| Eric McCormack / Jay-Z | |
|
|
By Neil McCormick
After a week's break, I was definitely looking forward to this episode. When Sean Hayes hosted in season 26, that was one of the stronger episodes that season, so I was hoping the same would hold true with Eric McCormack. Not a big Jay-Z fan, but what can you do... it's a comedy show, the music is just a bonus.
{cold opening} Rudy
Guiliani Commercials
They found a new use for Darrell's Guiliani impression, so more power to them! It seems the impression was a little bit off and a little less than usual, but that's okay.... it's all good! I like how they decided to skip the one for the guy who's had a "lot of lies" surrounding his campaign. The computer generated voice at the end was classic too. Decent opening.
RATING : 7.5/10
{monologue} Eric
McCormack
No matter what other people think, I love when they do audience questions and answers. Overall, I found this monologue hilarious. The guy with the leather was comical. Thumbs up.
RATING : 8/10
{sketch} The
Bachelor
This was the first time in awhile that Maya's played a genuinely funny character in a sketch. Amy's one-legged character is
okay, but I really don't find it to be anything special. A few good lines in this sketch, so overall it was pretty decent.
RATING : 6.5/10
{sketch} Party
Games
When this sketch was first starting, I figured the punchline would be how nervous and dumb Eric's character was, but I was totally off. Rachel's first outburst caught me by complete surprise and had me laughing through the rest of the sketch. This was a great sketch concept executed flawlessly. Best sketch of the night. Hey.... wouldn't it have been funny if Will Ferrell had the outbursts of rage?
RATING : 9.5/10
{commercial} Talarico
vs. Frankel Pt.1
This is a four part commercial spread out throughout the episode, so I'll give all four a final rating and it will be counted as one commercial.
Okay, just the concept of one candidate suggesting people call another candidate is funny enough, let alone about "frightening seniors". The quotes and newspaper headlines were great too and added an extra bit of humor to the commercial. Well done.
{commercial} Talarico
vs. Frankel Pt.2
This commercial was the same as the first one, but funnier because it was more extreme. Again, the newspaper headlines really make this commercial work well. Very funny stuff.
{sketch} CNN
American Morning with Paula Zahn
I was awed that Tina is actually in a sketch. She actually looked a lot like Paula Zahn in this sketch, and her impression was pretty accurate, although it's not really too hard to master. However, I found this sketch concept to be really dumb and boring. Amy getting pissed wasn't bad though, and some of Rachel's facial expressions were classic. This couldn't make up for the lack of humor in the rest of the sketch, though.
RATING : 4/10
{commercial} Talarico
vs. Frankel Pt.3
This was, without a doubt, the funniest of the four parts. This ridiculous factor here was probably an 11 out of 10. I laughed throughout this whole commercial. I'm
thoroughly impressed.
{music} Jay-Z
feat. Lenny Kravitz
Okay, loyal readers of my reviews know my musical tastes, and they know that this does not fit into what I enjoy listening to. However, I will give Jay-Z one piece of credit; his music was played live, and it had guitars. That's it, though.
{weekend
update} Weekend Update
Ahh, it's Update time again, the highlight of my week. Or at least, of SNL. There were a few good jokes in this one, like the Aguilera Filthy Hot Dog Wagon and David Gest's wax head. I also found Gene Shalit's commentary hilarious. Anybody who's seen Shalit review a movie will find Horatio's impression funny. "Do I want to see it again? No, and don't jackask me again!" His overuse of puns is just classic. "Ring around the collar, skid marks in my drawers!" Plus, his dance at the end sealed the deal. Good update.
RATING : 9/10
{sketch} The
Bullhorn Defence
I'm officially a Will Forte fan; his character as the easy-going judge was probably funnier than the whole sketch concept to begin with. This was pretty funny at the beginning, but it got sort of drawn out near the end.... something else needed to happen. I can't expect anything more out of post-Update sketches though, good job.
RATING : 6/10
{commercial}
Talarico vs. Frankel Pt.4
The final chapter of these commercials was probably the worst of the four, but it's okay because it was still quite funny. I love how the source for all the information was "Verizon", and how at the end the commercial was paid for by "Verizon".
Overall, I think this series of commercials was great and an asset to this episode.
RATING : 9/10
{sketch} Z105
Morning Crew
This has recurring character all over it, which is unfortunate, because it really wasn't very good. Jimmy's character was kinda funny with his multiple voices, but the humor was few and far between. This was a real "end of the episode" sketch.
RATING : 4.5/10
{commercial} John
Hancock Insurance
"Last year, 2 people were killed by mountain lions" This was a cool concept, but it really didn't live up to it's full potential. They could have had much better and funnier little tidbits popup on the screen, so I guess that's why the commercial was pushed to near the end of the show. Overall, however, this wasn't too too bad. I found it funny in a few parts.
RATING : 5.5/10
{music} Jay-Z
feat. Beyonce
Yeah okay, I better get used to it; he's just the first rapper of 3-in-a-row.
{sketch} Jackass
: The Musical
Again, another great sketch concept. As Nick put it in his review, "naked Jeff Richards is not cool", but I think it was the funniest part of the whole sketch. The testimonials at the end were pretty funny, especially Rachel's. The press reviews were great too, they reminded me of the "Red Ships of Spain" from a few years ago. Good to see a fairly strong sketch near the end of the show.
RATING : 7/10
{sketch} Maya
and Tracy
Boo(urns). This was terrible. Worst ever. If this made the show, I'd hate to see what got cut from dress rehersal!
RATING : 0/10
{overall rating} 70
/ 100
{sketch of the night} Party Games (9.5)
{quote of the night} Rachel Dratch in the Party Games
sketch :
"Who the balls put Mendleson?!?!"
{points of interest} Tina Fey stars in a sketch tonight,
impersonating Paula Zahn.
Okay, so this
time the show gets a 70 rather than the three 71's preceding it. I suppose it
kind of deserves it though; the Maya and Tracy sketch at the end (0) didn't have
a chance to take down the average because I drop the lowest sketch, but the
Paula Zahn and Z105 Morning Crew sketches did their damage to the average.
Overall, not a bad episode at all. Eric McCormack did a good job as host,
although not as well as Sean Hayes did in season 26.
Next week we have Nia Vardalos (your guess is as good as
mine), and Eve (goodie...). Should be a good time. Until then, stay calm and be
good to your kids.