Reese Witherspoon / Alicia Keys

By Nick Mayhew

After a long summer, I am anxiously awaiting the 27th season premiere of SNL not because of the firing of the hilarious Chris Parnell, who I think had the potential to take over Ferrell's spot when he leaves this year, but how SNL will do this season with four new features and lots of potential for new sketches. A disappointed last season; maybe, the first half was great with the presidential bit, lots of reoccurring sketches, the second half featured not nearly as many reoccurring sketches, and many performers in sketches weighing it down, I think you know who I speak of. Also, I was left in complete shock that SNL only did one Celebrity Jeopardy on a Saturday night, speaking of lack of reoccurring sketches. To my surprise though, Weekend Update was absolutely terrific last year with much success thanks to Tina Fey, and I guess, Fallon. It was truly coming back after many previous "refrigerator visits" in years past. So, in brief, I am expecting much more this season than last produced, and hopefully the writing and acting will be there!

[COLD OPENING] Mayor Rudolph Guiliani

Ahh, what can I say. I was absolutely expecting this, and I thought it was the most upright thing to do. This truly shows that New York is New York again. And to top it off, Paul Simon is there giving his tribute. Lorne coming out at the end was funny too especially when he said, "Can we be funny?" A great way to start the season!

RATING: 10/10


[OPENING CREDITS] Montage

"Ana Gasteyer with Tina Fey." OOPS DON! I think what happened was he was so used to saying Gasteyer's name after Ferrell's, he's done it for the past 5 years, so, yes, he is old, but I don't blame them. I knew they'd use last years because it was so snazzy, and you could tell the difference between when they recorded the pictures last year for last season as opposed to the ones they added this season, and Gasteyer's picture was different as well.

[MONOLOGUE] Reese Witherspoon

Ehh, what could I ask for. I wasn't expecting much from this because she isn't real funny. It took a real long time to get to the punch line of her joke. Just average. A nice tribute at the start, though.

RATING: 4/10


[COMMERCIAL] Peperation H Ointment

Now, this was a funny commercial! I loved how Kattan pulled down his pants to put the ointment on, and it was cool that they did it at a skate park. "…anal genital region…"

RATING: 8/10


[SKETCH] Wake up Wakefield

Well, I was not at all interested in this sketch last year, except for Rachel's character. This sketch was actually a little better that last years, I like the part were the kid moons the studio and Horatio's character is there to block it. Juggling for seniors, ahh great! Reese was okay, and as I've always said, Maya has absolutely no acting talent. Also, I wish I was Jimmy in this sketch. Score, CREAM! Rachel and I have something in common; we both play the cello.

RATING: 7/10


[SKETCH] The Little Mermaid; rated X 

This was really boring for awhile, but when Reese started to talk to about her vaginal secretions, I shat my pants, and I knew Will would say something funny, and he did. It was just repetitive after that.

RATING: 4/10


[MUSIC] Alicia Keyes performs "Fallin"

Well, time to get something to eat.

RATING: 2/10


[WEEKEND UPDATE] With Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey

Well, WNYT sucks because they'd rather show a commercial about Freighhoffers, so I just got in at the end of the Mariah Carey joke. But, Tina Fey looks hotter this year! Jimmy talking about his hair screwed up his jokes, but all the jokes were funny though; Janet Reno, Elizabeth Dole, Don King. And for the love of God, don't fire Hammond!! He was awesome as usual, the mannerisms he did just cracked me up. I star 69 him, and they said it was the Talliban. 

RATING: 9/10


[SKETCH] The Kulps sing for Lesbians
Well, why was this sketch at the end of the show!? Every time I see this I always crack up. "…we got a hot mic here, we do…" When they started to sing Jay-Z, I almost choked laughing. I loved how they said they're no strangers to sexual exploration, how Marty said he did it at an African dance camp. "…indiglo girls…"

RATING: 9.5/10


[SKETCH] Celebrity Jeopardy
Ohh God, get ready for the bathroom! WHY WAS THIS AT THE END OF THE SHOW!!?? I have to say though, this wasn't nearly as funny nor long as it should've been. But it was good. Connery cracks me up when he went to the board and said "hor semen" GREAT, but too short. I heard a lot got cut after dress, and this is the first Celebrity Jeopardy ever I haven't given a 10/10, so….

RATING: 9.5/10


[MUSIC] Alicia Keyes Round 2

Hmmm, I wonder if I have any ice cream….

[SKETCH] Baby Mix Up

Now this is some classic comedy. I loved how it kept farting and when they exchanged the baby, it was black. FINALLY Tracy in a sketch, he was cool about not even caring if the baby was his, about how he thought it was funny how it was farting. Not bad…

RATING: 5/10


[SKETCH] Versace

Well, Maya in another sketch, so I wasn't too crazy about watching it. When Kattan came out it was cool, and Hammond was finally in a sketch that he wasn't doing impressions in, and he was great. Other than that, just some filler.

RATING: 3/10


[GOODNIGHTS] Cast Call

I always like the goodnights, and it was extra special this time how all the firefighters and police officers came out. They didn't finish the credits again, and McKay is gone! Not a bad night.


Sketch of the night: Celebrity Jeopardy

Quote of the night: Will Ferrell as Marty Culp referring to bisexual exploration: "And I have to admit, as recently as last summer, taking an all male African dance class often left me both confused and engorged."


OVERALL EPISODE RATING: 59/100
I guess just the typical season premiere, although I was expecting a bit more. Reese was an okay host, but by no means great. Alicia Keyes, well, yea. Not what I wanted in a lot of aspects, but not a bad show. I'm looking forward to next week though with Seann William Scott, and Sum41, ahh, a good episode, finally. And can't wait to hear Tina's name in the credits.