Well, Saturday Night Live has been off for a couple weeks, so my expectations were a little higher going into this episode. It was Dwayne Johnson’s third time hosting, so he didn’t have any jitters. In fact, he did a great job.
The episode itself, however, was fairly mediocre. I think the early season election coverage raised the bar for SNL. The show hasn’t been able to reach the same level that they were operating on before November. This wasn’t a terrible episode though; there were a few laughs, and a few special appearances.
Let’s break it down…
Cold Open: This economic crisis sweepstakes was a clever idea, but like so many other skits on SNL, it fizzled out.
Monologue: You have to give credit to Dwayne Johnson (I still have a hard time not calling him The Rock), he is not afraid to make fun of himself. That’s always a good quality in a host.
MacGruber: Since these have started featuring Richard Dean Anderson, I’ve appreciated them a whole lot more. I could do without the toilet humor, though.
The Rock Obama: A clever idea with good execution. Refreshing. I especially liked The Rock Obama smashing the phone. Good times.
Activia Commercial: You know, I would really love to watch an entire episode of SNL without a single poop joke. Ultimately, I just felt bad for all the actors in this sketch for having to shovel yogurt into their mouths.
Hawaiian Bar: Not fantastic, not bad. There were a few chuckles, and that’s all I can really ask for with this show.
Musical Guest (Ray LaMontagne): I think it’s nice that SNL gives smaller, lesser known acts some exposure.
Weekend Update: Thank God for Weekend Update. Week after week it delivers as the funniest part of SNL. This week featured a funny visit from “Michael Steele,” and his Rush Limbaugh head buzzer. Andy Samberg as Cathy is always funny (especially with special appearances by Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel). With all that being said, I could have done without the opposite band.
Game Time: Such a bizarre sketch, but Bill Hader really sold it, especially the alien voice.
Celebrity Apprentice Promo: I always like the celebrity impersonations on SNL. Some might call them a crutch, but they’re usually good for a laugh, so I don’t mind.
Lighthouse: Not bad at all for the last skit of the night. Watching half the cast get buckets of water thrown at them is pretty much worth the price of admission.
So, what did you guys think of this week’s episode?
CG – I agree. He looked fine all throughout all the incarnations of StarGate. I think this must’ve happened afterwards. However, loved ‘The Rock Obama.’ And all the rest were kind of cute.
I finally got around to watching this and I’m gonna have to disagree with you Bob, I thought this was one of the best episodes of this season. None of the sketches made me laugh as hard as the Lawrence Welk sketch from Anne Hathaway’s show (that one makes me cry and shake uncontrollably with laughter-every time.) but almost nothing fell flat for me on this one, except maybe the third MacGruber–I think 3 is just too many. The Ro–ehm, Dwayne Johnson has to be one of my favorite hosts of all time. He’s very into it, like JT and Affleck, but he sells it better too.
As someone who works at a hotel in Hawaii, “Hawaiian Hotel” was spot on. Those thoughts cross my mind every day!
Hadn’t seen Richard Dean Anderson for quite some time… I was shocked! Boy, he really didn’t age well!
I was actually impressed by this episode.
CG – I agree. He looked fine all throughout all the incarnations of StarGate. I think this must’ve happened afterwards. However, loved ‘The Rock Obama.’ And all the rest were kind of cute.
I finally got around to watching this and I’m gonna have to disagree with you Bob, I thought this was one of the best episodes of this season. None of the sketches made me laugh as hard as the Lawrence Welk sketch from Anne Hathaway’s show (that one makes me cry and shake uncontrollably with laughter-every time.) but almost nothing fell flat for me on this one, except maybe the third MacGruber–I think 3 is just too many. The Ro–ehm, Dwayne Johnson has to be one of my favorite hosts of all time. He’s very into it, like JT and Affleck, but he sells it better too.