SNL: Taran Killam's Donald Trump is HUGE on Premiere Episode!

All summer, I've thought that Lorne Michaels and Darrell Hammond would be just itching to get back on the air, so that they could skewer Donald Trump. I was half right. Hammond--who returned to replace the late Don Pardo as announcer last year--didn't get to play Trump, one of his signature impressions. But current SNL male lead, Taran Killam--bizarrely named, but very talented--had clearly been spending his summer perfecting his Trump impersonation, because it is spot on. Cecily Strong also continued to prove that being moved out of Weekend Update and back into prominence in sketches was the right move. She's terrific too, as Trump's most recent immigrant wife.

SNL Scores with Hillary Clinton Appearance

This weekend marked the 41st season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and there I was, just as I had been for season one, watching live. It's the first time in a long time for me, since I've been in the Pacific time zone for the past twenty years. But I have watched most season openers, even if they were on tape delay. And usually--oddly--the first episode is shaky, like a bad first day of school. This one wasn't, in my opinion. It was fairly strong. Particularly the political stuff.

One of the best bits was something SNL does fairly often, but not often well: the appearance of a real-life presidential candidate in a sketch. In this one, Kate McKinnon, whose Hillary impression is getting better but not on the mark yet, meets with the real Clinton for some fairly good--and politically effective--banter. Good job!

I Can't Wait: Final Season of Fringe Begins Sept. 28

I will be on vacation the last week of September, in beautiful Yachats, Oregon. But that may not be enough to stop me from catching the premiere of the last season of Fringe. The series has been one of my favorite shows, even with all of the jarring twists and turns, alternate universes and constant threat of cancellation. It will be a short, 13-episode season. But HBO, AMC, FX, USA and Showtime have gotten us used to seasons even shorter than that, so it will have to do. And the producers know in advance how much time they have left, so it should be spectacular. I will miss this show.

ABC's V Returns Tuesday, January 4!

I have high hopes for a great season two of V, the ABC remake of the old 80s cult hit. I really enjoyed season 1, and though it didn't have the impact of Lost or 24, the network must've seen something in it to give the show a renewal. I'm not confident that V will become buzzworthy enough to get to season three. I know how these things usually go. But I'll be there, every episode. Especially since Jane Badler--the evil Diana from the original--will be joining the show as a different (but surely still evil) Diana!  I can't wait.  And the promo is very, very compelling. . .

My Impression of Last Night's Premiere of ABC's Lost

Couldn't have said it better myself. . .

Heroes, Season Two: A Mini Review

Photo from NBC.com

I was eagerly awaiting the 2nd season premiere of NBC's Heroes, and I'm relieved to say, I wasn't disappointed. I'd rather NBC had approved a two-hour season premiere, one that could have showcased all of the heroes we're familiar with, but I'll take what I can get.

They were wise to jump four months ahead in the story. It allows them to fill in the gaps as the season goes on, while propelling us head-on into the story. Hiro's adventure in the 1600s is cute, but I hope they don't dwell too much on that. I'm anxious to see Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek's Lt. Uhura), too. I don't want the season to unspool too fast, but I am excited to see what happens!

I'm thinking the story of the brother and sister in Latin America will be something like: "Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!" though they are working in a little more of that moral ambiguity, as with Nikki.

The only thing I can say that hit a sour note was the faux-Irish accents toward the end. It did, however set up a new mystery: what the hell happened to Peter Petrelli? And also, I'm so impressed with the acting and presence of Hayden Panettiere. Please, Hayden, I'm begging you, do not turn into another Lindsay Lohan!

I'm hooked, NBC, keep it coming!

Fall TV: Desperate Housewives

Yes, back to absolute frivolity. I can't wait for the season premiere of this show, one of my guilty pleasures: Desperate Housewives. The title never fit, as I think one of the characters is actually a traditional housewife, but I don't care. It's one of the funniest, well-written and well-acted shows on TV, in my opinion. It's like Melrose Place, if it were a quality production instead of merely a confection. Even if they didn't know what to do with the (incredible) Alfre Woodard. And it looks like Edie lives! Yay!