Robert DeNiro / Norah Jones
 

By Neil McCormick

    Last episode really wasn't too bad (tied for first as of when I wrote this), but I have even higher expectations for this episode. I always though that Rob would make a great host, so hopefully he'll step up and put a wicked show out there. Not that worried about the musical guest, if it's not rap it's just harmless.

 

    {cold opening} Homeland Security Briefing
        Darrell back as Tom Ridge is always a good thing, and he looks much more like him now that he's toned down the makeup. DeNiro really made the cold opening work, so kudos to him. The fake Arab names are always a nice touch...
        RATING : 9/10

 

    {monologue} Robert DeNiro
        I know Nick is a fan of the monologues where it's just the host, but I only like these when there's some comedy involved, and there wasn't here. Disappointing monologue, but it's not like it's a reflection on what the episode will be like.
        RATING : 3/10

 

    {commercial} Big N' Tasty
        Here's my rant for this season...
        Global TV is, without a doubt, the single most ridiculous and amateur network ever. In Canada, they show SNL on Global TV so that, when the American commercials come on they can switch it over to Canadian commercials. When they saw this sketch starting out, they switched over to some Canadian commercials (thinking it was an actual commercial), so I missed the whole thing. Thanks to SNLTranscripts, I was able to read what was said. It sounds like the funniest thing ever. I sure am happy I missed it! I'm going to give this a 9 out of 10, simply for the fact that I didn't actually see it. If I did, it would probably be a 10...
        RATING : 9/10

 

    {sketch} Thomas Jefferson
        This whole sketch concept is pretty funny if you think about it... cause it's Thomas Jefferson! A few good lines in this one, especially Tracy's lines at the end, but generally not something to lead off the show.
        RATING : 6/10

 

    {sketch} Peter Pan
        DeNiro at his finest... some pretty funny stuff in this one! These were the types of sketches I was expecting before the show started. Just the sight of Rob in the Peter Pan suit was funny enough to make this a decent sketch. Good stuff.
        RATING : 8/10

 

    {sketch} Santa Claus
        This really wasn't funny at all. The only actually funny part was when Chris was like "your loss!" and walked away, but they ruined this by having him come back. Not really a funny concept at all... NOT a big fan.
        RATING : 3.5/10

 

    {sketch} UN Weapons Inspectors
        I laughed for quite awhile after the punch line in this one... one of those quick one liners that worked, and worked very well. I'm a fan of this one.
        RATING : 8.5/10

 

    {sketch} Judge Horace
        I really didn't go for the whole "Judge Horace" character. Although Nick seems to be a big fan, I couldn't really see the humor in this one. Tremendous potential, but really not anything worth seeing again. Disappointing.
        RATING : 4/10

 

    {music} Norah Jones
        Nothing too offensive here, and this is certainly a nice break from the rap 3-in-a-row we had right before this!!

 

    {weekend update} With Jimmy Fallon & Tina Fey
        This was a pretty good all around update. There were a few good jokes, but the rest were pretty much just average. Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown were a bit boring and redundant, but the Rachel and Kattan cruise couple was pretty funny. Nothing spectacular and nothing that matches last season really, but not bad for this year.
        RATING : 9/10

 

    {sketch} A Very Versace Chanukah
        Must be a gas leak in the writers room. This crap isn't funny. The Keitel appearance wins this sketch 1 point. It's lucky to even get that much.
        RATING : 1/10

 

    {sketch} Used Car Salesman
        This is another fine example of what I expected from this show, except this sketch really didn't have much of a punch line. I found it was funny at first how Rob was smacking Seth, but it just went on five times too long.
        RATING : 4/10

 

    {sketch} Bedtime Story
        This sketch was a definite improvement from the previous two, but still not anything special. Sure, I chuckled a few times, but that's all this sketch is really worth.
        RATING : 5/10

 

    {music} Norah Jones
        Probably the 2nd best performance this episode.

 

    {sketch} Radioactive Bear
        NBC gets pretty good use out of their bear suits, don't they? This was a clever little sketch which was pretty funny throughout. One of the better sketches of the night for sure, and a good way to end off a terribly disappointing episode.
        RATING : 7.5/10

 

     

   {overall rating} 64 / 100
    {sketch of the night} UN Weapons Inspectors (8.5)
    {quote of the night} Voiceover from Big N' Tasty Commercial, "According to United States Law, the Big N' Tasty cannot perform the duties of a Legal Guardian. If you were to go into McDonald's and say, "Hey, Big N' Tasty, take care of my kids while I run some errands," you may face legal action."
    {points of interest} This episode featured a special appearance by Harvey Keitel and a voiceover by Jim Downey.

 

    64... what a disappointment! It really seemed that DeNiro wasn't in the game tonight... he continuously fumbled his lines and really didn't seem to be into the whole show. I don't think NBC's gonna be in a huge hurry to get him back again. Next week is former Vice-President Al Gore with musical guest Phish... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Tim Calhoun appearance!!