Saturday, November 1, 2008

Strike.TV

http://www.strike.tv/show/global-warming/

Click up there to watch new Kristen Wiig/Aasif Mandvi web-series Global Warming!

Jon Hamm/Coldplay review

Cold Open:
I was away for a week, so I wasn't 100% certain as to what exactly happened with Sen. Biden and Rep. Murtha. But given that it was 10 days to the election, this seemed like an odd way to open the show. Not as funny as Will Ferrell and Tina Fey's bit on Thursday Night.

Monologue:
Amusing, and well delivered. It was a bit in which Hamm urged viewers to watch his show Mad Men on AMC, by reeling them in with a list of false gimmicks, i.e. McCain and Obama will appear on the finale smoking weed.

Hallowe'en Paedophile:
Here Will Forte played a paedophile going to his neighbour's house looking for candy, but also to reveal to him in a roundabout way, that he is in fact a sex offender. The sketch felt a little stale, like something I'd seen before, but Forte saved it, by being the phenomenal character actor he is. There's something incredibly intense about every character Forte does, as he gives 120% and his full commitment. This sketch was no exception.

SNL Digital Short : Ras-Trent:
Only the second good digital short this season, after Extreme Activities Competition. This was Andy Samberg playing a white rasta wannabe, to an incredibly catchy beat. Seriously, this song could be a hit.
"Me toil part time at a ColdStone Creamery."
Excellent.

Two A-Holes at a 60's Ad Agency:
Hail the return of the Two A-Holes! This time our favourite A-Holes were pitching a stationary hula-hoop to the Mad Men characters! Cameos from John Slattery and Elisabeth Moss. It was absolutely hilarious, and Will Forte and Bill Hader blended in flawlessly. My favourite line?
"What about you, gay guy?"
"Who, me???!"
Bill Hader's face was amazing.

Obama Variety Half-Hour:
Best sketch of the night. Maya Rudolph returned to play Michelle Obama, and Mr.and Mrs. O presented their variety half hour, which included Nancy Pelosi (Wiig), Barney Frank (Moynihan) and Ron Emmanuel (Samberg) singing Our House, and Bill Clinton singing "Don't Your Forget About Me." Jon Hamm also played John F. Kennedy's spirit who returns to endorse Obama. Wonderful, neat, tidy sketch.

Don Draper's Guide To Picking Up Women:
Another Mad Men reference. This was a taped bit, that showed Hamm reprise his character Don Draper, and divulge his secrets. My favourite:
1) Be Silent.

Coldplay :
I dislike Coldplay, so I fast-forwarded this.

Weekend Update:
Tonight opened with the revelation that Amy Poehler couldn't be there because she was having her baby! So, Meyers went solo. And, I have to say, he did a pretty good job. Guest commentators included Ralph Nader, played flawlessly by Bill Hader, RoboCall played by Will Forte, and Nicholas Fehn. I loved Nicholas Fehn in the beginning, but it's wearing just a little thin now. Perhaps, it's awesome to see Armisen improvise all that, and that's why the audience reaction is so strong and favourable each time. But I think it's time to put it to rest.
Update ended on the loveliest note, with Kenan Thompson and Maya Rudolph performing a rendition of "We Love You Amy" to the tune of "I Love You, Baby." It's so obvious how much the cast truly love her, and the affection they hold for her. What? I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye.

Vincent Price's Halloween Show:
Here saw Bill Hader return as Vincent Price in one his specials. His guests included Gloria Swanson, who was a pirate, and James Mason. It was Hamm who played Mason, and he did a killer job at playing the Lolita star. Best part was when Price went to read The Raven, and asked for musical accompaniment from Liberace (Armisen). One of the best of the night.

Jon Hamm's John Ham:
Okay, this sketch, while clever, made me feel nautious. The roll of ham in the bathroom, the mustard dispenser.. it was all a little juvenile.

Pat Finger, Butts, NY:
This sketch was a series of campaign ads from the unfortunately named Pat Finger (Hamm) who is running for Butts Council. Lots of Finger in Butts jokes ensue. And then in an attempt to remedy his initial campaign ads, he changes his name to Pat Dildeaux. Dildo in Butts. You get the picture.

Coldplay:
Didn't watch.

Overall, I thought this was a strong episode. Consistent show, with one of the strongest hosts thus far (after Anne Hathaway). It was good to see Bill Hader get more airtime, and perform some of his killer impressions, which he have hardly seen this season. Not a lot of Wiig/Wilson this episode, which is kind of a nice change. I adore Wiig, but I fear that now Amy has left, she is going to be used to the absolute maximum. Wilson kind of bothers me. Its clear she has talent, but she overacts in every sketch. If she took it down a notch, then she'd be simply fantastic. But as it stands, she's a little annoying.

Score: 8/10

Obama not feeling Armisen's impression

From TV Guide -


The presidential hopeful admitted, ever so diplomatically, of course, that his Saturday Night Live other half leaves much to be desired in his parodies."I've gotta say, compared to Tina Fey and what she's been doing with Gov. Sarah Palin, my imitator isn't doing as great a job," he told WUSA9.com.

"I do know my ears have been getting bigger and bigger each episode," Obama said. "I'm sure they'll get me right over time."

Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann apparently managed to shimmy past security, and watch rehearsals of a sketch that is said to mock him savagely.
But Olbermann, through a spokesman, was complimentary on his first time being mocked on "SNL" — a position his MSNBC colleague Chris Matthews has been in over the years.

“I’m not Sarah Palin,” Olbermann said. “I know how valuable it is to me. And it’s funny."

No show Novemeber 8th

I expected this, but just confirmed it via NBC Media Village.
SNL will be taking a break, and airing in its place will be a repeat of James Franco/Kings of Leon.

But if you have an itch only SNL can scratch, then don't forget to tune in to SNL Presidential Bash 2008 on Monday Nov. 3rd at 8pm.

Armisen & Hammond to appear on NBC's "Today"

Monday, November 3 (7-9 a.m.): The final NBC News/Wall Street Journal election poll unveiled on "Today". Darrell Hammond and Fred Armisen are interviewed. -
NBC Media Village

The two men responsible for impersonating McCain and Obama will drop by "Today" for laughs, chats and cookies.

Rumours : Britney Spears to host Nov. 22nd

Although it has yet to be confirmed, many news outlets/gossip sites are reporting that Ms. Spears may host on Nov. 22nd.
I, for one, would love to see this happen. She has hosted twice before, back in 2000& 2002, when I was eight and ten years old, respectively.

Watch this space.

Ok..

I have not been keeping this as well as I should have been. Just returned from a trip to Krakow/Berlin, which was amazing! Everyone should go there.

BUT ANYWAY :

1) Amy Poehler gave birth to a baby boy Archie, does this mean we will never again see Amy grace our screens at 11.30 again? Most likely. End of the Poehler era.

2) McCain is scheduled to appear on SNL tonight. No Obama? Man.

3) Old favourite Ben Affleck is hosting tonight! Should be a lot of fun!

4) Jon Hamm was, as Jean K. Jean would say, "INCROYABLE!"