SNL is Friggin' Horrible! Except when Timberlake is hosting. (5 Viewers)

[gump]

Kanye, on the other hand, sucks even worse on a repeated viewing.

I haven't read anything about the music portion...did Miley and Kanye get a spot to do whatever they wanted?

Miley covered 50 Ways to Leave your Lover, and Kanye did some moonbat autotune shards-of-glass-to-the-eardrums horse####.

Everything I've read was the show was thrown together...what direction did the music guests have? Miley's choice was perfect and Kanyes couldn't have been worse...after the fact.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Remember Rich Hall? He was a minor player in the mid-80's.

He went over to England and became their Rickey Gervais. His shtick is the "wacky American". He's hugely, ridiculously popular. He's bigger than Gervais is in America.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Remember Rich Hall? He was a minor player in the mid-80's.

He went over to England and became their Rickey Gervais. His shtick is the "wacky American". He's hugely, ridiculously popular. He's bigger than Gervais is in America.

I remember him more from the Sniglets segments on Not Necessarily The News than anything he did during the Steinbrenner year on SNL.

Had no idea what happened to him after that.

 

[gump]

Surprised the Hanukkah Song didn't get more play...isn't that a seminal moment? The Blues Brothers was one thing...but a sketch song that became a legend is another.

 

[saintfool]

Remember Rich Hall? He was a minor player in the mid-80's.

He went over to England and became their Rickey Gervais. His shtick is the "wacky American". He's hugely, ridiculously popular. He's bigger than Gervais is in America.

I had no idea. I always expect to hear him on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on the celebrity panel. Somewhere between Tom Bodette and Paula Poundstone. Good for him..

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

When they showed the auditions, they ran through five that didn't make the show: Jim Carrey, Steven Colbert, someone, Kevin Hart, and Andy Kaufman.

Who was that guy between Colbert and Hart?

Zach Galifinakis

Yup. That's the first time I ever saw him without the beard.

Didn't recognize him without the beard. Thought his voice sounded familiar. Then my wife asked, "is that the guy from 'The Hangover'?"

 

[saintfool]

Surprised the Hanukkah Song didn't get more play...isn't that a seminal moment? The Blues Brothers was one thing...but a sketch song that became a legend is another.

there's a whole swath of humanity that truly hates Sandler. his shtick - for some - is the comedic equivalent of dysentery.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Surprised the Hanukkah Song didn't get more play...isn't that a seminal moment? The Blues Brothers was one thing...but a sketch song that became a legend is another.

there's a whole swath of humanity that truly hates Sandler. his shtick - for some - is the comedic equivalent of dysentery.

Sandler got plenty of air time in the special. They let him bring back Operaman, and he was a principal in the Lonely Island song.

Plus, the Hanukkah Song gets played every December when the annual SNL Holiday Special airs.

Sandler isn't my thing. TBH Fallon's impression of Sandler on SNL made me laugh more than anything Sandler did on the show. I did think he was amusing as Trivia Delinquent Stickpin Quinn on Remote Control, though.

 

[gump]

Surprised the Hanukkah Song didn't get more play...isn't that a seminal moment? The Blues Brothers was one thing...but a sketch song that became a legend is another.

there's a whole swath of humanity that truly hates Sandler. his shtick - for some - is the comedic equivalent of dysentery.

Fair...but hes also universally respected it seems by his counterparts, because he's so professional. That performance is now overplayed but has to be one of the signature SNL moments.

 

[gump]

Surprised the Hanukkah Song didn't get more play...isn't that a seminal moment? The Blues Brothers was one thing...but a sketch song that became a legend is another.

there's a whole swath of humanity that truly hates Sandler. his shtick - for some - is the comedic equivalent of dysentery.

Sandler got plenty of air time in the special. They let him bring back Operaman, and he was a principal in the Lonely Island song.

Plus, the Hanukkah Song gets played every December when the annual SNL Holiday Special airs.

Sandler isn't my thing. TBH Fallon's impression of Sandler on SNL made me laugh more than anything Sandler did on the show. I did think he was amusing as Trivia Delinquent Stickpin Quinn on Remote Control, though.

Yea...maybe he didn't even want to do it because it's so obvious.

 

[saintfool]

Did Carvey really do The Church Lady and Chopping Broccoli in his audition?

I'm pretty certain they were both parts of his stand-up routine before he was on SNL. I remember him on Night at the Improv pre-SNL and seeing him do Chopping Broccoli for sure.

So if a comedian today has Carvey's level of talent and experience at that stage, is SNL in his picture?

it's a completely different landscape now. back in the 90's, there weren't as many networks or vehicles for opportunities. that's why you hear about why Letterman, Carson or SNL were so crucial to these types. That's why Seinfield's show paved the way for another generation of comedians (mostly with utter failures) in entertainment and media. today a comedian of Carney's talent is as likely to stay on Youtube as go to Comedy Central or IFC or SNL. the show has "made" a few recent castmembers of late - Fey, Fallon, Poehler, Wiig, and maybe Meyers - but it's been a revolving door mostly of less than memorable, inspirational players in recent years. Will this next generation associate Fey with 30 Rock more than WU? P & R for Poehler? Fallon will likely reign on Tonight Show longer and more memorably than anything else. Meyers and Wiig? Eh, who knows....

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Fair...but hes also universally respected it seems by his counterparts, because he's so professional.

I have read numerous times that he is also one of the sincerely nicest people in the industry. A genuinely good guy. He's certainly loyal. David Spade/Rob Schneider/Tim Meadows get consistent paychecks because of Sandler.

 

[gump]

Did Carvey really do The Church Lady and Chopping Broccoli in his audition?

I'm pretty certain they were both parts of his stand-up routine before he was on SNL. I remember him on Night at the Improv pre-SNL and seeing him do Chopping Broccoli for sure.

So if a comedian today has Carvey's level of talent and experience at that stage, is SNL in his picture?

it's a completely different landscape now. back in the 90's, there weren't as many networks or vehicles for opportunities. that's why you hear about why Letterman, Carson or SNL were so crucial to these types. That's why Seinfield's show paved the way for another generation of comedians (mostly with utter failures) in entertainment and media. today a comedian of Carney's talent is as likely to stay on Youtube as go to Comedy Central or IFC or SNL. the show has "made" a few recent castmembers of late - Fey, Fallon, Poehler, Wiig, and maybe Meyers - but it's been a revolving door mostly of less than memorable, inspirational players in recent years. Will this next generation associate Fey with 30 Rock more than WU? P & R for Poehler? Fallon will likely reign on Tonight Show longer and more memorably than anything else. Meyers and Wiig? Eh, who knows....

That's what I was wondering...the root of SNLs problems...does it last post-Lorne?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Fair...but hes also universally respected it seems by his counterparts, because he's so professional.

I have read numerous times that he is also one of the sincerely nicest people in the industry. A genuinely good guy. He's certainly loyal. David Spade/Rob Schneider/Tim Meadows get consistent paychecks because of Sandler.

That part of his post-SNL work impresses me. Grown-Ups was pretty much a reunion of his first officemates at SNL, with Kevin James subbed in for Farley. Sandler even finds speaking parts for Colin Quinn. That's a solid.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

That was kind of my impression. Who knew comedians were such divas.

It was pretty easy to see who still had it though. Is John Goodman ill or was he drunk? Bill Murray didn't do much either. No comedy that I can recall. Definitely takes himself way too seriously now. Martin Short of all people just killed it. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey need to do another Wayne's World movie. They were right on point.

I think the funniest part of the show is when Kayne jumped up the second time and then Myers jumped up too like he was startled. Cracked me right up. Just the look of fight or flight he gave. He needs to do some more movies.

Hippling, but Bill Murrary didn't do much? He killed it with Jaws. Absolutely showed he still can bring the funny. Crazy talk.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

That was kind of my impression. Who knew comedians were such divas.

It was pretty easy to see who still had it though. Is John Goodman ill or was he drunk? Bill Murray didn't do much either. No comedy that I can recall. Definitely takes himself way too seriously now. Martin Short of all people just killed it. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey need to do another Wayne's World movie. They were right on point.

I think the funniest part of the show is when Kayne jumped up the second time and then Myers jumped up too like he was startled. Cracked me right up. Just the look of fight or flight he gave. He needs to do some more movies.

Did you miss the Jaws song?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I didn't think it was very funny but at least he did something.

good god.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Did Carvey really do The Church Lady and Chopping Broccoli in his audition?

I'm pretty certain they were both parts of his stand-up routine before he was on SNL. I remember him on Night at the Improv pre-SNL and seeing him do Chopping Broccoli for sure.

So if a comedian today has Carvey's level of talent and experience at that stage, is SNL in his picture?

I think they want people with a strong history of improv...rather than stand up comics.

I think that there is some truth to this and probably the reason for the show being strong with Wiig, Hader, Armisen, Sudeikis, etc. But they also clearly not bound to that, as evidenced by the latest cast (and some other casts over the years).

The best people on the show do tend to be those that really know how to perform "with" a crowd and also mesh with an ensemble, rather than just deliver jokes.

 

[joey]

Did Carvey really do The Church Lady and Chopping Broccoli in his audition?

I'm pretty certain they were both parts of his stand-up routine before he was on SNL. I remember him on Night at the Improv pre-SNL and seeing him do Chopping Broccoli for sure.

So if a comedian today has Carvey's level of talent and experience at that stage, is SNL in his picture?

I think they want people with a strong history of improv...rather than stand up comics.

I think that there is some truth to this and probably the reason for the show being strong with Wiig, Hader, Armisen, Sudeikis, etc. But they also clearly not bound to that, as evidenced by the latest cast (and some other casts over the years).

The best people on the show do tend to be those that really know how to perform "with" a crowd and also mesh with an ensemble, rather than just deliver jokes.

I think Martin Short is the perfect example of a performer that just takes over the stage, can roll with any punches, works the audience, and can dish and take with whoever's on stage with him. Dude is a pro's pro.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

I think Martin Short is the perfect example of a performer that just takes over the stage, can roll with any punches, works the audience, and can dish and take with whoever's on stage with him. Dude is a pro's pro.

He's also a top-tier talk show guest. In particular with Letterman, who really knows how to set him up. He's told the story more than once of getting into a verbal altercation with a drunk Lucille Ball, but it kills every time because of how funny Short tells it.

 

[belljr]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.My favorite Rich Hall SNL sketch was Magic Shoes, where he glued pieces of an "automatic door" supermarket mat to the bottom of his shoes and could open any door in town.

 

[belljr]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.My favorite Rich Hall SNL sketch was Magic Shoes, where he glued pieces of an "automatic door" supermarket mat to the bottom of his shoes and could open any door in town.

Yes!! Awesome thanks

 

[gump]

Watching this '75 ep with Pryor...he had a skit about disguising himself as a white man...but only described it instead of what a Eddie did.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I have a sudden desire to use the word "zeitgeist" - who do i talk to about this?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.My favorite Rich Hall SNL sketch was Magic Shoes, where he glued pieces of an "automatic door" supermarket mat to the bottom of his shoes and could open any door in town.

Yes!! Awesome thanks

Science Editor Gary Kroeger discusses the downfalls of being stricken with spot bleeding

Apparently George Carlin is anchoring Weekend Update in this episode.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.

Speaking of Gary Kroeger, he wrote a nice piece about his experiences at the 40th anniversary special.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.

Speaking of Gary Kroeger, he wrote a nice piece about his experiences at the 40th anniversary special.

wow, that was great

 

[belljr]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.

Speaking of Gary Kroeger, he wrote a nice piece about his experiences at the 40th anniversary special.

wow, that was great

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.

Speaking of Gary Kroeger, he wrote a nice piece about his experiences at the 40th anniversary special.

Great read.

I run into similar generation gap stuff with my daughter as Kroeger did with his son. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy were Shrek and Donkey, not Wayne Campbell/Austin Powers/Dieter and Axel Foley/Prince Akeem/Mr. Robinson.

But overall, really interesting reading the perspective of someone who was in the cast for a non-trivial amount of time but didn't break out.

 

[El Floppo]

I have a sudden desire to use the word "zeitgeist" - who do i talk to about this?

David Carr

 

[El Floppo]

Rich Hall was the best. I think he had a skit where he gave a psa about a rare disease of spot bleeding. He's going on and he starts bleeding through his shirt in spots. The news anchor asked him if it was a new shirt. He says yes and the anchor asks if he took the pins out.

Spot bleeding was Gary Kroeger, but yes it was a really funny skit.

Speaking of Gary Kroeger, he wrote a nice piece about his experiences at the 40th anniversary special.

wow, that was great

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Harry Shearer was on WTF a couple weeks ago and actually had a lot of negative things to say about his SNL experience. It was kind of interesting because, as Maron notes, almost all alumni seem to praise the show these days.

http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_578_-_harry_shearer

About 59:00 to 1:24:00.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Sonny Crockett's kid is hosting.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Sonny Crockett's kid is hosting.

The first skit (commercial) was ridiculously not funny.

Terrible

 

[Mr.Pack]

Sonny Crockett's kid is hosting.

The first skit (commercial) was ridiculously not funny.

Terrible

Seriously, WTF?

 

[Raider Nation]

Sonny Crockett's kid is hosting.

The first skit (commercial) was ridiculously not funny.

Terrible

Seriously, WTF?

Yeah, awful. It didn't help that whatshisname looked NOTHING like Rudy.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

You would think that with the momentum from the anniversary show that they would put in extra effort for the first new episode. But no, they are flat--again.

 

[Raider Nation]

The chick lead singer in this band literally has the biggest mouth I've ever seen.

 

[Raider Nation]

That might have been one of the worst handful of SNL episodes in recent memory. I don't think I even chuckled once.

 

[No. 4]

That might have been one of the worst handful of SNL episodes in recent memory. I don't think I even chuckled once.

 

[No. 4]

This. Nothing remotely funny. Not even the news skit. Musical guest was unknown to me and terribly bad. Having the chick from 50 Shades was the best they could do? Does she have any comedy experience? Turrible.

 

[jamny]

Sonny Crockett's kid is hosting.

The first skit (commercial) was ridiculously not funny.

Terrible

Seriously, WTF?

Yeah, awful. It didn't help that whatshisname looked NOTHING like Rudy.

I didn't see the movie so it took me a while to realize it was a take on Birdman. Was it funny for people that saw the movie?

Horrible episode. I think they need to change the Weekend Update guys. Both suck.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I thought the month gap between new shows meant they might be retooling but, maaaan, they don't even appear to be aware of what's new and important in the culture - the major reason this ol man watches SNL even when it's not funny - anymore. Not once in 40 yrs as a fan with a vested interest - auditioning for the 2nd iteration of the show in '80 was fairly well the highlight of my life - have i said this, but it might be time to shoot the dog if they cant get it away from Lorne and into the hands of someone who matters.

 

[kupcho1]

I thought the month gap between new shows meant they might be retooling but, maaaan, they don't even appear to be aware of what's new and important in the culture - the major reason this ol man watches SNL even when it's not funny - anymore. Not once in 40 yrs as a fan with a vested interest - auditioning for the 2nd iteration of the show in '80 was fairly well the highlight of my life - have i said this, but it might be time to shoot the dog if they cant get it away from Lorne and into the hands of someone who matters.

Sounds like sour grapes.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Down episode. It happens.

 

[Ilov80s]

I'm shocked that they couldn't find a way to build a hilarious show around a virtuoso performer like that girl from 50 Shades. Seemed like a slam dunk.

 

[Willie Neslon]

The internet outrage satellite dish has picked up a signal from last night's SNL isis commercial. Cue the moral superiority.

"I think it's safe to say I will never watch SNL or any of Dakota Johnson's movies ever again"

"Apparently NBC and SNL thought it was funny to have a skit showing #ISIS driving to an airport to pick up an American girl. Tasteless Scum!"

"Tonight's #SNL opening parody about daughter joining military made my heart hurt. Disgusting segway to ISIS. Turned TV off."

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I thought that Isis bit was the funniest part of the show. I was ok with the Birdman open too. Alabama Shakes is a good band.

Rest was pretty meh.

 

[Jack White]

The internet outrage satellite dish has picked up a signal from last night's SNL isis commercial. Cue the moral superiority.

"I think it's safe to say I will never watch SNL or any of Dakota Johnson's movies ever again"

"Apparently NBC and SNL thought it was funny to have a skit showing #ISIS driving to an airport to pick up an American girl. Tasteless Scum!"

"Tonight's #SNL opening parody about daughter joining military made my heart hurt. Disgusting segway to ISIS. Turned TV off."

I guess these people don't understand there are ZERO sacred cows in comedy.

#getAlife

 

[Jack White]

I thought that Isis bit was the funniest part of the show. I was ok with the Birdman open too. Alabama Shakes is a good band.

Rest was pretty meh.

A few thoughts:

** Dakota Johnson . . . great body, butter face.

** Dakota's mom: should have let yourself age gracefully and naturally; all that work on your face didn't, um, work.

** Funniest bit was Kate McKinnon as RBG on Update, but I love McKinnon, so I might be biased.

** Please retire the Riblet bit. It wasn't funny the first time.

** I wouldn't rush to the store or iTunes to pay for Alabama Shakes music, but at least I didn't have to fast forward through it like I do with the typical dreck that passes for music on the show.