When I began seriously following Saturday Night Live, it was during an era that featured a memorable cast, and a memorably bad Weekend Update anchor. For much of SNL‘s history, Weekend Update has been a safe bet for some solid laughs in case the rest of the show was not up to snuff. But from January 1998 to May 2000, it was always a struggle to get through. Lately, though, I have begun to wonder: was Colin Quinn really as bad as I originally thought? VH1 has begun airing SNL repeats, and I caught a few late nineties episodes, and, since Colin does not deserved to be lied to, I must admit that I did laugh a few times.
Maybe it is just a relief to watch somebody at the Update desk who is not current anchor Seth Meyers, the worst Weekend Update anchor (long-term anchor, anyway) of all time, whereas when Colin’s episodes originally aired, he was preceded by the best anchor in the show’s history (Norm MacDonald) and followed by the vibrant and energetic duo of Fey and Fallon. While comparisons to Colin’s chronological neighbors could only be unfavorable to him, Seth’s notorious run has made it clear that it could have been worse. Whereas Seth displays no ability (or interest) in interacting with the audience, such a skill was an unquestioned necessity during Colin’s time. Colin never pulled off such interactions on Norm’s level, but now that I have given him a second look, I realize that what he could pull off made him endearing. He never did settle into a comfortable rhythm with the timing of his Update jokes, and he knew it. He also knew that there is a give-and-take between performer and audience on live TV, particularly in a format as intimate as reciting the news. So he bartered with the crowd, asking that they allow his dumb punchlines and plainly blunt delivery and just enjoy themselves. And boy, were a lot of his jokes dumb. But then he would make a goofy face, I would laugh, and I would have to wonder if that dumbness was the point in the first place.
This appears to be a case in which you cannot fully know something until you hold it up against its opposite, or a bad version of the same. Seth Meyers needs to vacate the Update desk immediately or dramatically improve, and if he wants to improve, he could learn a thing or two from, of all people, Colin Quinn.
Rethinking Colin Quinn, Weekend Update Anchor
December 17, 2010
Saturday Night Live, Television Leave a comment
SNL Recap December 11, 2010: Paul Rudd/Paul McCartney
December 13, 2010
Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd, Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live Season 36, SNL, SNL Season 36 1 Comment
A Message from the President of the United States
And is this what the world (or just the country) has come to? B
Paul Rudd’s Monologue
Good-natured, but too short. Jeez, let a premise develop, why don’t ya? B
Feline Culinary Creations
I’ll allow it, since it didn’t last very long, but it didn’t do very much. C+
VH1 Top 20 Countdown – 12/11/10
December 11, 2010
Music, Television, VH1 Top 20 Countdown Leave a comment
Why is “Please Don’t Go” moving up so high? It is no “Cooler Than Me.”
Also, this countdown features two of the most unnotable American Idol winners.
Original Version
1. Katy Perry – “Firework”
2. P!nk – “Raise Your Glass”
3. Mike Posner – “Please Don’t Go”
4. Nicki Minaj – “Right Thru Me”
5. Christina Perri – “Jar of Hearts”
6. Bruno Mars – “Grenade”
7. Nelly – “Just a Dream”
8. Kid Rock – “Born Free”
9. Rihanna – “Only Girl (in the World)”
10. The Script – “For the First Time”
11. Linkin Park – “Waiting for the End”
12. Lee DeWyze – “Sweet Serendipity”
13. Trey Songz ft. Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”
14. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – “Paris (Ooh La La)”
15. Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
16. Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”
17. Jason Derülo – “What If”
18. Maroon 5 – “Give a Little More”
19. Fantasia – “I’m Doin’ Me”
20. Mumford & Sons – “The Cave”
Jmunney’s Revision
1. Only Girl (in the World)
2. Paris (Ooh La La)
3. Right Thru Me
4. The Cave
5. Jar of Hearts
6. Firework
7. Waiting for the End
8. Grenade
9. Please Don’t Go
10. What If
11. Give a Little More
12. For the First Time
13. Born Free
14. I’m Doin’ Me
15. Pretty Girl Rock
16. Sweet Serendipity
17. Stuck Like Glue
18. Just a Dream
19. Raise Your Glass
20. Bottoms Up
SNL Recap December 4, 2010: Robert De Niro/Diddy-Dirty Money
December 5, 2010
Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television Diddy-Dirty Money, Robert De Niro, Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live Season 36, SNL, SNL Season 36 Leave a comment
Cold Opening – WikiLeaks TMZ
The cold opening should always be reliable, and Bill Hader playing someone with an English (actually Australian in this case) accent is certainly reliable. I don’t know if Julian Assange is anything like the way Bill played him, but the accent allowed him to be in his comfort zone. This worked best when the political figures had no idea why the cameras were following them, and thus, the first bit, with Fred as Qaddafi, was the funniest. B+
Robert De Niro’s Monologue
I was watching De Niro’s first appearance as host recently, and in that monologue, he looked incredibly stiff. It barely lasted a minute; it looked like he couldn’t wait for it to be over. This time, he was actually willing to be funny. And scary at the same time. Damn straight New York is the home of EPCOT. A-
VH1 Top 20 Countdown – 12/4/10
December 4, 2010
Music, Television, VH1 Top 20 Countdown Leave a comment
A slight change of opinion on my part allows P!nk to avoid a distinction previously accomplished only by Daughtry.
Original Version
1. P!nk – “Raise Your Glass”
2. Katy Perry – “Firework”
3. Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are”
4. Christina Perri – “Jar of Hearts”
5. Mike Posner – “Please Don’t Go”
6. Nicki Minaj – “Right Thru Me”
7. Kid Rock – “Born Free”
8. Rihanna – “Only Girl (in the World)”
9. Linkin Park – “Waiting for the End”
10. Bruno Mars – “Grenade”
11. Kings of Leon – “Radioactive”
12. Trey Songz ft. Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”
13. Lee DeWyze – “Sweet Serendipity”
14. The Script – “For the First Time”
15. Nelly – “Just a Dream”
16. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – “Paris (Ooh La La)”
17. Maroon 5 – “Give a Little More”
18. Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”
19. Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
20. Jason Derülo – “What If”
Jmunney’s Revision
1. Only Girl (in the World)
2. Radioactive
3. Paris (Ooh La La)
4. Firework
5. Jar of Hearts
6. Waiting for the End
7. Just the Way You Are
8. Grenade
9. Right Thru Me
10. Please Don’t Go
11. What If
12. Give a Little More
13. For the First Time
14. Born Free
15. Pretty Girl Rock
16. Sweet Serendipity
17. Stuck Like Glue
18. Just a Dream
19. Raise Your Glass
20. Bottoms Up
Oscar Projections Addendum
December 3, 2010
Cinema, Oscars Leave a comment
A bit of a revision to my Oscar post from yesterday. Regarding Visual Effects, I completely forgot to consider Tron: Legacy, which could very well blow away the two contenders that I mentioned – Hereafter and Inception. As for Makeup, I really don’t know if Inception is the top contender or not (or if it is even a contender at all). All I had to go on for this category was what awardsdaily.com – one of my main sources for Oscar news – had to offer, and according to the folks over there, only Inception and Shutter Island have been targeted as Makeup contenders so far.
Upcoming Blog Posts
December 2, 2010
Loyal readers of Jmunney’s Blog, I feel that I ought to update you on what topics I am planning to blog on in the near future. I do this so that you have the chance to offer me advice on what direction I should take these posts and so that I have the opportunity to hear this advice. Also, if there are any pop cultural topics that I have not thought of that you would like to hear my musings on, let me know.
Near Future Posts
-Reconsidering Colin Quinn, Weekend Update Anchor
-Year-End Roundup:
-Best Movies of 2010
-Best in Music 2010 (Best Songs of the Year, Most Awesomely Bad Song(s) of the Year, Best Music Videos of the Year)
(Any other year-end roundup topics I should cover?)
Undetermined Future Posts, Part 1: Some Research Necessary
–TV Shows That Entertainment Weekly Has Led Me to Believe are the Best Show Ever
-My Favorite Songs of All Time
-Good Songs That I Used to Think Were Bad
-My Favorite Linkin Park Songs to Sing
-My Celebrity Crushes
-Moments from Working at the Movie Theatre That Have Surprised Me
-The Best Bands Without Any Songs in Rock Band/Guitar Hero
Undetermined Future Posts, Part 2: Major Research Necessary
-The Best Lost Scenes
-The Best Music Videos of the (Aught) Decade
-Recaps of Every SNL Season
Jmunney’s Early 2010 Oscar Projections
December 2, 2010
The big Academy Awards prognosticators have already switched it into high gear in predicting the nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards, which will take place on ABC the night of Sunday, February 27, 2011, with co-hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway (unusual choices, but judging by their performances as hosts of Saturday Night Live, I think that they will be able to handle the proceedings). So I figured it is time for me to add my early perspective. Here are my predictions for the nominees in the six major categories (predicted winners are in bold):
Best Picture
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Don’t count out Inception, the movie everyone was talking about this summer, and things could change completely once The King’s Speech goes into wide release, but right now, Social Network, the best-reviewed movie of the year, is the front-runner.
Also with a chance: Winter’s Bone
Director
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Danny Boyle, 127 Hours
David Fincher, The Social Network
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
Christopher Nolan, Inception
Fincher has the edge over Nolan in a battle between two directors who should have been nominated more often than they have been (this’ll be Fincher’s second, Nolan’s first).
Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception
Michael Douglas, Solitary Man
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
The surest bet of the awards season appears to be Firth gobbling up every major lead acting accolade.
Also with a chance: Javier Bardem, Biutiful
Actress
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Julianne Moore, The Kids Are All Right
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Winter’s Bone is too small, and the Kids leads may cancel each other out, which moves victory to Portman’s direction.
Also with a chance: Noomi Rapace, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, The Fighter
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Armie Hammer, The Social Network
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
Justin Timberlake, The Social Network
In a crowded field, the best bet is the new Peter Parker for being, as Entertainment Weekly Oscar Watcher Dave Karger calls him, “the … moral center” of The Social Network.
Also with a chance: Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Supporting Actress
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
Barbara Hershey, Black Swan
Mila Kunis, Black Swan
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
This category is a little difficult, as none of my picks are in movies that are yet in wide release. This could come down to a battle of scary moms (Hershey, Leo) versus the Queen Mum (Bonham Carter), but this category’s history of awarding young newcomers bodes well for 13-year-old Hailee Steinfeld.
Also with a chance: Amy Adams, The Fighter
As for the other categories…
Adapted Screenplay
Aaron Sorkin (Social Network) is one of the most beloved screenwriters in the biz today.
Original Screenplay
The speechwriting of David Seidler (The King’s Speech) or the layered puzzle from Christopher Nolan (Inception)? This looks about dead even right now, so I’ll go with Nolan.
Editing
Unless The Social Network wins everything, Lee Smith ought to be recognized for keeping everything well-timed and in the right place for Inception.
Cinematography
How about Christopher Nolan standby Wally Pfister (Inception) picking up his first win?
Animated Feature
Too bad for How to Train Your Dragon, Despicable Me, and Tangled that they were released the same year as Toy Story 3.
Art Direction
With a lack of any viable colorful nominees, we must look for something expansive and chalk up another victory for Inception.
Costume Design
When nothing else sticks out, go period – The King’s Speech.
Documentary Feature
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work and Facebook mystery Catfish were surprisngly left off the list of semifinalists, but Inside Job, the tale of the financial meltdown, was always going to be the favorite, with Waiting for “Superman” providing some competition.
Foreign Language Film
Lead Actor candidate Javier Bardem could propel Mexico’s Biutufil to a win.
Makeup
Inception, apparently.
Original Score
If you’re looking for iconic, look no further than Hans Zimmer’s bludgeoning work for Inception, but don’t count out Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor’s dark atmospherics in The Social Network.
Song
I’ve got “The Clap” from Get Him to the Greek.
Sound Mixing and Editing
Inception should sweep up the technical categories.
Visual Effects
Inception will have a chance if old-fashioned camera tricks are considered as much as CGI; otherwise, Hereafter should win on the strength of the tidal wave sequence.
Animated Short
Probably something from Pixar. Maybe Day and Night (not to be confused with Knight and Day), which played in theatres before Toy Story 3.
Documentary Short
Maybe something about China.
Live-Action Short
Maybe something about somebody with cancer.
The Weather Channel
November 29, 2010
I frequently find myself watching the Weather Channel. I come for the updates on current and upcoming conditions, but I stay for the music. Typically, it is just that elevator music-style jazz, but occasionally I am treated to something like the Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” or “Theme from Shaft.” But even when one of those rarities is not playing, the light jazz is enough to keep me around in a soothing, meditative daze. There is a slightly melancholy feel to it – a sense that this is Life, this is Truth. At that moment, it feels like the 3-hour Doppler loop is all that needs to be known. Everything for those 5 to 10 minutes is simple and comforting.
VH1 Top 20 Countdown – 11/27/10
November 27, 2010
Music, Television, VH1 Top 20 Countdown Leave a comment
The Perry(i) sisters are 1-2!
Original Version
1. Katy Perry – Firework
2. Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts
3. Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
4. Rihanna – Only Girl (in the World)
5. P!nk – Raise Your Glass
6. Mike Posner – Please Don’t Go
7. Nicki Minaj – Right Thru Me
8. Michael Bublé – Hollywood
9. Linkin Park – Waiting for the End
10. Trey Songz ft. Nicki Minaj – Bottoms Up
11. Kings of Leon – Radioactive
12. Kid Rock – Born Free
13. Bruno Mars – Grenade
14. Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue
15. Maroon 5 – Give a Little More
16. The Script – For the First Time
17. Keri Hilson – Pretty Girl Rock
18. Nelly – Just a Dream
19. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – Paris (Ooh La La)
20. Kanye West ft. Pusha T – Runaway
Jmunney’s Revision
1. Only Girl (in the World)
2. Radioactive
3. Runaway
4. Paris (Ooh La La)
5. Firework
6. Jar of Hearts
7. Waiting for the End
8. Just the Way You Are
9. Grenade
10. Please Don’t Go
11. Right Thru Me
12. For the First Time
13. Pretty Girl Rock
14. Born Free
15. Give a Little More
16. Just a Dream
17. Hollywood
18. Stuck Like Glue
19. Bottoms Up
20. Raise Your Glass
