(S34E23) Wow. Way to go, Will Ferrell. Maybe they should just bring back Saturday Night Live alumni for season finales from now on, because this episode was spectacular. Ferrell brought back some old favorites and a slew of famous faces, from the familiar to the inexplicable, including Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway and Artie Lange. Here are some video highlights from the evening (Hulu vids are US only. Sorry, kids... you can also watch these videos at NBC's website).
Cold Open (Bush/Cheney): Man, who is going to play Dick Cheney after Darrell Hammond's departure? 'Cause you know as soon as Hammond leaves, Cheney's going to find a way to start something crazy, just to spite him. That's how things work. Seeing Will Ferrell's Dubya again was quite good; if you haven't seen his You're Welcome, America HBO special, it's worth checking out.
Monologue: What's extra-tragic about this is that I've been to high school drama festivals where performances go exactly like that and the audiences just eat it up. Or maybe the extra-tragic part of that is that I've been to high school drama festivals, I'm not sure.
The Lawrence Welk Show: I was wondering when they were going to bring back Judice. Of course, her big head and tiny hands weren't as surprising as they were in her first appearance, but this was still marvelous. Ferrell's darting eyes and horrified expressions completely made it.
Celebrity Jeopardy: This was one of the best sketches of the season, I believe. I don't think I've ever seen this sketch fall flat. Tom Hanks was absolutely hilarious, it was great to see Darrell Hammond having an active role in a sketch again, and -- c'mon -- Norm MacDonald's Burt Reynolds. Even "Catch The Semen/These Men" was an instant classic. I also adored Tom Hanks's tiny little callback to his character from an old, old Wayne's World sketch while he tested out his microphone/pen during Final Jeopardy. Also, I don't know why the online videos cut it so weird; Burt Reynolds returns at the very end with Hulk Hands to annoy Alex Trebek for the last time. Was it because it included the official Jeopardy tune?
Weekend Update: Amy Poehler, looking extra-lovely and extra-blonde, dropped in to play Seth Meyers's co-anchor one more time. They also re-prised "Really!?! with Seth and Amy", which was rather nice. And thank God for Harry Caray visiting us from beyond the grave. This character never fails. With all the other surprise cameos in this episode, I'm surprised someone like Jeff Goldblum didn't swing by with Caray.
Funeral: This was an extra-sad version of that Wedding skit from the Hugh Laurie episode. The formula has just the right amount of ridiculousness to make it really work, and Jason Sudeikis's looks of disappointment are always great. Maya Rudolph even came out of nowhere to belt out a nasaly song.
Vietnam: Though there's currently no video for this, I had to mention it. The completely random appearances by Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd were quite lovely. Then there was Artie Lange, who couldn't help but throw his hands up with delight when someone in the audience recognized him. Then, there was Mad Men's Elizabeth Moss, who happens to be Fred Armisen's finacee. Also, also, it was nice to see Seth Meyers in a sketch again, even if it was a wordless appearance.
VEEEET
I'm pretty sure this was Darrell Hammond's super-last show. If this was certainly the case, I'm surprised they didn't do a sketch directly acknowledging it. It's time to go home, Mr. Hammond! You've done plenty; thank you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-17-2009 @ 1:03PM
Jimmy said...
Elisabeth Moss is engaged to Fred Armisen? Huh?
As for the show, Ferrell was very good. I liked all the sketches, and I loved the surreal performance of Goodnight Saigon at the end. A great way to end the season!
My only complaint was the replay the Wade Blasingame commercial. Great stuff -- but it's aired at least a dozen times already.
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5-17-2009 @ 1:10PM
miller980 said...
Oh my god! This episode was awful!! It was deja vu all over again. There was almost nothing original at all. They could have just showed a "Best of Ferrell" episode. Also, what is with the bug people have up their butts about Hammond? He's the only good impressionist they've got.
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5-17-2009 @ 1:10PM
Argus said...
Annie, NBC.com is also U.S. only. Isabelle has pointed out various Canadian avenues to watch U.S. programming. If you're going to mention an alternate way to watch the videos you post, how about one of these. Global TV posts the latest SNL episode the Monday after it finishes, a link to that site could be the same. Its layout appears to be a modification of NBC's, so these things are pretty easy to figure out:
http://www.globaltv.com/entertainment/shows/SaturdayNightLive/video/index.html
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5-17-2009 @ 1:26PM
Joel Keller said...
Argus, I added the NBC.com bit for Annie. Thanks for the link; too bad they don't post the videos until Monday.
5-17-2009 @ 1:26PM
Jennifer said...
Was there no commercial spoof? That's usually what Ferell is best at.
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5-17-2009 @ 1:31PM
HD said...
Yup - quality episode. I don't think it was necessarily the best written or most original episode but it was actually just fun to watch - which is saying something.
I still think SNL would be a better show if they cut a half hour, many of the skits run too long to fill time and stop being funny - I'd like to see:
Cold Open
Guest Monologue
Commercial Parody
Skit #1
Digital Short
Weekend Update
Skit #2
Musical Guest
Skit #3
Goodbyes
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5-17-2009 @ 3:29PM
the greg said...
you mean, like those Thursday shows they do?
5-17-2009 @ 3:27PM
the greg said...
Thank you for mentioning a skit that wasn't a Hulu clip! But, no love for "Mark"?
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5-17-2009 @ 1:58PM
Darsh said...
I loved this episode! Thank you Will Ferrell. He should do a one-man show with his ghost of Harry Caray character. I would pay 100 Angelbucks to see that.
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5-17-2009 @ 2:13PM
surfer said...
Mostly good, but the last ten minutes were one of the most stupid things in SNL memory.
All of Ferrell's characters and they go with Ferrell making fun of a 25 year old Billy Joel song about Vietnam vets? Stupid.
Ferrell singing isn't the instant comedy he thinks it is, either.
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5-17-2009 @ 2:24PM
surfer said...
They also dropped in the WOO lines like "waterboarding is torture", or the Obama buttkiss "Really?" segment, just so some tools in the audience can go "WOO"!
The WOO lines are quite annoying. It's a comedy show not a pep rally. Thanks for nothing, Jon Stewart. Your virus is spreading.
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5-17-2009 @ 2:39PM
Peanut said...
Really? You're going to whine? Really?
5-17-2009 @ 4:17PM
Jimmy said...
Yeah, I forgot to mention that was the worst "Really!?!" segment they've done so far.
5-17-2009 @ 2:49PM
djbuhhda said...
i love kathie lee if you watch good morning america with her and hoda Kotb this is exactly how she acts. *come on wheres the vows?*
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5-17-2009 @ 4:04PM
lisam said...
tvguide.com said Darrell is renegotiating his contract for next season, so I think he's staying.
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5-17-2009 @ 4:03PM
Jojee said...
Was that Ambien commercial for real?!? I thought it was a joke! That many side effects!
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5-17-2009 @ 4:10PM
Jojee said...
Lady sleeps soundly and this is what the voiceover is saying, "When taking Ambien CR, don't drive or operate machinery. Sleepwalking or eating and driving when not fully awake with memory loss for the event as well as abnormal behavior such as being more outgoing or more aggressive as usual, confusion, agitation or hallucinations may occur. Don't take it with alcoholic as it may increase these behaviors. Allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, swelling of you tongue and throat may occur and in rare cases may be fatal. Side effects may occur including next day drowsiness, dizziness and headache. In patients with depression, worsening of depression including risk of suicide may occur. Wake up ready for your day!
I was waiting for Will Farrell to pop out!
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5-17-2009 @ 9:42PM
RobynM said...
Sadly, that spot's 100% legit. Listening to the litany of side effects in some of these commercials makes me wonder if the medications aren't worse than what they're treating.
5-17-2009 @ 8:00PM
Billy Bob said...
Where was the lonely island video you guys said would be there. i think you said it would be for "Boombox"
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5-17-2009 @ 6:04PM
Frantic Monkey said...
Oh man, that Jeopardy segment was pure gold. And Tom Hanks was the funniest I've seen him since this Dragnet/The 'Burbs days. What a great season finale. If only SNL could be this good all the time.
http://hollywoodhubbub.com
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