OPENING — OBAMA ON FINANCIAL REFORM — 1
The SNL in the 2000’s special focused on how hard it was to replace Will Ferrell’s impersonation of George W. Bush and showed the various cast members who played W. after Ferrell left. Seeing that makes it all the more puzzling why Lorne Michaels continues to stick with Fred Armisen’s terrible Obama. Armisen’s failed to do anything with Obama. His impersonation is horrible and he’s not latched onto any trait or characteristic, or even facial expression or body movement that makes his Obama memorable. I was thinking of all of this because the opening sketch completely sucked.
GABOUREY SIDIBE MONOLOGUE –8
Gabourey seems pretty at ease with her monologue, making it clear that she’s confident and NOT the character she played in Precious by singing a song to the tune of the Shoop Shoop Song. Not very funny, but fun nonetheless as Gabourey rocks out, sings, and dances.
SUZE ORMAN SHOW — 8
Kristen Wiig does a great Suze Orman, who ignores her guest (played by Gabourey Sidibe) who is a nurse trying to bring attention to the health care crisis. Gabourey does a nice Jamaican accent, but it is clear she’s reading from the cards. Suze’s relentless dialogue about being a lesbian is both crude and hysterical.
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE WITH STEVE HARVEY — 8
Steve Harvey? Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Way to keep current SNL. Kenan Thompson does a nice job impersonating Steve Harvey, as he messes up the pronunciation of words in the questions and answers. The last question is absolutely hysterical.
MRS JACKSON AND THE GUYS ON THE STOOP — 7
Two guys sit on a stoop discussing different topics like sports as an old woman yells at them. As it goes on, it becomes clear she’s not crazy, but pretty damned smart. Would have been funnier if Gabourey hadn’t been screaming her lines.
DIGITAL SHORT — CHERRY BATTLE — 10
Andy Samberg and Gabourey Sidibe face off firing cherries back and forth at each other in slow motion. Absolutely absurd and hysterical.
I DID IT IN MY STYLE — THE STORY OF FRANK SINATRA — 2
A Danish company does a musical based on the like of Frank. Basically an excuse for the cast to do a fake accent. Snore.
MGMT — FLASH DELIRIUM — 8
Nice 80’s New Wavish sound.
WEEKEND UPDATE — 6
An average Weekend Update with a few funny lines. Guests: Kristen Wiig’s Judy “Just Kidding” Grimes shows up as a travel writer to talk about the Icelandic volcano. Bill Hader plays Stefan, a gay guide to nightlife, in a bit that is more funny than it has any right to be. SNL writer John Mulaney gives an unfunny editorial about Girl Scout cookies only being available once a year.
FUNNY LINE: This week the papacy of Pope Benedict turned 5 years old today, at which point a priest hit on it.
2010 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS — 3
A sketch about the surly cheats and gamers of the system that are public employees. A snooze, and why do I have the feeling that Lorne Michaels is not happy with Gabourey Sidibe’s attempt to do different voices? It ain’t funny if you can’t hear the words.
ALARM CLOCKS AND MORE — 7
Jenny Slate returns with her annoying voiced pitch woman who sells devices that have her voice for sounds. This time it’s about Alarm Clocks. My favorite is the last one, “BUZZ BUZZ, It’s 8:30 at night. You set me for PM. That’s on you.”
MGMT — BRIAN ENO — 6
Mumbled lyrics over heavy 80’s pop jangle. Not as enjoyable as the previous song.
A CONVERSATION WITH GABOUREY SIDIBE — 2
Will Forte’s creepy Hamilton Whiteman appears as one of Gabourey Sidibe’s boyfriends. Turns out he’s a racist jerk. Not funny, and seems to carry on SNL’s tradition of making too much out of a black host’s color.
OVERALL — 6
Gabourey Sidibe didn’t seem like the most likely host for SNL, but she seemed to be having a great time. If she’d have spent more time learning her lines and less trying to affect accents, I think she’d have been funnier. The show was more full of smiles than laughs. The only real keeper here was the absurd Cherry Battle digital short.
