(S34E15) Bradley Cooper, who are you and what are you doing on Saturday Night Live? I IMDb'd him before watching the episode and despite having seen many of his projects, I still couldn't attach him to anything. Is he best known for something? Or is He's Just Not That Into You his big break-out? Well, regardless, his performance in this episode wasn't mind-blowing, but at least it wasn't cringe-worthy either (exceptions can be considered for the Christian Bale sketch). The writers didn't give him anything terribly exciting and in the end we were left with a pretty forgettable episode. Here are some video highlights.
Cold Open (Reid/Pelosi): Bitter Democrats are inherently funny, so this was pretty amusing. Nothing laugh-out-loud, though.
"The Today Show": These are a little chuckle-worthy, but I'm curious to know if one has to be familiar with that hour of the Today Show to fully enjoy it. I usually have better things to do than watch Kathie Lee Gifford self-destruct int he mornings, like eat cereal and stare at the wall.
"I'm Gonna Have Sex With Your Wife": What? I guess this Bradley Cooper fellow is known for playing assholes. The only mildly amusing part of this was the looks of crushing self-loathing on the husbands' faces.
"I'm On A Boat": After Andy and Jorma teamed up for "Jizzed In My Pants", it was only fair for Akiva to get some starring action too. This song wasn't quite as catchy as "Jizzed In My Pants", but the quality of the video was spectacular. These things just get more and more hilariously professional looking. I also respect the boys for making the most out of these musical connections they have while they're still on SNL. It's going to be infinitely harder to get musical guests like T-Pain when a program isn't practically throwing these opportunities at them week after week. Don't forget The Lonely Island's new album "Incredibad" comes out on the 10th. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hunt down a nautical themed pashmina afghan for maximum stylin'.
"Weekend Update": This week's Update was okay overall. Mark Spitz and James Harrison were all right, but Bjork really made me laugh. I'm surprised SNL doesn't use her more; there's a wealth of crazy in there. Seth taking on the Michael Phelps-themed "Really?!?" was pretty interesting too. It wasn't quite as fun as it was with Amy, but Seth definitely pulled it off. His final call-out to the photographer was perfect. "You're a dick. I mean, really."
"Bad Guys, Good Conversation": This wouldn't have been funny even when the characters were relevant. I did like the modified pictures though, especially Bill Hader's extra-creepy Buffalo Bill one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-08-2009 @ 10:26PM
Tony said...
I thought the episode was mediocre overall. I wasn't expecting much from the no-name host, but that has got to be the least funny monologue ever. It's pretty sad when he had to thank the audience for clapping before they did it. Congrats Bradley Cooper, you're a contender with Michael Phelps as the worst host this season.
What's with the 'sleeping with your wife' sketch? I was waiting for the humor to start the whole time but it never materialized. The only part I found funny during the episode was Bjork.
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2-08-2009 @ 10:31PM
Jimmy said...
Obama is finding out how hard it is to pass socialist legislation in a bipartisan Congress, and Nancy Pelosi is the butt of the joke in the cold open?
Really?!?
Obama admits to screwing up the Daschle appointment, and Seth Meyers goes for a Weekend Update punchline about George Bush?
Really?!?
Michael Phelps gets busted for smoking pot, and they decide to trot out a lame impression of Mark Spitz, who hasn't been relevant for 30 years?
Really?!?
SNL has no balls.
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2-08-2009 @ 10:36PM
Zach said...
I wish the news segment would go back to 2 people. Seth Myers was great with Amy, but he's not so good by himself. And them bringing in guests so he doesn't have to do the entire segment by himself doesn't help much either. I think the new red headed girl would be pretty good. They should try her out there (even though she's still pretty new they probably wouldn't).
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2-08-2009 @ 10:44PM
Mags said...
Bradley Cooper played Jack Bourdain (the lead) of "Kitchen Confidential", the sitcom based on Anthony Bourdain's book, which I would highly recommend watching on Hulu (it got canceled despite hilarity.) It also had John Francis Daley (Post-Freaks and Geeks, Pre-Bones), John Cho (Between Harold and Kumar Movies), etc.
http://www.hulu.com/kitchen-confidential
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2-09-2009 @ 9:12AM
deebopalula said...
DITTO! I loved this series and still regret it's cancellation. Bradley Cooper was great in "Kitchen Confidential" as was the supporting cast. Glad to know it's on Hulu. Thanks!
2-08-2009 @ 11:32PM
Fred said...
Cooper was also on "Alias" for the first couple of season and is perhaps best known, before this, for a supporting part in "The Wedding Crashers." A big part of the opening monologue was about how nobody had really heard of him, and he was only hosting because the other, bigger-name stars in his new movie were unavailable. I like Cooper, and think the show was okay, but I don't think that's untrue.
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2-08-2009 @ 11:49PM
Bill said...
Cooper was also in 2008's biggest oscar snub, Midnight Meat Train, which technically I didn't see and is probably awful, but that's a pretty great title huh? But he was good on Alias (the first 1.5 seasons is something everyone should watch) and Kitchen Confidential.
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2-09-2009 @ 11:23AM
colby said...
MMT is very good from what i've heard from horror folks. Can't wait to see it. Apparently, whoever marketed the flick pulled out at the last minute and screwed over the production co.
2-09-2009 @ 12:30AM
pinsleric said...
Bradley Cooper was, among other things, the villain of Wedding Crashers.
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2-09-2009 @ 2:07AM
Cyantre said...
Whenever I see him I think of his role on Alias.
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2-09-2009 @ 3:46AM
Val said...
"This song wasn't quite as catchy as "Jizzed In My Pants", but the quality of the video was spectacular."
Really?! I thought this song was extremely catchy.. and slightly more hilarious than JIMP video... Adam and Akiva think they are unstoppable because they are on boat.. hilarious! I felt a tiny bit ashamed.. is it me or is the track JAMMIN'?
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2-09-2009 @ 4:24AM
Joe in LA said...
Um, didn't anyone here see that great series, "Jack and Bobby?" That is where we all got to know Bradley Cooper.
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2-09-2009 @ 7:13AM
Ambrose Chapel said...
He's also appeared in Wet Hot American Summer and done other great work with Stella.
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2-09-2009 @ 8:12AM
Tom said...
I think he did as good a job as possible with what he was given. The show was weak, but what do you expect?
I believe that Alec Baldwin is hosting the next episode, so maybe the writers were saving their best stuff for their star host?
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2-09-2009 @ 8:22AM
Chad said...
Tv on the Radio???? Really????
What was that???
Really bad episode!!!!
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2-09-2009 @ 9:25AM
Jason said...
Incredibad is the band, not the name of the album.
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2-09-2009 @ 9:26AM
Jason said...
nevermind... i got that backwards.
2-09-2009 @ 10:29AM
Martin said...
Bill Hader's Buffalo Bill/Ted Levine impression was great, that skit was worth it just to find that out.
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2-09-2009 @ 10:44AM
mterrific said...
I have the complete opposite opinion of the show. I thought is was one of the stonger episodes this season. (Which I guess still isn't saying much) I really liked 'I'm gonna sleep with your wife'. It was just weird enough to be interesting without making me cringe. I think bjork is too easy and i got bored with the character after 45 seconds. Kristin Wiig is awesome though.
'Bad Guys, Good Conversation' was rough but Bill Hader was really funny in it.
It is hard to place Bradley Cooper in your mind, even though he's been is so many things. But he committed to the sketches and I found him fun to watch.
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2-09-2009 @ 12:04PM
Dan said...
Regarding TV on the Radio, I've been a fan for awhile, but I have no clue why they would choose those two songs to play in front of a national audience.
If you don't want to "sell out" to a national crowd, then don't take a gig on a nationally televised show.
Their tracks "Staring at the Sun" & "Wolf Like Me" are amazing tunes.
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