Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne Review

Cold Open: This sketch featured Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (Will Forte) seeking ideas from the public as to how best deal with the financial crisis. Funny & clever premise, and it was good to see SNL prove that they can make fun of Democrats in equal measure.
8/10

Opening Monologue: I always love a good song and dance, and when it features Dwayne Johnson belting out a big number like Tough Guy, as he did here - well, hilarity ensues! I loved it, loved it, loved it. And it was great to see Abby featured in the monologue!
9/10

MacGruber 1 - When is MacGruber not good? Never. When is MacGruber excellent? When Richard Dean Anderson reprises his role as MacGyver, and it's revealed that he's MacGruber's father. Hilarious.
9/10

The Rock Obama - Firstly, I love Andy's impression of Rahm Emmanuel (who is one of the creepiest politicians I've ever seen on television) so I was super excited to see him featured here. Johnson did a terrific job here, and even did a decent Obama impression (who he happens to sound like anyway).
"Show yourself out of window."
Yes, Obama talking like a caveman/Hulk will always be funny to me.
9/10

MacGruber 2 - Not as funny as the first one. Here it is revealed that MacGyver left MacGruber and his mother for a stripper named Lacy. Amusing, but not as laugh out loud funny.
7/10

Activia Commercial - I think I'm in the minority when I say I didn't enjoy the first one that much. It was amusing and all, but a little one-note. But I have to say I liked this one. Probably because it featured more people, like Abby Elliott & Jason Sudeikis. My favourite line?
"You know when one person yawns.."
Also, nice cameo from SNL writer/comedian John Mulaney as the cameraman!

7/10

Hawaii Honeymoon - I really enjoyed this one. My heart goes out to people who live in tourist areas such as Hawaii, and I thought this sketch was a really funny send up of how much some locals must hate the tourist industry. The line about Obama being from Hawaii was great, and I loved when Johnson knocked over the drinks of Sudeikis & Thompson.
8/10

MacGruber 3 - Funnier than MacGruber 2, not as funny as MacGruber 1. I loved the final scene where MacGruber was fulfilling his earlier promise of scattering MacGyver's ashes in the toilet. And, we got to see some of Will Forte's ass again, so it's all good.
8/10

Ray LaMontagne 1 - Nice to hear a musical guest who can manage not to "sound like ass" on SNL. I really enjoyed this. Very lovely.
8/10

Weekend Update: The high standard that WU set itself earlier in the season, is slowly beginning to slip unfortunately. The jokes have gotten a little bit more predictable, although I did enjoy the quip about Brad Pitt meeting Obama, and everything being okay. Also a clever dig at Iran is always a winner.
The characters meanwhile fared a little better. I enjoyed Kenan's Michael Steele, and thought that segment was pretty well written. Cathy was fine, but it was Timberlake and Biel that really saved that segment. Meanwhile Jon Bovi were funny, but the joke went on a little too long. It ended on a high note : "I like tiny dongs.."
7/10


Game Time with Dave and Greg: Pretty good, solid sketch. Bill Hader was pretty fantastic in this sketch, but once he started freaking out the sight of water, I kind of began to lose interest. Would have preferred it had he just kept up the vomiting of lines he'd heard used before. "That's my taxi cab."
7/10

Apprentice Commercial Shoot: As I've said on many occasions, I always love impression-orientated sketches. And this one was no different. It was great to see Hammond featured in a sketch, playing someone other than John McCain. Everyone was funny in this, and I particularly loved Fred's creepy Tom Green impression.
8/10

Ray LaMontagne 2: Loved this. Really gorgeous performance.
9/10

Lighthouse Date: This was a decent sketch. The double entendres were pretty funny, but I think funnier lines from the stranded crewmen really would have elevated the sketch. Props to the set designers and lighting people for this sketch though. They did a pretty great job of making it look like the guys were stranded on rocks.
6/10

Overall:
Overall, I enjoyed the show. It was good & solid, and Johnson did a great job of hosting. I enjoyed the first half more, as I feel like the sketches in the second half weren't tight enough. On the plus side, it was great to see most cast members featured tonight, and no over-concentration of Kristen Wiig.
I have to comment on Casey Wilson's virtual absence from the show though. I mean, she had one or two lines in one sketch. I know sketches get cut, and what have you, but can the writers not muster up more lines or appearances for her?
Enjoyed the cameos tonight, and I have a feeling JT will be making many more appearances, now that he's living in NY.
Disappointed that there was no digital short, but I guess three MacGruber shorts does make up for it.
7.5/10

Next week - Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson. Wonder if we'll see any cameos from 30 Rock peeps?

Stray Observations:
-Justin Timberlake looked hot-to-trot at the goodbyes.
-I want to see more writer cameos!
-The bumper photos are getting better and better!
-A lot of Abby Elliott, little Watkins, Wilson or Moynihan. Favouritism perhaps?

Tune In Tonight For...

-SNL Game Show Parodies
-Just Commercials

I Hour Specials Tonight on NBC at 7&8PM.

Bill Hader in NY Times

Check out this article, where the NY Times profile TV stars who are tomorrow's big screen stars.
http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2009/03/08/style/t/index.html#pagewanted=5&pageName=08coverw&

Bill Hader is mentioned in it, and there is a rather dashing picture of him featured in the article.
Enjoy!

Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne

I've read nothing but good things on the internet about this episode, but what did you think?

Best sketch of the night? How was LaMontagne?
Go ahead, comment, comment, comment!

Andy Samberg to Appear On...

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - March 9th (as part of Lonely Island)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show - March 17th
Jimmy Kimmel Live! - March 18th


You're welcome.

SNL Promo

Video Recaps Full Episodes Webisodes

Dwayne Johnson Promos

Check out the promos for this weekend's SNL episode!

Video Recaps Full Episodes Webisodes

Bobby Moynihan Interview

Bobby Moynihan gave a very good, insightful interview on StarPulse.
Here is the link to the full interview transcript:

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php?p=111735&more=1&page=2

There is one bit where he mentions his disappointment at not being in a live sketch in the Steve Martin show ON HIS BIRTHDAY! Aw!

Enjoy!

Bill Hader & Amy Poehler in Vanity Fair

Check out Bill Hader & Anna Faris channeling The Honeymooners in this month's Vanity Fair!


And SNL vet Amy Poehler, who I must say is looking ravishing in this shot.

Pick up this month's Vanity Fair for more pictures of your favourite comedians, including Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Jonah Hill.

Check Out Fred's Blog:

http://blog.nbc.com/fred/

He updated it for the first time in ages yesterday, with a recap of Tim McGraw's show, complete with pics from rewrite day, rehearsals & a fundraiser that the cast attended at the Museum of Natural History.

Enjoy!

Jimmy Fallon's Second Week Scedule:

..is even better than the first!
Seriously, his show is shaping up to be pretty awesome!


Our favourite comedy trio, The Lonely Island, will be guests (perhaps musical guests!) on Monday 9th March!
While, on Friday Kristen Wiig will be talking to Jimmy!

Go Fallon, go go go!

Michaela Watkins/Abby Elliott in Elle

Elle do a nice little feature on the two new SNL ladies Abby Elliott & Michaela Watkins, where they pose the question;
"Are they the next Tina & Amy?"
Watch this space.

In the meantime, read this:
http://www.elle.com/Entertainment/Movies-TV/Live-Girls!

Mini Lonely Island Article..

For your reading pleasure...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jPz4bKB_M1Ii0bXgvAldZnypUGHw

Tracy Morgan To Be Joined By...

... the lovely Kelly Clarkson!
Not that psyched about her performance, but we all know I'll just fast-forward it as per usual.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson To Be Joined By..

.. by the wonderful Ray LaMontagne, singer of one of my all-time favourite songs, Trouble!
Hopefully, LaMontagne will be characteristically awesome!