Saturday Night Live Update

Now that Weekend Update Thursday is over, SNL will have more focus on it's original hour and a half variety show, so I'm hoping for above average episodes appearing more frequently. Granted, last week was a premiere week on the knees, but hopefully, this week will be back on a surge. This week's WUT was more weak than the last 2 WUTs, which really proves burn-out for the Update set.

Our host tonight is Ryan Reynolds with musical guest Lady GaGa. Ryan Reynolds is more of a left field choice than not, but, left field choices for hosts usually tend to be a in for a good show. Jon Hamm is a spectacular example of that. Who hasn't heard Lady GaGa? And, more importantly, who hasn't said in their minds "Okay. That's enough. I've heard this song plenty of times"? I'll give Ms. Stefani her credit though: She is not a one-hit wonder, and, infact, a bunch of songs from her debut album have hit the top of the charts.

Presidential Message: This was a change of pace. It's taken 9 months, but we finally have our first anti-Obama sketch. As a supporter of Obama I'm still going to say this was a nice breeze. Complaints about SNL sucking up to Obama have been circulating too much, and this will have to seriously put an end to that. There was really no support for Obama in this sketch. Many are probably saying to this "Come on, it's been 9 months. He's doing his job", but remember, it's just SNL people.

Opening Montage: Just a few changes: Kristen's intro to her credit changed, so she has more screen time on the credits than she did last week, and I'm glad to see that we changed up the host and musical guest intros. They looked exactly like last season's last week, so this was a nice change.

Monologue: This was a funny real monologue by Mr. Reynolds about the differences between doing a superhero scene and doing a love scene. It was pretty good.

Mostly Garbage: So far we're 0 for 2 on the commercial parodies this season. It wasn't bad... but it wasn't good. I'm going to assume that this season will be just as inconsistant with commercial parodies as last season.

Family Feud: This was a very raunchy sketch about the Phillips family's new secret, but it was still a pretty well written sketch that was really funny. A few things I noticed was that Nasim didn't have one line, and did Jason's wig turn from blonde to gray in the middle of the sketch?

SNL Digital Short: I'm An Adult: Oh boy. Another musical Andy Samberg DS. Not anywhere as bad as last year's Samberg musical DSes, though, so I'll give him credit. It was good for a chuckle, and the Elijah Wood cameo was pretty cool.

Mike's Fountainry: Before I start this, I had no idea that Ryan Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansson, so to have her come into this was completely random and puzzling to me. But, now I get it, so I'm all good. Anyways, this was a fun bring-back, because I actually enjoy these. I gotta say though, it would be pretty cool if Rachel Dratch came back to do that wife.

Deep House Dish: Was this the most puzzling Deep House Dish ever? Thefirst two acts were just Kristen and Ryan singing random songs, and, just like any other DHD, there was really no chuckles here. Then all ofa sudden we had Madonna and Lady GaGa perform, and it was more of aconfusing little appearance than something funny. They were doing a cat fight, but, it almost felt like they were out of control at times. It was weird. But, I guess it was nice seeing Madonna on. BTW, did anybody realize that Madonna was in talks with hosting/performing sometime this season for her compilation CD "Celebration"? Talks broke down (I don't know how you break down talks with hosting SNL, but that's okay), so i guess it isn't happening now, but I just found that random.

Musical Performance: Lady GaGa performs "Paparazzi". I think some of GaGa's music is okay as long as it's not overkilled (like it usually is), but, man, I give her props for this performance. I've heard Paparazzi before and thought it was okay, but this performance was really good, and the SNL effects like the flames, smoke, and sparklers in the back were superb.

Weekend Update: A few good jokes here and there, and then there was Darrell appearing as Arnold Schwarzenegger, which was an okay commentary. Then we had Charles Barkley on to talk about China's 60th year anniversary, which was pretty funny. But, the funniest part was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his wife's commentary. As Fred's Mahmoud didn't say anything, and just stared blank ahead, Nasim pulled off a great peppy Ahmadinejad wife.

So You Commited A Crime & You Think You Can Dance: This was actually a really funny sketch, and almost seemed like something UCB would do, which is a good thing. It was interesting seeing Abby Elliott's Nancy Grace. When K-Fed was introducing Nancy Grace, I really thought Amy would be on as her, but, nope. Abby did good with it though. But, anyways, this was a funny sketch.

International Masterworks: This sketch was pretty one-premise, but I still laughed at the performances at times.

Musical Performance: In what seems to be a medly from the start with "LoveGame" playing to the base part of "Boys Boys Boys" (I only know that because of a friend), Lady GaGa performs the refrain of LoveGame and then goes into her new single "Bad Romance" which she doodles on the piano for a while, and eventually segueways into a piano ballad version of "Poker Face" and back into "Bad Romance". I gotta give her credit. She can play the piano, and even though there was that awkward moment of her trying to fit on the piano seat and stuff because of herwardrobe choice, she pulled it off well.

Fashion: Andy and Lady GaGa realize they're wearing the same outfit (bubbles) and try making out but physically can't do it. This was pretty silly, and a good way to end the show.

That's our show. Ryan demonstrated great versitality, and did a great job, and, even though the cameo choies were really random (Madonna?) it was still a decent show. Lady GaGa actually did a great job. She was a weird musical guest (just her outfit choice for that second song has people scratch their heads), but she was really awesome. I did find it weird, however, that Ryan just kind of disappeared into the episode. By the second half, he did a few things here and there, but disappeared for the last 15 minutes, which, by that time, Lady GaGa took up hosting the show.

As for Jenny Slate, she was not fired, and she'll be fine. She didn't appear in WUT, but I'm sure that was just a huge coincidence. But, meanwhile, she really didn't have a speaking part tonight, but still, I'm sure it'll all work out.

7.0

Next week: Drew Barrymore hosts with musical guest Regina Sepktor. This should be a good show.