76 posts tagged “television”
I realize this is the second time I've written about "Saturday Night Live" in a week, but I do want to say that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was pretty good last night as host. He wasn't necessarily given the best material, but he certainly showed up with enthusiasm and energy.
While Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker might beg to differ, I most enjoyed JGL's take on Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' In the Rain.
However, just when I thought SNL was on the "up," the next host to grace the stage will be Gossip Girl's Blake Lively on December 5, which sounds like another Megan Fox/January Jones episode.
I caught an episode of "The Daily Show" before it goes on hiatus for the Thanksgiving holiday and forgot how funny Jon Stewart and company are.
In my favorite segment "Gaywatch," a young boy faced bullies at school after refusing to stand for the pledge of allegiance until there truly is justice for all (specifically, equal rights for gays and lesbians). Stewart shot back at the bullies with the help of "Senior Asskicker" Mick Foley (he also schooled CNN's ass in this segment).
I had high hopes for January Jones on "Saturday Night Live" last week, probably because I'm a huge "Mad Men" fan. However, the SNL episode turned out to be one of the worst I've seen in a long time. Although Jones was noticeably nervous (who wouldn't be!), the script and skits did nothing to accommodate her skills.
In the past, "Saturday Night Live" has been able to take the weakest players (for example, Wayne Gretsky) and make them hilarious (Wayne on "Wayne's World")! Nowadays, it appears that the cast is just trying to make anything funny -- including themselves.
This Grace Kelly skit was just awful. I think they missed an opportunity by not parodying the Larry King/Carrie Prejean story instead.
And although some believe Taylor Swift was the best host of the season, I found her quite weak as well, especially in "The View" skit that is normally kinda funny (at least Fred Armisen's Joy Behar always makes me chuckle). She was playing Kate Gosselin for Christ's sake. Anyone else would have had a blast being an octo-witch!
I would like to submit a proposal consisting of five key decisions that will vastly change "Saturday Night Live" for the better. This is a matter of life and death, here. This is turning out to be the unfunniest SNL season ever.
1. A new head writer. I love Seth Meyers and always used to look to "Weekend Update" as the one beacon of funny on the show, but even that skit isn't entertaining anymore. The reviews and ratings indicate it's time for new blood.
2. Keep the funny people. Getting rid of Michaela Watkins was a huge mistake. Watching her grin and bare it as Hoda with Kristen Wiig's Kathie Lee during the "Today Show" sketch was entertaining. Jenny Slate just looked scared as the new Hoda. I also always loved Casey Wilson (also fired).
3. Don't let Kristen Wiig be in every skit. I've said it once, and I'll say it again: she's not that funny.
4. Get some new African American comedic talent. I always liked Finesse Mitchell. Without him, Kenan Thompson had to learn to play every black character on the show.
5. Find funnier hosts. I think anyone could have predicted Megan Fox would be limited. Sometimes, I feel like they choose people only because their names are in the headlines.
Christmas comes early tomorrow for me when It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia releases a Christmas special on DVD.
Since I've become disillusioned by the holidays in recent years (having worked in Customer Service), I'm really eager to see if Sunny can manage to represent the holidays as they should be depicted: with selfish rage. Screw Frosty! This is something I can actually get on board with.
Carrie Prejean, the Miss California USA with a sex tape, was on "Larry 'Inappropriate' King Live" last night, and she refused to answer any questions. This is pretty much one of my favorite television clips of 2009.
I find it strange that this woman would want to be on a talk show only to avoid talking about every issue and controversy in which she's involved, deeming everything Larry said, "inappropriate." Why even go on the show to begin with? I suppose even bad publicity is good publicity.
I feel bad that Larry King was left in the dark on what questions he could ask her, though. Although, I'm pretty sure he probably is always in the dark.
P.S. With January Jones from "Mad Men" hosting "Saturday Night Live" soon, I hope they include her in a skit where she plays Carrie Prejean. Don't they look alike!
I feel like Sally and Bobby Draper right now. Abandoned!
After last night's stellar season three finale, I can't wait until August when "Mad Men" comes back. All I have to look forward to right now is "Lost," and I'm only half as excited for that show as I currently am for the "Men."
*Spoilers*
There are so many more questions in this season finale than there were last year. Will Betty be happy with Henry Francis? What will become of the old Sterline Cooper clan? What about Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce?
What I think was great about the episode, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat" was that I found myself rooting for all of the characters. Usually, I find most of them despicable (Pete Campbell as the au pair rapist, Peggy as Duck's bangmaid, Betty as a cold-hearted B of a mother). Yet, last night, I was so happy for all of them. It was great to see them come together at the end and avoid a corporate takeover (even if poor Ken Cosgrove and Paul Kinsey didn't get lifeboats).
I don't know what I'm going to do to pass the time over the coming months until "Mad Men" comes back. I think I may just have to drown myself Richard Yates' books (in my opinion, a serious "Mad Men" influence) and buy season 3 on DVD when it comes out.
This week, the 20th anniversary edition DVD of Say Anything was released. Say Anything was Cameron Crowe's directorial debut and the first in a line of Crowe movies to utilize a kick-ass soundtrack to play with the viewers' emotions (I still can't hear "The Wind" by Cat Stevens without thinking of Penny Lane twirling alone on stage).
To commemorate the release of the movie, the band Lloyd Dobler Effect (and a slew of Lloyd Doblers) took to Time Square.
I love Say Anything, but always wondered what the appeal was about this movie. It's got a typical high school movie plot (boy from the wrong side of the tracks likes a girl from the right side of the tracks), yet I think the character of Lloyd Dobler is what really makes people love this movie. He's a loveable loser you can't help but root for. Plus,I think the other attribute is that the characters don't talk like they're from a high school movie.
However, my favorite John Cusack role is and will always remain Walter "Gib" Gibson from The Sure Thing. I feel like this Cusack character doesn't get enough love. He's a real guy's guy. The kind of guy who doesn't mind if you puke in his car. He may be rough around the edges, but he definitely comes through as a romantic in the end.
ABC debuts the sci-fi remake "V" tonight, starring Elizabeth Mitchell from "Lost."
This intrigues me. Especially because I learned to love Juliet on "Lost" and will basically follow Mitchell anywhere at this point. It starts tonight at 8 p.m. I need my sci-fi mix while "Lost" is still on hiatus.
I've seen a lot of commercials for the HTC phone lately and was struck by the music in the ad.
I believe it's the opening keys from Nina Simone's "Sinnerman." I wonder if the tagline, "Quietly Brilliant" had anything to do with their selection of music.
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert released what his new album cover will look like this week.
Via Twitter, Lambert confirmed that this album cover is "deliberately campy." It kinda looks like the entire 80's decade threw up all over the page. Usually, someone that has released many albums can be "deliberately campy" once they have maintained success. However, I find it strange that he's coming right out of the gate with this cover. Who knows. It might be just what the music industry needs!
