chill
Landjager
Level: 61
   
Posts: 470/930
EXP: 1799538
For next: 77069
Since: 18.5.02
Since last post: 2172 days
Last activity: 2172 days
|  #1 Posted on 3.10.04 1159.53
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1200.11 | OK, who watched the slow motion trainwreck that was the premiere of Saturday Night Live?
I'm a big fan of the show and wow, what a stinker. The absense of Jimmy Fallon, who did a lot of writing for sketches on the show, is definitely being felt. He's also been replaced on Weekend Update by Amy Poehler, who is good in sketches but wasn't comfortable at the desk. I don't see it working out for W-U this year. I was expecting Seth Meyers to sit at the desk, and I'd even go for Will Forte or Chris Parnell...
The intro ran 12 minutes long and was a parody of the presidential debate. Seth Meyers played Kerry, Will Forte played Bush, and Parnell played the moderator. All were not funny, and I'd love to have been in the room when it was decided that this would be the opening sketch. Forte went on about how Iraq was "hard work...it's hard" and then beat the joke to death for the next 10 minutes. Terrible stuff.
The sketches were all really lame. BAAAAAAAAAAD premiere for SNL. Nobody stepped up, and they seemed to be relying on big doses of what worked in the past in small doses. It came off as really desperate.
Only the monologue was pretty good, when Alec Baldwin walked out to do a bit with Ben Affleck, who was this week's host. Baldwin is comedy gold, strangely enough. Even Affleck couldn't stop from laughing at times. | Promote this thread! |             | Torchslasher
Knackwurst
Level: 105
Posts: 1509/3250
EXP: 11930840
For next: 331460
Since: 17.1.02
From: New F'n Jersey
Since last post: 48 days
Last activity: 46 days
|  #2 Posted on 3.10.04 1352.26
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1353.01 | Chill couldn't be more correct about SNL. I love Amy P, but she was just not ready for the WU chair. The opening skit took WAY too long.
I was really upset with the Debbie Downer skit. The last time I saw it, it was during the episode with Lindsey Lohan. Perhaps it was because the performers were cracking up, but the skit was gold. This time, the jokes were almost all flat and they really wasted a terrific premise.
There was too much focus on Bush/Kerry, and little on other topics. Ben Affleck was okay, but he was really only funny when he portrayed James Carville.
Oh, and Nelly was pretty bad as well, especially during the second "song." | Roy.
Pepperoni
Level: 62
Posts: 428/1040
EXP: 1949103
For next: 35594
Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State
Since last post: 1842 days
Last activity: 312 days
| #3 Posted on 3.10.04 1417.09
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1417.25 | The original Debbie Downer skit worked (with the audience) because everybody was trying hard not to screw up and were failing miserably. My beef with that sketch is that everybody talks about how genius it is, but how is messing up and going out of character genius?
The opening sketch was painful to watch. Neither man does a particularly good impression of either candidate, and the writing was, as stated, awful. I turned it off, came back a few minutes later (hoping to see the host), and it was still going!
SNL lost all its playmakers. I stopped watching regularly when Will Ferrell left, and nobody's really doing anything for me in the cast right now. | cranlsn
Liverwurst
Level: 68
Posts: 651/1189
EXP: 2621068
For next: 107746
Since: 18.3.02
From: Sussex, WI
Since last post: 6 days
Last activity: 1 day
| #4 Posted on 3.10.04 1544.43
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1544.53 | The only "high points" for me, were the aforementioned Carville bit (complete with Clinton cameo), Dr. Porkenheimer's bonerjuice, and Tony Soprano's take on New Jersey's gay governor.
Other that that? Not much to speak of....
The debate opener was terrible. I liked the fact that they hit both candidates, but they went after the wrong things. The actual debate set up a comedy skit on a tee for them, what with the candidates reactions to each other.
If they were going to go after actual mannerisms, they needed better impersonators (or Will Ferrel).
Ugh... | SchippeWreck
Boudin blanc
Level: 90
Posts: 677/2347
EXP: 6928925
For next: 259711
Since: 26.3.03
From: Glendale, CA
Since last post: 5 days
Last activity: 2 hours
| #5 Posted on 3.10.04 1730.46
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1732.45 | Anyone else notice Don Pardo screw up and almost call Will Forte Will Farrell? Oops.
Yeah, this was not a good show by any means. I actually like Seth's Kerry, but it was run into the ground last night. I think Amy and Tina will have good chemistry once Amy settles down.
Did Finesse Mitchell and Kenan Thompson get ANY screen time? That's sad. They had some of the funnier moments from last season. The new guy was on a little bit, but what was the point of hiring someone that looks EXACTLY like Chris Parnell?
50 bucks says Fallon makes an appearance next week to help Queen Latifah pimp their god-awful movie. | Freeway
Scrapple
Level: 108
Posts: 2327/3496
EXP: 13332589
For next: 187954
Since: 3.1.02
From: Calgary
Since last post: 221 days
Last activity: 44 days
| AIM: |  |
| | |
| #6 Posted on 3.10.04 1921.20
Reposted on: 3.10.11 1921.57 | | The only sketch I saw was the "Affleck & others get stuck on an escalator" sketch. Yikes. SNL's new comedy style seems to be "Yell alot and hope something works". | The Big Kat
Kishke
Level: 42
Posts: 332/395
EXP: 505890
For next: 15476
Since: 11.1.02
From: Austin, TX
Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 1 day
| #7 Posted on 3.10.04 2208.08
Reposted on: 3.10.11 2208.28 | | My goodness did the opening sketch last way too long. The work hard bit was funny the first time, but not the subsequent 18 times. I guess the only way to go is up, at least. | chill
Landjager
Level: 61
Posts: 471/930
EXP: 1799538
For next: 77069
Since: 18.5.02
Since last post: 2172 days
Last activity: 2172 days
| #8 Posted on 3.10.04 2320.57
Reposted on: 3.10.11 2321.58 | I also caught the Will Forte screwup by Pardo. I wasn't sure what he said, but it sounded to me like he said "Will Fort." I thought, "Hmmm... that's strange. Perhaps Will decided to change the pronounciation of his name from Fort-ay to Fort?"
One thing I forgot before was that Affleck did have a good little segment on the Weekend Update, responding to buddy Matt Damon's comments in the press last week. | PeterStork
Sujuk
Level: 63
Posts: 256/1006
EXP: 2052801
For next: 44362
Since: 25.1.02
From: Chicagoland with Hoosiers, or "The Region"
Since last post: 188 days
Last activity: 7 days
| #9 Posted on 3.10.04 2328.40
Reposted on: 3.10.11 2328.41 | It's sad that the only real highlight was Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton in the Carville/Kerry sketch. What happens to this show when he finally leaves? Forte's Bush is okay, a better impression than Ferrell did, but Will had a better, much funnier character of Bush that can never, ever be topped. Meyers' Kerry is okay, but not much more.
The monologue with Alec Baldwin was good, if nothing special. Debbie Downer was just that, a downer, as previously mentioned. Not only was the cast able to compose themselves, but the lines weren't as harsh. There was no, "It's official...I can't have children!" which was the line that blew Dratch away the most in the first sketch. The emphasis on the sound effects (especially the meow version for feline AIDS) was pathetic.
Poehler on Update...eh. Me loves me some Amy love, but it's an odd fit. Seth, though predictable, would have worked better. As mentioned, the Affleck segment was good, and Gandolfini's cameo was sweet. | Oliver
Scrapple
Level: 122
Posts: 944/4657
EXP: 20081224
For next: 556848
Since: 20.6.02
From: Derkaderkastan
Since last post: 9 days
Last activity: 7 days
| #10 Posted on 4.10.04 0131.15
Reposted on: 4.10.11 0132.32 | | So what cast members returned this year? Who's currently the longest serving member? | Grimis
Scrapple
Level: 122
Posts: 4014/4700
EXP: 20306688
For next: 331384
Since: 11.7.02
From: MD
Since last post: 754 days
Last activity: 551 days
| #11 Posted on 4.10.04 0629.05
Reposted on: 4.10.11 0631.13 | I loved the opening debate sequence, but I'm a wonk so maybe it's different for me.
I also like Affleck as Carville and, of course, Hammond as Clinton.
"John, you and Teresa showing affection is like watching two crabs in a kung fu movie."
Other than that, the show was garbage. | BOSsportsfan34
Pepperoni
Level: 65
Posts: 526/1089
EXP: 2214351
For next: 121289
Since: 2.1.03
From: MA
Since last post: 6 days
Last activity: 8 hours
| AIM: |  |
| | | Y!: |  |
|
| #12 Posted on 4.10.04 0939.04
Reposted on: 4.10.11 0949.20 | Originally posted by SOK
So what cast members returned this year? Who's currently the longest serving member?
Judging from this bit of info, it looks like Darrell Hammond is the longest currently serving cast member. | Quezzy
Knackwurst
Level: 103
Posts: 1672/3146
EXP: 11377431
For next: 94014
Since: 6.1.02
From: The Moon
Since last post: 6 hours
Last activity: 6 hours
| AIM: |  |
| | |
| #13 Posted on 4.10.04 1234.20
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1235.02 | | I thought the show sucked as well, but I pretty much expected it. The show was already horrible last year. The only person I thought was funny at all last season was Tina Fey on Weekend Update and I thought with Fallon gone that would be an improvement because Tina could go solo. But no, they have to suck it up even worse by adding Amy Poehler. | Parts Unknown
Lap cheong
Level: 79
Posts: 1304/1681
EXP: 4446140
For next: 133347
Since: 2.1.02
From: Darkenwood
Since last post: 30 days
Last activity: 11 days
| #14 Posted on 4.10.04 1454.56
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1454.56 | | To each his own, I guess. I laughed my butt off the entire show and thought it was great. My wife was crying she was laughing so hard. | StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 135
Posts: 1961/5951
EXP: 28623091
For next: 711990
Since: 3.10.02
From: ST Louis
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 6 hours
| AIM: |  |
| | | Y!: |  |
|
| #15 Posted on 4.10.04 1705.26
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1705.32 | I was at work and only caught bits and pieces of the show. Affleck as James Carville was hilarious, especially the way Affleck nailed the "look like you are smelling shit" face/
Amy Pohler is simply horrid. I dont understand the hype. Every female on the cast is funnier. Several guys on the cast would be better in the WU chair (Forte or Parnell). She is every chick I ever took a drama class with. Same delivery for 90% of her "charectors" and just is not funny. | JustinShapiro
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 124
Posts: 700/4807
EXP: 21553236
For next: 283426
Since: 12.12.01
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Since last post: 9 hours
Last activity: 2 hours
| #16 Posted on 4.10.04 1733.08
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1734.33 | Amy Poehler is the funniest female ever on the show.
That being said, she was no good at Update. Then again, there was like one funny joke on the entire episode overall so what can she do. | bash91
Merguez
Level: 54
Posts: 269/711
EXP: 1223044
For next: 10833
Since: 2.1.02
From: Plain Dealing, LA
Since last post: 283 days
Last activity: 7 hours
| #17 Posted on 4.10.04 1742.11
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1743.01 | Originally posted by JMShapiro
Amy Poehler is the funniest female ever on the show.
Can I have some of what you're smoking? Seriously, can I?
I mean you have to have been ingesting some really primo stuff if you think Amy Poehler is the funniest female ever on SNL. I'm not sure how I'd rank them, and that would be an evil list treadjack, but I can readily think of several females I'd rank over her.
Tim | JustinShapiro
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 124
Posts: 701/4807
EXP: 21553236
For next: 283426
Since: 12.12.01
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Since last post: 9 hours
Last activity: 2 hours
| #18 Posted on 4.10.04 1843.19
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1843.41 | "Can I have some of what you're smoking?"
Are you being serious?
"Seriously, can I?"
Oh. Well--
"I mean you have to have been ingesting some really primo stuff..."
Three sentences for that bit, come on.
"I can readily think of several females I'd rank over her."
They're probably not very funny, I bet? I mean, when I say ever, I really meant since I started watching 15 years ago, so it's possible that the olds are really hilarious. But prior to the current four there hadn't been a funny woman on that show from the 1990s through present. Well, I guess Janeana Garofalo and Sara Silverman are funny (by the lower standards for girls), but they weren't funny on the show. The Molly/Cheri/Ana trio in particular was three of the most horrific people imaginable so I really hope you didn't readily think of them. But you are older than I so maybe you're going way back.
(edited by JMShapiro on 4.10.04 1653) | JustinShapiro
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 124
Posts: 701/4807
EXP: 21553236
For next: 283426
Since: 12.12.01
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Since last post: 9 hours
Last activity: 2 hours
| #19 Posted on 4.10.04 1843.19
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1843.41 | "Can I have some of what you're smoking?"
Are you being serious?
"Seriously, can I?"
Oh. Well--
"I mean you have to have been ingesting some really primo stuff..."
Three sentences for that bit, come on.
"I can readily think of several females I'd rank over her."
They're probably not very funny, I bet? I mean, when I say ever, I really meant since I started watching 15 years ago, so it's possible that the olds are really hilarious. But prior to the current four there hadn't been a funny woman on that show from the 1990s through present. Well, I guess Janeana Garofalo and Sara Silverman are funny (by the lower standards for girls), but they weren't funny on the show. The Molly/Cheri/Ana trio in particular was three of the most horrific people imaginable so I really hope you didn't readily think of them. But you are older than I so maybe you're going way back.
(edited by JMShapiro on 4.10.04 1653) | StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 135
Posts: 1962/5951
EXP: 28623091
For next: 711990
Since: 3.10.02
From: ST Louis
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 6 hours
| AIM: | |
| | | Y!: | |
|
| #20 Posted on 4.10.04 1950.09
Reposted on: 4.10.11 1955.40 | What has Amy Pohler EVER done on the show that was funny?
Really, I cannot think of a single thing she has EVER done on the show that even made me smirk, let alone laugh. She has "theater voice" all the time. Talking loudly, in a high pitched voice, with wide eyes and nodding at the end of most of your sentences isnt "FUNNY" its "OVERACTING".
To assert she is the funniest ever is so blatantly ignorant to the history of the show, perhaps you shouldnt be making statements at all.
Names like Gilda fucking Radner, Jane Curtain, Mary Gross (she was underappreciated in the Murphy/Piscapo era) Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Victoria Jackson should always, ALWAYS be listed above Amy Pohler in any discussion about FUNNY women on SNL. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pages: 1 2 3 4 Next