Sunday, February 19, 2012
THE NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME: But for the musical guest, best top-to-bottom episode of SNL since...? It's hard for me to answer that question, but wow was that overstuffed with greatness -- celebrity impressions used in entertaining ways, solid guest work from Amy Poehler and Justin Timberlake, the comedic stylings of Maya Angelou ... if you missed any, get yourself to Hulu, now.
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I'm watching it on my DVR right now and I was hoping y'all would do a post. Bronx Beat was great and The Obama Show was my favorite.
ReplyDeleteClearly I'm alone as Rudolph has always been a negative for me. The show wasn't a dud by any means, but tough to see how this was a particular stand-out. I remember really good things about December's Jimmy Fallon episode.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was amazing. I can't get many of the lines out of my head this morning (most of Bronx Beat, most of the Beyonce/Jay-Z sketch are the best ones). That was probably the funniest Armisen's Obama has ever been to me, and that's because he wasn't even playing Obama -- he was playing Cosby in an Obama suit. The only negative, for me, was the Sleigh Bells. I'd never heard of them, and I doubt I will ever again. The opening sketch was a little subversive and simultaneously funny. Normally, I'm checking my watch at about the 40-minute mark. Tonight, the episode ended and I said, "No! it's over!"
ReplyDeleteYes, wow, an all-around great episode. Helped in no small part, at least in my mind, by a minimal reliance on Kristen Wiig, a healthy dose of celebrity impressions (and Jay Pharoah!), plus a dash of What Up With That!?!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely one of the best episodes in a long time. One, Maya Rudolph is one of the most talented performers to come through SNL in its history. (Not necessarily the funniest, but one of the most talented.)
ReplyDeleteArmisen's Obama isn't great, but hiim doing a hybrid of Cosby and Obama? Brilliant. Jay Pharoah is multiple sketches? And, to topit all off, What Up with That with Papa Bear? Really with Seth and Amy? Definitely one of the most consistent and funny episodes SNL has done in a long time. Perhaps one of the top ever (not that I can think of any specific SNL episodes, just memorable sketches.)
How solid was this episode? This was the first time since getting a DVR -- or even since taping on VCR -- that I didn't fast forward through multiple sketches.
ReplyDeleteTimberlake as Bon Iver had me in stitches. "Did he just sing, 'Don't be a muggle'?" "I don't know, but White Butler's really enjoying it."
ReplyDeleteJust finished it, as part of my usual Sunday morning post-jog eggs-and-SNL-from-last-night ritual.
ReplyDeleteI laughed a damn lot.
It was top to bottom pretty great, but I do quibble that Beyonce's bestie's ex-fiance would show up instead of Gwyneth!
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad they're finally letting Jay Pharoah be in more sketches--he does amazing celebrity impressions.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, awesome episode. I knew there was no way in hell that Rudolph's Whitney Houston could make an appearance, but I do wish Donatella Versace had shown up.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that it needs to be pointed out that SNL's last four musical guests were Lana Del Rey, Bon Iver, Karmin, and Sleigh Bells. That is a TERRIBLE list. (I know there are people that love Bon Iver, but he gets on my last nerve.) Jack White's coming up... but I still haven't gotten used to the idea of Jack without Meg.
Was that an act of malice? No, that was an act of WHIMSY... Seriously, punk'd with Maya Angelou is so deliciously absurd, I don't even know how to process it.
ReplyDeleteI actualy thought the Zooey episode was remarkably good -- this one benefitted from Rudolph's familiarity with half of the cast, sure, but the disadvantage of having a Bronx Beat (albeit a funny one) is that we also end up getting a "What's Up With That" (albeit a funny one).
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one who thinks Bronx Beat > What's Up With That!
ReplyDeleteAnd the two of you can go find some corner to stand in and be wrong, together.
ReplyDeleteI will, however, admit that I couldn't identify the Bon Iver impersonator, and now that I know, I just don't understand why he doesn't just join the cast already. Is he doing something else with his time I should know about?
DeleteI will, however, admit that I couldn't identify the Bon Iver impersonator, and now that I know, I just don't understand why he doesn't just join the cast already. Is he doing something else with his time I should know about?
DeleteI will, however, admit that I couldn't identify the Bon Iver impersonator, and now that I know, I just don't understand why he doesn't just join the cast already. Is he doing something else with his time I should know about?
DeleteThe weirdest/awesomest part was how the icon of the caged bird would occasionally say a funny word. Surreal is the word for that, I think...
ReplyDeleteSleigh Bells are on the cover of this month's SPIN magazine. Are all of us geezers out of touch with the awesome? Cause I don't see it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I really enjoyed the episode I honestly felt like Amy Pohler stole much of the spotlight from Maya. Between Bronx Beat and Really!?! with Seth and Amy ("I have so many miles with Tran Vaginal, I've been upgraded to Lady Business" had me on the floor) and the cameo she did as Hilary at the end of the Cosby sketch which was genious...the three funniest moments were hers.
ReplyDeleteI really loved the Obamas-as-Cosbys, esp. Maya pretending to be Phylicia Rashad, because she sounded just like Phylicia.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that, I was like "Lorne must be on vacation" -- he cedes control over musical guests, but I can't imagine that he even understood why that impression was awesome. It probably helped that Timberlake played it, otherwise I imagine it would have gotten cut.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between the Poehler/Rudoph "Bronx Beat" and the Fallon/Dratch "Sully" sketches is that the former uses jokes told in an accent and the latter features accents that are the joke. It's a simple difference that SNL usually doesn't understand, but it got it right last night.
ReplyDeleteI thought Fallon's Christmas episode was great, but this one comes out slightly ahead.
ReplyDelete(since my last reply didn't post properly): I'll say again that I did not properly identify the Bon Iver impersonator on first watch, and I just can't figure out for the life of me why he doesn't just join the cast already.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, what is Justin Timberlake doing with his time right now?
Also, Russ,
ReplyDeleteCoffee Talk > Bronx Beat is still > What's Up With That
is the proper statement.
Say what you will about Lana Del Rey, she hired a freakin' drummer.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever laughed so hard at an SNL episode in my life. Beyonce/Jay-Z (with Timberlake sleeping and rigid as they carry him out, but continuing to play guitar - and I found my self singing over the weekend several times, "Her parents are Beyonce and Jay-Z."). The Obama show -- perfectly matching the set, postures, and music from that Cosby episode. Really!?! was the best it's been all season (though I did love the Kermit one). And Maya Angelou pranking, and looking/sounding so like Maya Angelou -- wow. I wish Maya Rudolph was still on SNL, except I love her in Up All Night (which is a damn funny show, for anyone who isn't watching it yet).
ReplyDelete