4/7/12: Sofia Vergara/One Direction: I had an inkling Sofia Vergara might host this season, as she seems to be the IT member of the Modern Family cast. I would have preferred Ty Burrell or a return appearance by Ed O’Neill, but Sofia is certainly a capable comedienne. I do fear, though, that the material may descend into ethnic clichés, but SNL seems to do that more with British folk (although, granted, there have been more British than Hispanic hosts).
One Direction? I can understand booking a boy band – if they’re the biggest thing in the world. One Direction might – might – be headed in that direction. They were assembled on The X-Factor – the U.K. X-Factor! Yeah, I suppose they’re aiming to break into the U.S., but SNL isn’t known for breaking this type of band, and I don’t see why they would want to change that. But I’ve heard their song “What Makes You Beautiful,” and … I don’t hate it.
SNL 4/7 Guest Announcements: Reactions
March 17, 2012
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SNL Video Recap March 10, 2012: Jonah Hill/The Shins
March 14, 2012
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SNL Recap March 10, 2012: Jonah Hill/The Shins
March 13, 2012
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Coolio: 1963-3162
Cold Opening – The Rush Limbaugh Show
The gag got old, but there was enough variety such that the laughs had no definitive endpoint. Taran’s Rush was solid; at first, I figured that Bobby would be playing him, and then for about a minute or so, I thought it was Jason. So what I’m saying is, Taran did a good job of playing what I imagine Jason Sudeikis playing Rush Limbaugh would be like. B
Jonah Hill’s Monologue
Jonah does a good job playing pompous. Now that he’s lost weight, maybe he should get fewer lovable schlub roles and more entitled jerks. B
SNL Video Recap March 3, 2012: Lindsay Lohan/Jack White
March 7, 2012
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SNL Recap March 3, 2012: Lindsay Lohan/Jack White
March 5, 2012
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Kristen Wiig!
Cold Opening – Fox Report
After buttering us up for months with all this talk about Mitt Romney’s “human sons,” they finally get their day on screen! In this season’s batch of cookie-cutter Mitt Romney cold opens, the references to his sons have consistently been one of the best moments, so they all shined brightly, whereas Mitt didn’t have much else to talk about otherwise. There was some sort of joke waiting to happen with Kid Rock, but it never did. I must have been too generous to those other Romney cold opens, because this one was better, and I’m giving it about the same grade. B-
Lindsay Lohan’s Monologue
It was quite alarming (pun not initially intended, but accepted) when Lindsay stepped off the stage, and the sirens went off. I really did not know what that was at first. I thought it might have been a fire or a security alarm. Anyway, the references to Lindsay’s past were expected, but the ways in which they went down were surprising and witty. Jimmy’s cameo was expected, Jon Hamm’s was not – thanks for the surprises, and for making them meaningful. A-
SNL 3/3 and 3/10 Guest Announcements: Reactions
February 23, 2012
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3/3/12: Lindsay Lohan/Jack White: I had an inkling at the beginning of the season that Lindsay Lohan might stop by the 30 Rock stage for the first time in six years. I had heard rumblings that she might go for some career rejuvenation in a place where she has had some success before. She hosted three years in a row from 2004-06, right before he career became a complete wreck. Her first stint included some memorable performances, including a well-endowed Hermione Granger and a member of the t.A.T.u.-parody pretend-lesbian group D.A.D.I. But her ’05 and ’06 stints were relatively meh. Apparently, she’s the most sober she’s been in a while, so that should help this go-round.
And SNL books Jack White right on the heels of his solo debut. If there’s anyone who can figure out the weird acoustics of the SNL musical stage, it is he. Check out the documentary It Might Get Loud to see what I am talking about.
3/10/12: Jonah Hill/The Shins: I like Jonah Hill, and I’ve come to like him even more since he has taken on (and acquitted himself quite well in) more dramatic roles. His first time hosting appearance was back in 2008; save for a series of MacGruber’s, he wasn’t really given material worthy of his talents. He definitely deserves another shot.
The Shins are still making music? I thought that they belonged squarely in the first decade of the of the 21st century. I’ll probably enjoy them.
SNL Video Recap February 18, 2012 Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells
February 22, 2012
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SNL Recap February 18, 2012: Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells
February 19, 2012
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As always, Worst in Show went to Ralph.
Cold Opening – New York Sports Now
If this was an accurate representation, then I didn’t realize how Lin-sane these puns have been. Instead of introducing the racial insensitivity aspect, I think I would have preferred if they would have just continued with the punning, which, while not particularly unique, would have been steadily goofy. Instead, it settled into a stale formula. B-
Maya Rudolph’s Monologue
Another singing monologue? Ah, well, I guess it’s Maya. B-
SNL Video Recap February 11, 2012 Zooey Deschanel/Karmin
February 15, 2012
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SNL Recap February 11, 2011: Zooey Deschanel/Karmin
February 12, 2012
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All the dialogue is either whispered or screamed.
Cold Opening – Mitt Romney
I would have been happy if this sketch had only lasted a minute and thus only included Mitt talking about the Super Bowl. When Jason Sudeikis as Mitt Romney talks about football, it is a hoot. I was cracking up through that portion. Then he talked about other stuff. Then a dog kept barking. So, if this sketch had just been the first minute combined with the incessant dog barking, then we would have been good. B-
Zooey Deschanel’s Monologue
At first, I was surprised that recent divorcee Zooey Deschanel was singing a Valentine’s Day song, but then it was about the dark side of Valentine’s Day, and it all made sense. That moment when she twirled her hair was so Zooey. Was that improvised? B+