This was a frustrating episode of SNL, not only because, with a few minor exceptions (like the saving grace that is Stefon), it wasn't very good, but also because I don't know where to direct my criticisms. It wasn't Bruno Mars's fault; he did the best he could for someone who, as he admitted during his monologue, had never done comedy before, and actually won me over through sheer perseverance and pure charm by the end of the night (especially in the Pandora sketch; not funny, but impressive). It wasn't the writers' fault — what the hell would you do with someone who, again, isn't a comedian? The cast was on point and Tom Hanks was a pleasant surprise, though he probably should have just hosted instead of randomly appearing in two sketches.
I take back what I said. I know where the fault lies: with Lorne Michaels and the rest of the gang involved with picking guests. There are hundreds of people who deserve to be hosting SNL over the guy who co-wrote a Flo Rida song, and even if he turned out to be a better choice than anyone could have imagined, he's not, say, Joel McHale, who makes his living being funny on TV. Maybe this is overly conservative of me, but I'd rather SNL book someone who is a comically-proven commodity than take a chance on maybe getting another Justin Timberlake, a once-in-a-decade find. Like Louis CK, who will host the next new episode, on November 3rd.
For that, all is forgiven, SNL. Except for the yeti rape sketch. Some things can't be unseen.
I guess making fun of "binders of women" would have made too much sense, huh?
It was risky move from Bruno admitting in the monologue that he's not a funny guy and has no idea why he was booked...wait, why was he booked again? Oh, that's right: he has an album, Unorthodox Jukebox, coming out on December 10th. Anyways, he sang well, danced well, and you could tell having a musical opener helped soothe Bruno's nerves. In that, it succeeded. In the jokes department, not so much.
HAHAHAHA ISN'T IT FUNNY WHEN A MAN DRESSES AS A WOMAN, LET ALONE TWO MEN?!?!?!?!??
I am furious SNL laid this deuce on a topic as seemingly limitless as Hater Court.
One of the big questions coming into this season was how SNL would handle digital shorts without actually calling them "Digital Shorts." So far, they haven't crossed over into Lonely Island territory, until "Sad Mouse," which was light on the laughs, but still pretty great. It reminded me of something Louie might try to do, minus the ending, touching in a way I didn't think a 38-year-old sketch comedy show could pull off.
Ugh, does this mean we have to pretend the people in those Times Square costumes, which are more often than not coated in piss and sadness, are real?
After publishing this post, I was reminded of Sad Panda:
Columbia University student Michelle Tay has sent us this exclusive interview with the man behind the [Sad Panda] mask. The audio is in Mandarin, but there are subtitles that tell the 62-year-old Jialing Chen's story — which includes a hard luck tale of being forced to leave his former restaurant job. Unable to find work again, he started out his journey as Sad Panda, where on a good day he'll make 30 bucks. His wife works 7 days a week as a private nurse, so the family can afford health care. (Via)
Thank god. (Via)
Not unlike an actual ride at the carnival, "Amusement Park" was fun the first time, when Jim Carrey joined Taran Killam and Bill Hader as the psychotic robots, less amusing the second time, and I WANT TO GET OFF THIS RIDE NOW the third time. It hasn't reached "Gilly" level of annoyance yet, but there's literally one joke in the premise, and now that we know what to expect, what's the point?
Except for Tom Hanks copping a feel. That was cool.
I don't know, guys. I just don't know. You'd think being sexually molested by a yeti would be comedy gold, and yet...
This series will never not be funny. I would pay so much money to see Todd Akin and the Legitimate Rapes on the same bill as Sixpence None the Richer. Hopefully they play "Rape Me" together.
RIP ASS DAN/BUTT DAVE
I think I hate Brad Pitt now.
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Sad Mouse was the greatest.
Agreed. Made me smile and forget my job at the slaughterhouse.
“the guy who co-wrote a Flo Rida song”! If that’s the best you can come up with, then you should probably swear not to write about anything ever again. He was the highest selling artist of 2011, and judging by the consensus, a pretty good host too. Funnier than a lot of cast members even, who are supposed to do this for a living.
I didnt know Bruno’s publicist read WG.
Judging by what consensus? You and your pets?
Burnsy – this is the home of Corgi Friday. I wouldn’t bash commenters who may or may not evaluate music based on how receptive it makes their pet to having his/her paws held and moved around in a dancey fashion.
I feel like co-writing a Flo Ridah (sp?) song somewhat qualifies someone as a comedian. How good was the song?
I appreciate this for being able to watch Stefon without wading through the rest of Weekend Update’s crap.
THough let’s be honest, all of Manhattan is Little Israel.
I think Bruno Mars did the best he could with what he had. I’m not a fan but I thought he was the most entertaining musical guest so far this year. I also wondered why Tom Hanks wasnt hosting. He could’ve shown up, dropped f-bombs, and it wouldve been the best show of the year, hands down.
They could have at least gotten his Bollywood counterpart, Otm Shank.
That’s too good an idea to be on NBC.
*to be allowed on NBC.
I would’ve KILLED to see Hanks do “Sabbra Price is Right”
For those that dont know…. [m.youtube.com]
You want to go to disco?
Disco! Disco! Good! Good!
Better Version: [www.metacafe.com]
Last night’s episode did not have sony guts.
Is LIKE sony guts
Maybe T. Hanks was too busy promoting Cloud Atlas to do a proper hosting gig?
Bruno wasn’t a great host, but he gets an A+ for enthusiasm.
Oh, and the first Stefon appearance of the season was well worth the wait.
This was the first episode that provided me with more than a couple LOL moments… I thought Mars did a great job. Sure it was an unconventional guest, but in a sea of weak Daniel Craig and Christina Applegate shows, this was decent.
Before folks get angry… yes there were some good parts in the Applegate epi, but for me the best thing about it was reliving my early teens and the inappropriate thoughts that walked hand in hand with each Applegate jiggle back on Married w Children.
How could you not like the Brad Pitt commercials? His impression is dead on.
Look people, we all know this but maybe it needs to be said again. The key to enjoying SNL is lowering your expectations. Nobody forgot their lines and the host didn’t shit his pants. BANG.
Getting drunk helps too.
Thank you for bringing up Joel McHale, and I would love to hear why he has not been on already. Not only would it seem natural that NBC might want to use it to promote Community on another show on its own network, but also Joel actually has sketch comedy chops as he was on Almost Live! for four years. (Almost Live! is an SNL type show in Seattle that McHale was a member of in the mid 90s)
NBC promote Community? Nice try.
I thought the sketches were great (minus “Haters”) and Bruno was awesome. It was probably my favorite episode of the last 10 or so.
But the audience was god awful. Sheesh.
Once again I have to ask, where the hell is Nasim? She is hilarious and they’ve barely been showing her! Also, they have a ton of funny women on this show but they still resort to dressing up the guys as women for a terrible sketch. Blech
I didn’t think this ep was too bad – Bruno also won me over. Even if your host doesn’t have comedy experience, if he’s high-energy and clearly invested in the experience, the writers and producers should be able to make the show funny. That’s their job.
I’m interested to see what kind of skits will make it when CK hosts. Will every cue card just read “Louie: [confused, detached stare]“?
I passed out during the cold opening (yes i slept on a lazy-boy). This skit made me laugh, loved the the cig joke and the news-stand thing really cracked me up. This was quality abstractionism, great post!
I thought this was an all-around solid episode (haters, yeti and haunted house sketches aside), especially given how awful the last couple have been. Bruno Mars could have been way worse, all things considered.
I love Louis CK, but I’m not expecting that to be a very good episode. He’s a very good writer of his own brand of comedy, but I don’t know that the SNL transition will work well.
Yeah Louis is a professional comedian who is great at what he does but can he do sketch comedy, this is the one area he’s not skilled at
Sad Mouse was good, And Bruno has sme great pipes. but boy as everything a stretch. hader breaking character has become such a normalcy now that it’s kind of losing the funny Still funny, yes. But it will get old, in time.
Unfortunately I can’t find a way to phrase this as a joke, but how are people praising guy who admittedly did well, but was basically just given sketches with minimal lines or singing, and at the same time worried that one of the most accomplished stand ups on the planet will not be any good? Has nobody seen Lucky Louie? Nobody? Well then, I’ll show myself out. (Hey, there’s a modicum of a joke after all!)
I’ll agree with Josh’s (and others’) assessment — you had to appreciate Bruno’s talents (singing/dancing/charm) both as musical act and host. I’m not a fan of his music, either, but dude is pretty damn good. Plus, he just looked so genuinely happy to be there it seemed to make the other cast members enthusiastic.
I’ll agree that the Pandora sketch wasn’t the funniest ever but at least it will be memorable years from now in that it was unique.
I thought the Pandora sketch was reasonably clever, and playing to the host’s talents. That should be the goal of the writers each week – play the hand you’re dealt. It’s a shame licensing will keep the sketch from being re-broadcast.
If somebody admits to having enjoyed this episode, do they lose internet cred? Just curious, really asking for a friend.
If so, where do I turn in my card?
I didnt even think that was a funny Stefon skit and those are always the best. Bruno Mars sucks. I don’t give a shit about ‘energy’ and ‘enthusiasm’. His songs are generic pop shit as well. Bring on Louie.
I like the Haunted house sketches, simply for the visuals that Hader, Killam, and usually the host give. Yes, the premise is the same, but man Hader kills.
Stefon is starting to lose it a little, I think because they are too focused on trying to get Hader to laugh instead of the audience. That being said, I still love Stefon.
I wouldn’t say this show was terrible, but, it definitely wasn’t good.
“It hasn’t reached “Gilly” level of annoyance yet, but there’s literally one joke in the premise, and now that we know what to expect, what’s the point?”
Says the guy who likes Stefon. Unless they start showing, Stefon is the worst character on SNL.
“I guess making fun of “binders of women” would have made too much sense, huh?”
Can’t believe they didn’t have a Mitt Romney rap song called ‘Binders full of women’ or something along those lines. Just because it’s political, doesn’t mean it always has to be told the same way. That’s what made In Livin’ Color so awesome.