tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post586842694376532009..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: SNL: Live from New York, it's Justin Timberlake!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-38063443468169328672008-11-17T18:50:00.000-05:002008-11-17T18:50:00.000-05:00And they did patch things up enough to Damon to co...And they did patch things up enough to Damon to come back and "visit" later in the season. I need to read the book again, because my details are so terrible, but it seems that went poorly too, but not because of Damon or Lorne. Dudley Moore found Damon's joke about having a limp in a bit offensive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40281847186725050832008-11-17T18:36:00.000-05:002008-11-17T18:36:00.000-05:00"Live from New York" is essential reading. The sk..."Live from New York" is essential reading. The sketch that Wayans sabotaged was one where "Mr. Monopoly" was a lawyer who kept getting his clients "out of jail free." <BR/><BR/>Wayans was playing a nothing role as one of the cops bringing in Mr. Monopoly's client when he went into his "Men On" demeanor.<BR/><BR/>Lorne justifiably fired him, but it seemed that everyone handled it pretty maturely. Wayans knew he had to go and Lorne knew that even though Wayans had committed the show's cardinal sin, there were a lot of reasons why it happened(and, it wasn't exactly "Medieval Barber" that he ruined). <BR/><BR/>I forget who, but someone remarked at the time that Wayans would go on to big success, which he did.<BR/><BR/>One of the recurring themes in the book is the group of SNL failures who did very well afterward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30948192064038006462008-11-17T15:26:00.000-05:002008-11-17T15:26:00.000-05:00I'm not sure what is so funny about Justin Timberl...I'm not sure what is so funny about Justin Timberlake listing how predictable and redundant another episode of him hosting would be. Actually, I guess it's funny because it's true. Never mind.<BR/><BR/>Paul Rudd should get a consolation episode for the way he was wasted on this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67130616167600626672008-11-17T15:25:00.000-05:002008-11-17T15:25:00.000-05:00Letting the actors improv, regardless of how many ...Letting the actors improv, regardless of how many of them have a background in it, would be a nightmare. You can't improv in a live show and you just can't let folks with varying degrees of experience in the art, have at it on live tv. This would be bad and for the audience it would be fun for about a minute and then it would just be like watching the fifteenth time Jimmy Fallon broke up on air. <BR/><BR/>@dez: basically, iirc, Damon sabotaged a sketch live on air. He'd been growing increasingly frustrated with the show and was planning on quitting, but something happened during dress and he just kind of lost it and tanked the whole thing live. His role in the sketch had been cut down to a line or two and instead of doing them as rehearsed, he did it in the style of his "men on..." character from "in living color". I don't remember what the sketch was supposed to be or who he was acting with, but the story goes that Lorne just lost his mind and fired him on the spot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70250836336160343702008-11-17T14:23:00.000-05:002008-11-17T14:23:00.000-05:00Quick SNL review:First, a disclaimer - I am not a ...Quick SNL review:<BR/>First, a disclaimer - I am not a Poehler fan. She became too smug with herself and I never found her characters very amusing. I am one of the few who won't mind her not appearing on the show.<BR/>* Weekend update is always going to be hit-or-miss. THis week was hit. Love it when they have multiple punchlines to a joke ("he was unarmed"), snagglepuss was funnier than I expected it to be, and Timberlake hit it out of the park ("bring it on down to turkeyville"). Seth does a fine job, treading a little into Norm McDonald-like presentation territory at times. <BR/>*the Beyonce sketch - no brainer perfect AFTER Update. Funny as hell.<BR/>*Digital Shorts are always going to be more awesome than the live sketches...even when they miss. Andy is a phenom. (LASER CATS!)<BR/>* The four guys singing with the song bit is usually slightly amusing, but the joke there is with the shocking punchlines. Can't see this being made into a movie.<BR/>*The kissing sketch was funny because it was so over the top.<BR/>*Love Wiig, hate the Target Lady.<BR/>*Hate the scared straight sketch<BR/>*Love the bad open-mike night song. Usually when SNL goes to singing/dancing sketches, they are usually very funny and well done.<BR/>*Beyonce's first song wasn't great. She really messed up by playing Single Ladies after the JT sketch, as it made the actually song/dance that much more of a bad parody.<BR/>I would love to see more improv and less reading off of cue cards. I know why the cue cards are there, but let them go just a little bit off script once in a while, as that's where these guys have their background.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20469702596364970332008-11-17T11:52:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:52:00.000-05:00The Beyonce Skit!!!http://www.dailymotion.com/vide...The Beyonce Skit!!!<BR/><BR/>http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7f5d8_bee-skit-nov-15-2008_school<BR/><BR/><BR/>You're welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13477318551796976882008-11-17T11:25:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:25:00.000-05:00I loved the Snagglepuss bit! His reactions timed ...I loved the Snagglepuss bit! His reactions timed with the silly sound effects were perfect! Really wish they'd used Paul Rudd more. Also agree with everyone who thought JT was awesome.<BR/><BR/><I>If nothing else, read it for the story of how Damon Wayans got himself fired</I><BR/><BR/>For those of us without the book, what's the scoop?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72466729397829654262008-11-17T11:13:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:13:00.000-05:00I was not that into the digital short (anything gr...I was not that into the digital short (anything gross out gets knocked points immediately in my book), partly because it was just right after the "family making out/guys making out" gags, but also it just seemed derivative. To me it mostly recalled the Monty Python deadliest joke sketch. <BR/><BR/>I also agree on underusing Rudd, so much of it seemed like retreads or working way too hard to get to the laughs they got. <BR/><BR/>And I SCREAMED with laughter at JTs mini-show and then the follow-up sketch. "Biscuit dancers" HA!<BR/><BR/>-EmeraldLizAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3467013328219460062008-11-17T07:01:00.000-05:002008-11-17T07:01:00.000-05:00@peter lynn: You could be right about Seth, I just...@peter lynn: You could be right about Seth, I just feel like something's missing with him just sitting there by himself. Like I said, he *can* do it (I'm a big fan of his), I'm just not quite feeling it yet. Maybe I've gotten used to the teams since they switched back to that format. I just think he works better with a partner. As for he and Amy, I see the smug, but I never found them insufferable. Their "really?" segment was one of my favorites.<BR/><BR/>Agreed on Timberlake. He's a natural and he gets better every time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55166967562642220972008-11-17T05:38:00.000-05:002008-11-17T05:38:00.000-05:00"Everybody's A Critic" reminded me of "Mr. Show" w..."Everybody's A Critic" reminded me of "Mr. Show" where every sketch would meld into the next one. When it switched from the auction to the film interview, I thought we were looking at a neat seque into one of SNL's basic talk show sketches. Until they brought out the picture and the blood started flowing. Oh, well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79766791980461640552008-11-17T05:08:00.000-05:002008-11-17T05:08:00.000-05:00All I could think of with the "Everybody's a Criti...All I could think of with the "Everybody's a Critic" digital short was that new Vegas ad campaign in which everything goes surreally chaotic in ordinary places -- a courtroom, a hair salon, a post office.<BR/><BR/>http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1769432/courtroom_new_las_vegas_commercial/ruderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10685332848245923736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37460331319627700772008-11-17T01:21:00.000-05:002008-11-17T01:21:00.000-05:00Jason Sudeikis and Paul Rudd attended the same hig...Jason Sudeikis and Paul Rudd attended the same high school. Just thought that was interesting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40615422531186309072008-11-17T01:19:00.000-05:002008-11-17T01:19:00.000-05:00Not that there's anything wrong with gay humor, bu...Not that there's anything wrong with gay humor, but every skit was the same. A reaction to Prop 8 not passing perhaps?Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00536950356985273600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1718859469818969092008-11-17T00:07:00.000-05:002008-11-17T00:07:00.000-05:00Tom Shales' LIVE FROM NEW YORK is essential readin...Tom Shales' LIVE FROM NEW YORK is essential reading for anyone who cares about the show; the only things missing, IIRC, are interviews from Eddie Murphy and Dennis Miller.<BR/><BR/>If nothing else, read it for the story of how Damon Wayans got himself fired.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02113168955236758821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30376397745494262712008-11-16T23:25:00.000-05:002008-11-16T23:25:00.000-05:00@amysa: I think Seth Meyers can and should handle ...@amysa: I think Seth Meyers can and should handle Update as solo anchor. Together, he and Amy Poehler were insufferable; Seth came off as smug, Amy was self-congratulatory and giggly and belaboured the punchlines. Solo, Seth's handling things like a pro. He might not get into that Dennis Miller/Norm McDonald top echelon, but he'll fit solidly into the second rank of anchors.<BR/><BR/>As for Timberlake, I think he might have just qualified himself for early entry into the Five-Timer's club. After his jaw-dropping solo performance, he earns credit in my books for hosting a bonus episode, albeit the shortest one ever as well as a show within a show.Peter Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374559124495979229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26757696451045900772008-11-16T23:16:00.000-05:002008-11-16T23:16:00.000-05:00Eires32 - Thanks for that explanation. I remember...Eires32 - <BR/><BR/>Thanks for that explanation. I remember hearing that Joel McHale has a major role in the new Soderbergh film, so hopefully everyone else will discover his acting talent soon enough.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196372589248892579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26152007727856021402008-11-16T23:07:00.000-05:002008-11-16T23:07:00.000-05:00No one mentioned my favorite bit from last night.....No one mentioned my favorite bit from last night... Bobby Moynihan's Snagglepuss character on Update. It was funny, hilarious even.<BR/><BR/>There was a lot of gay humor in the show. I think part of it was the writers sending a big "F U" to the people in the states that voted against gay rights.<BR/><BR/>Timberlake was great on Update and the Beyonce sketch was great.<BR/><BR/>Rudd was solid, though underused. Based on the types of movies he makes, and the people with whom he works, I bet he was totally cool about sharing the spotlight with JT and the other cast members.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55457602331927088632008-11-16T23:02:00.000-05:002008-11-16T23:02:00.000-05:00a pixellated male nudity gag that wasn't enough to...<I>a pixellated male nudity gag that wasn't enough to justify the length</I><BR/><BR/>Hi-yo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63553442488064713062008-11-16T22:42:00.000-05:002008-11-16T22:42:00.000-05:00Matthew,Too bad IMDB doesn't have any information ...Matthew,<BR/>Too bad IMDB doesn't have any information on non-profit theatre in Los Angeles:)<BR/>Joel and Micky (and I) are all friends from the 99-seat theatre world in LA, in particular one company where they worked together twice - "Grendel" in 2001 and "Sperm" in 2004. <BR/>http://www.circlextheatre.org/<BR/> Probably more information than you needed, but I like spreading the news that Joel has some serious acting chops. And Michaela.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88263682337173102792008-11-16T22:24:00.000-05:002008-11-16T22:24:00.000-05:00Two words: Holy tuck!Two words: Holy tuck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73959472213174991992008-11-16T22:17:00.000-05:002008-11-16T22:17:00.000-05:00Ginny: Yeah, it's in the "Live From New York" book...Ginny: Yeah, it's in the "Live From New York" book. It took me forever to get through, but it's totally worth reading. It's a good one to keep around and just read an era at a time when you can. Garofalo airs all of her gripes there. Chris Elliott's the only person who really takes her side all that much. It seems like he was just as much on the outside as she was. Given the way he didn't really fit in either, I'm assuming that the problems weren't all in her head, but I can also believe that it was just a matter of them simply not gelling with the majority. The only person in the book that really sort of rubs me the wrong way when talking about her is Fred Wolf who, I guess, took her behaviour and her statements very personally. <BR/> <BR/>I wish they'd update it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6355356169060452042008-11-16T22:06:00.000-05:002008-11-16T22:06:00.000-05:00Alan, here's a link to the Beyoncé dancing sketch,...Alan, here's a link to the Beyoncé dancing sketch, courtesy of Daily Motion. Freaking brilliant stuff: <BR/><BR/>http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7f5zf_justin-timberlake-beyonce-parodie-s_musicJ. Haweshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694526120307395478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73298865299111894222008-11-16T20:21:00.000-05:002008-11-16T20:21:00.000-05:00Paul Rudd is awesome and was vastly underused....I...Paul Rudd is awesome and was vastly underused....I do not understand why. If I were him, I would have been pissed that Justin Timberlake came in and stole some major spotlight. Also, last night, waaay too much Hader. Amysa? Does Garofalo talk about her experience in that monster sized SNL book? I've never gotten all the way through that.CincyNathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674464576702200923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75210749414792422212008-11-16T19:26:00.000-05:002008-11-16T19:26:00.000-05:00Agreed that Paul Rudd didn't really get any "showc...Agreed that Paul Rudd didn't really get any "showcase" skits like Hamm did. I did enjoy a lot of this episode though, including the kissing family, the open mic (loved the shots that cut to the host), thought the road trip skit was great. And, best of all, observed that Rudd seemed not to rely on cue cards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51408604157858300842008-11-16T19:22:00.000-05:002008-11-16T19:22:00.000-05:00Eires32 -Just a quick question, since you know Mic...Eires32 -<BR/><BR/>Just a quick question, since you know Michaela Watkins - I was watching The Soup this week, and at the end Joel congratulated Ms Watkins for becoming a new SNL cast member. Looking at Wikipedia and IMDb, I can't see any obvious connection between Ms Watkins and The Soup, so I was just curious whether you had any ideas what the link is. Just curious.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196372589248892579noreply@blogger.com