It was like 2000 all over again. Jimmy Fallon hosted “SNL” this past weekend and he brought along with him callbacks to his older skits (Barry Gibb! Cowbell!), as well as Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Jude Law (for some reason), for one of the show’s most enjoyable episodes in years. The cast’s energy level, inspired by Fallon’s infectiously gleeful presence, was extremely high, and everyone brought their A-game.
Fallon actually made for a better host than he ever did repertory player. Too often during his seven-season run on “SNL” from 1998-2004, he inadvertently hogged the spotlight — not just because of the mid-sketch giggling, although that didn’t help, but because he naturally (and unintentionally) mugged to the camera. That’s why he, and people like Conan, make for good talk show hosts; they need the attention on them, and they’re not afraid to do something and look silly for a cheap laugh. But this only works if the spotlight’s supposed to be on you and only you, not you and everyone else you’re acting with. On Saturday, it was all about Jimmy.
Just the best — no mention of the dumb “don’t make me sing/dance” sketch — on the following pages.
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I find the Boston Teens, now Boston Twentysomethings, funnier than The Lovers, but not as amusing as DJ Joey Mack, Jarret of Jarret’s Room, and Barry Gibb. In other words, I didn’t hate that the show began with Fallon and Rachel Dratch as Sully and Denise, but I wasn’t ecstatic to see them, either. (Though I’m totally pissed they name one of their kids Squeezebox — I had dibs.)
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This sketch, on the other hand, I really liked then (2000-2001 season) and love even more now. I have no idea why it’s funny (Tracy’s dancing? Horatio’s acoustic riff?), but it is.
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Nasim Pedrad as M.I.A.=YES.
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Never would have guessed they’d bring this one back. I just wish it had been Keith Richards in the mirror instead.
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Fey, Poehler, Fallon, Meyers. In that order. My favorite part was Amy doing the “awooga” sound effect.
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I hate everything about War Horse (from the play to Spielberg’s wet snot rag of a movie), so it was nice to see “SNL” mock how ridiculous the plot is. I mean, come on, it looks like the horse is crying! Having the sketch from the point-of-view of audience members Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig was a nice touch too.
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I didn’t want to like this sketch, but I found myself laughing almost despite myself. The premise (Beethoven introducing his band the way a funk singer would) was solid, however, and all the musical and names puns were amusing enough (and Hitler!), in a dumb sort of the way. It seemed like something that would have felt more at home on Fallon’s talk show, though. But: the tuba shall now forever be referred to as “music’s answer to the fart.”
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NBC’s comments section for this skit is great:
thank you. thank you. thank you. ive in florida. tebow is ok. jaguars new owner. Khan. Football is Football. sseason ticket holder and like the new owner already. wear your mustache with pride.
Its nice to see that Christianity can be so quickly mocked and seen as a joke. Why not mock Islam? Make fun of Jewish people? Because it isn’t the right thing to do. I can’t support a network that is openly hostile towards Christianity.
Started watching SNL back in the 70s so have been aware of your parodies for a long time. Must say this one was enough to make me never watch SNL, same crap I can get on the Leno Show. I would love to see you “cutting edge” comedians try this with a muslim. BTW, if you really think that Tebow expects God to carry him through the game, you’ve never watched football or him as QB. Why is it you can’t come up with better material. Since the 70s-80s, its the same concepts just differen
I’m as surprised as you are that no Patriots fans have cried foul at the depiction of Belichick as Satan. Yet.
