Saturday, October 20, 2012

From the Mind of Nate; My Opinions as to How the Current Season of "Saturday Night Live" is Shaping Up


For the record, I am very fair when criticizing the current season of NBC's long-running sketch comedy program “Saturday Night Live.” I always wait until the halfway mark to critique the quality of the writing, the performances of the series' castmembers, and other matters that are worth mentioning. However, when looking over the quality of the first four episodes of Season Thirty-Eight of “Saturday Night Live,” I feel that my opinions must be shared earlier than usual. Seeing as the iconic late-night series faced the departure of three castmembers over the past Summer, I figure it is only fair to make my judgments on how the current season is shaping up. While the departure of Four-Year Castmember Abby Elliott was announced August 2012, I didn't feel as though the show was experiencing a major loss. Within her four years on the program, Elliott's main contribution was a handful of decent celebrity impressions that managed to surface at least a couple times each year. Other than occasionally impersonating actresses like Zooey Deschanel and Angelina Jolie, Elliott didn't do anything remarkable; thus causing her absence to be less-than-noticeable.

While this is so, I was more concerned about the departures of Seven-Year Castmembers Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig. Joining the show in 2005, both performers greatly impacted the past years with stand-out performances and sketches. Throughout his tenure as a castmember, Andy Samberg, provided the series with creative short films that featured catchy melodies, comical characters, and a zany flair that gave the long-running series new life. These pieces, which Samberg created along with his comedy co-horts Akiva Schaffer Jorma Taccone, attracted large audiences; made larger thanks to video-sharing websites like Youtube. Simply put, audiences would tune in week after week to see what the episode's Digital Short would be. Usually, each one would star Samberg along with different castmembers as well as the show's designated host. Simply put, these short films were very successful and they lead to Andy Samberg having a great effect on the weekly comedy program.


While Andy Samberg proved to be a valued member of the “Saturday Night Live” family, it was really Kristen Wiig who proved to be the star. Throughout her seven years on the show, Kristen Wiig managed to save the quality of a given sketch; thanks in large part to her strong talent and engaging stage presence. Even though she was often portraying reoccurring characters that relied on repetitive catchphrases and rehashed premises, Wiig's acting significantly saved the quality of the sketch. Whether she was playing the mischief-making student “Gilly” the constantly-bragging “Penelope,” or stage actress and regular “Secret Word” contestant “Mindy Grasin,” Kristen Wiig bestowed a genuine performance that allowed audience members and viewers at home to laugh. And throughout her tenure on the show, Kristen Wiig proved to be adept at all kinds of comedy: physical, verbal, and subtle. No matter how poorly-written a sketch was, Kristen Wiig made everything better. Her splendid farewell sketch on May 18th 2012 was very much deserved and I was disappointed to see her leave.


So where are we now? On September 15th, 2012, Season Thirty-Eight of “Saturday Night Live” started with “Family Guy” Creator and “Ted” Director Seth MacFarlane serving as the first host. Though MacFarlane was very good, as he managed to improve the quality of the sketches with comical performances, the show, as a whole, wasn't great. The absence of Kristen Wiig was indeed noticeable; as the current female castmembers supplied performances that were either quite fair or very overdrawn. For instance, Vanessa Bayer, who served as a Featured Performer for the past two years and was now upgraded to the series' main cast, mostly gave performances that appeared to be slightly forced. For instance, on the episode's installment of “Weekend Update,” Bayer portrayed Reality Television Sensation Honey Boo Boo; while Five-Year Castmember Bobby Moynihan portrayed the character's mother. At first, Bayer's performance was alright; as she portrayed the little girl with amusing dash. However, as the segment progressed, Bayer's performance became very exaggerated; getting to the point where the volume of her voice became irksome. Her act began to feel forced; so much so that I was counting the minutes until the segment ended. In addition, New Featured Player Cecily Strong made her debut as a political volunteer, commenting on the upcoming election. The writing of the segment wasn't at all funny, and Strong's presentation was quite bothersome. Fortunately, Four-Year Castmember Nasim Pedrad engaged in a creative sketch with Host Seth MacFarlane; one that allowed the actress to demonstrate some very good voice work. Nevertheless, the departure of Kristen Wiig was very evident and it significantly affected the atmosphere of the season premier.

Through I will admit, in all honesty, the episode wasn't entirely bad. In addition to Seth MacFarlane's performance as the host, I was greatly impressed with Jay Pharoah's impersonation of President Barack Obama. After watching Castmember Fred Armisen “treat” audiences with a more-than-lackluster impression of the Forty-Forth President of The United States, it was a significant relief to see Pharoah, who is now a member of the show's main cast after spending two years as a Featured Performer, get assigned such an important role. Right from the start of the episode's opening, Pharoah had a good handle on the impression; as he mimicked our Commander in Chief's vocal work quite well. And, as the season has progressed, Pharoah's impression got even better; leading to a very comical take on the first presidential debate that took place on the October 6th episode of “Saturday Night Live.” I'm truly looking forward to seeing Jay Pharoah portray President Barack Obama throughout the season.



I will also mention that Long-Time Castmember Jason Sudeikis has provided audiences and viewers with very good performances so far this season. As the 2012 Presidential Election heats up, Jason Sudeikis has provided many laughs with his straightforward portraiture of Mitt Romney. Sudeikis' performances have been very entertaining; especially last week when he bestowed his over-eager portrayal of Vice President Joe Biden. Right when last week's Vice Presidential Debate parody started, Sudeikis' brash delivery caused me to laugh almost immediately. Just as we have seen with Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis is more-than-capable of improving the quality of the sketches with his comedic performance. For instance, last week's parody of “The Odyssey” featured the simple joke of the sirens, played by Host Christina Applegate as well as Featured Players Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong, luring the crewmen of Jason Sudeikis' Odysseus to their fate by crooning songs from the 1990s. Though all the performances were very good, it was Sudeikis' comical feat that proved to be the sketch's best asset. I am truly looking forward to seeing Sudeikis shine more as the season progresses.

I will also say that Featured Player Kate McKinnon has also impressed me. Since joining the show this past April, McKinnon has showcased some enjoyable performances. It all started on her first show; which was hosted by Sofia Vergara. During a piece in which Vergara filmed a Pantene advertisement along with Kate McKinnon's Penelope Cruz. Throughout the segment, McKinnon's fearless act proved to evoke much laughter. And this season, McKinnon has showcased some more humorous performances; among which included a sharp-tongued portrayal of Vice Presidential Debate Moderator Martha Raddatz this past weekend as well as an entertaining impersonation of Anne Romney during the September 22nd installment of “Weekend Update.” Even though she has only been on the show for nine episodes as of now, Kate McKinnon has proven to be a very good sketch comedy performer.



Image of Kate McKinnon as Ann Romney and "Weekend Update" Anchor Seth Meyers taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS473US477&biw=1066&bih=542&tbm=isch&tbnid=vnQF9j5Aim8OrM:&imgrefurl=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/09/ann-romney-totally-jealous-she-didnt-get-meet-beyonce/57165/&docid=21NAVsyOOp5sFM&imgurl=http://cdn.theatlanticwire.com/img/upload/2012/09/23/Screen_shot_2012-09-23_at_1.05.39_PM/large.png&w=614&h=383&ei=u0KDULiHNI270AHE4YGwDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=635&vpy=224&dur=63&hovh=177&hovw=284&tx=167&ty=158&sig=115951090092615185878&page=1&tbnh=156&tbnw=204&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:102

I will also mention that Bill Hader, who is now in his eighth year as a castmember, continues to be valuable performer to the show as well. For instance, in a sketch that aired during the season premier, a hapless puppetry instructor, played by Host Seth MacFarlane, was faced with a student, played by Hader, who keeps referencing his war experiences in Grenada throughout the lesson. It was very funny to see Hader utilize a puppet that was basically a felt representation of his on-screen persona. Hader's performance got even more hilarious as the sketch progressed; thus reminding me even further as to how important the longtime castmember is to the show. Bill Hader has continued to provide comical feats throughout the first four episodes of the season; among which include playing a private detective during a piece with Guest Host Joseph Gordon-Levitt on September 22nd as well as exhibiting a quick-but-dead-on impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger during a film parody that took place this past week. In other words, no matter how small the role, Bill Hader continues to be a great performer.



Image of Bill Hader taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS473US477&biw=1066&bih=542&tbm=isch&tbnid=wXuidF7LIZkdXM:&imgrefurl=http://www.gossipcop.com/seth-macfarlane-bill-hader-puppet-sketch-snl-video-puppets-war-vet-puppetry-saturday-night-live-2012/&docid=tC0FYMlE-YOAiM&imgurl=http://www.gossipcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bill-Hader1-300x171.png&w=300&h=171&ei=dUODUN6PNuPC0QHD34Ew&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=784&vpy=194&dur=5141&hovh=136&hovw=240&tx=154&ty=85&sig=115951090092615185878&page=2&tbnh=117&tbnw=205&start=8&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:8,i:130

I will also say that all four of the season's hosts have been quite good; despite the weak material. As mentioned before, Seth MacFarlane did a fine job hosting the season's opening episode on September 15th; often saving the sketches with amusing performances. In addition. Joseph Gordon-Levitt turned in a memorable second hosting stint on September 22nd; as his immense enthusiasm greatly improved the evening's sketches-- no matter how poorly written a the segment. For instance, during the second-to-last sketch of the evening, a married couple, played by Fred Armisen and Kate McKinnon, introduces a visiting man, played by Featured Player Tim Robinson, to their daughter, played by Gordon-Levitt, through a musical performance. Though the sketch was slightly predictable and seemed to be using the sight of the show's host in a dress as a simple visual punchline,Gordon-Levitt imparted a genuinely funny dance routine; one that made up for the mediocrity of the writing. Furthermore, Daniel Craig, who hosted on October 6th, did the best he could to save the episode; despite the fact that the writing in nearly every piece was either mundane or ridiculous. For example, a sketch in which a group of male castmembers and Craig portrayed construction workers hitting on women was weekly scribed; as the main joke proved to be that our host's character was inept at making pick-up lines. Though the dialogue wasn't very funny, Craig made a strong effort to improve the quality of the sketch; going as far as to speak each line with absolute zest. Craig maintained positive performances throughout the show and ended up working quite well with the cast. Lastly, this past Christina Applegate performed well; despite the weak material. Whether it was performing a song about the relaxing time period before the major holidays for her monologue or portraying an overzealous dance instructor, Applegate blended in well with the show's talented troupe and provided life for even the show's thinnest segments. No matter what, these hosts were all great and managed to improve the quality of every episode thanks in large to their performances.



Image of Daniel Craig on SNL taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS473US477&biw=1066&bih=542&tbm=isch&tbnid=dyTV6OgA7AanyM:&imgrefurl=http://comedians.about.com/b/2012/10/07/snl-recap-daniel-craigmuse.htm&docid=t2fLB-KMDCKTzM&imgurl=http://0.tqn.com/d/comedians/1/0/e/K/-/-/daniel-craig-snl-dw.jpg&w=514&h=360&ei=0UODUPKsH8T00gH0s4HACw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=297&sig=115951090092615185878&page=2&tbnh=154&tbnw=202&start=9&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:9,i:150&tx=24&ty=76

So here we are now. For tonight's show will feature Recording Artist Bruno Mars as both the host and musical guest. Having never seen Mars act; I am uncertain as to how tonight will go. Will Mars successfully entertain and provide laughter? Or will he prove to be unfunny and impart a listless presentation throughout the show's ninety minute duration?

Throughout the show, as usual, I will be commenting on the sketches as well as the performances by the performances from the cast. But I will be paying close attention to Bruno Mars' turn as the show's host. I will critique his chemistry with the cast, his comedic timing, and how he's conducting himself throughout every segment. And for my review following the broadcast, I will decide whether or not Bruno Mars can be considered a legitimate actor.



Image of Bruno Mars taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS473US477&biw=1066&bih=542&tbm=isch&tbnid=i-iIRibRGhs-ZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mrworldpremiere.net/2010/10/bruno-mars-snl-performances.html&docid=feX6MT0cLfGWOM&imgurl=http://upl.lt/images/84386667987885186349.png&w=560&h=225&ei=ZkSDUI_FCPOq0AGb1YGoDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=305&vpy=200&dur=109&hovh=142&hovw=354&tx=165&ty=106&sig=115951090092615185878&page=2&tbnh=84&tbnw=209&start=10&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:10,i:137

As usual, please feel free to share your own opinions by clicking the “comment” link underneath every one of my blog posts. Your feedback means a lot and I thank you all for following my blog.

So be sure to have your televisions set to NBC by 11:30pm and have my blog set on your computers. Be sure to keep refreshing your screens so you can see my latest comments. Trust me, you do NOT want to miss my live-blogging of tonight's episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

Thank you all and I'll see you at showtime!

 
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