me to make that connection. I must commend Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island boys for always managing to say something so incredibly weird that I actually groan out loud. This time it was the "dong as a peg leg" line that did the trick.

"Mike's Marbleopolis": I remembered a similar chandelier sketch from Scarlett's last SNL appearance. Of course, the best part was her bored pointing and "Look at this one. How 'bout that one?", just like last time.



"Michelle for WIIX": Haha, Kristen Wiig does this character extremely well. The look of intense desperation on her face was palpable. There were also some good lines in this sketch... "I don't know what's going on --" "You've got it going on!"

"Weekend Update": Really weak WU. Not even Will Forte's ridiculous singing could save it. "Really!?! with Seth and Amy" was mediocre at best...



"Kuato": Wow. I think Andy Samberg may have written this just to have an excuse to waggle his tongue at Scarlett. I didn't really care much for this sketch, but I definitely laughed when Jason Sudeikis and Kenan Thompson silently and inexplicably wandered in at the final moments to throw up.

"News Makers": Re-enacting viral videos is a very funny idea, but I thought this was a poor way to execute it. Anyone who hasn't seen these videos probably felt so left out, because sketches like this are based solely on that giddy sense of recognition. Mini-mall guy! AHH! Little Superstar! AHH! Star Wars kid! Y'know, that sort of thing.

"Saturday TV Funhouse: Torboto": Uhh... This was good, I guess. I liked how Bush was kind of the voice of reason in this.



Bjork: She was totally insane, as always.

May 12: Oh, wow. SNL alumnus Molly Shannon and Linkin Park. What is this... 2000?

Since Scarlett didn't completely suck, I'll be nice and give this episode a rating of 4 out of 7. That's generosity, folks...