The Rock / Andrew W.K.

My hopes were extremely high for this episode of SNL. The Rock was such a phenomenal host last time I was expecting a lot this time around. I didn't know much about Andrew W.K. other than the fact that it was rock music...I had no idea what was in store in this department.

[ COLD OPENING ] George W. Bush

This is exactly what I expect in an opening. Completely ridiculous and unbelievable, but yet, so funny. "Tell me what they're paying you...we'll match it" A great opening idea which was executed well...I can't ask for much more than this!

RATING : 8.5/10

[ MONOLOGUE ] The Rock

Last time The Rock hosted the monologue was a major highlight of the show. However, this was not so this time. Sure, it was okay... but it was really nothing all that special. Some funny bits, but I honestly expected much more.

RATING : 6/10

[ SKETCH ] Brian Fellow's Safari Planet

This has to be filed in the "Most Improved Sketch" category. When this was first introduced awhile back it really wasn't all that popular or funny. This year though it has taken some sort of new form with this sense of humor that really was non-existent before. I'm very pleased. Anyway, this one ranks right up there with the best of 'em. The segment with the parrot was classic...and The Rock played his confused character VERY well. This was a great way to start of a show which would hopefully prove to be better than average.

RATING : 9/10

[ SKETCH ] The Scorpion King

This sorta went on a bit too long. Don't get me wrong, this was an interesting idea but I feel it just dragged a bit. The Rock's adlib was great on his mispronunciation of "tomb". The thing that I actually found funniest about this sketch was the dialogue at the end. "They were slaughtered." Although it probably shouldn't have, it caught me completely offguard and I found it quite humorous. A nice end to a sketch which was a bit too lengthy.

RATING : 7/10

[ SKETCH ] Arthur Anderson

A clever little idea, and I suppose it wasn't too bad. I see this as a bit of filler between sketches but it really wasn't that bad. A little dumb... However, I really liked the ending phrase, "Arthur Anderson does NOT plead guilty..."

RATING : 6/10

[ SKETCH ] Hardball

Simply put, this was, by far, the best sketch of the season. Comedy at it's absolute finest. Darrell's character was perfect throughout the entire sketch, even when he cracked up for a moment. The guests were all played with perfection, especially Will's role as Dick Armey. Jimmy's character wasn't too bad either, and Chris's Bagala was hilarious as always. The Penis Navy comment caught me completely off-guard and made me break into unstoppable laughter. The Vagina Coast Guard comment, although I was expecting it, caught me as being even funnier and had me laughing through the entire commercial break. And, to add the final touch to this sketch, the e-mail question was placed perfectly and was amazing. SNL needs more of this sort of comedy!

RATING : 10/10

[ SKETCH ] Drunk Girl

My theory is that an athlete can't host without getting in drag. Hasn't let me down yet! Jeff's character was played well, but I don't really think it was suited for this type of role. It's more of a "once-and-a-while-weekend-update" segment. The Rock played his Drunk Girl character fairly well but not nearly to the quality that Jeff did. Overall though this, like Arthur Anderson, was just filler and wasn't that great.

RATING : 6/10

[ SKETCH ] Subway Couple

Um...OH....sure thing...

RATING : 0.5/10

[ SKETCH ] The Girl With No Gaydar

This was a sketch I certainly didn't expect to become recurring, but I've been surprised in the past. I'd definitely have to say that this one was funnier than the original. The high point, you ask? Definitely the priest crack at the end...well placed and completely unexpected. I don't think they should do this again for awhile because it's pretty much the same sketch done differently, but it was fine for now.

RATING : 9/10

[ WEEKEND UPDATE ] With Jimmy Fallon & Tina Fey

This may have been the shortest Update in recent years. Certainly not the worst though. Most of the jokes were pretty great. Has anybody else noticed that Weekend Update has had a lot of jokes where just a picture comes up and either Jimmy or Tina says just one quick little line and then goes on to the next joke? They did it twice tonight! The best joke of this Update was definitely, hands down, the "pees Brita" one. One of the best jokes of the season for sure. However, since this Update was so short, it really didn't live up to it's full potential.

RATING : 9/10

[ MUSIC ] Andrew W.K.

Dear God...I dunno what the hell this guy's smoking, but I think he may want to stay away for awhile...

[ SKETCH ] Bigfoot and Neil Diamond

This is exactly what every episode needs. A surprise sketch buried near the end which is hilarious. It's not so much what was said that was so funny, but just think that it's Bigfoot and a stoned Neil Diamond. Got the picture? I couldn't stop laughing through this. I found it reminded me a lot of Will's Robert Goulet impression, which is certainly a good thing! Anyway, under normal circumstances this would be the highlight of any episode, but tonight it comes a distant second behind Hardball.

RATING : 9.5/10

[ SKETCH ] America Undercover

Naaah I've had it with these characters. Too overplayed and not nearly funny enough to be. Almost painful to sit through.

RATING : 1/10

[ MUSIC ] Andrew W.K.

Andrew sticking his mic down his pants and making whacked facial expressions added a nice touch (extreme sarcasm here).... Did anybody else notice that his guitarist had a bit of a "Weird Al" thing goin on? You know, Hawaiian shirt, black curly hair....

[ SKETCH ] Message From Saturday Night Live

This was great!! A perfect way to add that extra element to those Christmas segments. They should have saved this, however, because they were clearly short on time and it got cut off. Oh well, from what I saw it was gonna be amazing.

RATING : 8/10

   [ OVERALL RATING ] 69 / 100

   [ BEST SKETCH ] Hardball ( 10 )

   [ BEST QUOTE ] "This kid's got pipes so sweet it almost makes you forget the truly astounding amounts of feces matted into his hair." - Will Ferrell as Neil Diamond

   [ POINTS OF INTEREST ] In the second installment of "Gaydar", Will Ferrell plays the surprise gay guy at the end of the sketch...just like the last time!

69, you say? That's IT? What about all those sketches in the 9's and 10's? Well sorry folks, that's how an average works. One bad apple spoils the barrel, and in this case, two bad sketches spoiled the entire show rating. The Subway Couple and America Undercover are to blame for this ridiculously low rating. Nothing I can do. Next year (too late to start this year) I will be changing the way I score my reviews. The lowest rated sketch of each episode will be dropped from the average. This should make situations like this avoidable.