Saturday Night Live: SNL40
February 15, 2015 10:36 PM - Season 40, Episode 25 - Subscribe
A 3 1/2 hour retrospective of the past 40 years of Saturday Night Live on NBC (preceded by a 1 hour Red Carpet special)!
Sketches included:
Super Bassomatic 2150
Celebrity Jeopardy!
The Californians (with a Buh-bye coda)
Weekend Update with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtain
Wayne's World
Musical Guests included:
Paul McCartney
Kanye West and Sia
Miley Cyrus (doing Paul Simon)
Paul Simon (also doing Paul Simon!)
RIP Jon Lovitz
Sketches included:
Super Bassomatic 2150
Celebrity Jeopardy!
The Californians (with a Buh-bye coda)
Weekend Update with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtain
Wayne's World
Musical Guests included:
Paul McCartney
Kanye West and Sia
Miley Cyrus (doing Paul Simon)
Paul Simon (also doing Paul Simon!)
RIP Jon Lovitz
I was impressed that they managed to get a blender of the proper vintage for the Bassomatic.
They couldn't get Al Gore to come back?
posted by ckape at 11:54 PM on February 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
They couldn't get Al Gore to come back?
posted by ckape at 11:54 PM on February 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
It dragged at the end but overall it was pretty good.
The much-advertised iPhone app is also pretty good for show highlights.
posted by GuyZero at 12:30 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
The much-advertised iPhone app is also pretty good for show highlights.
posted by GuyZero at 12:30 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Too much goddamn Paul Simon!
I know he and Lorne are bff but for crying out loud!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:52 AM on February 16, 2015
I know he and Lorne are bff but for crying out loud!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:52 AM on February 16, 2015
The Californians
...is exactly when I gave up. That sketch was excruciatingly long. Paul McCartney was painful to listen to (though the brief duet with Simon was well done). De Niro was.. no.
The opening song with Fallon and Timberlake was pretty nice though--I keep forgetting how unbelievably charming Timberlake is when he's doing his thing. Rachel Dratch's line was fantastic, and the cutaway shot to Jon Lovitz made me giggle. Jeopardy was no please just kill it with fire.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:10 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
...is exactly when I gave up. That sketch was excruciatingly long. Paul McCartney was painful to listen to (though the brief duet with Simon was well done). De Niro was.. no.
The opening song with Fallon and Timberlake was pretty nice though--I keep forgetting how unbelievably charming Timberlake is when he's doing his thing. Rachel Dratch's line was fantastic, and the cutaway shot to Jon Lovitz made me giggle. Jeopardy was no please just kill it with fire.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:10 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
All the musical guests to choose from, and we got Miley Cyrus and Kanye West? I would rather have seen Miley and Vanessa Bayer as dueling Mileys.
posted by SisterHavana at 2:41 AM on February 16, 2015
posted by SisterHavana at 2:41 AM on February 16, 2015
Kanye was pretty damn good, but Miley, giiirrrl... who thought it would be a good idea to have an only-slightly-more-rocking version of a song by the dude who closed the show?
And where the fuck was Dave Grohl? He's got the most musical appearances of anyone in history, and he didn't show up on screen once that I recall.
posted by Etrigan at 4:31 AM on February 16, 2015
And where the fuck was Dave Grohl? He's got the most musical appearances of anyone in history, and he didn't show up on screen once that I recall.
posted by Etrigan at 4:31 AM on February 16, 2015
Eddie Murphy literally could have phoned his appearance in.
I was hoping Ringo would show up and he and Paul could try and collect their $1500. I love Paul McCartney and he can do whatever he wants, but damn his voice was shot last night.
posted by marxchivist at 6:03 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
I was hoping Ringo would show up and he and Paul could try and collect their $1500. I love Paul McCartney and he can do whatever he wants, but damn his voice was shot last night.
posted by marxchivist at 6:03 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yeah...McCartney...Admittedly, I haven't heard him in ages, but...yikes. I was pretty stunned how bad he sounded. Vocal cords must look like pulled pork, from the sound of things.
I'm on the fence re: Miley's performance of 50 Ways... On one hand, yeah, kind of an odd choice of performer for one of the featured music performances. On the other hand...I've not really ever listened to her stuff, and this performance was...not too bad, really. I was surprised that she actually has a very nice voice. Still...too much Paul Simon.
DeNiro was uncomfortable to watch. Murphy...wtf? That huge build-up by Rock and then...nothing. I was ready for Murph to kill it, mike drop, and walk off. But, no. Wasn't even trying to be funny, it seemed.
~ I was impressed that they managed to get a blender of the proper vintage for the Bassomatic.
Property departments never throw away anything.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:11 AM on February 16, 2015
I'm on the fence re: Miley's performance of 50 Ways... On one hand, yeah, kind of an odd choice of performer for one of the featured music performances. On the other hand...I've not really ever listened to her stuff, and this performance was...not too bad, really. I was surprised that she actually has a very nice voice. Still...too much Paul Simon.
DeNiro was uncomfortable to watch. Murphy...wtf? That huge build-up by Rock and then...nothing. I was ready for Murph to kill it, mike drop, and walk off. But, no. Wasn't even trying to be funny, it seemed.
~ I was impressed that they managed to get a blender of the proper vintage for the Bassomatic.
Property departments never throw away anything.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:11 AM on February 16, 2015
I must confess to playing Spot the Celebrity when they would cut to the audience.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:34 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 6:34 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
They should have had Miley do "Still Crazy After All These Years" in the giant turkey costume.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:36 AM on February 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 6:36 AM on February 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
I loved it. Almost all of it, though like the show in general, the low points were pretty low. I won't hold some of the awkward "wait... I thought we were going to cut there..." moments against it because it's a live show.
First off, I love the Californians. Yes, I seem to be in the minority but so be it. I know a lot of it comes down to just the expressions on Hader and Armisen's faces but I love that sketch. Anyone who disagrees with me can take the 10 down to the 401 right into the ocean.
The ending with the Total Bastard Airlines was kind of a nice touch. They should end sketches that way more often. Buh Bye.
Eddie Murphy was amazing when he was a cast member and it's true that his presence did a lot to revive the show but that tribute last night was so awkward and unnecessary. They should have spent that much time with a tribute to Phil Hartman. Or maybe Eddie could have even attempted to not take himself so seriously.
RIP Lovitz. Too funny.
I enjoyed the format of the show. Lots of "best of" quick clips combined with some of the best recurring sketches. Happy to see Norm doing Burt/Turd even if his entrance was a bit weird.
SNL musical guests are not for me, and haven't been for some time, so I'm not really going to criticize them only to say that Miley was better than Paul, which kind of surprised me.
I guess they're pretending Cecily's short stint on WU never happened, which is too bad. She was much better than either of the two doing it now.
It wasn't perfect, SNL never is, but it was a nice tribute to 40 years of the show. I hope we get ten more years of a Lorne Michaels SNL.
posted by bondcliff at 7:08 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
First off, I love the Californians. Yes, I seem to be in the minority but so be it. I know a lot of it comes down to just the expressions on Hader and Armisen's faces but I love that sketch. Anyone who disagrees with me can take the 10 down to the 401 right into the ocean.
The ending with the Total Bastard Airlines was kind of a nice touch. They should end sketches that way more often. Buh Bye.
Eddie Murphy was amazing when he was a cast member and it's true that his presence did a lot to revive the show but that tribute last night was so awkward and unnecessary. They should have spent that much time with a tribute to Phil Hartman. Or maybe Eddie could have even attempted to not take himself so seriously.
RIP Lovitz. Too funny.
I enjoyed the format of the show. Lots of "best of" quick clips combined with some of the best recurring sketches. Happy to see Norm doing Burt/Turd even if his entrance was a bit weird.
SNL musical guests are not for me, and haven't been for some time, so I'm not really going to criticize them only to say that Miley was better than Paul, which kind of surprised me.
I guess they're pretending Cecily's short stint on WU never happened, which is too bad. She was much better than either of the two doing it now.
It wasn't perfect, SNL never is, but it was a nice tribute to 40 years of the show. I hope we get ten more years of a Lorne Michaels SNL.
posted by bondcliff at 7:08 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
I was following this on Twitter and sort of regretting not watching it, then hit a few clips on the web after it was finished.
It was funnier on Twitter.
posted by anastasiav at 7:08 AM on February 16, 2015
It was funnier on Twitter.
posted by anastasiav at 7:08 AM on February 16, 2015
I got some strong pushback on this on twitter but that speech by Chris Rock about Eddie cemented this for me: Chris Rock is better in every way than Eddie. Eddie was very important at the time, but only because he then inspired people like Chris Rock. Eddie's comedy, his persona, his sketches, and most of his movies haven't aged well. Chris Rock's comedy sets, his film roles, Everybody Hates Chris, the shows and films he's produced, but especially his run of impeccable, perfect, brilliant comedy sets from 1996-now, all will last forever as astonishing works of art. Eddie was just the first person to say a Yo Momma joke on tv.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:58 AM on February 16, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:58 AM on February 16, 2015 [11 favorites]
The reunion felt to me like those creaky celebrity roasts that Dean Martin did in the 70s, that consisted of old men and women sitting around playing out a style of comedy that had been passe for two decades. It was a strange feeling.
I mean, the Sean Connery Celebrity Jeopardy joke is still funny, but, oh my God, Connery retired from film in 2007. I'm glad there is some life in this material yet, but it felt very much pitched at the nostalgia set, like a Dinosaurs of Rock for the late-night comedy crowd.
posted by maxsparber at 8:14 AM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
I mean, the Sean Connery Celebrity Jeopardy joke is still funny, but, oh my God, Connery retired from film in 2007. I'm glad there is some life in this material yet, but it felt very much pitched at the nostalgia set, like a Dinosaurs of Rock for the late-night comedy crowd.
posted by maxsparber at 8:14 AM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
The reunion felt to me like those creaky celebrity roasts that Dean Martin did in the 70s...
That nails it, thank you. I enjoyed parts of the show for the nostalgia factor, but it was kind of embarrassing at the same time.
posted by marxchivist at 8:19 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
That nails it, thank you. I enjoyed parts of the show for the nostalgia factor, but it was kind of embarrassing at the same time.
posted by marxchivist at 8:19 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
I just wished the people who had died since SNL25 (Hooks and Pardo specifically) had gotten a chance to be eulogized by those who loved them on air in more than clips. Belushi, Gilda and Hartman had gotten that on SNL25, so you wouldn't have had to do it again.
Still, nice use of the "Goodnights" music from the end of the show over the reel of those who have died.
posted by inturnaround at 8:21 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Still, nice use of the "Goodnights" music from the end of the show over the reel of those who have died.
posted by inturnaround at 8:21 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Anyone else disappointed they didn't have Paul Simon sing "Wrecking Ball"?
posted by The Gooch at 8:23 AM on February 16, 2015 [14 favorites]
posted by The Gooch at 8:23 AM on February 16, 2015 [14 favorites]
Chris Rock is better in every way than Eddie.
I'll agree that Rock has a better stand-up career, but Murphy basically gave it up after, what, Delirious? And sure, Murphy has only made one good movie in the last 20 years (Bowfinger), but he has Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Trading Places and Coming to America. Rock has perhaps one movie that stands up to those five, and that's being generous.
Eddie Murphy is in the pantheon of comedy. Chris Rock is great, but he's standing on a lower tier.
posted by Etrigan at 8:25 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'll agree that Rock has a better stand-up career, but Murphy basically gave it up after, what, Delirious? And sure, Murphy has only made one good movie in the last 20 years (Bowfinger), but he has Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Trading Places and Coming to America. Rock has perhaps one movie that stands up to those five, and that's being generous.
Eddie Murphy is in the pantheon of comedy. Chris Rock is great, but he's standing on a lower tier.
posted by Etrigan at 8:25 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
Yes. also where the FUCK was Toonces? SNL 100% has no idea what makes them great.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:26 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:26 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
I didn't manage to watch the entire show (I made it to around 10:15 or so) but from what I saw, it seemed very light on women. I know that's been a complaint against the show in recent years, but seriously, if they're trotting out BigNameCelebrities (TM) who have little/nothing to do with the show anyway (DeNiro), couldn't they have found room for a token female? And shouldn't Candice Bergen have at least had an appearance in the multiple hosts skit? (Or did I miss it? I was in and out of the TV room for a bit during the broadcast.)
posted by sardonyx at 8:31 AM on February 16, 2015
posted by sardonyx at 8:31 AM on February 16, 2015
Musical numbers = No
Update = only Stefan
Host = never. Opposite of that
Sports: Huh?
Musical guests = Nope.
Weirdo-writing 12:42 sketches: Yes and yes.
Celebrity impersonations: Only in bits like jeopardy.
Politics: Zzz
Women: Yes
Black people: Yes
Old men: No
Betty White: Why?
Catchphrases: No thank you
Absurdity: Always
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:33 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Update = only Stefan
Host = never. Opposite of that
Sports: Huh?
Musical guests = Nope.
Weirdo-writing 12:42 sketches: Yes and yes.
Celebrity impersonations: Only in bits like jeopardy.
Politics: Zzz
Women: Yes
Black people: Yes
Old men: No
Betty White: Why?
Catchphrases: No thank you
Absurdity: Always
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:33 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sports: Huh?
SNL has always had this weird fascination with athletes as hosts -- like they're still high-school comedy nerds who deride the jocks but still want so desperately to be cool enough to hang out with them.
posted by Etrigan at 9:10 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
SNL has always had this weird fascination with athletes as hosts -- like they're still high-school comedy nerds who deride the jocks but still want so desperately to be cool enough to hang out with them.
posted by Etrigan at 9:10 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
The funny thing being is that athletes never look as un-cool as they do when they host Saturday Night Live.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:35 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:35 AM on February 16, 2015 [3 favorites]
Where was Ralph Nader?
Others MIA:
Albert Brooks and Harry Shearer have longstanding beefs with Lorne/NBC, so I imagine Christopher Guest feels the same. Buck Henry has been miffed since The New Show (allegedly). Randy Quaid is too busy in his bunker videotaping rants about chemtrails. Didn't see RDJ.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:48 AM on February 16, 2015
Others MIA:
Albert Brooks and Harry Shearer have longstanding beefs with Lorne/NBC, so I imagine Christopher Guest feels the same. Buck Henry has been miffed since The New Show (allegedly). Randy Quaid is too busy in his bunker videotaping rants about chemtrails. Didn't see RDJ.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:48 AM on February 16, 2015
Was America really clamoring for more Garth and Kat?
posted by MrBadExample at 9:50 AM on February 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by MrBadExample at 9:50 AM on February 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
While I enjoyed a few of the live sketches, this show being intended as a 40-year-retrospective, I would have preferred far more highlights of past shows than were included. For example, no disrespect intended to either Melissa McCarthy or Emma Stone, but I would have gladly traded either of their impersonations for a clip of an actual Matt Foley Motivational Speaker or Roseanne Roseannadanna sketch. It felt very odd to include the former but not the latter. Similarly, I thought Chris Rock's tribute to Eddie Murphy was very touching and heartfelt, but was rather shocked that it included zero actual content of Murphy's SNL highlights.
posted by The Gooch at 10:06 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by The Gooch at 10:06 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
The line is Wow, that's TERRIFIC bass. You had one job, Laraine!
posted by Sys Rq at 10:27 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Sys Rq at 10:27 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Was America really clamoring for more Garth and Kat?
I was feeling very nostalgic last night, because I held back my fast forward reflex for almost half of their segment.
The breaking song was good. It's nice to be reminded that even consummate professionals like Hartman broke occasionally. Though I am hoping for a YouTube extended version where the Fallon and Sanz portion goes on another 5 minutes.
posted by Gary at 10:28 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
I was feeling very nostalgic last night, because I held back my fast forward reflex for almost half of their segment.
The breaking song was good. It's nice to be reminded that even consummate professionals like Hartman broke occasionally. Though I am hoping for a YouTube extended version where the Fallon and Sanz portion goes on another 5 minutes.
posted by Gary at 10:28 AM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's nice to be reminded that even consummate professionals like Hartman broke occasionally.
Twice. I was amazed that they found two. I feel like they must pass tapes of those moments around to marvel at them like that film of Bigfoot.
posted by Etrigan at 10:47 AM on February 16, 2015
Twice. I was amazed that they found two. I feel like they must pass tapes of those moments around to marvel at them like that film of Bigfoot.
posted by Etrigan at 10:47 AM on February 16, 2015
I think it would have been too easy for SNL to attempt your standard retrospective production of combining vintage clips with taped reminisces of past participants and perspectives from people influenced by the show, especially now that those highlights are so readily available on DVD, YouTube and streaming services. Yeah, it would have given you more and better laughs, but putting together a live show, assembling so many stars from 40 years, generating new material (even if it was just re-hashing classic sketches) was braver and more ambitious, and not having the end result totally suck was pretty impressive. Even if it didn't match the gold standard of Motown's 25th anniversary special (which is historic mainly because it included the unforeseeable instant of Michael Jackson's apotheosis from superstar to pop culture phenomenon), at least it wasn't the Rolling Stone 10th anniversary TV special.
posted by ogooglebar at 11:00 AM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by ogooglebar at 11:00 AM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
I got my RDA of Cleghorne, so I was feeling pretty swell. I missed seeing Melanie Hutsell though. Was she in anything?
Chris Rock is great in many ways and I've seen him on tour, but Eddie is on another level.
posted by cashman at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2015
Chris Rock is great in many ways and I've seen him on tour, but Eddie is on another level.
posted by cashman at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2015
Too much goddamn Paul Simon!
No such thing as too much Paul Simon.
posted by jbickers at 11:48 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
No such thing as too much Paul Simon.
posted by jbickers at 11:48 AM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Los Lobos disagree.
posted by Sys Rq at 12:14 PM on February 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 12:14 PM on February 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
Miley, giiirrrl... who thought it would be a good idea to have an only-slightly-more-rocking version of a song by the dude who closed the show?
It was weird for her to do the song with Paul there, but I do give her credit for choosing a song that makes sense in the context of the show. She will be on TV a lot, so she doesn't need to use this appearance to plug a new album or something.
Compare that to Dakota Johnson plugging a movie that will be completely forgotten in a couple years. I guess they were pulling a Doctor Who featuring a future host in the anniversary special? But it just seemed out of place.
posted by Gary at 12:50 PM on February 16, 2015
It was weird for her to do the song with Paul there, but I do give her credit for choosing a song that makes sense in the context of the show. She will be on TV a lot, so she doesn't need to use this appearance to plug a new album or something.
Compare that to Dakota Johnson plugging a movie that will be completely forgotten in a couple years. I guess they were pulling a Doctor Who featuring a future host in the anniversary special? But it just seemed out of place.
posted by Gary at 12:50 PM on February 16, 2015
Compare that to Dakota Johnson plugging a movie that will be completely forgotten in a couple years. I guess they were pulling a Doctor Who featuring a future host in the anniversary special? But it just seemed out of place.
The first episode had Paul Simon appear solely to say something to the effect of "I'm hosting next week! And Art Garfunkel will be here too!"
posted by Etrigan at 12:55 PM on February 16, 2015
The first episode had Paul Simon appear solely to say something to the effect of "I'm hosting next week! And Art Garfunkel will be here too!"
posted by Etrigan at 12:55 PM on February 16, 2015
Fair enough, I meant that comment more to give credit to Miley than put anyone down. Dakota's joke at least worked. If anything the show was remarkable in that it didn't feature a bunch of celebrities plugging their pet projects.
posted by Gary at 1:26 PM on February 16, 2015
posted by Gary at 1:26 PM on February 16, 2015
"Hey, Larry David! Remember that thing we did that has nothing to do with why anyone else is here?"
"Sure I do, Jerry Seinfeld!"
"We should reminisce about that, right now!"
posted by ckape at 1:39 PM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
"Sure I do, Jerry Seinfeld!"
"We should reminisce about that, right now!"
posted by ckape at 1:39 PM on February 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
I didn't know this story re: Los Lobos/Paul Simon
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:40 PM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:40 PM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't know why I didn't catch "Le Tits Now" before it happened, but I was howling. HOWLING.
I am a cheap date.
posted by St. Hubbins at 2:52 PM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
I am a cheap date.
posted by St. Hubbins at 2:52 PM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
“Eddie Murphy JUST thought of something funny to say.”— J. Elvis Weinstein (@JElvisWeinstein) 2:33 AM - 16 Feb 2015
posted by ob1quixote at 4:32 PM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by ob1quixote at 4:32 PM on February 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
I find the Eddie Murphy worship inexplicable, but that's probably because I had to live through the decade-long national Reagan-approved fag-with-AIDS joke that he fanned into full flame with Delirious.
posted by sonascope at 5:27 PM on February 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by sonascope at 5:27 PM on February 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
>The reunion felt to me like those creaky celebrity roasts that Dean Martin did in the 70s...
Those are SO GOOD. I'm always impressed with the editing on them as they were probably using a two camera setup and editing in the reaction shots later. Don Rickles is almost always the closer, and if you don't understand why, English must be your second second language.
I'll have to watch this 3 hour debacle this week. I did like the Jaws theme, and I'm so glad that Paul "you'll never be a blues brother" Schaffer was on piano for it.
posted by Catblack at 7:03 PM on February 16, 2015
Those are SO GOOD. I'm always impressed with the editing on them as they were probably using a two camera setup and editing in the reaction shots later. Don Rickles is almost always the closer, and if you don't understand why, English must be your second second language.
I'll have to watch this 3 hour debacle this week. I did like the Jaws theme, and I'm so glad that Paul "you'll never be a blues brother" Schaffer was on piano for it.
posted by Catblack at 7:03 PM on February 16, 2015
An idea just popped into my head and now I am pissed they didn't fit in a Jebadiah Atkinson review of Saturday Night Live. Or at least him sitting in the audience yelling "NEXT!" for every sketch.
posted by ckape at 12:16 AM on February 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ckape at 12:16 AM on February 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
It was OK. A lot of the sketches with the latter-day cast reminded me of why I only watch content from the show once or twice a year when something is mildly amusing enough that someone pulls it up on their phone and shows me.
If there were any people under 30 watching last night, I think that the Wayne's World sketch was probably the most incomprehensible. Not only is the hair metal archetype essentially meaningless, but none of those catch-phrases are funny on their own (arguably not that funny to begin with), and the jokes were in short supply.
That's actually something I realized watching the reunion: so much of SNL comedy is based on people doing funny voices, but not actually making jokes. Some performers can pull that off with delivery, and others absolutely cannot.
posted by codacorolla at 7:14 AM on February 17, 2015
If there were any people under 30 watching last night, I think that the Wayne's World sketch was probably the most incomprehensible. Not only is the hair metal archetype essentially meaningless, but none of those catch-phrases are funny on their own (arguably not that funny to begin with), and the jokes were in short supply.
That's actually something I realized watching the reunion: so much of SNL comedy is based on people doing funny voices, but not actually making jokes. Some performers can pull that off with delivery, and others absolutely cannot.
posted by codacorolla at 7:14 AM on February 17, 2015
In that clip of Darrell Hammond as Clinton in the Rose Garden, they dropped the best part, "Next time, you best bring Kryptonite."
Wonder why they didn't break this up into two 90-minute shows?
posted by fuse theorem at 7:40 PM on February 17, 2015
Wonder why they didn't break this up into two 90-minute shows?
posted by fuse theorem at 7:40 PM on February 17, 2015
I wondered if they only showed snippets so could sell more Greatest Hits collections.
posted by mecran01 at 10:14 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by mecran01 at 10:14 AM on February 18, 2015
Right now @normmacdonald is tweeting about writing the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch with Steve Higgins and how they tried to get Eddie Murphy to do Cosby. It's pretty amazing. It's also making me like Eddie less for not doing it.
posted by bondcliff at 5:38 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 5:38 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
bondcliff: “Right now @normmacdonald is tweeting about writing the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch with Steve Higgins and how they tried to get Eddie Murphy to do Cosby. It's pretty amazing. It's also making me like Eddie less for not doing it.”I hope he doesn't delete this story, or someone manages to Storify it before he does, because it's great.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:23 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not quite old enough to have seen the earliest seasons of SNL when they originally aired, but of course I've seen many clips from them. However, I don't recall seeing Laraine Newman's news reporter before this weekend, when I saw the character twice — once when SNL re-ran its original episode Saturday night, and again on the 40th anniversary show.
So I never realized until just now that the voice of "Asian reporter Tricia Takanawa" on Family Guy is a pretty direct reference to Newman's character.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:30 PM on February 18, 2015
So I never realized until just now that the voice of "Asian reporter Tricia Takanawa" on Family Guy is a pretty direct reference to Newman's character.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:30 PM on February 18, 2015
Just in case he does decide to delete them…
“Norm Macdonald's epic 'SNL 40' recap,” Jean Bentley, Storify, 18 February 2015
posted by ob1quixote at 10:43 PM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
“Norm Macdonald's epic 'SNL 40' recap,” Jean Bentley, Storify, 18 February 2015
posted by ob1quixote at 10:43 PM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
Here's Gawker's de-twittered version. Interesting!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:52 AM on February 19, 2015
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:52 AM on February 19, 2015
Oh man, I don't know whether Dan Aykroyd's energy-free Blues Brothers performance or Eddie Murphy's "I'm sure I'll think of something to say once I'm out there" was the most painful moment of the whole proceedings
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:10 AM on February 19, 2015
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:10 AM on February 19, 2015
Right now @normmacdonald is tweeting about writing the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch with Steve Higgins and how they tried to get Eddie Murphy to do Cosby. It's pretty amazing.
Its easy to forget that a lot of people get hired for SNL because they are great writers (Tina Fey actually falls into this category). Whatever is said about him as a performer (and I don't actually think the Rolling Stone rankings were far off the mark) he's clearly an amazingly gifted writer. I wonder how his SNL legacy would be different if that had been his primary contribution to the show?
posted by anastasiav at 7:40 AM on February 19, 2015
Its easy to forget that a lot of people get hired for SNL because they are great writers (Tina Fey actually falls into this category). Whatever is said about him as a performer (and I don't actually think the Rolling Stone rankings were far off the mark) he's clearly an amazingly gifted writer. I wonder how his SNL legacy would be different if that had been his primary contribution to the show?
posted by anastasiav at 7:40 AM on February 19, 2015
I wonder how his SNL legacy would be different if that had been his primary contribution to the show?
The undisputed king of the Ten-to-One sketches, and the biggest annoyance for the Weekend Update anchor on a week-to-week basis.
"Seriously, Norm? Another 'Germans love David Hasselhoff' joke?"
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 AM on February 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
The undisputed king of the Ten-to-One sketches, and the biggest annoyance for the Weekend Update anchor on a week-to-week basis.
"Seriously, Norm? Another 'Germans love David Hasselhoff' joke?"
posted by Etrigan at 7:57 AM on February 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
From Norm McDonald's Twitter: The last anniversary was the 25th. Eddie did not attend due to a remark by David Spade. David is a very kind man, but his remark was not.
If I recall, the remark was from Spade's Hollywood Minute bit on Weekend Update that consisted of a stillshot of Eddie Murphy while Spade said "Look kids, a falling star. Make a wish".
posted by dr_dank at 10:06 PM on February 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I recall, the remark was from Spade's Hollywood Minute bit on Weekend Update that consisted of a stillshot of Eddie Murphy while Spade said "Look kids, a falling star. Make a wish".
posted by dr_dank at 10:06 PM on February 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I finally just today got around to watching this, and in absence of anything worthwhile to say I will do what I always do when watching reunion shows:
The award for best aged cast member goes to.............Colin Quinn? huh.
posted by phunniemee at 5:25 PM on February 27, 2015
The award for best aged cast member goes to.............Colin Quinn? huh.
posted by phunniemee at 5:25 PM on February 27, 2015
In fairness, he had a pretty low ceiling to start from.
posted by Etrigan at 3:12 AM on February 28, 2015
posted by Etrigan at 3:12 AM on February 28, 2015
I missed seeing Melanie Hutsell though. Was she in anything?
She was on the stage when the credits rolled, standing with Siobhan Fallon.
I saw the show a few days after it aired, with the commercials edited out. To think, there was almost an hours' worth of quality commercials I didn't get to sit through to watch this dreck! Biiitch?Pleeze.
But really, it was a nice stroll down memory lane. All the goofs and stuff, well, I figure they were flying by the seat of their pants, and it made the show have the feeling of one of those first-season shows where everything and the kitchen sink was thrown against the wall. I was only perplexed at the Paul McCartney self-worship segment and the musical guests in general, also as to why Paul Simon wasn't dressed in the turkey costume. I am also guessing Elvis Costello was busy.
I'm liking the show now because it is in that wierd stage where nobody knows whom we'll be referencing in years to come. Like, there was the Sandler/Spade/Farley era, the Ferrel/Fallon/Poehler/Fey eras, Murphy & Piscopo, Hartman & Lovitz (RIP) eras, the Sudekis-Hader-Wiig-Samberg-Armisen decade... the original cast...
But these days? Will this have been the waning of the Kenan-Moynihan era? The Aidy Bryant years? I don't see any one cast member as THE STAR. If anyone, I am rooting for Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. The McKinnon-Jones era! I'm still mourning the early demise of what could have been the Brooks Wheelan or the Paul Brittain dynasty.
Also, WHERE WAS TIM KAZURINSKY IN ALL THIS? BITCHPLEEEEEZE
posted by not_on_display at 10:47 PM on February 28, 2015
She was on the stage when the credits rolled, standing with Siobhan Fallon.
I saw the show a few days after it aired, with the commercials edited out. To think, there was almost an hours' worth of quality commercials I didn't get to sit through to watch this dreck! Biiitch?Pleeze.
But really, it was a nice stroll down memory lane. All the goofs and stuff, well, I figure they were flying by the seat of their pants, and it made the show have the feeling of one of those first-season shows where everything and the kitchen sink was thrown against the wall. I was only perplexed at the Paul McCartney self-worship segment and the musical guests in general, also as to why Paul Simon wasn't dressed in the turkey costume. I am also guessing Elvis Costello was busy.
I'm liking the show now because it is in that wierd stage where nobody knows whom we'll be referencing in years to come. Like, there was the Sandler/Spade/Farley era, the Ferrel/Fallon/Poehler/Fey eras, Murphy & Piscopo, Hartman & Lovitz (RIP) eras, the Sudekis-Hader-Wiig-Samberg-Armisen decade... the original cast...
But these days? Will this have been the waning of the Kenan-Moynihan era? The Aidy Bryant years? I don't see any one cast member as THE STAR. If anyone, I am rooting for Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. The McKinnon-Jones era! I'm still mourning the early demise of what could have been the Brooks Wheelan or the Paul Brittain dynasty.
Also, WHERE WAS TIM KAZURINSKY IN ALL THIS? BITCHPLEEEEEZE
posted by not_on_display at 10:47 PM on February 28, 2015
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posted by dogwalker at 11:51 PM on February 15, 2015 [6 favorites]