Rob Lowe / Eminem

This show had some hype going into it. It was the 26th season opener, and some new cast members were going to be introduced, including Tina Fey and Jerry Minor. Also, the departures of Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri, and Colin Quinn had a big impact on how the show would succeed. Although the season openers weren't known to be the best shows of the season, I was looking forward to this one.

[COLD OPENING] First Presidential Debate

Oh wow! I knew Darrell Hammond could do impressions, but this blew me away. When he first started talking, I almost shat my pants. He is the perfect Al Gore...he even looks like him! George W. Bush, played by Will Ferrell, was pretty funny as well, but not quite as accurate as the Gore impression. It took me a little while to realize that the debate moderator was Chris Parnell...I thought it was a new cast member! I love how Bush made up words and how Gore kept talking about his "lock box". A great way to start the season, a success!

RATING : 8/10

[OPENING CREDITS] New!!

The new opening credits were very nice and well done. The old ones were awful, and this one is much more attractive to the eye.

[MONOLOGUE] Rob Lowe

This monologue was surprisingly funny! SNL is running out of ideas for monologues, so they went back to the ol' audience Q&A. That's always gold. The questions were each really funny, and well delivered. "You spent time with Hillary Clinton? Tell me, how big is her booty?" HAHAHA this was great!!

RATING : 7/10

[COMMERCIAL] Corn Chip Nail Tips

Where do they come up with this stuff? Well, I'm not sure, but keep it coming! Tracy Morgan was hilarious as that transsexual subway rider! The theme song fit the sketch perfectly.

RATING : 7/10

[SKETCH] Monday Night Football

Is this the cast of impressions? Fallon's Dennis Miller was awesome! I loved the hair shaking, and his beard looked exactly right. I also loved Will in this sketch. "I think that whoever puts more points on the scoreboard will probably win this football game". However, Maya Rudolph kept fumbling her lines, and this brought the sketch rating down.

RATING : 6/10

[SKETCH] Rob Lowe and Ralph Nader

Well, I suppose SNL felt they had to use Ralph somehow...this wasn't that great, but it was funny when Rob Lowe thought he was from "St. Elmo's Fire".

RATING : 5/10

[SKETCH] Pros and Cons

I wasn't sure what this was about until I saw Rob Lowe as the guy from Scooby Doo. Once again, I almost shat my pants. His impression was DEAD on, absolutely hilarious!! Still though, this sketch didn't really make much sense...

RATING : 6.5/10

[MUSIC] Eminem performs "Stan" (featuring Dido)

I don't usually watch the musical guests, but I decided that I had nothing better to do, so what the hell? I liked this song, and it was good that somebody else besides Eminem sang some too.

[WEEKEND UPDATE] With Jimmy Fallon & Tina Fey

I really wasn't a big fan of Colin Quinn, but I didn't really want to see him go. I was wondering all summer who would be a good replacement. Well, Lorne found them! I think Tina Fey was excellent, and Jimmy Fallon was really good too. The starting was cool too...it kind of made it look like more of an actual news program. Less jokes, more funny guests, that's how I like it! I was glad that they decided to bring Tim Meadows back for the WU, but you knew he was going to plug his movie. I loved Horatio Sanz and Jerry Minor as Kid Shazam and Grand Master Rap! I liked this little rap section a lot. This was pretty close to being the perfect Update.

RATING : 8.5/10

[SKETCH] The Blind Date

Umm...did I miss something? There was nothing even slightly humorous about this sketch. I didn't even crack a smile. But, it's like they didn't even TRY to make it funny. Maybe SNL is going to start showing drama sketches! If you're THAT desperate for time, you could get Eminem to perform a third time.

RATING : 0.5/10

[DATELINE] Stone Phillips

Oh my god! SNL is back to the classic comedy! Rob Lowe's impression of Phillips was pretty general, but still very funny. I don't think they could have picked a funnier phrase to repeat over and over. "The trampoline. Children's play toy? Or UNBELIEVABLY vicious backyard killer. You decide!" Will was great as the director! One of the funniest of the night.

RATING : 7/10

[MUSIC] Eminem performs "The Real Slim Shady"

I also sat around and watched this performance. If this song was new, I would have liked it. But, since I've heard it 80 thousand times, I just muted it. Maybe he could have tried another song?

[SKETCH] Chris Kattan prepares for sketch

I was confused at first, but then realized it was supposed to be retarded! Kattan's father as a monkey was hilarious. But, did they really need to bring in Brendan Frasier to be his "coach"? Oh well, still pretty funny.

RATING : 6/10

[COMMERCIAL] Dream Team Videos

I laughed through this whole thing. This was almost as funny as last year's GapFat commercial! Why was this just crammed in at the end of the show? It deserved better. "You're going to have to do better than THAT, other countries!" Pure gold!

RATING : 8.5/10

    Sketch of the night : First Presidential Debate

    Quote of the night : Rob Lowe as Stone Phillips "Good evening. The trampoline. Children's play toy? Or UNBELIEVABLY vicious backyard killer? You decide! Here's Marissa Tompkins."

    OVERALL EPISODE RATING : 70/100

OK, this episode was MUCH better than last year's opener, but still left a bit to be desired. I'm still keeping my eyes open for some recurring characters like The Culps, Boston Teens, and of course, Celebrity Jeopardy! Also, when Dana Carvey hosts soon, I'm hoping to see his George Bush...I always crack up when he does it!