Well, tonight's the night. After twenty episodes, the thirty-eighth season of “Saturday Night Live” comes to an end with Ben Affleck returning to host the late-night program for his fifth time. Affleck, who won an Academy Award this past February for the 2012 critically-acclaimed film “Argo”; which he directed. I am happy that Affleck is hosting tonight's season finale; as he's been a reliable host in the past; always giving a good performance. In previous shows, Affleck has impersonated political commentator James Carville as well as Keith Olberman; as seen when hosting on November 1st, 2008 in a memorable parody of the television personality's MSNBC political commentary program; during which Affleck 's portrayal kept interrupting his guests as well as giving a lengthy statement regarding his apartment building strict 'No Pets' policy. I remember Affleck trying to hold back his laughter during the sketch; as he tried to stray from breaking character. I remember that for the skit's remaining four-five minutes, it was just Affleck alone on screen; keeping the viewers' attention through his hilarious performance.
Image of Ben Affleck as Keith Olberman taken from http://snl.jt.org/imp.php?i=2710
In short terms, I am happy to see Ben Affleck return to host the season finale of a very inconsistent season that has been significantly affected by poor writing. Hopefully, Ben Affleck does everything he can to improve the quality of the sketches; as I have a feeling that the writing will not be stellar. Also, it should be mentioned that Affleck is now becoming a member of the late-night variety program's iconic '5-Timers Club'; so I'm wondering if well see a possible cameo from either Steve Martin or Alec Baldwin, or even Justin Timberlake, who joined the exclusive club this past March. It should also be mentioned that Affleck will be joined by Kanye West; who will coincidentally be serving as the program's designated musical guest for his fifth time as well. No matter what happens, I'm truly hoping for a memorable finale to close a rather inconsistent season.
It should also be mentioned that tonight's season finale will mark the end of an era. After this week's show, veteran castmembers Fred Armisen, Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader will all be departing. This is very important to consider; considering that all three castmember have been with the show for over seven years. In fact, Fred Armisen's tenure on the show just happens to be the longest them; considering that he's been on the show since October 5th, 2002! He's been a castmember on the show for ELEVEN years!! That's actually coming one year short of Seth Meyers' tenure; who has been with the show since September 29th, 2001. I haven't been fond of Armisen's work on the show for the past few years;seeing as he's main contributions have been either starring in the somehow popular reoccurring sketch “The Californians” or bestowing a bland portrayal of President Barack Obama; which he's done on the show since February 23rd, 2008 (half-way through the show's thirty-third season) up until the end of season thirty-seven. I remember Armisen's portrayal lacking; considering that he hardly ever truly got a great hold of the President's manner of speaking and most of his impression's appearances took the tired form of speaking directly into the camera and going on long speeches. I also remember Armisen's impression devoid of much energy; causing most of his performances to be quite unmemorable. I will say, however, Armisen's earlier years on the show were quite interesting; as he brought forward more unique reoccurring characters; that he would often perform as on “Weekend Update.” Such characters included his Native American comedian “Billy Smith,” political humorist “Nicholas Fehn,” and Venezuelan Entertainer “Ferecito”; who was later r spun off into a short-lived reoccurring talk show sketch “Show Biz Grande Explosion!.” When playing these characters, Armisen's performances were much active more genuinely funnier than any of the characters he plays now; which just rely on repetition and tired premises. In short terms, Fred Armisen would probably considered one of those “Saturday Night Live” castmembers who should have left at the top of their game rather than staying on too long; which was unfortunately the path he chose.
Image of Fred Armisen as "Ferecito" taken from http://snl.jt.org/char.php?i=585
While I'm not unhappy to see Fred Armisen leave, I am disappointed to see Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader depart the show. Sudeikis, who has been a castmember on the show since May 7th, 2005, has proven to be a very reliable sketch comedy performer on the show; improving the quality of the sketches thanks in large part to his genuine comedic energy and likability. Throughout his tenure on the show, Jason Sudeikis would always bring forward enjoyable performances as well as keen chemistry with his fellow castmembers and the host of an episode. One of my favorite performances from Jason Sudeikis actually took place this past December in a sketch called “Maine Justice.” Playing a southern judge presiding over a Maine courtroom inexplicably filled with New Orleans transplants, Sudeikis spoke in a comically over-the-top Cajun accent and bestowed an enthusiastic performance that kept the audience laughing. His performance was enough to even get Guest Host Jamie Foxx, who was playing the court's resident bailiff, to slightly break into two laughs. Another fun sketch I remember took place on November 5th 2011, when he played a straight-faced police officer to a detective, played by Guest Host Charlie Day, who continuously claimed that he was unaware of different aspects of pop culture. Watching the pair interact during the final sketch of the night was fun; particularly when Sudeikis would engage in a state of sheer comedic disbelief upon hearing that Day's character would continuously deny that he was unaware of whatever he was talking about. In short terms, no matter the role, Jason Sudeikis was able to bring forward true comedic energy; thus guaranteeing a memorable performance. I'm going to be sad to see him leave.
Image of Jason Sudeikis as "Judge Marshall T. Boudreaux" and Jamie Foxx as "Bailiff Jessup" in "Maine Justice" taken from http://snl.jt.org/detail.php?i=2012120810
While Fred Armisen and Jason Sudeikis have done very well with their fair share of sketches and characters throughout the tenure as castmembers, I have to say that, in all honesty, “Saturday Night Live” is going to suffer a major departure following tonight's show. I am talking about the one-and-only comedic talent known as Bill Hader; who, after first appearing on the show on October 1st, 2005, is leaving after eight laugh-filled years. Simply put, Bill Hader has been a one-man comedy factory on “Saturday Night Live.” Whether it be playing a comedic character, the designated straight-man of a sketch, or providing the audience with one of his hilarious-yet-spot-on impressions of celebrities. Hader made every sketch work; thanks in large part to his hilarious performances. Whenever impersonating someone, Bill Hader would would have the voice down pact. One of my favorite impressions by Hader happened to be that of Clint Eastwood; which was most remarkably exhibited in commercial spoofs for Chrysler; during which, the Actor-Director would get sidetracked and go on long-winded rants about China, the 2012 Presidential Election, and other topics. Watching Hader capture Eastwood's voice perfectly was great and was elevated further by various sight gags; particularly the sight of the height of his pants getting higher and higher. The commercial spoofs were hilarious and a perfect example of how Hader could take a celebrity impression and execute an entire comedic sketch around it. Other impressions of Hader's includes Republican Party Presidential Candidate, Rick Perry, Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award Winner Alan Alda, and Actor Al Pacino; that latter of which was exhibited in a commercial parody during the April 13th show; in which the Hollywood actor portrayed the actor playing the title role in different upcoming biopics of accused murderers. In addition, Bill Hader would always enjoyable when it came to playing reoccurring characters; with the most popular being that of “Weekend Update” City Correspondent “Stefon.” Whenever playing his character, Hader would recommend that New York City visitors should attend bizarre nightclubs that feature outrageous characters and strange activities. Even though the character's segments would often follow the same format every time, Bill Hader's performance was genuinely hilarious and always connected with the audience. What's more, Hader possessed great chemistry with “Weekend Update” Anchor Seth Meyers; who would always be discomforted by the character's zany descriptions. The pair's interactions were always very humorous and I'm curious to see how the popular reoccurring segment comes to its conclusion; as I'm sure Bill Hader's “Stefon” is bound to get a memorable send-off tonight. Thus, Bill Hader's tenure on “Saturday Night Live” has been an absolute joy to watch and I truly hope that his future is rich in great success. Bill Hader will be GREATLY MISSED!!!!
Bill Hader as "Stefon" taken from http://snl.jt.org/char.php?i=758
So, hopefully tonight's season finale of “Saturday Night Live” will be rich in hilarity and memories. And beginning at 11:30pm, I will be blogging live; commenting on the sketches, the writing, the performances, and anything else that comes to mind. And, by Thursday at the latest, I will be posting a review of the episode as well as my overall verdict on Season Thirty-Eight of “Saturday Night Live”
So be sure to have my blog on your computers by 11:30pm and have NBC on your televisions. Be sure to keep refreshing your computer screens so you can see my latest comments during the telecast. Feel free to share your own thoughts by clicking the “comment” link underneath any of my posts. Your feedback means a lot and I look forward to seeing your opinions.
So stay tuned and I'll see you at 11:30pm. TONIGHT IS THE SEASON FINALE OF “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE”!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment