Ryan Reynolds hosted but was upstaged by guest appearances by Madonna (who had a cat-fight with musical guest and Lawyer favorite Lady Gaga) and Reynolds's own special lady Scarlett Johansson. The show started strong with SNL's best (only) criticism of Barack Obama to date. The show then went to the tried and true "game show" sketch with an "old" Family Feud episode featuring MacKenzie Phillips and her father. The Adam Samberg song was the best of 2009, showing the ridiculousness of white rappers who think they're tough. And Fred Armisen was in every single skit. The show fizzled quickly (and completely after Weekend Update). Click here for the available videos.The Norwegian Acting skit was repetitive and Deep House Dish has never been funny. The Charles Barkley and Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonations were fine, but went on way too long. The Court TV skit was an OK idea, badly executed.
To me the most interesting thing in the show was Family Feud, which really said that, at the end of the day, the squares (portrayed by the Osmonds) win. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis was a strong episode. The opening was the first non-Republican punch thrown at Obama in 18 months - and it landed solidly.
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction as Priest to the 'squares win' slant to the Feud skit, which wasn't funny as much as it was a necessary repudiation of a Phillips.
I loved the Norwegian skit (especially Armisen) and agree with your assessment of the Court TV skit. Eeyore suicide was funny.
As for Lady Gaga, I knew while watching it that I would be called out by Doc. The first performance of Papparazi was just okay, but the second medley with her on the piano was pretty cool. As I've said before, if you like pure pop at all, Gaga is great. I can't defend the outfits, though.
It could have been funnier with categories that were more suited for the Philips family - incest, Oedipus, drug abuse. I'm lauging out loud just typing that!
ReplyDeleteThe Polanski - Press Your Luck thing was pretty great.