SNL is funny again, and surprisingly smart
Sunday, February 11th, 2007 - 5:46pm
Is it just me or is SNL funny again? And sharp! This might be the brightest cast I've seen on the show, since evar. The evidence:
Happy Valentines Day From Cheney
Bronx Beat
Weekend Update's Commentary on Obama
SNL Digital Shorts (this week's pointless-but-charming Andy Popping into Frame and also Sloths!)
We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all.
"What misconception traveled down the road and made you want to be here?"
That Bronx Beat thing struck me as being like a new version of Coffee Talk with Linda Richman. Only not as good.
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It's not just you.
I haven't watched SNL on a regular basis since the Eddie Murphy days.
I was in and out during the Adam Sandler, Mike Myers eras.
I think the Natalie Portman rap video was the turning point for me to come back.
Andy Samberg, the guy that plays the Blizzard Man is becoming one of my favorite cast members.
I've started to tivo the episodes lately.
I haven't watched last night's yet.
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It's really strange -- we watched a few times before the holiday break, and it was awful. It was clear that they had some funny people on there, but the show had no rhythm and it was just as clear that the writers didn't know how to take advantage of the talent.
Last night's show as a complete 180 though. I think it helps that Forrest Whitacker was awesome (Did you see his Greg Gumble impression? It was dead on and hilarious.) But I think that they must have either beefed up the writing staff or finally found their footing very recently.
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While SNL certainly turned a corner after they hired on the Lonely Island guys its still way too hit-or-miss. I can't help but roll my eyes at more than most of the skits. They're obviously trying to be funny, but it just doesn't work a lot of the time.
I'm more of a sausage smoker myself. - Yoyoson
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They've become MadTV!
"I'm absolutely retarded. Not 100% sure why." - atom
"Dhelor + intarwebs = Great ideas." - wordsmythe
"Do I what I do: hate everyone." - Quintin_Stone
I say SNL has maintained a constant level of quality since its inception with the exception it's goatboy reaction to the early 90's super PC mentality that forbid many categories of humor. Perceived lowering quality is a trick of nostalgia. Go back and watch the old episodes. All the way through. They're a smattering of comedy gold mixed in with dull, boring skits; just like it's always been.
I have to agree that Andy's Awesome Town style humor, though hilarious, seems to clash with older SNL writers.
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It's not SNL but this will make you laugh.
Do you ever walk alone like a drifter in the dark?
I love that show.
Those SNL skits were pretty good. I might have to check out SNL again sometime.
That's low, man.
...In Living Color?
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Also a comparable analogy, but at least MadTV had Ms. Swan, one of its few redeemable features. In Living Color had... Homie the Clown? Yeah, not as good.
"I'm absolutely retarded. Not 100% sure why." - atom
"Dhelor + intarwebs = Great ideas." - wordsmythe
"Do I what I do: hate everyone." - Quintin_Stone
Don't you knock Homie the Clown.
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Knock. Knock.
"I'm absolutely retarded. Not 100% sure why." - atom
"Dhelor + intarwebs = Great ideas." - wordsmythe
"Do I what I do: hate everyone." - Quintin_Stone
It's a conspiracy.
C-O-N...spiracy
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Homey the clown, don't mess around,
Even though the Man, try to keep him down.
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Do he, uhhh... do he... looka like a man?
"I'm absolutely retarded. Not 100% sure why." - atom
"Dhelor + intarwebs = Great ideas." - wordsmythe
"Do I what I do: hate everyone." - Quintin_Stone
Hey, that show had Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Damon Wayans, and David Alan Grier, all of whom compete with the best talent that ever appeared on SNL. I wouldn't place SNL above it in quality, particularly since SNL's longer format allowed the creation of so much dreck in addition to the good stuff. (And even the dreck on SNL was often repeated 5-10 times. How long did Will Farrell and Cherie Oteri do that cheerleader sketch? 20 times? 30?)
Very little that appeared under the banner of SNL after mike Myers left counts as real SNL.
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Fixed.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
lunabean wrote:I spent about 10 minutes debating which one to go with.
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Um, excuse me:
This is just the way SNL is, it cycles back and forth in quality of writing and cast.
We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all.
"What misconception traveled down the road and made you want to be here?"
There's always been something to laugh at. Celebrity Jeopardy was incredibly funny. Cowbell was funny the first time.
SNL should just start releasing their skits directly to YouTube and let the chips fall where they may.
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As a dedicated lover of In Living Color, i'll just state that Paul Mooney and "The Brothers Brothers", FTW.
Outside of the Digital Shorts though, and a few segments on Weekend Update, SNL still doesn't do it for me.
Quote:
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Yeah, but I really like the Walken sketches, generally. The Baldwins are also good.
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Its not even that. Many of the older episodes got consistent laughter from the audience, whereas newer episodes have a complete lack of it. You can almost hear the audience sigh even! /hyperbole
I'm more of a sausage smoker myself. - Yoyoson
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