The Spielster » SNL

Betty White Brings the Funny and Ratings to SNL

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:23:50 +0000

If you were anything like half of the folks on the internet then you were looking forward to Betty White hosting the Mother’s Day episode of ‘Saturday Night Live‘. The sexy senior, who has FINALLY been getting the respect she so surely deserves, brought it this Saturday. Originally when Lorne Michaels and Co. caved into the interweb demands from the public and gave White a chance to host ‘SNL’, it turned out she wouldn’t be alone. Perhaps to avoid tiring the 88-year-old comedian with a hosting responsibility, a slew of former SNLers came back with a fully focused ladies night over at 30 Rock. Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Molly Shannon came back to the place they once called home to participate in the special SNL, alongside comedy legend White. But if you were paying attention Saturday, and it seemed that everyone tuned in, it was proven that age ain’t nuthin but a number and White could hold her own until 1AM. White was the focus of almost all the skits this weekend and I can’t think of one that didn’t score big in the laughter category. Personally, I can’t remember laughing that hard for an hour and half straight in a very long time. And apparently I wasn’t the only one since the May 8th episode of SNL scored its highest ratings in a year and a half, making it fall just short of the historic pre-’08 election episode.

See SNL – all you need is Betty White and a few of your former cast members to bring the funny and the ratings. While there wasn’t a bum skit in the bunch, I can’t possibly post every video from that night. So here are my top 5, in no particular order, as well as the funny skits that were actually cut in dress rehearsal.

Betty White’s monologue, which I believe generally sets the tone for the overall show, was spot on incorporating her ability to be witty and sexy, while poking fun.

Betty White brought her special batch of muffins to the always classic and subversive ‘Delicious Dish’ sketch with Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon. Attempt to not do a spit take when Betty exclaims, “My muffin has had a cherry since 1939″. Priceless.

This ‘Census’ sketch was the last of the night and even it was on point. Tina Fey penned the original back when Christopher Walken hosted the last time the census was on the radar, but this was priceless.

‘Scared Straight’ was amazing last night. “WIZZZZARRRD OF ASSSS!” is all I need to say.

The infamous ‘Debbie Downer’ sketches are some of the best in SNL history, but sadly (or not) last night’s ep was so jam packed this was killed in dress rehearsal. But thanks to NBC understanding our sheer need for more SNL, they released all the quality bits that were killed. Here we get to see Debbie ruining a ladies night all about lingerie, wine and oil spills.

And lastly, ‘Bronx Beat’ is always a favorite with Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, so I was a bit bummed when it didn’t air. This will forever be one of my favorites and thanks to overwhelming demand the sketch has hit the internet and reminded me of what SNL used to be like. Let’s learn about what Yoga stands for. Enjoy.

If you missed anything from this weekend’s episode, its available for viewing online over at NBC. Also, check out Jay-Z’s two performances and the rest of the sketches that ended up on the cutting room floor. What did you think of Betty? Who would you like to see host?

A Boombox Can Change the World, Per The Lonely Island

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:27:12 +0000

The Digital Shorts on Saturday Night Live are some of the best comedy the show has produced in the past ten years. This past Saturday, they finally got around to producing a short for the hilarious and catchy song, “Boombox” from their album Incredibad. The tune, which features Julian Casablancas singing about fingerless gloves and the power of the boombox. Not sure if the premiere of the short was delayed thanks to promotion of Julian’s solo efforts, but it was well worth the wait. Enjoy.

Betty White (and others) to Host SNL

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:37:58 +0000

Woohoo! It only took 500k fans on Facebook and massive media coverage to make Lorne Michaels and the folks at SNL approach Betty White to host the show in April. According to Michael Ausiello at EW that there is a deal in the works to get Betty White to host the late night program. But, she won’t be doing it alone. It’s being looked at as a “Women in Comedy” program, and they are looking to book ex-SNLers Molly Shannon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to come on board and celebrate being funny and having boobs (No one tell Christopher Hitchens, okay?) The execs behind the scenes proposed this show so they can book Betty, capitalize on the media stirred up over this and get their power players to come back and make sure an 88-year old comedienne wouldn’t have to carry the whole program. Personally, I have no issue with this as long as it gets Betty on the program and there is at least one Match Game ’77 sketch. Which reminds that I think it would be nice to drag back Sarah Silverman, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph and possibly Jan Hooks into the fold. Hell, April could be the “Women in Comedy” month and you can have all your best ex-SNLers come back to host. I like the idea overall, because SNL is at its best when it has a proven and top notch host. Oh and please make Bobby Moynihan Sophia Petrillo in the inevitable “Golden Girls” sketch.

Now This is a Wedding Band….

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:05:30 +0000

When Saturday Night Live is on, its on and the past two weeks have been pretty darn near classic episodes. Last week Jon Hamm visited and helped make one of the funniest episodes in years, with his skit as newly inaugurated Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown and in a perfect Digital Short with him as a sexy sax man. And this weekend’s host Ashton Kutcher continued his streak, this would be his fourth, of quality episodes. Kutcher excels in this format, but I knew they would take advantage of having Dave Grohl in the house since his new super group Them Crooked Vultures were the musical guest. And what they came up with is a thing of beauty. As a former hardcore kid, I can only imagine the following skit happening in real life and very soon to one of my friends. Enjoy the Band Reunion.

Must Read: Dear Andy Kaufman, I Hate Your Guts!

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:45:16 +0000

Ever since I received Dear Andy Kaufman, I Hate Your Guts! its been difficult to put the coffee table-style book down. The book is a collection of passionate hate mail, counter offers and hysterical polaroids Kaufman received in response to his “misogynistic” request to the women of America to wrestle. Kaufman, best known for his near riot inciting style of comedy, had loved wrestling since his childhood on Long Island and somehow managed to incorporate the sport into his act. The comedian first wrestled a woman on an episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1979 and after winning the match, Kaufman put out a call to women all over to challenge him. What followed could be described as both one of the greatest comedic bits in a generation and a highly cathartic process for women dealing with the constant battle of sexism.

The book’s foreword is provided by Kaufman’s partner and long time friend, Bob Zmuda, who said the wrestling act was Andys quriky way of meeting chicks. Kaufman had a real love got wrestling, it’s theatrics, said Zmuda. He also noted that the hate mail was welcomed by Kaufman, who loved the celebration of the theatrics and the catharsis for the women sending the letters. And boy was there some hate mail, from little girls, factory workers and women from all walks of life who wanted to honestly showup Andy.

If you are a fan of Kaufman, comedy, angry fan mail or hilariously bad 70′s fashion, this book is a must have.

Really?!? Hits All the Right Targets

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:21:13 +0000

Last night the funny returned to NBC and as expected, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers gave a little special “Really?!?” treatment to the likes of Joe Wilson, Kanye West and some more deserving fellas. Not sure I’m in love with the idea of weekly half hour versions of Weekend Update, but last night’s definitely had its moments. And I can’t complain about more Amy Poehler on TV.

Poor Casey Wilson – Interwebs Why Ya Gots To Be So Mean?

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:27:37 +0000

There are days where I wish I had a following. And by this I mean, I wish I was much more well known, like I would easily get movie deals, have my own TV show (who knows what it would be about) and late night night hosts would jump at the chance to get me as a guest on their shows. But then I remember what its like for Lindsay Lohan to go shopping or Brooke Shields to bring her kids to school and I go “Wow thank the lord I’m not famous”. And if you think that’s bad, just imagine MILLIONS of people seeing pictures or logging into sites just to bash your appearance, your talents or even worse, just to say they don’t like you.

Casey Wilson is fairly new to the fame gig, since she was made a “Saturday Night Live” cast member last year, but she has apparently made quite a mark on people. While her career has essentially just begun, she is already finding out that assholes are aplenty when it comes to the Internets. Now I wont get over her being a part of “Bride Wars”, but I do thoroughly enjoy her on SNL and hope that she continues to be a force in comedy. And I really love the fact that she has such a fresh approach to the entertainment world and wants to support other women getting into the field, which is always inspiring. Apparently though there are a few assholes who don’t agree and are so dumbstruck by here they take their valuable time to anonymously bash the SNL cutie. Here’s Casey, with Funny or Die, poking fun at this sickness called “asshat commenting”. This video alone makes me want to grab a drink and become friends with the girl.

SNL’s Casey Wilson Reads Internet Comments from Casey Wilson

Belated Mother’s Day Wishes….

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:11:49 +0000

So yesterday was Mother’s Day and this year there are two songs that really celebrate the love we all have for our mothers.

Here is Justin Timberlake and Adam Samberg giving some love to their mothers, beautifully played by Patricia Clarkson and Susan Sarandon.

And here is my good friend and ridiculously funny Adira Amram, thanking her mother for getting her high.

Adira Amram – Mom Song from Jim Turner on Vimeo.

Any other lovely Mother’s Day songs/videos??