Jim Carrey hosted “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, the most-watched episode of “SNL” since Betty White hosted with musical guest Jay-Z. Of course, numbers don’t indicate quality, and the success of the episode was due more to the Jets-Colts lead-in than the (mostly) dull episode.
But hey, any dick with an internet connection can say mean things about “Saturday Night Live.” Criticizing “SNL” is easy to do and never accomplishes anything, like your mother. So here’s what I liked:
- This sketch (the best of the night):
Even though the joke peters out by the end of the sketch, I love the way Carrey and Taran Killam capture the creepiness of the animatronic musicians. Also: less than three minutes. Shorter skits are better.
- The Black Keys.
- The Michael Bloomberg cold open. I doubt this was as funny for people who aren’t used to seeing Bloomberg speak, but Fred Armisen’s impression was solid, and it was the first cold open I’ve watched in its entirety all season.
- Nasim Pedrad’s tits in the Black Swan sketch:
Yowza. Maybe I need to re-think my favorite sketch of the night.
I have to admit I liked the Soul Train one-hit wonders sketch, particularly Carrey’s “just one titty” song.
Seems like everybody loved that last Black Keys album. I never got around to hearing it but if SNL was any indication I’m not too worried b/c I thought they were pretty dull.
I’m usually an SNL apologist, but this episode was pretty weak. Mostly due to Jim Carrey being so damn creepy.
Seriously, I saw Black Swan last night and, while it was creepy as hell, the SNL version was even worse.
The carnival skit was impressive to say the least. Felt very vintage, something from when they, you know, tried.
I am usually pretty easy on SNL, but that was an abomination.
Do like Taran Killam though. The only thing that made me laugh all night was the Arkansas bird & fish sketch during WU. They need more of him. And that other new guy – he had a good sex ed sketch earlier this year.
The folk/hipster band sketch was a classic letdown. Great idea, solid execution, bombed ending. Terrible episode all around.
And to think, in Islamia they would make her cover those up. That is not the religion for me (I hate kneeling).
I really liked the worst of Soul Train skit.
I’m surprised the Crystal Ball sketch wasn’t mentioned. If not for the sketch itself, then for Carrey’s celebrity impressions.
Jim, the only saving grace in the crystal ball skit was the alan thicke impression. NOBODY DOES A THICKE!
Aside from the carnival ride, the black keys and Nasim’s awesome milkjugs, SNL was its usual disasterous self.but hey, at least we got gwenyth paltrow to look forward to!
I would have liked the Black Swan sketch a lot better if he had just done it as Vera de Milo.
I watched for The Black Keys, but stayed when I saw the fisting Black Swan scene.
Watching Jim Carrey now is weird. You see glimpses of his old brilliance, but it’s marred by a self-indulgent hamminess where anything he does can get a laugh which seems to have picked up being a superstar for the last 15 years.
/end Slate article
I enjoyed the worst of Soul Train, especially Ocean Billy
It’s too bad her nose sticks out further than her boobs.
“I enjoyed the worst of Soul Train, especially Ocean Billy”
I liked it the first time, when Sudeikis used the same joke to play “Jon Bovi.” In the eighteen times he’s used it since then, its become decidedly less funny.
The best part of the crystal ball skit was the Jason Sudeikis’ reaction to the Alan Thicke impersonation.
It was like something out of a cartoon.
@Nicatron … You are correct sir.
A couple thoughts…
“Just One Titty” might have been the high point of the night. And it lasted 10 seconds.
I remember watching when Jim Carrey first hosted SNL in 1996. How great was that episode? People still talk about it. This one was mediocre at best. Why? It’s not because Carrey is getting older and is no longer as aggressive in his comedy as he once was. It’s because Seth Myers and his writing staff are shitty. They’re just shitty. If Seth Meyers spent more time coming up with good skit ideas and less time worrying about his face time on Weekend Update (or let Andy Samberg out of the cage they must keep him locked up in 99 percent of the time) then SNL might be good again. Seriously, how long has it been since this show has come up with a memorable and lasting skit that they can go back to 3 or 4 times a season without it getting old? The best I can think of is Kenan Thompson’s “What’s up with that?” And I say that with a heavy sigh.
Jim Carrey is still alive?
hit the nail on the head. the only reason i stayed up to watch is the jets and colts (effing great game). i was already awake and playing video games on the gaming tv. snl came on the big tv and i was too lazy/high to go find the remote. i made it to the crystal ball sketch. didn’t laugh once and i was high for god sakes. dane cook is even funny with weed. this show is just crap.