Well, the debut episode of the thirty-ninth season of “Saturday Night Live” has aired, and I have to say, the ninety-minute affair was a mixed bag. The departures of longtime castmembers Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis were definitely noticeable, as some of the performances in the show felt very forced; as certain players tried to liven up sketches with some over-the-top acting. What's more, some of the sketches relied on rehashed routines and plotlines. And, as a result of the cast's size, some performers were relegated to roles that that required them to do hardly anything. Nevertheless, Guest Host and Former Castmember Tina Fey did what she could to make the episode unfold well. In addition, some of the new featured players got some opportunities to shine, while the others didn't get a chance to do much at all. Thus, I can say with utmost honesty:
A Good Amount of the Performances of Tina Fey and Some of the Castmembers were the True Highlight of a Rather Average Season Premier
Cold Opening: President Barack Obama's Press Conference
The cold opening for this year's premier sees Cast Member Jay Pharoah showcasing his impression of President Obama addressing Americans to accept his Affordable Health Care Act. Unfortunately for him, most people in favor of the policy are taking advantage of its advantages. I will start out by saying that Jay Pharoah, now in his fourth year as a castmember, has improved his impression of President Barack Obama; further perfecting the the tone of his voice as well as his mannerisms. However, this opening sketch proved to be Pharoah's only appearance in the show; further highlighting my viewpoint addressed in my previous article. Other than his impressions of President Obama as well as some other celebrities, Jay Pharoah hardly does anything else on the show. There have been many episodes last season where Pharoah basically disappears after opening the show as President Obama. I will also say that some of the performances of the castmembers appearing in the opening weren't funny at all; as they basically raised the volume of their voices in a poor attempt to be funny. For instance, Castmember Aidy Bryant, now in her second year, raised the volume of her voice in an unfunny manner when playing an Obama supporter who's a little too excited about the benefits of Obamacare. In addition, Bobby Moynihan, now in his sixth year on the show as a castmember, played a frustrated father, constantly berating his son, played by new Featured Player Beck Bennett, for taking advantage of Obamacare and doing nothing productive at all. Moynihan's performance felt over-the-top in the sense that the primarily basis for his character's humor was simply screaming. I will say, however, that I got a laugh out of Kate McKinnon, now in her second full year as a castmember, playing a frustrated nurse who's tired of people taking advantage of Obamacare by going to the doctor due to performing ridiculous stunts. McKinnon's delivery was genuinely amusing; so much so, that viewers could actually believe her character's frustration. I will also point out that I got some laughs out of Aaron Paul's surprise appearance as his character from “Breaking Bad”; who basically summed up the actions of the show's main character as being excuses for not being able to afford Obamacare. While Paul's appearance was funny, the bit, in all honesty, just seemed like an excuse to promote the final episode of “Breaking Bad”; which would air the following night on AMC. All in all, despite the performances of Aaron Paul and Kate McKinnon as well as the improvement of Jay Pharoah's impression of President Obama, the cold opening for this year's season finale was just nothing special at all.
Monologue: Tina Fey Introduces the New Castmembers
Tina Fey marks her fourth time hosting “Saturday Night Live”by making the six new castmembers awkwardly dance behind her while she sings. I did like Fey poking fun at the show by saying that castmembers are required to dance behind the host during a musical monologue as part of their hazing process. The clips that Fey showed of herself dancing behind hosts was humorous and the new castmembers (Beck Bennett, John Milhiser, Kyle Mooney, Mike O'Brien, Noel Wells, and Brooks Wheelan) seemed up to the challenge. Even though it's all part of the joke, I do wish, however, that all of our new performers were given a chance to properly identify themselves. Despite this, I will say this monologue wasn't terrible at all and it was a decent way to open the show.
Commercial Parody: “Girls” Promo
First, let me say that I have hardly watched Lena Dunham's show on HBO. However, I have seen a couple of interviews that Dunham was featured on, and I will say that Noel Wells' impression of the HBO star was very spot-on. Mimicking Lena Dunham's voice perfectly, this was a good preview of what we can expect from Noel Wells when being a castmember. I will also say that Tina Fey was amusing as her Middle-Eastern character and she and Noel Wells interacted very well together. In short terms, this was a creative commercial parody.
Sketch: Overbooked Flight
Now this was an interesting sketch. Tina Fey and Taran Killam, now in his fourth year as a castmember, star as two airline clerks who keep boarding more and more random people onto a flight while basically ignoring a married couple, played by Kate McKinnon and Beck Bennett, who kept waiting patiently to board. Fey and Killam and had good chemistry as their characters and I am glad to see the latter get more roles on the show. Taran Killam has been a good addition for “Saturday night Live”; as he's proven to be a good performer; capable of playing both straughtmen and comedic characters as well as showcasing humorous impressions. I will also say, judging by his involvement and the demeanor of his character, in this sketch, Beck Bennett might be cast in quite a few straightman roles throughout his first year as a castmember. I will also say that I did get a laugh out of Kenan Thompson, now in his eleventh year as a castmember, playing a passenger determined to get on the plane with an extremely large suitcase. Also, despite being turned off by his forced performance in the cold opening, I did get a laugh out of Bobby Moynihan's sly grin when sneakily-boarding the plane when Fey's and Killam's characters were admitting anyone onto the flight who is likely to pass gas at different times on the flight. The whole sketch unfolded in a fun way and this went on to be the few highlights of the show.
Game Show Sketch: “New Castmembers or Arcade Fire”
I'll start off by saying this: I'm very glad that “Saturday Night Live” is recognizing the fact that there are six new castmembers. That being said, I didn't find a lot of this very funny. First of all, much of Kenan Thompson's performance as the game show host came off slightly annoying and his constant berating of the new castmembers for speaking when they weren't supposed to got old quick. In addition, like in the monologue, I wish that the new castmembers were able to identify themselves in the actual sketch. I understand that the whole idea of the new performers being hazed is part of the joke, but let's face it: these six performers are going to have to carry the show in the future when more veteran castmembers eventually leave the show. I will say, however, that the joke that some of the new performers resemble some of the members of Musical Guest Arcade Fire was somewhat humorous. Though the biggest laugh I got from this sketch was Kenan Thompson's reaction when Executive Producer Lorne Michaels guessed that the eleven-year castmember was one of the new performers. Other than that, Tina Fey was alright when being herself trying to distinguish the new performers from the members of Arcade Fire. But, nevertheless, some of the main jokes in the sketch grew old rapidly; thus significantly hurting its execution.
“ "Weekend Update”
Well, this wasn't an entirely great edition of “Weekend Update” at all. Castmember Cecily Strong, now in her second year on the show, makes her debut as Seth Meyers' new co-anchor with a whimper. First of all, none of her jokes were funny at all. Second and most important, her delivery came off as very forced and not at all amusing. I was hoping, as Meyers' new co-anchor, Strong would turn in a grounded performance that would match some of her best and most straightfoward performances of the past year. But alas, every time she was on camera, Cecily Strong emphasized her punchlines in a matter that was quite off-putting. It was as if she was trying too hard to be funny. In addition, Seth Meyers' jokes weren't memorable as well and not at all funny. Furthermore, Tina Fey's introduction of Cecily Strong to “Weekend Update” as well as her advice to the latter came off as nothing special.
Also, as you know from my previous “Saturday Night Live” reviews, I have grown very tired of Bobby Moynihan's reoccurring character “Drunk Uncle.” I had a feeling we would see the character tonight; considering that Moynihan's “Drunk Uncle” is apparently a big hit with the “Saturday Night Live” audience. A majority of the segment was just your basic “Drunk Uncle” schtick, and the ramblings of Moynihan's character came off as never-ending as always. The only brief chuckles I got were Moynihan's line that children today are always “twerking it from 9 to 5” as well as Aaron Paul's fast-talking appearance as “Meth Nephew”; though it could be said that his surprise cameo was just another excuse to promote the series finale of “Breaking Bad.”The only time I truly laughed was Featured Player Kyle Mooney's appearance as his stand-up comic character “Bruce Chandling.” The energy and tone of the character reminded me of something Andy Kaufman would do when he was on “Saturday Night Live” during the 1970s. In addition, Mooney had some good lines as his character and I feel he had more genuine comedic energy that Bobby Moynihan exhibited when playing “Drunk Uncle” later on in the segment. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Kyle Mooney and the other new castmembers as the season progresses. All in all, a VERY mixed bag for the first edition of “Weekend Update” for the new season. I'm hoping that things improve tomorrow night and that Cecily Strong improves her performances as Seth Meyers' new co-anchor.
Sketch: “Cinema Classics”
Here was another dud of a sketch. Kenan Thompson offered a performance as the host of a show that focuses on unsuccessful oldtime movies. A great amount of his dialogue came off as very unfunny and all the jokes about his overweight wife came off as very off as very unappealing as well. It is obvious from this sketch as well as the game show sketch from earlier in the show that “Saturday Night Live” is trying to use Kenan Thompson as the show's new go-to-guy to play the lead character in sketches. This is a bad idea. Thompson does not have the acting chops to do so and he's better suited to play supporting characters in sketches. Whenever Kenan Thompson has the lead role in a sketch, his performance comes off as being too over-the-top and fails to move the sketch forward in a genuine manner. He's completely unlike Bill Hader or Jason Sudeikis; both of whom possessed keen comedic skills and possessed good chemistry with their fellow castmembers as well as an episode's host. Ken Thompson just causes sketches to drag whenever playing the lead character and fails to pack a truly comedic punch. All this being said, this overall sketch just wasn't funny at all. The jokes about the taxidermy being used in the film just fell flat; further causing the sketch to drag. Tina Fey, Tran Killam, and Aidy Bryant performed finely as their characters; but, unfortunately, the humor just wasn't there at all. Overall, a very weak sketch.
Commercial / Sketch: “The First Used Car Sale Commercial”
This was another creative idea for a sketch. “Saturday Night Live” writer-turned-castmember Mike O'Brien gets his first official lead role in a sketch as a salesman at an oldtime used car lot. O'Brien was noticeably a little shaky during this piece, but seeing as this is his first official night as a castmember, I'll cut him some slack. His lines were amusing and I did genuinely laugh whenever he'd mention only one item whenever listing the features of the cars (For example: “They've got Everything! Seats...”) Tina fey also had a couple amusing lines as the disturbed wife of O'Brien's character, but a good amount of her quips prior to the ending of the sketch fell flat. For the most part, I enjoyed this sketch and hopefully Mike O'Brien improves his on-stage performances as the season unfolds.
Sketch / Commercial: “Manolo Blahnik”
You remember what I said about the schtick of Bobby Moynihan's reoccurring character “Drunk Uncle” getting old? Same goes for Vanessa Bayer's and Cecily Strong's washed-up porn stars. These characters appeared THREE times last season and now they appear right at the start of the new season. Bayer's and Strong's characters have truly wore thin and their dialogue isn't funny at all. Their vapid conduct has become very grating; therefore causing these sketches to play out very slowly and tediously. In addition, while I did slightly chuckle at the sight of Tina Fey being carried in repeated as her character forgetting her proper entrance cue, her dialogue failed to be funny as well. I strongly hope Vanessa Bayer and Cecily Strong take a break from playing these characters for a while. This was just a bad closing sketch.
And, that's the show. It's a good thing this was the season premier because “Saturday Night Live” has a long way to go before the quality of the majority of the writing and sketches improves. The show needs to stray from relying on overplayed characters and premises that don't go anywhere. In addition, I truly hope that the late-night variety series decides not to center a majority of their sketches around performers like Cecily Strong and Kenan Thompson. While both performers can have their moments, they are not cut out to be the front-and-center castmembers. In all seriousness, Taran Killam and Kate McKinnon have proven themselves to be very reliable castmembers; as they've provided much humor to otherwise weak sketches. Hopefully, they get more attention as the season progresses. I will also say that I'm happy that the six new castmembers are getting recognized and I hope they get more to do. As of now, I am most intrigued by Noel Wells and Kyle Mooney; both of whom have given viewers a good taste of what they can bring to the show. Wells being a skilled impressionist and Mooney specializing in more alternative form of comedy. Hopefully the other castmembers get more opportunities to showcase their true comedic skills. We'll know in the upcoming weeks. And finally, Tina Fey did a fine job hosting “Saturday Night Live” for her fourth time and I'm looking forward to seeing her join the Five-Timers Club next time she emcees the program.
And that's my review. I'll be here tomorrow night to live-blog Miley Cyrus' second-hosting stint. Before the show airs, I will be posting some quick thoughts as to my overall opinions about Cyrus performing double-duty as both the show's host and musical guest. Then, beginning at 11:30pm, I will be blogging the show live; commenting on the sketches, the writing, the performances of the cast and Miley Cyrus, and anything else that comes to mind during the show.
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