SNL Recap March 3, 2012: Lindsay Lohan/Jack White

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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-

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SNL 3/3 and 3/10 Guest Announcements: Reactions

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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

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SNL Recap February 18, 2012: Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells

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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-

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SNL Video Recap February 11, 2012 Zooey Deschanel/Karmin

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SNL Recap February 11, 2011: Zooey Deschanel/Karmin

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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+

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SNL 2/18 Guest Announcements: Reactions

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2/18/12: Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells: When predicting SNL hosts, one maxim I go by is that stars of TV shows usually don’t host during the first season of their shows.  With Maya now and Zooey Deschanel before her, there will be two stars from hit shows in their 1st seasons two weeks in a row.  Anwyay, this will hardly be a triumphant return for Maya, as she left the cast only four years ago and has had guest appearances on eight shows between then and now, most recently two months ago in the Steve Buscemi/Black Keys episode.  Since Fred Armisen is still in the cast, I’d like to see Nuni and Nuni Schoener.
Thank you for booking Sleigh Bells, SNL.  You pushed me over the edge into realizing that I need to start listening to them.  Following Lana Del Rey, Bon Iver, and Karmin, Sleigh Bells will make it four musical guests in a row that old people have never heard of.

SNL Video Recap February 4, 2012 Channing Tatum/Bon Iver

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My Analysis of Lana Del Rey on SNL

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Here is the be-all, end-all version (for now) of what I have to say regarding Lana Del Rey’s appearance on SNL on 1/14/12:

And for those who have no patience and/or prefer brevity, here is the short version:

SNL Recap February 4, 2011: Channing Tatum/Bon Iver

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Cold Opening – Newt Gingrich: Moon President
It is always gratifying to see something a little unusual, particularly when it comes to political cold opens.  This was a clever idea as well, as it sprang from an actual Newt Gingrich idea.  As for the execution, the jokes were on target, but flatly delivered. B-

Channing Tatum’s Monologue
So often lately, when the hosts interact with “audience members” during the monologue, it can feel so forced.  But as Channing’s past customers, Kristen, Vanessa, Fred, and Andy all actually had something to build a performance around.  Fred’s line, “I’m not sure yet, but you should keep trying” was gold, and Andy’s Yikes-I-better-get-out-of-here reaction was also worth a quick laugh. B

It’s Getting Freaky with Cee-Lo Green
Not even Bill as Colonel Nasty could make this rendition of “It’s Getting Freaky” worthwhile, as he offered little more advice than, “Touch her in the right place.”  He didn’t even laugh enough!  Some of Cee-Lo’s aside comments – “searching for my neck” – were worth a chuckle. C

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