SNL Recap March 2, 2013: Kevin Hart/Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

March 3, 2013

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Cold Opening – Obama Press Conference
The Village People bit was killer.  I would have preferred it if it hadn’t been completely spelled out the gag with Obama reciting the lyrics, but it was still delightfully gonzo. B

Kevin Hart’s Monologue
Kevin Hart didn’t exactly tell any jokes during his monologue.  Nor did he say anything that could really be considered objectively funny.  But he did make me laugh. B

Steve Harvey
There we go, player, Kenan’s back with his full-on mispronunciating Steve Harvey, what with the “Pho-Bye-iss” and the “equilibrium.”  The Dogglegangers were also a delight, especially the King Charles Spaniels of Comedy. B+

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SNL Recap February 16, 2013: Christoph Waltz/Alabama Shakes

February 17, 2013

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A piano’s gonna fall on me or something?

Cold Opening – Carnival Cruise Ship
One of those throw-a-bunch-of-stuff-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks sketches.  And guess what: enough stuck!  I probably enjoyed more than most the voice of Kenan yelling out, “There is no god!”  Oscar PistROius? B

Christoph Waltz’s Monologue
I’m a sucker for a good pun, and “Who’s on wurst?” was far from the worst. B

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SNL Recap February 9, 2013: Justin Bieber

February 10, 2013

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Steely Dan has the best fans in the world.

Cold Opening – Super Bowl LXVII
The problem with making fun of an announcing crew as bland as that of CBS’s NFL crew is that the parody is probably going to be somewhat bland itself.  Which isn’t to say there were no good gags, it’s just that the whole affair was excessively dry.  Is Shannon Sharpe really that thick-headed?  J.B. admitting that he’s never seen 2 Broke Girls was clutch. B-

Justin Bieber’s Monologue
Who farts more: Whoopi Goldberg or Blake Shelton?  Or Bieber?  This was kind of funny.  Short, though. B-

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SNL Recap January 26, 2013: Adam Levine/Kendrick Lamar

January 28, 2013

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Cold Opening – Obama and MLK
Why did the crowd applaud wildly for Kenan as MLK?  This seemed like a wasted opportunity, but not completely, thanks to Kenan’s delivery of “another one of my famous DREAMS” and the unexpectedly pointed comment about the lack of black magicians. B-

Adam Levine’s Monologue
It was more fun than funny to see Andy Samberg, Cameron Diaz, and Jerry Seinfeld, though they did get in some good gags.  “I could ask myself the same question” was quite the retort, and Jerry’s description of Adam and himself as less Jewish than their names was illuminating.  The idea that Adam needed to be coached at comedy made sense. B

Rosetta Stone
I guess this was a funny premise, but, just, you know, nothing beyond the obvious happened.  Kenan is really underrated as a straight man, though. B-

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SNL Recap January 19, 2013: Jennifer Lawrence/The Lumineers

January 20, 2013

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Is this the most synergistic guest lineup ever on SNL (Jennifer Lawrence hosts six days after winning a Golden Globe, on the same weekend that the movie that she won for expands into wide release, while the musical guest is the one whose hit song plays in the commercials for that same movie)?

Cold Opening – Piers Morgan Tonight
Ah, a twofer sketch with Lance Armstrong and Manti Te’o!  Oh wait – here comes Jodie Foster – it’s a three-fer!  Bobby’s as Manti struggling to understand the non-existence of his girlfriend was fun to behold.  Jodie’s “I’m 50” declaration was a great moment of art imitating life imitating art. B+

Jennifer Lawrence’s Monologue
J-Law was confident.  Almost too confident.  She had the right attitude for zinging her fellow Best Actress nominees.  But she zoomed through the concessions of how great they really are, which didn’t allow her to fully tone down that attitude.  But, that’s a nitpick, cause you gotta love that confidence. B

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SNL Recap December 15, 2012: Martin Short/Paul McCartney

December 16, 2012

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I asked for an end to genocide.

Cold Opening – The New York Children’s Chorus performs “Silent Night”
At first, I assumed this performance was in response to the Connecticut shooting.  Then I figured it was just be the kids singing.  But as it turns out, it probably was in response to Connecticut.  Anyway, they sounded good.

Martin Short’s Monologue
What really made this monologue work was the timing of the revelation of the guest appearances:  Oh, Kristen’s stopping back.  And Jimmy’s here, too!  And Tom Hanks!  And Sam Jackson?!  (Oh, but he’s too scary to kiss.) B+

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SNL Recap December 8, 2012: Jamie Foxx/Ne-Yo

December 9, 2012

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[EDIT, 12/10/12: I forgot to include the “J-Pop America Fun Time Now” sketch when initially posting this review.]

One time, I was with 8 guys at once, and I thought that was a pickle, but now – it’s crystals.

Obama/Boehner Press Conference
This sketch was funny because it captured what I believe to be the essence of the relationship between John Boehner and his colleagues in the Republican Party. B+

Jamie Foxx’s Monologue
Some may have found Jamie’s refrain of “How black is that?” a bit gaudy and too racially obvious.  But he wasn’t really making jokes, so much as he was setting a tone, and set a tone he did. B

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SNL Recap November 17, 2012: Jeremy Renner/Maroon 5

November 20, 2012

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My feelings about erotic asphyxiation have always been complicated.

Cold Opening – Booknotes
Reading sexually explicit exploits in a matter-of-fact, calm tone – that’s how you do it.  Also, thanks for the shit-faced grin on Fred Armisen’s face. B

Jeremy Renner’s Monologue
Wow.  Most awkward monologue ever?  Not bad considering. B-

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SNL Recap November 10, 2012: Anne Hathaway/Rihanna

November 11, 2012

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If you wanted a house of representatives, you built one yourself.

Cold Opening – Mitt Romney’s House
I chuckled at Mitt telling America that it hurt his feelings “very, very much.”  What was up with the heart forming around the scene and then going away before the scene ended? B-

Anne Hathaway’s Monologue
Another singing monologue?!  Well, Anne’s a good singer.  And the entire cast was involved!  That actually makes it all better.  I couldn’t quite make out the lyrics while they were all singing at the end, but it definitely came together quite nicely. B+

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SNL Recap November 3, 2012: Louis C.K./fun.

November 4, 2012

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Cold Opening – Michael Bloomberg Press Conference
The SNL sketch about the response to Frankenstorm Sandy is about … Mayor Bloomberg’s vendetta against sugary sodas and trans fats?  That’s kind of funny, in a bizarre way.  Bobby’s Christie sounded like just a Joisey tough guy, which was disappointing because Christie does have a distinctive voice.  But he did get the attitude right. B-

Louis C.K.’s Monologue
Louie in all black – the classic Louie getup.  As far as I know, Louie is the best stand-up comedian working today, so he could have chosen any bit from his current material to make this monologue work.  I don’t think the old lady at the airport was his best routine, but it did feature some classic moments, particularly Louie’s explanation that he “can’t switch” to not helping the old lady after he has already started helping her and the moment she points at him and declares, “I shall never forget you.” A-

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