S/LSR: Hotline Bling

Hey, folks.
Welcome to a (relatively) special edition of Short/Long Song Review, where I don't review the song in question (well, mostly), but the music video of said song. This video is of a song that I kinda don't like right now. Also, no lyrics or lyrical analysis posted this time around. Because as you read more, I hate the song lyrically.
It's the latest single by Drake that's climbing up the charts to be another "hot" hit.
It's "Hotline Bling".

Short/Long Music Review: Diddy - Dirty Money Edition

Hello everyone, and welcome to a special edition of Short-Long Music Review.
Today, I'll be reviewing three songs. But here's the twist, all of them are by a group made up of one rapper and two backup singers who become amazing co-stars in their own right.

This idea came to me one early morning back in August when watching an episode of Chowder. (Don't ask what it was or what I was doing.) So I've decided to create this seemingly random edition of Short/Long...for no reason. So let's get started.

We all know Sean Combs (aka Puffy aka Puff Daddy aka P. Diddy aka Diddy aka Puff Daddy),
rapper, entrepreneur, liquor connoisseur, and all-around money grabber.

But did you know he was a member of his own music group? Yes that actually happen, and thanks to me, you now remember about that again.
Today, we’re taking a look at one of the most popular, successful, and yet most quickly forgotten music groups of the 2010s. (And trust me, they came and went as quickly as this post)
Today, I, Andrew, present to you this special edition of Short/Long Music Review on Diddy - Dirty Money.

After his last album Press Play, Diddy did-cided (heh) to take his career to the next level--by creating a group featuring two female singers (Kalendra and Dawn Richard) and begin production on a concept album, Last Train to Paris. This album, their only production, featured a style and technique different from the Puff’s original style, and incorporates Dance and Europop with Hip-Hop and R&B, creating a vibe in music that probably hasn’t been seen in the mainstream before, and setting the tone for many other artists to come.

Three of the songs featured here
"Hello Good Morning",
"Ass on The Floor",
and "Coming Home"
were the group’s hit singles from Last Train, and have probably become staples in the club scene since. (I really don’t know; I obviously never went to the club when these songs came out, and I don’t think I will for a while soon after.) I thought they were fun to listen to as a kid, and I still think so today. They still hold up well as dance tracks, too, since these songs were popular because of their choruses more than others.
So let’s get to it, shall we?

We’ll start off the review with “Hello Good Morning”.

Looking at these lyrics, you would think I would know what they are and that I know them by heart. But I don’t. The way Dirty Money using their lyrics sounds like mangled gibberish, with a few sentences I could grasp. This is all I could pick up from the first time:
“Cause I be hangin’ at the bar,
I be paintin’ up the SARS,
all the girls gonna gimme mo’ fries/
Twenty-five on tha bag,
got me somethin’ on they ass,
And they mad cause I just got flies”
--I’m not saying that they can’t sing right, but that doesn’t make sense.
“Got’cha boyfriend chillin’ like a groupie/
Ya know (x3) we on that”
That’s a strange way of saying “I’m taking your girlfriend”. But...okay. Still wrong.
“HGM (x2)...
Hello Good Evening/
You blow...
You feenin...
'Cause you know...
...that you really need it”
Okay...what the hell was that? This three-minute song is something I didn’t expect much. Most of the lyrics feel less like verse and more like a chorus--an ever changing chorus. And that’s sad when you actually pay attention to this track.

But...when you don’t pay attention to it... it works amazingly. The beat is perfect to dance to and keeps a great party/club-like vibe going from start to finish. And the catchiness of just one short lyric repeating over this song somehow makes it even better. When you start to listen to this, you know to get up and move--and when it ends, you leave feeling good and excited. And in that regard, this song works great.
It sucks when actually listening to the lyrics, but rocks when you don’t and just dance to it.
It’s a two-sided coin that works in this song's favor.

There is also a version featuring Rick Ross and TI that’s just a great, with lines from both rappers that I actually enjoy.

And now, let’s get to their next single, “Ass on The Floor” featuring Swizz Beatz.

In terms of concept, the chorus makes no sense in relation to it and the lyrics. If this is a song about a bad relationship and heartbreak, shouldn’t the title and chorus reflect that? All I can get from this is that it’s a song about going to the club and shaking your rump, and then about breaking up with someone who’s a motherfucker. For all I know, this could be about some woman (since DM is singing the lyrics) breaking up with a guy-”the motherfucker”-and then going to the club to forget about her breakup and her heartbreak. At least, from that perspective, that could make a lot more sense. But it’s not, because everything is not matching.

--Because no one wants to look at human waste? Or...

Anyway, let’s get serious here. This song is, to me, really good.
The hip-pop beat (yes, “hip-pop”--a genre term I want to use to refer to songs featuring both pop and hip-hop) is absolutely bombastic; the use of drums give a high amount of energy and excitement, and Swizzy’s chorus only adds to the fun. Diddy also rounds it out putting up actual energy we can notice (actually sounding like he gives a damn) and still puts in a great bit of swagger, class and power into his verse. And DM’s vocals are beautiful and show off their own personalities while singing their verses about one girl getting her heart broken by a motherfucker.
And speaking of that word, my only gripe of this is the fact that all members of D-DM say the word “motherfucker” in all their verses. It’s really annoying and nearly ruins the tone of the song. I already got the message--I feel your pain; I don’t need you to hammer in one word at the end of your lyrics. It nearly kills the entire vibe hearing one of the Seven Dirty Words You Can’t Say on Television said 8 times throughout the track (which now I think of it, is pretty amusing.)
Other than that, “Ass on The Floor” is a very fun, very-well-written, very-catchy and very-enjoyable song. And because of that, I find this the better of these songs.
Only the better, because we now reach the best single this short-lived group had to offer.

This is “Coming Home”
featuring Skylar Grey.

This song definitely can be a powerful and empowering tune.
As it plays, a story is told about a man who lives his life in sin and makes many mistakes, breaking the relationship between him and his family. But with compassion, begging, some money, and love, the relationship has mended and is stronger.

So, what's there to love about it?
Diddy's vocals are not only great, but also retrospective. He details his life, his career, his kids and his former significant lovers, with the pain he has given to them and other people in his life shown in full detail. And after bouts of heartbreak, regret, and change, he becomes a better man and goes to change his life in the eyes of his loved ones for the better.
Skylar Grey's vocals in the chorus is glorious. The soft, meek weakness in her voice fit the song amazingly, and give it a layer of sincerity and vulnerability to it. And, even though they've been shunted to the background--saying only a few words throughout the song, and probably sang the chorus along with Grey (although I really couldn't tell), they do a great job with their vocals as well.

So, this song is certainly the group's best song, and one of the best songs to be released in 2010.

And these are the three songs that brought Diddy - Dirty Money to huge success around the the world, both commercially and critically. All of these songs are great in their own ways--they're fun to listen to, with dope lyrics that are actually written well, and the swagger and sex appeal that Diddy carried from his classic are oozing in these tracks. I loved hearing these songs back then, and I still love them now.

I had no idea the group was created in 2007, and lasted for about 5 years until it disbanded in 2012; because all I knew about it came from 2010-12, with all of the creation happening so quickly to keep the Didds relevant. And it worked thanks to the result and impact.

I’ve enjoyed their songs and their appearances on TV: from Saturday Night Live to the BET Awards to American Idol and more.

The music they spotlight is a lovely change and it shows: different vocals, different genres and different everything. And it’s a nice change for me from the crap gansta rap and ghetto trash-bag hip-hop we've been exposed to for so long at the time. Ans I'm happy to have been exposed to them as I did years ago.

So I salute Diddy - Dirty Money for being a great group for giving us great rap/dances jams, and getting some actually needed success--commercially and critically--in the process.

S/LSR: Yesterday (The Black Eyed Peas) and Downtown (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)

Welcome, bros and mamacitas!

This edition of Short/Long Song Review is taking you back (WAAAY back!) to when the times were good. To when the records were bangin, the lyrics were dope and when the rappers spittin' them were fresh as hell. And these tracks I'm slayin' is by two musical acts that have made their returns to high applause and (in one case) higher holds on the charts.
Speaking Less like a host on Yo! MTV Raps, It's about time that these guys returned to the music scene with these songs, and with the changes they made behind the scenes, it's a wonder why they haven't released released them earlier. (Oh wait, they did. And I'm just late on this review.) Oh well. Let's fire up the colortinis and check out the latest tracks from what can be our new favorite groups (well, depending on your view).

It's "Yesterday" by The Black Eyed Peas and
"Downtown" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Back to the Future...FOR REAL: THE (Fictional) 2015 Timeline is FINALLY HERE

Marty McFly is a typical teenager from Hill Valley, California with a troubling family, a steady romantic relationship and struggling work as a musician. And then one night, he meets Doc Brown. One trip into the Delorean, and the rest is history.

Hey, everyone, Backies and non-Backies alike.
Today was October 21, 2015, THE day featured in Back to the Future Part II, and the day that everyone who watched the film in theaters in 1989 or on Home Video since then has waited for. And now that it has come (and go as you read this some time after that day), it's time to recap some of everything that has been featured in film's timeline of the year 2015 now becoming a lasting piece of everyday life in the real 2015--our 2015. Whether directly or indirectly.

When Marty and Doc work the DeLorean machine, they (along with his girlfriend Jennifer) are transported to 2015--October 21 to be exact. There, they see what would (have) become out current time: Unique soda with even more unique bottles, hover-boards (half-right; they're on wheels, but let's pretend their not), Hollywood's broken down system of sequels (they certainly got that right)--this one being Jaws 19 and flying cars (I'd stick with wheels).

This is an awesome timeline, but it's clearly not happened (at least not all the way). But still, everyone has wished for the timeline to become real. Really. And now
But these companies associated these products have came to the rescue! Many popular consumer conglomerates have decided to try to take up on the timeline by recreating the products that were featured in the film for fans of the franchise (specifically Part II) to buy, definitely save and collect for the rest of their lives.

Also in this post is some tidbits and tribute video I learned/saw/scooped up from various websites to include. Enjoy!

Hoverboards are actually a thing!

Technically they're not what we've seen in the film. They have wheels, and they rely on your feet standing on a sensor that powers the movements. And they're kinda slow. It's a really awesome piece of technology and everyone has them. Although, admittedly, I wouldn't get on myself, fearing as if I might bust my ass or my head open when I ever slip off one. Only God knows what my thoughts were after wearing a pair of Heelys.

--Pepsi announced a limited-edition look to its main brand timed to the day.

The bottle looks exactly like it does as shown in the film. I so want to collect the bottle. Apparently, so did everyone else. Unfortunately, because of poor communication, Pepsi released the special edition drink the previous day, eliciting anger from fans. Shame, because I really wanted the bottle.

--Remember that part where Jaws 19 was to be shown this year? Well, the film doesn't exist in the real world (thank God), but Universal has made it a thing, releasing a trailer of it on the 5th.

It's hilarious, especially the fact that they actually made up the plots for the 14 other films.
My faves are 8, 11, 14 and 17 (aka Fifty Scales of Grey).

--USA Today just had to recreate the front page as shown in Part II.
It's brilliant.
Specifically, one of the headlines on the BttF USA Today front page blasting a new female President.
That doesn't happen, but it would've been awesome. And since Hillary Clinton is currently running, only time will tell if she does win the nation's vote (probably not).
Equally cool, we do have a black President.
Another noticeable report: Queen Diana visiting Washington DC. Diana. Yeeeaahh.
Also, that would've implied that Queen Elizabeth II died and gave the throne to Lady Di. She's still alive and well, though.

--Some guys in Michigan recreated the scene where Marty and Doc are caught by police speeding an 88 on a 55mph zone, were interrogated, and let go on a warning. Awesome.

Michigan State Police troopers stopped a silver DeLorean today for driving 88 mph in a 55 mph zone. The two occupants,...

Posted by Michigan State Police on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

This was a great effort by the Michigan State Police.
Yep, this was our tax dollars at work. but it's worth it.

--In the film, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time since 1908.
In real life, the Cubs (while never making the WS) actually have made it to the National League Divisional Series. Although, sadly, they lost by a landslide to the New York Mets. It would've been awesome, had they won, because this would've made the "Cubs Win the World Series" story halfway true.

--In one scene, Marty climbs through the window of what was his house bedroom, only to find out it's not owned and inhabited by an African American family. Why is this mentioned? Because it now has similarities to the Bed Intruder Incident.

Yep, Marty's climbin' through yo windows, snatchin' up yo people.
So hide yo kids, hide yo wife.

Oh God, that's still hilarious!


Even though this has nothing to do with Part II:
--The first film featured that classic scene where Marty and Doc watch the DeLorean power up and blasts off, leading wheel trailblazes of fire on the street. It takes place at a mall named Twin Pines.

Get it?


Twin Pines??






Whether intentional or un, it's still cool that that name eventually led up to one of the most awesome twins ever, and the show around them. I mean really cool.

--A guy in

--The hologram shark from Jaws 19. You think he looks familiar?

Oh yeah. Resemblance.

Although the future was clear in the film, not everything was true.
Here are some facts the film got wrong:
--Lawyers still exist. For better or worse.
--Cars are still rolling on wheels...so no flying cars. Same about jetpacks.
--There are no LazerDiscs. They went obsolete in the 90s.
--Payphones are also not a thing anymore. They went out after cellphones became a bigger thing.
--No robotic gas stations. There are still people giing your gas in some states.


Anyway, everyone was ready to make their mark on the day, and they sure did leave their mark. Notably...
CollegeHumor with this cartoon clip based on the second film, with Marty and Doc travelling to what would be 2015 in the real world.
This is "Back to the Future in ACTUAL 2015"

Wow, that's really dark. A far-out heavy bummer indeed.
But they hit the nail on the on the advancements and retractions the world has made since the first film three decades later. It's also genius for Marty to talk like he's about to step into the BttF 2015 timeline again, but will be sorely disappointing by what he sees in the real world:
Carbon emissions, newsstands closing down, cyber-bulling, Crocs (which really do look and smell like a clog fucked swiss cheese), Vine, hipsters and oxboards--they're all here.
Really sucks to be him at that point.
Plus, the dialogue is, while accurate, is seriously hilarious too. Great job to them for such a bold, radical, cool beans, neato, far out (and all that other 80s lingo) video. They've always been this great that this video is all the way on-point with the material.

--Toyota also went out of their way to be a part of it too, reuniting Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd for this near five-minute video, where they learn a way to turn trash into degradable fuel for a car that can run on such fuel, from an actual scientist.

First off, that guy must be the luckiest man in the world to work with the main stars of one of his all-time favorite films. So awesome to be him at that time. Ugh, jealous.
Also, Toyota did a great job crating the clip with so many nods to the films: Playing the theme "Power of Love", the well-beloved places, the background music and the. Plus, I loved the joke about the film crew paying for the elderly couple's trash; nice little self-awareness there.
And seeing Marty and Doc together 30 years later is so sweet. Just as sweet as that car. I would so love to own a car that runs on last week's dinner, used prophylactics, discarded tissue banana peels and other crap (including actual crap).

--Another great video comes from Doc Brown himself. Christopher Lloyd reprises his iconic role in this PSA reminding you that while the day has passed, that doesn't stop you from writing your own future. Make it as great as you can make it.

Aww, that is a really sweet message. I love that. You really can't make a good future, but you can try. Thank you, Doc.

So whether you're enjoy the day as a fan or a member of the cast or crew, you have to appreciate what the film gave us in technology, entertainment and life. Everything you saw above led to some amazing advances in technology and everyday life, whether directly or indirectly. And we have this film to thank for inspiring us to work long and hard to make our lives and our world change for the better and easier.
Thank you to the stars, producers (specifically Bob Gale, Neil Canton and Steven Spielberg), and director Robert Zemeckis for this film, this franchise and the memories that will forever be linked and created from them. Great Scott, the memories!

Taking us out is the theme of the Part I of the series, "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and The News.

Saturday Night Live Review: Episode 3 -- Tracy Morgan and Demi Lovato (#WelcomeBackTracy)

Well, hi everyone.
The episode we've been waiting for has finally come. And now, it's gone, hitting the history books and making history--not only for the show and television in general, but also for the episode's host Tracy Morgan.
This is the second time he has appeared on TV (after his first at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards), and his first full acting gig since his heartbreaking life-threatening incident on the New Jersey Turnpike last June.
You really could tell how ecstatic I was since the announcement was made back last month. My exuberance of watching him begin his redemption arc was one of my most anticipated television events of this year; and to live it out by watching it live makes me a very lucky guy.
Let's waste no time. Let's get into it.

This week’s deserving subject of the CO is the first Democratic Presidential Debate of election season on CNN. All of the Candidates made their appearance and made their marks--whether smart, dumb; sane, insane; potentially right, potentially wrong; and fighting each other for the most relevance--willing in the eyes of voters and fans to gain, keep or increase interest and support.
And even without SNL, the debate was memorable and crazy.
But thanks to SNL, it reached levels.

Let’s start with the obvious:
Jon Rudnitsky played a really questionable Anderson Cooper. From the second he appears, he’s even more of a caricature of the CNN anchor, even for this show. His voice doesn’t have the touch of gruff that AC usually has and turned up the campiness in it and his mannerisms. Yeah, yeah--he’s gay, but we don’t need that fact hammered into our brains, guy. I think Rudnitsky has watched AC360 before, but probably forgot what Cooper’s actual voice sounded like seconds before airtime, and had to improvise with whatever voice he could whip up before the showtime. And the result is sad. He sounds like Bobby Moynihan and Dr. Evil had a baby. And speaking of Moynihan, I honestly thought that was him playing Cooper for a second, but then I realize “Anderson Cooper isn’t chubby”.
He did his best, and that's good. But to say he wasn’t funny is kinda wrong...at times.

Meanwhile it’s obvious that Larry David nailed it as Bernie Sanders. He really played up to the aspects Sanders showed at the Debate as a lurchy, grumpy old man who has it out for half of anyone he sees, especially Hillary Clinton and “HER DAMN E-MAILS!!” Sure, he sounds Jewish a, but who cares?
Also, Alec Baldwin was just as great and hilarious as Webb. He didn’t have to act or sound as much like Webb, but adding his Alec-y Baldwin-ness to the caricature gave it another layer of funny and awesome.
Oh and

Fave Lines:
"I have one pair of underwear that I wash"

All in all, this sketch was fantastic and a great start to what was an absolutely memorable episode.


Tracy made his live return to his beloved Studio 8H to wild, raucous applause, along with a well-deserved standing ovation from everyone in the second row. And his monologue was almost everything we knew and love about him: dirty jokes, self-deprecation, goofiness and more dirty jokes. The joke about him losing brain was hilarious (showing not only that he can take a joke, but that’s supposedly what’s he been like all this time), and the words about returning to the show and the man that gave him his start on TV was just poignant and beautiful. I couldn't care if it bombed (even though I knew it wouldn’t), I’m just so grateful, as is everyone else, to see him back on TV being himself again.
And if his presence was the biggest gift television could give to Americans at this time of the year, than the unexpected reunion of his cast mates from 30 Rock was freaking two-fer.-
Seeing Baldwin, fellow former cast member Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer reprising their roles that made this show so beloved and amazing was simply awesome. So much so, it almost made me cry..from that and the pain from me picking up my jaw. And watching them act out a “scene” from the show shows that they really haven’t missed a beat. And you can really tell that these guys couldn't wait to work with and be in the same room as Tracy, and you will not blame them. They missed him as much as we did, and they were more excited to be with him than we were.
This part of the Mono with a return of one of the most brilliant and hilarious sitcoms of the late 2000s was the best of this season. No so far--this is the highest of the high here.

--

Remember those jokes on some recent TV shows where a black man abandons his family to begin life with a new family...who is white? Well, the tradition continued in the return of Family Feud!


When I watched the sketch, and saw the Martin family, I immediately knew what would happen. Didn’t stop it from being funny. One big sticking point for me was that this was the first time this season that Michael Che actually appeared in a sketch--and not just Update (and the second time he appears in such-after the “Empire” Pre-Tape last season). And he got a funny line, so that’s a good thing.
Also “Harvey’s” reaction to all this is exactly how the real Steve Harvey would react on the real Family Feud. If you watch the show, you’d understand this entirely--his reaction to the stupidity of the families is glorious. Fortunately, while this was the entire joke, there were some hilarious jokes--and if you’re black, they’re true gut-busters, like “Harvey’s” many one-lines, and the gag of his.
Also, this was one time Leslie Jones got through a sketch without yelling at the top of her lungs. It’s quite refreshing.

Fave Lines:
Almost Everything Harvey Said, especially
“I don’t know if it’s right, but I know it’s real.” and
“Show me ‘I forgot to pull out!’ ” (-I nearly pissed myself when I heard that.)

It’s great to see this sketch again, as it has been so hilarious with every appearance. Kenan makes this one shine, as his Steve Harvey impersonation just keels me--He knows what he’s doing, and he does it extremely well. And the “contestants” have funny lines, but his reactions are even funnier. Great job to everyone on this sketch for keeping it fresh and funny.
--
Yo! Where Jackie Chan at Right Now?
(Yes, that’s the title. I share in the disgust.)

I immediately knew from the second the title card appeared that this sketch wasn’t going to be hilarious, because of the title and the short premise alone. It’s like “make it or break it”. But it was a little chuckleworthy from the performances of Kenan and Tracy as the hosts (more not because of the delivery, more because of how corny it was). The true highlight was Pharoah’s impersonation of Chris Tucker, which was really spot on--voice AND facial expressions. Mooney’s “Chuck Norris” was bad (and mercifully short), Moyni’s “Steven Seagal” was hilarious just from the facial expression alone (another highlight), and TKill’s “Owen Wilson” was a mixed bag (he also did amazing with the facial expressions). There were other appearances, but I’m just over explaining at this. It wasn’t very funny, and shouldn’t gone past dress rehearsal. Or even the writer’s room. Overall, this was a very weak (and super weird) sketch.
--
Good Morning Song

This sketch is also weird, but this one was much funnier. Also, this was more of a subversion to your expectations, Like the “Dance of ‘55” Sketch After in Episode 1, you thought Miley Cyrus would using along with the cast members about finding love--but ah-ah-ah! You didn’t think about her going to rap like a, low-class betsy, now did ya?
This sketch was just like that, but you knew it would happen by looking at it.
Morgan is a member of the storybook town that’s very different from everyone else, in that he’s the most inappropriate, foul-mouthed hooligan...betsy (hey, it’s hard finding swear perfect words from the era to match the humor related to the sketch. You try it.)
Also, I like the “message” behind it, in which the town creepo is being himself, while everyone else is being really prudish, and he wants everyone to more open in their personalities. And they agree to it...to shocking returns. The town Pastor Danes (TKill) revealed to have had statutory rape with young school-boy Abernathy (Rudnitsky). …umm. Deplorable
All I can say is I’m glad it’s not him in the role.

That would’ve been super creepy.

Fave Lines: Some from Clockmaker Bernard
-“I saw a horse take a whiz! It was insane! It was so big, a duck landed in it!”
-“[...]do you cross your legs when you sit on the toilet?”
-“I wrote a song about titties! Anyone wanna hear it?”
(Yeah, it’s sophomoric, but what’cha gonna do? And Yes, I won’t judge you for snickering like a immature child watching . I did the same.)
-His reaction to Pastor Danes’ confession was funny as well.
-”I can’t even talk right now.” -Cheese-maker Brenda (It’s the delivery here)
This was a...very odd sketch. But I’ll take it over “Yo! Where Jackie Chan at Right Now?” any day. I give this a B-.
--
It’s Pre-Tape time!
A man is livid over another guy making a pass at his girlfriend, so he goes to the guy and wants to setting this. So they dance. Literally.

This was…really? And it fell flat half of the time. When the guy said he wanted to dance, I expected the guy to join in, like a minute in. That’s what I thought would happen. Not some sappy shit that actually happened after. The melodrama wasn’t that funny, the jokes were so-so and I expected a shoot-out straight after. I got lost after the guy walked away and wanted this to end. (Mind you I was watching this on Yahoo! Screen. Fuck the no-scroll feature. That’s retarded!) And when the dancing actually happened, I wanted to hair out.
I’m sorry if you thought this was actually funny, but this didn’t do it for me.
(I just realize, the Pre-Tapes are starting to get less funny. Like half of the time, they lost some humor and edge. It’s like the writers are giving less time to them and more to the sketches [which could be a very good thing]. But hey, it’s only the start of the season so it’s really nothing to worry about for now.)

--
Now, you guys may be noticing something. The best parts of the episode aren’t shown in order yet. That’s because I wanted to hold them off till the end, to give us that wonderful nostalgia we revel from his season on the show. Three of Morgan’s most memorable and beloved recurring characters have returned once again for another round of hilarity, strangeness and/or sex:
Brian Fellow, Woodrow the Homeless Man and Astronaut Jones.

Let’s start with Brian Fellow, because he was just the best of the three.

Let’s just say it’s shocking that despite the fact that he was involved in a car crash, that he just hasn’t missed a damn beat as Fellows. His enthusiasm, brashness, questionable mannerisms and even questionable morale here was just another reason to make him one of the most beloved recurring characters of SNL in the 2000s. I couldn't care about the guests (here played by Pete Dave and Baby Aidy), because it’s clear it’s always about Brian, and rightly so.
But the best part of the sketch was really what happens at the end.
Also, the shot of the camel blocks the camera’s view of Fellows, and ruins the illusion of him thinking the beaver puppet. That--along with Tracy, improvising in character as Brian, screaming
“I can’t see, camel!”--was fucking hilarious at the end. In fact, this was the best gag in all of this episode, and possibly this season so far!
I was already going to name this one of the best sketches, but the camel’s unintentional antics made it reach the top.
Just crazy hilarious.

Woodrow the Homeless Man also returned, but he wasn’t in any of the sketches. He actually appears in this week’s Weekend Update--which I’ll get to later on. But right now...

another of our favorites has come back: ASTRONAUT JONES!

Imma start by saying that the theme song is awesome and very catchy.
Seriously, when you hear “Rocket”, you just can’t help but using along and dance to the classic music as it play. It sounds a little off sync here, but the good memories are still revived no matter.
Also, it’s painfully short, but that’s the great point: to capitalize on the point of the joke based on the fact that, while Jones is a great astronaut, he’s a complete sleazebag. He hits on the female counterparts of any alien race and wants them to do his sexual bidding. But that’s funny, if his one-liners are any indication.
On the other hand, the part at NASA at the beginning really wasn’t needed. And I also thought it was shoehorning in more Taran Killam and Kate McKinnon for some reason. Yeah, Kate can do the voice of a shocked NASA worker well like a character in a space thriller, but does anyone care?
Overall, this sketch was hilarious, one of the best, and the perfect end to a brilliant...ly freaky episode.

--

This week, Demi Lovato was lucky enough to ride on the Tracy Morgan Redemption Express as the musical guest. But it’s not the only reason. She has new music coming out--courtesy of her fifth album Confident, and just at the time of change in her own life. Her music has become more mature, more open, more autobiographical...and of course, more sexual. You know, like
every

other

former

Disney

star.
Seriously, it shouldn’t be this surprising anymore. And I’m glad it’s not.
But she is a more responsible artist about her su--oh, who am I kidding?
She’s just like the rest of them. “Cool for the Summer” is not a song about fun times with your friends at some beach during vacation. It’s about frickin’ lesbian experimentation.
(...But I’m pretty sure Tracy would be cool with that)
And the lyrics are not subtle. You really wouldn’t think she has a sudden interest in fruit cherries during the tryst with her five-minute lover, or that “Don’t tell you mother” meant they took Mom’s credit card and shopped ‘til they dropped. There was scissoring involved.
I’m sorry, but I hate this song. The concept is so contrived, (It just screams the fact that Demi is making this to prove that parading along with everyone else in their new-found sexual freedom. It’s so obvious, it’s annoying!) the lyrics are so forced in their pseudo-lesbianism, it’s just laughable (Again, see “Don’t tell your mother”; and also “Die for each other”--That’s just Hannibal funny.) and the beat is fine, but confusing. First, it’s soft slow and poppy, and then it’s loud, blaring and rock-ish. It’s so uneven that way, it gives you a headache. Really, the song screams “SUMMER!” but also moans “CHICK-TO-CHICK ORGASM!!” so much, it’s not that really genuine.
Oh, and did I mention that she performed it on SNL? Yeah.
But it wasn’t bad. It was quite good. Lovato’s vocals were really nice, and the use of horns from the backup band made it surprisingly better and enjoyable. And that’s it.
I hate this song with a burning passion, but this performance was nearly the opposite.
Also surprisingly the opposite, was that the song was performed short (thank goodness.) so that Demi could perform two new songs from Confident: the title track and “Stone Cold”.


First the title track, which starts of sound like a reject theme song for Monday Night Football (back in...1970? ‘71? ‘81? Yeah, somewhere around there.) and continues as the song where Demi tells the world that she’s now no longer a kid and is a woman, with her own rules and her own limits, and you’ll have to deal with. Except no one is surprised by this or isn’t whining about your new change in music. In fact, we’ve been expecting you to do this.
I’m not really surprised by this. The fact she came out with something like this now isn’t that eye-opening...besides the fact that she said “Bitch, I run this show” at the beginning of the song (although that died down).

That aside...I love this performance. The song is actually good for just as much reason as “Cool for the Summer” is hated. The lyrics about self-empowerment after struggles of heartbreak, are really good and are better than those about fake interest in lesbians. Her vocals are strong, near-powerful and actually more believable under this guise. And the beat, while as nuanced as “Cool” with it’s loud powerful use of horns and drums over instruments, is better to me than the beat of the latter song--I love the high school marching band sound and how it fits with the “I’m Demi, bitch, and I’m a grown-ass woman. Recognize!” concept. This music she has can be good when not under tired-as-hell sexualized after-Disney shtick when it’s more like this. Good job.


Her last song, “Stone Cold” is different, but just as good.
Unlike “Confident”, which is her at her strongest, this is her at her most vulnerable (not with the vocals, but with the story). It’s about her breaking up with a lover, and trying to come to grips with him moving on to another relationship. And while she is happy for him during this time, she is still crushed and heartbroken.

When I thought the first performance was the best, I had no idea for what I was in for with this one. I came in too quickly. This was just beautiful. Her vocals was amazing. Strong and perfect, yet weak and raw, they certainly fit the song and it’s story so well. At first first the cracks in it were ruining the performance, but I realized that they made so much sense in that they made it much more real and believable, making it much better. I think I love this song better, and I believe that (because it’s starting off as a promotional single) it should be a real single. It can be a hit and market off people (especially girls) who go through things like this. It can happen, and i’ll supportive of it does.

Okay, back when I said that Demi’s music is like half of everyone else formerly in the Disney game? Yeah, I was overreacting a bit. I thought, after “Cool for the Summer”, that Demi was going to be another one of the former Disney stars to have music be as sexualized and sort-of mature like as possible But after listening to these two songs during her performances, it’s clear that this isn’t happening. Her music is actually kinda good, real and actually mature (and I mean mature) if things go in the direction of “Confident” and “Stone Cold”. I enjoyed the sounds and stories from both and Demi’s vocals are actually not a buzzkill when listening, and she just might be the only one in the Hollywood Records stable to be sexual and grown in her music not to make a stupid point. She’s doing it because she IS grown and is more mature about the content shown in her music. Good for you, Demi. I was once a detractor of your music, and now I’m a fan.

--

Time For an Update
Part 1:

Part 2:


TINA FEY IS BACK, BITCH!

But first, oh wow. Open pandering much?
Right after a few jokes about Donald Trump and Ben Carson, Jost and Che discuss the ramifications of running for President.

Okay, I’m trying my best to explain this segment without either Republicans or Democrats wanting me lynched, so I’ll say this: this segment was clearly some political p-word and pandering to one party over the other, and it’s aggravating. I’m a registered Democrat, and I’M annoyed by this!
I get that election season has begun, and the Update team wants to joke about the candidates of both parties, but this is just too much right now.

Fortunately, there were some jokes I can handle more, like one on Prisoners fighting fires in California (“California: Come for the Droughts, Stay for the Forests Fires filled with Murderers”), Playboy’s controversial removing nude pictures from the magazine (“Cat Daily is still straight up butchin’!”) and

Like I said earlier...TINA FEY IS BACK BITCH!

Unfortunately, she didn’t return to the Update desk to anchor again (deep sigh), but she did give her thoughts on Playboy’s decision to remove nudes from the magazine. And it’s what you love from her--sharp wit and really goofy humor combined to give a memorable time ahead.

Willie is back, everyone. ...I guess.
Kenan’s deadly optimistic character returns to discuss Halloween and the dangers surrounding the spooky holiday. But doing so, he has to keep his sweet behavior in check. So he hired a life coach to keep him from leaping off the rails. Who, you ask? Woodrow the Homeless Man.

You really can’t stop feeling sorry for this man or thinking about hugging him. But some of that pain is funny.
Especially his reveal that his dad has sex with pumpkins (that shit’s creepy).
Also, I’ve never seen Woodrow before, but he was kinda funny here.

This was a pretty average Update this week. There were jokes that were only kinda funny and others that fell really flat. The only highlights were Tina Fey (obviously) and Willie. So yeah. Not the best, (which is justifiable, because of last week's exceptional outing) but just slightly above average.

Wraparound:
Everyone did great this week. Especially when next to vet like Tracy Morgan.

Pete Davidson, Leslie Jones and even Michael Che appeared in like one sketch each, while Sasheer Zamata and in was in about two. Meanwhile, Rudnitsky got to appear in a few sketches (one in a huge spotlight) and dude is the , Colin Jost never appeared in any outside of Update (and he's a f*ckin' main member!) and even Demi Lovato appeared (she's just a musical guest!). Plus, I don't think Beck Bennett has appeared at all. Probably he's got another production to take part in, but I'm not sure.
I haven't gotten to talk much about this so...give me another week or two. I think I have a theory that makes a lot of sense, if not obvious.

As for Tracy...he's back, and as great as ever.
He hasn't lost a step during the episode, and still made us laugh in the way he does it. It's such a grateful thing (a blessing, even) to, not only come back to SNL, and come back to TV, but to also live and breathe again. After that accident, he came back strong, with loving family and caring friends by his side.
And SNL came calling. And his heart answered.
He did amazing as host. As if he never left his career and proved why he was a popular and beloved cast member. Yeah, this was his third outing, but he really gave it his all and then some, and with everyone's excitement and , his return made it all worthwhile. And made it one of the funniest and the most memorable episode of this year (including this season and last).

ConcLuSioN:
This episode was awesome!
Non-stop laughs, an amazing reunion with the cast of 30 Rock, a great surprise turn-out by by Alec Baldwin and Larry David that were really hilarious, and the return of three characters that prove why we love Tracy Morgan. This episode is one of the best (obviously) and shows this season is starting off great.


*sigh*
SNL is taking its first break for Season 41, and will return in two weeks, with
Episode 4 is set for November 7, with...Donald Trump...as host (the first time in over a decade--since April 2004), with Sia also returning for her second appearance at 8H as the musical guest.
I'm...still optimistic enough from this season starting off great to watch. And i have a feeling that despite what everyone is saying about him, or that they're not planning on watching, they'll be watching. And it'g going to be something we'll never forget. See in two weeks!

Funday Friday: #51 -- Better Have Miss Piggy's Money (The Vulture Home Video Remix Collection)

Hey there, Funday Friday fans!
I'm Andrew, speaking for a (relatively-)new edition to the ever-expanding landscape of home video entertainment.
Introducing...The Vulture Home Video Collection!

Are you needing of a perfect mashup this weekend, ending the doldrums of the workweek, filled with boredom, despair and sadness!?
Then have we got a deal for you.
Vulture Home Video has these extremely amazing titles in our inventory waiting for you to check out and enjoy this weekend and/or beyond! And they’re all mixed and mashed for your entertainment and amusement.

For the Remix Collection from Vulture, the popular website took two unlikely titles from the world of film television and music, and mashed them together (or taking the sounds from one title and slapping it over the amazingly-edited other title) for brand-new sensations that’ll someday sweep the nation.

Check these other amazing titles such as
Episode 1: "Magic Mike XXL as 70s X-Rated Flick",
starring the 2012 smash stripper flick as softcore erotica:


Episode 2: "Ant-Man as a 50s Monster Movie",
with the Marvel movie as one of cinema’s most monstrous creature feature:


Episode 3: "True Detective Meets Starsky and Hutch",
with the HBO series indirectly-yet-intentionally revamped as the 70s boob-tube classic:


and, Episode 4: “Miss Piggy Sings Rihanna’s Bitch Better Have My Money”,
where the Muppet maven “belts out” the Pop princess’ Trap hit (...sadly).
It's uncanny how the clips chosen and Piggy's mouth perfectly match the song.

(Although, Miss Piggy looks like a walking nightmare during the Muppets Show era.)

along with a special bonus feature:
"If "Avengers: Age of Ultron" Came Out In 1995",
showcasing the Marvel monster hit (not really about monsters this time) as if released by Walt Disney Pictures in the middle of the Righteous 90s.


Yep, these titles are worth the rent price to enjoy for the weekend at home, or are worth fully buying for your collection for as long as you want. Whether with family, friends or yourself, enjoy these videotapes from Vulture Home Video, available wherever home computers are usually found, sold, borrowed or stolen.

And don't worry, folks! There will be more titles available for you to enjoy Coming Soon, for you to take in more excitement, laughs and nostalgia, including:
Fant4stic as a 90s Action VHS
Doug Funnie Sings "Trap Queen"
”Howard the Duck” Big-Budget
and Peanuts React to CGI “Peanuts” Trailer
(our more, umm...interesting feature)
Yep, our inventory is expanding everywhere...
Until very soon, I’m Andrew for Vulture Home Video.

Saturday Night Live Review: Ep. 2 -- Amy Schumer and The Weeknd (400th POST IN HISTORY)

I'll be honest with you:
I'm not much of a fan of Amy Schumer. Her humor (especially on her Comedy Central sketch comedy series Inside Amy Schumer) is amazing on the surface and brilliant much deeper to everyone. But I'm not one of those people. I don't find it that way sometimes.

But when I learned that she would be a part of the first batch of hosts this season, I was actually quite intrigued. I wanted to find her funny here like I found other female hosts in the past two seasons, hoping she will put on a great show.

This week's episode Cold opened with everyone's favorite network news punching bag, Fox and Friends!

Lemme tell ya, this startoff was brilliant AND hilarious. Taran Killam, Vanessa Bayer and especially Bobby Moynihan haven't missed a beat as co-hosts Steve Doocy, Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Brian Kilmeade. And I miss the ending. This was super great start to another episode that was surprisingly fantastic.


Amy's monologue was exactly what you expect from her. And yet, it was hilarious. I didn't pay attention to all ofit because it ran so long, but I still laughed my ass off at the end. Good for Amy for being herself at this moment and impressing me so well.

The Sketch After took place on a Delta airplane. Two stewardess are beginning the flight with a safety instruction song. But The ladies aren't very careful about it.
(Seriously, they need to do something about the damn door.)

For starters, that safety instructions song is freaking catchy--I really can't get it out of my head (not that I want to).
Also, I just couldn't stop laughing at their foolish misfortune. It's really stupid of them to keep walking to the door the second time, but hey, Rule of Funny. Also their scolding their co-steward Mark was pretentious, but it has it's plus. Speaking of Mark, his screaming like a girl was also a highlight, as was Kenan dancing to the song in exuberance like the Spice Girls were singing it.

I also loved how high in concept this one was. The timing of the wind, and the horrible accident itself was amazing to watch. As was Mark's shrill screaming. Seriously.

Fave lines:
The Song
--
This next skit is a parody of those timeless porno films featuring a super hot teacher (Schumer) seducing her male student (Kyle Mooney). What happens next, involving a female student ("Baby" Aidy Bryant), is absolutely priceless.

I just love how over-the-top and corny as hell it is (granted it's the joke, because most porn films feature hilariously crap acting, and strange before-sex touching, so this is pretty much normal). Just the crap cinematography makes it perfect.
Also, the constant intrusions of the female student with her mundane situations and crap, while not noticing that her teacher is about to bone the shit out of her classmate is just balls-out hilarious.
Also, it's weird to me-it feels like this sketch could not decide what it is. Is it a porn parody? Or Is it a classroom skit sketch with a teacher close to banging a student when another student's mom comes in for a chat? It just can't be both, but yet it is. And its awesome.


Fave Lines: Almost Everything Ms. Dayworth (because of the corny sleazy dialect) and the female student (for her obliviousness and) said. Especially...
-"Uh, Ms. Dayworth, I wasn't all the way gone yet, and I heard you mention an oral exam?"

-"He's in hot water. He's got a 68 on his last test. Now I'm gonna show him how to get a 69!"
"Okay, that's still a D+, Ms. Dayworth." (this was D best--I mean, the best of them all. I couldn't stop laughing after that.)
-
This episode is on a roll. So much funny, so little time.

Like this Pre-Taped Sketch lampooning the scandal on gun control, showing people with the
It it, many people are living their lives, and with guns by their side, life couldn't be any more happier.

Of course, the Pre-Tape is lampooning the scandal on gun control, after President Obama announced yet another order on stricter control on distribution on guns. I found it funny and interesting too. I love how these people are portrayed--not crazy, insane semi-toting yahoos and show them as normal, sane people (well, more or less) who are toting guns wherever they go.

Now, this one was embroiled in controversy.
Some viewers didn't like the sketch for mocking the talk of gun control , especially after a heartbreaking incident, the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. Just look at the comments on YT, and there is a wide variety. Some about how they don't like the sketch, other about some stupid liberal agenda (heh, whatever.), and of course the inevitable, "Remember when SNL was funny?".
I understand the backlash (some more than others), but it's a spoof on guns, and the people who own them. Plus, they were portrayed as normal sane people. If you don't like it, that's fine. But if you can't realize that this is a parody...I don't know.
--
Next, at Ford's Theatre, visitors are treated to a reenactment of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by an actor played by TKill). But this is ruined by the actress (Amy) playing Mary Todd. Mainly, "John Wilkes Boothe" (KyMoo) wanting to plow her.

This is actually brilliant. The ad-libbing of the actress is the meat of the sketch. The meat that makes it so delicious and satisfying. Unlike the Whopper burgers with the black buns that make you poop green. (available at Burger King throughout the month of October!) Oh, and the joke about blacks is perfectly timed and thus bitingly hilarious.
--
At a California's city municipal meeting, some councilors (Moyni & Cecily Strong among them) are answering questions from citizens, who give really strange questions.

This skit was consistently funny (not one of the best though), but the best part was definitely Schumer's portrayal of little 7-year-old Amy Meriwether-Sherman with her demand of keeping her and her father's guns at bay, alluding to this week's scandal of gun control--the third skit in total. Her voice as a child is perfect.
Another great part was Leslie Jones appearing (in her only sketch this week) as a woman thinking she went to an AA meeting after being sober for 20 minutes. And Kenan's appearance as Gary Loomis. So goofy and quaint.
And one thing I want to ask:
Is this sketch really taking place in California? And not some city in the South? Because, half of everyone was speaking in a questionable Southern accent (besides MC Strategy), which is really weird. If this was in a Southern state (more specifically in the East Coast), this would've made more sense.
That's One thing that's really grating. That's the only complaint, but it's only minor.

Fave Lines:
All of Little Amy's lines (it's the baby girl-like voice that sold it for me)
"Have you seen Bieber's dong?...Yeah, yeah, yeah...It was alright, right?" -Rick
"Yeah. yeah, I thought it was pretty good." -Male Councilor
--
In the Five-to-One sketch, a baby shower is taking place. But...there is a more important matter going on...SOMEONE'S PURSE IS MISSING!!

This sketch sucked.
It wasn't very funny, there wasn't much to like, the jokes were crap, and the end was just meh. The only good things it had going for it is Amy and the establishing shot house that reminds me of Good Luck Charlie.
This skit ended Episode 2 on a low note. Fortunately the rest of it was genius and funny, or else I would get upset.
Like Panda upset when his phone got stolen.

--

The Weeknd, this week's musical guest, is pretty much the hottest thing in the game right now. Ever since he appeared on Drake's album Take Care and dropped a few hot mixtapes, he's become a brilliantly dope alternative R&B artist (pretty much one of the first of such too). With this year being his, he's released singles that have become white-hot on the charts and online: the scarily-great "The Hills", the numbingly-poppy "Can't Feel My Face", the strangely-sexy "Often" and "Earned It" from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, his most memorable hit at the moment.
So it makes much sense for him to be the first only musical guest of Season 41 (it just has to be.) as he performed two of the aforementioned singles: "Hills" and "Can't Feel My Face", his other memorable hit at the moment.

This performance featured a surprise guest in Nicki Minaj, who is featured in a remix for this song. I wasn't very interested in Minaj, but I thought she did a great job here. Her verse fits the song as was Weeknd's, and is just as scary, if not horrifying as well, in that the relationship they share is a dark and painful one, and that drugs were involved.
Also, I'm a huge fan of the beat. It's as dark, mysterious, disorienting and spine-tingling as the lyrics and Abel's vocals and makes this song so dreadfully perfect in every way. The woman's scream in the hook is frightening, but fits great, and is kinda turn-on--ish.
Also, I love the lyric at the end where Abel sings in his native language Amharic. This soft, lullaby-like lyric ends the track on a calm, sweet note, and makes this one of the best and most expansive songs this year. And makes this performance amazing.

Just as amazing as the last one of "Can't Feel My Face".

I will say that I wasn't as enjoying his vocals here as I did with the last one, but I still loved this one. People have compared this track (especially with Weeknd's vocals) to the work of Michael Jackson. I can agree with it, what with the similarities in vocals and techniques between them. Plus his dancing is pretty cool.

I'll be honest in saying the performances were, to me, more dominated by the setup lighting than by Abel himself. But he was mind-blowing great with his stage presence and performance. Sure, his falsetto vocals can be grating to most people (which makes his short speaking appearance on Weekend Update-which I'll get to later-utterly refreshing), but I can get past that, as he knows how to put on a good show. Especially because both songs are great to listen to--despite the underlying dark writing and tones in both. Weeknd is a very talented artist and it's good to see him get both critical and commercial success in the mainstream these days. And with these performances, which I'll call the one of the best of the season so far, he's certainly on his way.

His album Beauty Behind the Madness is available now on digital and physical.

--

Time for an Update:
Part 1:

Part 2:


Jost and Che are back for Round 2 and have gotten much more leeway than last week. It's refreshing after the meh start last Saturday.
There were some hilarious jokes, especially the jokes they share, like their ribbing of presidential candidate Ban Carson for malpractice suits against him, the public's responses to President Obama's gun control executive action, Jost's perchance on Justin Bieber's penis being the next Speaker of the House,
The jokes, the execution and the other anchor's reaction.

This week, Update introduced a new correspondent, Solomon, who claims to be a travel buff, and was sent to Italy to write up the perfect hot-spots for vacation. What he got back is absolutely nothing.
I loved the performance by Pharaoh as this complete habitual liar. His shame in getting rid of the ticket for his own devices and getting the job just to get by comfortably, along with begging Colin to not get the team to fire him is very funny. It's in his whiny, urban voice and mannerisms. I really feel like I won't expect him back at the desk anytime soon. But if he does, I wouldn't mind it at all.

Kate McK makes her first sit at the desk this season as Ms. Santini, a neighbor of Colin's who discusses overcrowding in New York city's apartments, thanks to a recent study.
This was a good character and performance by Kate, but I felt this ran a little longer than most because of how slow she was.
In time, I've gotten to enjoy her strange methods of helping a family quite their baby more. And her letters to random people were hilarious.


Best Bits:
Ben Carson Malpractices
-"I'd never say this out loud or on TV, but America, please choose anybody BUT the black guy!" -Che
The Talk of Gun Control
-"We don't need a beer, that's a margarita inside a beer." -Jost
Solomon
-"My sister ain't got no kids." -Solomon
Ms. Santini
-"Dear, cast of the movie Friday..." -Ms. Santini
"The Weeknd Update"

And now, The Weeknd Update.

Posted by Saturday Night Live on Saturday, October 10, 2015

-"Why are you here?" -Abel

Wraparound:
Everyone was awesome.
I thought Amy Schumer was going to be obnoxious and annoying, but she wasn't that at all (half of the time--and even then, the behavior was pretty funny. She took her role as host seriously, while being as loose as possible. And yet, I feel she took brilliance from being white trash (in some sketches) and parlayed it perfect hilarity.
I think I'm now a fan of Amy Schumer (well, a little over casual).
Congrats, lady. You are one of the best hosts this season.

I will not speak on the cast members who appeared in almost every sketch. I know how you guys have gotten tired of me talking about it...and I've also gotten tired of it because of the waste of hours discussing this.
All the cast members did a great job this week, not matter how big or small their appearances are, they all put in amazing performances.
For the standouts, I'd say Taran Killam (I mean duh), Vanessa Bayer (especially in the Fox and Friends and Delta Fallout sketches), Bobby Moynihan (for the Fox and Friends sketch--seriously I miss braindead Brian Kilmeade) and Leslie Jones (for the barely sober lady losing her way around)
How Was the CO?
Unlike the first hour, very accurate (and funny)

Best Sketches:
Assassination of the Assassination
Delta Fallout
Porno Parody
Honorable Mention:
City Council/Municipal Meeting
Baby Shower
(hell, all of them have a great moment. Because...)
Worst Sketches:
If I can say that none of them were bad in the Miley Cyrus episode, then I'd be damned if I choose a bad one in this episode.

ConcluSLoN:
THIS EPISODE IS THE BEST OF THIS SEASON SO FAR!!! (Almost) every sketch was not only hilarious, but brilliant in writing and execution as well. Not only did I laugh, but they also made me think about some things. And then laugh again. Thanks to the news stories of the week, the touch of realism in some of these skits make them near flawless. I love this episode so much.


This is the episode we've all been waiting for. Months have finally passed, the time has finally come, and the moments will already be remembered. Next week will begin the ultimate redemption for the host and we will be there to support and cheer him on when he does.
Ladies and gentlemen, Tracy Morgan is back. And he will be hosting Episode 3.
Please tune in, and make this the highest-rated episode of the year. He deserves this great honor.
Oh, and Demi Lovato is the musical guest.
See you Monday for the review. Good night!

ABC Family to Rebrand as #Freeform: More of a #Freefall

ABC Family is rebranding come January, with a new name: Freeform. Ugh.

Funday Friday: #Fifty--The Amazing Dancing Madrids Dance Again

Hey everyone.
You know, I've been giving thoughts on some polarizing topics over the years. Some good, and some bad. Some of those topics have been of the heartbreaking stories of the year, and others of the happiest moments of the moment.

But, since there are more happy stories than I can count in one year, I decided to dedicate a regular weekly segment out of them. And that's when I created Funday Friday.

Who knew that, for better or worse, and whether one post a week or two or more, that it took me this far: 50 Editions written. And I quite proud of the achievement.

So to celebrate, I want to go back to the beginning and revisit the subject of the very First edition. Ladies and gentlemen, I again present to you...Keone and Mariel Madrid.

When I first saw the video of their performance to Bob Marley's "Is This Love", I was both impressed and inspired. Seeing this old-in-sight, but young-at-heart couple dancing with such talent and experience gives me the proof that you shouldn't excuse yourself from doing what you love because you're old. As long as you're as young as you feel (and as agile as an adult) you can do what you love.
And in their case, it's dancing.

Yep, they're old. ...Or ARE they? No, they're not.
From watching the videos below, I learned that they're not really old. They not even middle-aged yet. They're young adults with the faces of babies. As it turns out, they were wearing makeup and masks.
But they still talented as all heaven.

And now, in this landmark celebration, I present their encore, as presented by the Urban Dance Camp, set to songs by Sam Smith.

First up, "Stay with Me".
You will love the emotion and love and passion between the two. And there's something at the end you gush over.


and here is "Money on My Mind", where they are joined by three other dancers. While all of them are awesome, the guy in the gray shirt stands out.


And finally, a third video featuring Anna Kendrick's "Cups (When I'm Gone)" from Pitch Perfect and, halfway through, two fellow dancers joining in to try it themselves. It's great.


I've said this before (when I thought they were old), and I'll say this in different wording:
These two dancers are some of the most talented dancers I've ever had the privilege of watching. Their moves, techniques and pizzazz are mind-blowingly spectacular and there's no way of proving otherwise. I love watching these two every time doing all of their dances, that I need to spotlight the other dancers in the Urban Dance Camp stable. So stay tuned--as later in the fall, I do a edition on the Urban Dance Camp and its ultra-talented members doing what we love to watch. See you then.
And have a great weekend.

Raven-Symone Won't Hire No Ghetto-Named People

You know? The more that Raven-Symone opens her mouth, the more stupid she sounds.

Saturday Night Live 41 Review: Ep. 1 -- Miley Cyrus and Miley Cyrus (The Premiere)

Well, we're back.



Since I heard that Miley Cyrus was hosting the Season 41 premiere, I just wanted to skip this.
Like my Review of Season 40's Episode 11, I wanted to tune out from that episode because of the host as well (that episode's host was Kevin Hart). But I decided to check it out and review it anyway, and I was glad I did, because to me that episode was one of the best. So I should give it a chance.

Also, Miley Cyrus--while she is an annoyingly terrible singer, she isn't a bad actress. In fact, she's really talented. From watching Hannah Montana as a kid, all the way up to her guest appearances on Two and a Half Men among others, she had great performances and very nice delivery. Not to mention her last gig hosting SNL wasn't bad at all. I even enjoyed her musical performances (granted, those songs are stupid as hell, but still). So I was willing to give this episode and Miley the benefit of the doubt, and see if it wouldn't tune out as horrible as I thought it would be.
And you won’t believe this. I was right. This episode was better than I thought.
In fact, this is already one of the best episodes of the season.

The episode starts with a Message from...Donald Trump.

This sketch is the introduction of Taran Killam, the latest cast member to receive the role, to the Trump role. And he played it fantastically. His voice is perfect, his mannerisms are on-par, the facial expressions are amazing; hell, even his wig is perfect. Killam has everything to make his impersonation of Trump carry on to be one of the best of this season, and just in time for election season.
The rest of the skit was hilarious; Cecily Strong played a perfect Melania Trump, and the writing was brilliant, with all of The Donald's policies and controversies as presidential candidate being mocked to perfection. I was expecting myself to laugh a few times, but I laughed all the way through. This was an awesome start to what was an awesome premiere. And now, that it's time again

Host and Musical Guest Miley Cyrus presented the first Monologue of the season.
When she came out, I didn't know what all was on her dress.
Flowers? car air fresheners? colored condoms? LifeSavers?
When it was shown to be flowers, I wasn't worthy enough a joke, mostly because we were halfway through the sketch.

Anyway, the better half was on her singing a dedication to the people who've made the news in the Summer of 2015:
(And all of them were bad people)
-Rachel Dolezal (the white woman who pretended to be black for 20 years and got busted by her parents)
-Kim Davis (the old wench who said her religious beliefs caused her to not give marriage licenses to gays, despite -herself being married 4 times, and divorced 3. Hypocrite.)
-Walter Palmer (the Minnesota dentist who killed Cecil the Lion)
-Warner Bros. (for the Entourage movie. Remember that? Me neither.)
-The pizza rat (for being more inspiring than bad. Somehow.)
-Drake and Meek Mill (for their dumb-ass feud.) (And I know you're asking: Who the hell is Meek Mill? I've been still asking that myself.)
-Lenny Kravitz (for accidentally showing his glorious junk on-stage at a concert in Stockholm)
-A Donut (for being licked by Ariana Grande)
-Jared Fogel (for being a child predator while working for Subway), and
-Josh Duggar (for being borderline incestuous with his sisters while supposedly being a deeply religious man under a deeply religious family.)
These are the people who make 2015 a very memorable year in the news.

The cast members were hilarious in their movements as those people (especially with Bobby Moynihan), Miley has wonderful singing (probably better than her performances), and the
Great Mono, and one of the best so far.

The first Pre-Tape After of Season 41 is an ad for a new drug to help people move on with their lives after bouts with mental illness. And for these guys, who are still believing that they're running for president, this drug is practically calling their name...if not the White House. It's Abilify for People Who Think They're President.

This sketch is just brilliant. Detailed spoof of the candidates who dropped out of Presidential race believing they're still in there. And their wives confessions were just as funny. This is a prefect start to what will be one of the best parts of the show.

In The Sketch After the commercial break, a school dance is happening, and three couples are finding love: A nerd (Kyle Mooney) with a nerdy girl (Kate McKinnon), a bad boy (TKill) with a hot bad girl (Cecily), and Jock with the popular girl (Miley)...who raps.

This sketch started off pretty good. Catchy song, cast members singing well (nothing more or less--we'll they're not qualified for Grease Live so...), and a fun atmosphere. Until Miley came and made everything...better. No seriously, when she gave her line, I couldn't stop laughing. That was balls-out hilarious. I mean...wow. She subverted my expectations and made this sketch better than I thought. Great job. This was one of the Best sketches of the episode.

Also, this is the first sketch to fully feature newest cast member Jon Rudnitsky. I'd say he did a pretty good job singing for his longing for a girl and reacting to the popular girl's strangeness...and Nasty Jack. Poor guy.

Fave lines: Most of them from her black friend, Nasty Jack
"I'm from Philly!"
"Oh! It's gon' happen!"
"So we datin' or what!?"
-And everything Miley said
--
Next up, election season isn't in full swing yet, but everyone is talking in full speed. Including at a bar, where Hillary Clinton (Kate McK) is sulking about the American people discussing Donald Trump more than her, with possible vote going to him than her. And then she meets the bartender Val.

My jaw dropped when I saw the Hillary Clinton. She was rumored to appear in the premiere, but I never read into it. But the rumors were true, and she lived up to the "hype".
And she very well with what she was given, and made her stand out, even though she's standing in front of the genius woman brilliantly playing her. It's clear that the writing is pretty much geared towards her, but it's still good and funny nonetheless.
"...I just wanted to say, my sister's gay, so thank you for all you've done for gay marriage."
That just came out of nowhere, and was just pandering to Clinton. Luckily for him, she's right there.
And then the two gal-pals sang "Lean on Me". While "Hillary" had a meh voice, "Val" has a great singing voice. Impressive.
Another one of the Best sketches of the Episode.

Favorite Lines:
All of "Hillary" and "Val" lines
"Oh no. They're multiplying!" -Bill Clinton
--
American Voices presents an old talk show from the 50s that didn't last long...or make sense.

This one has a great concept, and the set-up and lighting were brilliant, especially under the live cameras, but the execution wasn't really great. The jokes fell pretty flat, and the stereotypes, while obvious, weren't that shock-worthy. I did chuckle a few times here, but this wasn't the best of the episode.
--
A group of gal pals (Vanessa, Leslie, Miley and Cecily) trek to a restaurant where they reenactment the scene from When Harry Met Sally.... (You know it) But, Rhonda gets carried away.

Well, that was strange. Nut damn me if I didn't find Rhonda's fake gasms hilarious. When she said "OH NO, THE CONDOM BUSTED!", I was close to the floor. Jones' delivery and enthusiasms of these lines may have made this for me.

Fave lines: You know the one.
But here's a hint: "OH MY! THE PROPHYLACTIC BROKE!"
--
The Squad (yet another pre-tape)
Years after a car crash sent them into a coma, two women wake up in a post-apocalyptic world. But this is not caused by zombies, nuclear war or mass destruction. But by the world's exuberance to join Taylor Swift.

I like Taylor's music, but I'd be damned if I even join T-Swift's "squad" willingly. Hell, I'd have to start brushing up on my trigger skills if any Swifties try to "Shake it Off".
Oh--anyway, this was a pretty funny taped sketch. It wasn't hilarious--clearly because the audience didn't laugh as loud or hard, so I couldn't resonate. And even then, I didn't find much to laugh at anyway. Very good cinematography, though.
And I wouldn't be surprised is Taylor saw this, and asked Lorne to host again sometime along the road. Hell, She doesn't even have to ask--He'll immediately give her the gig, without the potential of huge ratings. Everyone wants her on their
--
Miss "The Californians"? Why?
Anyway, there's a new soap opera in town. And it may or may not be as good. It's "The Millennials".

In this "new Fox drama", which may or may not hinge on the fact that people still believe that the Animal network is a one for the young ones to watch. Anywho, this sketch does a good job spoofing those young adults who believe they are a huge, important part to society; but end up huge pains in the ass. And their bosses are left to wallow in their stupidity of hiring them.
Remember that sketch from last season, "I Can't Even"? Well, this wasn't hilarious, but I'd take this over that any day. It's annoying, but is meant to be that (and that one was probably meant to be that to), and works better in this case.
It's definitely not one of the true funniest skits of the episode, or best, but it's still a fine one.
Also, Miley, Kate, Pete and Rudnitsky somehow look perfect as young people. Must be the hair.

Fave Lines:
"Do it." -Black Co-worker (Kenan)
"Just do it." -Boss (TKill)
It's the delivery of these lines that make it the best.
--
Time for an Update
Part 1:

Part 2:


Jost and Che are back!! (to groans of half of everyone reading)
But, they have improved a bit.
My main problem is with Jost. It seems he gotten back to his starting characteristic of a super-boring dullard. Every line he speaks sounds like they're slipped so slowly, it's like paint drying. Maybe he's being careful with his enunciation of the jokes, but the show is using cue cards. The only time something wrong happens is when someone drops them or a giant fan blows them away.
He has gotten better with his timing and humor, but I think he needs to speed up the tempo. That's my only problem.
My other problem with him is this joke.

Missed these guys.

Posted by Saturday Night Live on Sunday, October 4, 2015

That was just crap. Fortunately Che's scolding him was funnier.

Another problem with the first Update of the season is Pope Francis--at least his impersonation by Kyle Mooney. Apparently since his historic trip to the US, he gotten some sort of respect with just the urban crowd. Because he keeps using the lingo, the peace sign, the hand gestures along with it.
And his accent is thick as hell! So grating It feels like I'm getting cut in slices by a roll of pastrami. I know the Pontiff has some Italian dialect, but it wasn't that thick!
All in all, this appearance was a very limp one, and was the worst of the segment.

However, things got much better as time went on.
Resident Young Person Pete Davidson returned to discuss his thoughts on the upcoming Presidential Election.
Of course, he's strained. And probably high.

And funny again. He's returned to form, and is as genius as ever with his questionable analogies. He's been a great member of the Update gang and his appearances have been some of the best as of late. Certainly should stay as a member for this season. Should be a constant stream of great laughs this season.

Relationship Expert Leslie Jones also returned with her take on sex with men who text their thoughts afterwards. She is not pleased with that.

This was a funny set, but I'm beginning to feel like Jones' commentary on relationships is starting to get one-note to me. Her yelling gets annoying, her explorations are more creepier than the compliments from a 21-year-old dude about a teenage female character of an animated series (...apparently), and her flirting with Jost gets more strange. It's not to say it isn't funny, though. But yeah.

Favorite Jokes:
-Bush Criticizes Trump--Big boy Pants
-Refusal for the Democratic Debate
-Trump & Carson--Too Many %
-Planned Parenthood--Unfortunate Events

Best Sketches:
-Dance of '55
-Hillary Clinton Bar Talk (aka "Hill and Val")
-Katz's Deli
Honorable Mentions:
The Millennials
America's Voices (aka that one talk show ABC still regrets to this day, despite their "progression in race".)

Best Pre-Tape:
Abilify for Candidates

Worst Sketches:
Surprisingly, NONE.
All of these sketches did make me laugh in some way, and I wasn't truly frustrated with them. It wasn't Miley, it wasn't the writing and it wasn't any of the cast members. All of them make the episode more than tolerable (at least in my eyes).

So yeah, this was a great episode. And a great start to the season.

Miley was great as host. She did what the writers wrote for her to do amazingly, and did a great job with her performance. While I warmed up considerably before the episode premiered because she’s not a bad actress to me, she exceeded my expectations twofold. I was actually laughing more than I thought I wanted to. I’m very impressed with her. And the writers.

Speaking of them, I feared there would be turbulence coming from this new switch, as this new challenge for each of them would be a hard, seeing as this show is live. But they did a great job, too. Their writing was fresh and genius, and I actually enjoyed most of what I heard from the cast and Miley. They faced a challenge and came out barely unscathed. Great for them.
Now they need to prepare for the other 20 episodes they have to write for. But I think they can do it. I believe in you, new writers; you can make this a very good season. Good luck.

At first, I thought, since the cast size is large, some cast members wouldn’t be seen at all. But, to my surprise, all of them have appeared well. All got between at least a few lines and a major part of a sketch. And I find it amazing that the producers found a way to make sure everyone got something to do in the episode. I applaud the producers for giving this cast a full showing on screen.

Now to the little runt of the litter: latest cast member Jon Rudnitsky.
He was well-represented here. He got some some limelight in his first sketch, some time with Miley, some lines in some sketches and isn’t half bad at all, despite his Twitter presence. he wasn’t truly hilarious, but this is his first episode, so I will cut him some slack. He can be a good cast member, but it will take some time to gel. I wish him good luck as a cast member.


And if that wasn’t enough, I actually also enjoyed Miley’s Music performances as well; more than I’d want to admit. First off, she didn’t perform “Dooo It”. She actually performed two other songs with her newest embarrassment to pop/rock music--I mean, new band, Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz. This set up of the first performance reminds me of a less creepier, yet more-stranger version of that episode of The Fairly OddParents, where Timmy Turner wishes his dead hamster back to life. It’s like it had a different life after Timmy went to summer camp (camp...camp...camp...camp...camp...) camp. He came back to life with a bunch of his other pets his parents neglected to care for, learned how to play instruments, and then went to Miley (probably on acid at the time) and convinced her to start a new band. An this is the turn out.
I wish this was the back story..

Her second song, just her, is presumably a ballad/tribute to her dog, Floyd, who died either last year or this year; I couldn't remember. I could assume that because of his picture on the piano. Her vocals really nice and her skills on the keys were beautiful. I will also say that those screams in the chorus scared the living hell out of me, and that final note at the end was uncomfortable, Other than those, I actually enjoyed this particular performance. Congrats Miley, you actually had me enjoy your music. It’s too bad I still won’t listen to your album.

So...the consensus. This episode was great. I laughed my butt of more than I wanted to, and I the sketches were mostly perfect in their own ways.

Taran was perfect as the new Donald Trump (I think he’ll be marvelous), Hillary Clinton was fantastic in her surprise appearance as...Val (her delivery in saying “Great name. I’m Val.” had me on the floor.), and I missed Darrell Hammond as Bill. Still keels me every time.

So yeah, this was a slam-dunk start to this season, and I think this will be a great one. I know there will be a few missteps along the way, but I think Lorne, the producers and the writers will pull off some hot streaks to over power them. Let’s hope for the best, guys. I’m rooting for ya!!
(Don’t let us down.)

So...even though I will be watching this season (and not because I'm forced to against my own will for some reason), I'm more excited for what will happen next week. And EVEN MORE excited for the show airing in two weeks. (Oh God, I can't WAIT!)


But for now, tune in next week when newest success story in comedy/ , Emmy Award-winner Amy Schumer hosts Episode 2, with music provided by the man responsible for the below-the-surface scariest and druggist R&B music today that'll (possibly) make even Tyler the Creator squirm, The Weeknd.