SNL Skewers Post-Election/Pre-President Trump

Image from source, NBC

Saturday Night Live's first Trump depiction since the election is pretty funny, rightly skewering the man himself (clueless and in over his head), Kellyanne Conway (guiltily feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders) and Mike Pence (stiff and unpleasant). But I have to say, Alec Baldwin seems a lot less into it. It's actually surprising that he appeared, since he'd said he was hanging up the wig. My guess is that he agreed based on the number of returning SNL vets in this week's show, Kristin Wiig's hosting, and just putting a bow on the depiction. I'm betting it's back to Darrell Hammond in the future, or or some new cast member.

SNL Kicks Off 36th Season with Amy Poehler

Image from Pop Culture Feministas

I've been a regular viewer of Saturday Night Live since (literally) the very beginning. But I'll admit, it's had its strong years and bad years, and lately it's been more bad than good.  It has always been rare for any show to be funny all the way through. If the "cold open," the monologue and Weekend Update are funny (or 2 out of 3), then it was a good show.  The musical guest, and anything after WU are given a pass if those other elements are good.  Last season, they sometimes weren't even hitting 2 out of 3.

If last night's show is any indication, they've done something to fix things.  Traditionally, the first show of the year is a disappointment, considering how much has happened over the summer, and how much material they have to work with. This year broke that streak with the strongest debut I can remember since the triumphant beginning of the Dana Carvey/Phil Hartman/Jon Lovitz/Jan Hooks/Dennis Miller era in 1986. That show--with guest host Sigourney Weaver--is one of the few examples of an SNL that was good all the way through.  On Saturday, guest host Amy Poehler helped pull off the same feat.

This is a clip from the cold open, with an excellent use of a topic that popped up while the show was on break. Kudos to the writers, and Kristin Wiig, who did a great job as CO'D.

Saturday Night Live Commercial Parody: Edible Diapers

This weekend's Saturday Night Live, with Steve Martin as host (for the 15th time), was mostly a disappointment. The opening, featuring Fred Armisen's Barack Obama and Jason Sudekis' Joe Biden wasn't terribly funny. The Obama impression is dead-on, but not very humorous, and the Biden bears little resemblance to the real article.

Other sketches veered between lame, bad, or mildly entertaining. And as funny as Kristin Wiig is, you can't just put her into any quirky character and expect the magic to happen. Still, there was a funny--if gross-out--commercial parody, for ecologically friendly Chewable Pampers edible diapers. Here it is, followed by the Obama sketch. Enjoy.

Amy Poehler Returns to SNL as Hillary Clinton

Last night's Saturday Night Live wasn't the best or worst episode of the season, but it wasn't great either. Still, the return of Amy Poehler--however short-lived it turns out to be--was welcome. There are a few other female cast members, but other than Kristin Wiig, none have really burst out as identifiable talents. Maybe Amy can help school them before she goes.

Amy got to perform as Hillary Clinton one more time, here to comment on the Secretary of State appointment. And Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton is hands down the best Presidential impression in all of SNL history, in my opinion, no matter what the skit is.

Frivolity Break: SNL's Lawrence Welk Parody

I'll confess, I'm lacking inspiration for the blog tonight. I'm trying, but the ideas aren't flowing fast and furious. Maybe somebody has a case of the Mondays. . .

Anyway, there are always places to turn for a few interesting, if frivolous posts. So here, for no other reason than it was funny, is a skit from last weekend's Saturday Night Live. It was from an uncharacteristically good episode (and I say that as a fan). Stay tuned through the Lawrence Welk impression, because it's the sister act that is the comedy gold. Bravo, Kristin Wiig!