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Howdy, pard'ners.
Howdy, pard'ners.
Welcome back all to SNL REVIEW.
I'm back with more random rambling live during commercial and nothing less (or more?) I had a lot of fun with my return of reviewing SNL last week and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as Pete Davidson skipping out so far to film The Suicide Squad reboot. I hope this week's episode will be just as fun and funny as I'm not about to drop to rock bottom with the writers after the assist in glow-up from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. But I believe that they can linger on (they did win an Emmy by the way...)
This week, our host is David Harbour, star of Netflix's colossally-popular, hugely beloved, enormously-successful and substantially-talked-about original series...
Word Party.
Just kidding, it's Stranger Things.
Since most of you know what it is, and we all watched it from day one, I will stop right there and say... there is not much else about him I know. Other than the Hellboy reboot, but I heard that it's terrible as all... you know. But hey, he's got a slot as host this season probably on the strength of ST's third season, so yeah that's awesome.
This week's musical guest: Camila Cabello, however, is not as awesome.
I... don't like her music. one bit.
When she was a member of Fifth Harmony (a girl group I've shown to dislike greatly), she was my least liked member. Her vocals were weak, fuzzy, try-hard and pure awful. Any song I hear has a full verse from her and her length feels like slipping honey in my ears and then laying sideways behind an anthill. So it makes sense for her to break out and go solo - thanks to her bigger popularity over her bandmates, and yet have the same talent, range and delivery across her recordings. No song of he"rs has been a favorite of mine -- "Havana" (about the real-life capital of Cuba she barely remembers from infancy) is consistently one of the worst songs of last year - sans the beautiful, well-done production, "Consequences" was okay but not by much, and "Never Be the Same" is the better of them all, but most on the strengths of the beat and her vocals on the hook (outside the second "fahw".
And now, Camila is back to make me tap out for round two with her newest album Romance. (Wow, the second SNL MG in a row to name an LP after a word tied to the emotion of Love. What. a. farce.) And since she has four singles released already, as if her team at Syco Music and the execs at Epic thought her popularity needed a good shot in the arm to keep it alive (oh yeah and just a reminder to get your flu shot this month before flu season. Better to get a prick in your life and still clean than be a prick as an anti-vaxxer). "Liar" has Cam-Cam spew out the wince-y breathy vocals I may have ever heard, but the ska-, Latin-trap- and flamenco-based production is deliciously bouncy , "Shameless" is even more so than the TV show with an unfinished dullard beat that reminds me of Martin Garrix's "In the Name of Love" with garbage, over-the-place singing, "Cry for Me" continues the crap beat method of "Shameless" (ironically with different producers) while sounding more than barely like "Senorita" with a weird stanza delivery, and "Easy" is a better pill to swallow - with sweetly twinkling strings, slushy yet smooth bass, nicely placed 808, and a and sleepy (in a good way) attempt at a relatable ballad.
Plus "Senorita" itself is a slower, more boring retread of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" that feels like a racial insult... but with decidedly less "AA-AAH"s and "HEE-EEEY"s.
Well, we'll see how she'll performs two of these songs live this week. Spoiler Alert: She did do nicely during that Taylor Swift concert I mentioned last week, so... she has a leg up here.
Plus "Senorita" itself is a slower, more boring retread of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" that feels like a racial insult... but with decidedly less "AA-AAH"s and "HEE-EEEY"s.
Well, we'll see how she'll performs two of these songs live this week. Spoiler Alert: She did do nicely during that Taylor Swift concert I mentioned last week, so... she has a leg up here.
Let's do this...
--
And we're live ...
The CO mocks CNN's Presidential Town Hall on Equality toward the LGBTQIA communtiy. Out of the gate, it was hilarious. All the right cylinders were fired. The can Cory Booker (Chris Redd) walking in before leaving to avoid a gaffe, Pete Buttigieg (Colin Jost{!}) walking to wonder why he hasn't won, Elizabeth Warren (Kate) with the snatch game wordplay, Julian Castro (Lin-Manuel Miranda!!!) bringing the reminder he's Latinx (yes that exists) (and nice almost Hamilton breakdown) and Joe Biden (one host Woody Harrellson) making up everything he thinks he knows as he goes-- I mean-- yeah. Everything about them leading up to the town hall was brilliant dissed. Also, yaaasssss Billy Porter with the fabu cameo and even more sponsorship. This was incredible.
--
David Harbour makes his 8H debut essentially taking about the one thing he's known for (outside of the thing he isn't known for) and then goes through a studio walk where the set designers BRILLIANTLY mix the hallway with the Upside-Down from the show. Kate encourages him to enter, Baby Aidy is trapped (and now named Barb) (RIP Queen), Beck Bennett taken by the Demogorgon, and Lorne leaves his office to now be the bith of the guy who now owns the show - Mike--uhh, Kenan. Best Mono of the season so far. Oh yeah, Pete Davidson (remember I mentioned him?) is back! Apparently, he's been stuck there. Makes sense.
--
It's time for the 29th Annual Little Miss Teacher's Friend, where kids compete for the title probably no one but the most delusional-ly uptight (me probz) would want. Baby Aidy and Kate do wonderfully as last year's winner, the weirdo first kid respectively and Melissa Villasenor and Chloe Finnerman was also wonderful. Harbour does great as the open but perplexed principal and Ego Nwodin same as the even more perplexed teacher.
--
Okay.... I didn't think we want this, but.... I think we need this.
After the gargantuan success of Joker, the folks at SNL decided to up the ante by taking on a beloved children's character and make a trailer based on them as gritty and grimy as possible. And... it all fits like a hand up a muppet's ass.
The fake trailer for "Grouch" Was everything. All the well-known Muppets make an appearance and are smartly portrayed and skewered. Everyone in front of and behinf the camera gave it 110%, especially the cinematographer and costume designers. I'm very impressed and I can't believe it took them less than a week to get it done. Best Pre-Tape so far.
--
SoulCycle
Bowen Yang proves to be worthy with his calm, upward and random demeanor, Harbour is hyped like a coke fiend (literally), Heidi Gardner has a sweet-but-sour pro, and Kate has an addictive gruff behavior, as the instructors. Ego Nwo and Alex Moffit make a cool couple with their faults (especially her being the worst cyclist). I've never been, but I think I'll try it after this.
--
Camila, Camila, Camila... that was pretty good.
I wasn't a fan of "Cry for Me" as stated earlier, but this live performance sounded much better, and she gave better vocals here than when she recorded it. The setup in the days of Marie Antoinette are based on Madonna's iconic "Vogue" performance at the MTV VMAs, but was almost entertaining. This actually almost made me like the song. Almost.
--
Time for an Update:
Jost and Che tackle Guiliani's "friends" being arrested , Trump lying about not knowing them, Trump bitching about a Fox News poll on his impeachment, Trump's other shit this week and CNN Equality Town Hall.
-Heidi Bowl returned as Bailey Gismert to review the box office smashes including It Chapter II and Joker, before being sad about her guy friends going of to college and mentions missing Leslie (Jones- whom I miss too). This is one of my favorite Update characters, continuously played nicely by Gardner.
Pete Dave returns! Yes, he's back to discuss new diseases. Fittingly. He hasn't missed a beat, with the same confidence and rank humor the got him the job - which he missed for a movie that'll no doubt go gangbusters at the BO. Maybe DC's movies are getting better from now on. We'll see, let's hope Grouch will be real.
--
On PBS' broadcast of an old music variety show The Bob Rogers Show, a folk band perform their classic. It's raunchy. And hilarious. The song brilliantly flips the script on sweet, sappy 60s songs with lyrics that would be more fitting on hard rock 'n roll. Plus the designer staff perfectly brought the styles to life, making Harbour, Kate, and Aidy look like the Mamas and the Papas riff they're supposed to be. Plus, I love the end the latter two embrace and where the camera pulls away from the cheap-ass set and the SFX turn back to HD color. Love when they do that.
--
Have you and your father been drifting apart?
Need some bonding time.
Well, check out the Father-Son Podcast Microphone.
While this one is obviously, overshadowed by the Grouch Trailer, this Pre-Tape still managed some laughs by Harbour and Kyle Mooney as a convincing dad ans offspring. The little talks and awkward silences and cuts to ads were side-splitting.
--
Three siblings visit their loving grandparents, but they seem to forget the kids are here by getting fresh with each other.
The writing was weak, but the physical comedy was off the charts. Weird little sketch that made me thought it was almost 1AM.
--
Camila returned for song #2, "Easy". Like the last one, Camila's live vocals made it more tolerable and even enjoyable for me. With excellent assistance from the backup singers and band, this performance is much better than the recording. And that dress... GOT DAYUMMMM!
--
Dog Court. Genius.
Must be almost 1am.
This dumb sketch. This ridiculous sketch. This adorable sketch.
I have not much to say here. The K9s have melted my heart, the moment when the dog try to flee from the judge was hilarious, the boob-bleep was actually brilliant, and the one dog's response was Hil"Aruuu"ious.
--
Okay. That was just as great as last week's episode!
David Harbour was fantastic for a first-timer - definitely game for all the sketches and supremely delivered - and surprisngly didn't look at all stonefaced with killer eyes like we see most of the time on Stranger Things. And Camila Cabello far exceeded my expectations; she's a really good live performer. The cast did spectacular as always, so did the writers. Whomever they picked up to created the cue scripts this year deserve a few gold stars from me so far. I think the Grouch sketch will be winning a few awards next year (no not just nominations - winning).
We're on our first hiatus of Season 45 next week - that gives me the big opportunity to review the premiere hosted by Woody Harrellson and musical guest (and Royal Wedding scene ripper-offer [according to some dancers] Billie Eilish. Please come back on the 26th when Chance the Rapper returns for time number four hosting episode four, the Halloween episode. Will we get a new David S. Pumpkins? I hope not; they'll try too hard.
I'm Andrew. Good Night.
--
And we're live ...
The CO mocks CNN's Presidential Town Hall on Equality toward the LGBTQIA communtiy. Out of the gate, it was hilarious. All the right cylinders were fired. The can Cory Booker (Chris Redd) walking in before leaving to avoid a gaffe, Pete Buttigieg (Colin Jost{!}) walking to wonder why he hasn't won, Elizabeth Warren (Kate) with the snatch game wordplay, Julian Castro (Lin-Manuel Miranda!!!) bringing the reminder he's Latinx (yes that exists) (and nice almost Hamilton breakdown) and Joe Biden (one host Woody Harrellson) making up everything he thinks he knows as he goes-- I mean-- yeah. Everything about them leading up to the town hall was brilliant dissed. Also, yaaasssss Billy Porter with the fabu cameo and even more sponsorship. This was incredible.
--
David Harbour makes his 8H debut essentially taking about the one thing he's known for (outside of the thing he isn't known for) and then goes through a studio walk where the set designers BRILLIANTLY mix the hallway with the Upside-Down from the show. Kate encourages him to enter, Baby Aidy is trapped (and now named Barb) (RIP Queen), Beck Bennett taken by the Demogorgon, and Lorne leaves his office to now be the bith of the guy who now owns the show - Mike--uhh, Kenan. Best Mono of the season so far. Oh yeah, Pete Davidson (remember I mentioned him?) is back! Apparently, he's been stuck there. Makes sense.
--
It's time for the 29th Annual Little Miss Teacher's Friend, where kids compete for the title probably no one but the most delusional-ly uptight (me probz) would want. Baby Aidy and Kate do wonderfully as last year's winner, the weirdo first kid respectively and Melissa Villasenor and Chloe Finnerman was also wonderful. Harbour does great as the open but perplexed principal and Ego Nwodin same as the even more perplexed teacher.
--
Okay.... I didn't think we want this, but.... I think we need this.
After the gargantuan success of Joker, the folks at SNL decided to up the ante by taking on a beloved children's character and make a trailer based on them as gritty and grimy as possible. And... it all fits like a hand up a muppet's ass.
The fake trailer for "Grouch" Was everything. All the well-known Muppets make an appearance and are smartly portrayed and skewered. Everyone in front of and behinf the camera gave it 110%, especially the cinematographer and costume designers. I'm very impressed and I can't believe it took them less than a week to get it done. Best Pre-Tape so far.
--
SoulCycle
Bowen Yang proves to be worthy with his calm, upward and random demeanor, Harbour is hyped like a coke fiend (literally), Heidi Gardner has a sweet-but-sour pro, and Kate has an addictive gruff behavior, as the instructors. Ego Nwo and Alex Moffit make a cool couple with their faults (especially her being the worst cyclist). I've never been, but I think I'll try it after this.
--
Camila, Camila, Camila... that was pretty good.
I wasn't a fan of "Cry for Me" as stated earlier, but this live performance sounded much better, and she gave better vocals here than when she recorded it. The setup in the days of Marie Antoinette are based on Madonna's iconic "Vogue" performance at the MTV VMAs, but was almost entertaining. This actually almost made me like the song. Almost.
--
Time for an Update:
Jost and Che tackle Guiliani's "friends" being arrested , Trump lying about not knowing them, Trump bitching about a Fox News poll on his impeachment, Trump's other shit this week and CNN Equality Town Hall.
-Heidi Bowl returned as Bailey Gismert to review the box office smashes including It Chapter II and Joker, before being sad about her guy friends going of to college and mentions missing Leslie (Jones- whom I miss too). This is one of my favorite Update characters, continuously played nicely by Gardner.
Pete Dave returns! Yes, he's back to discuss new diseases. Fittingly. He hasn't missed a beat, with the same confidence and rank humor the got him the job - which he missed for a movie that'll no doubt go gangbusters at the BO. Maybe DC's movies are getting better from now on. We'll see, let's hope Grouch will be real.
--
On PBS' broadcast of an old music variety show The Bob Rogers Show, a folk band perform their classic. It's raunchy. And hilarious. The song brilliantly flips the script on sweet, sappy 60s songs with lyrics that would be more fitting on hard rock 'n roll. Plus the designer staff perfectly brought the styles to life, making Harbour, Kate, and Aidy look like the Mamas and the Papas riff they're supposed to be. Plus, I love the end the latter two embrace and where the camera pulls away from the cheap-ass set and the SFX turn back to HD color. Love when they do that.
--
Have you and your father been drifting apart?
Need some bonding time.
Well, check out the Father-Son Podcast Microphone.
While this one is obviously, overshadowed by the Grouch Trailer, this Pre-Tape still managed some laughs by Harbour and Kyle Mooney as a convincing dad ans offspring. The little talks and awkward silences and cuts to ads were side-splitting.
--
Three siblings visit their loving grandparents, but they seem to forget the kids are here by getting fresh with each other.
The writing was weak, but the physical comedy was off the charts. Weird little sketch that made me thought it was almost 1AM.
--
Camila returned for song #2, "Easy". Like the last one, Camila's live vocals made it more tolerable and even enjoyable for me. With excellent assistance from the backup singers and band, this performance is much better than the recording. And that dress... GOT DAYUMMMM!
--
Dog Court. Genius.
Must be almost 1am.
This dumb sketch. This ridiculous sketch. This adorable sketch.
I have not much to say here. The K9s have melted my heart, the moment when the dog try to flee from the judge was hilarious, the boob-bleep was actually brilliant, and the one dog's response was Hil"Aruuu"ious.
--
Okay. That was just as great as last week's episode!
David Harbour was fantastic for a first-timer - definitely game for all the sketches and supremely delivered - and surprisngly didn't look at all stonefaced with killer eyes like we see most of the time on Stranger Things. And Camila Cabello far exceeded my expectations; she's a really good live performer. The cast did spectacular as always, so did the writers. Whomever they picked up to created the cue scripts this year deserve a few gold stars from me so far. I think the Grouch sketch will be winning a few awards next year (no not just nominations - winning).
We're on our first hiatus of Season 45 next week - that gives me the big opportunity to review the premiere hosted by Woody Harrellson and musical guest (and Royal Wedding scene ripper-offer [according to some dancers] Billie Eilish. Please come back on the 26th when Chance the Rapper returns for time number four hosting episode four, the Halloween episode. Will we get a new David S. Pumpkins? I hope not; they'll try too hard.
I'm Andrew. Good Night.
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