Here Lies Mulaney. A Show About Nothing... Funny (2014-2015) | StAbUrDaY/fRiGhT\diVe=REVIEW: fIVe - John Mulaney & The Strokes (The Halloween Episode... on Halloween!)

 

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That's Drak Pack!

Welcome. Come on in.

I'm Andrew Pollard, and I'm your guide for a deep descent into the dark, dreary, deviant, depressing and decidedly decent den of sketch comedy in the year 2020.

2020 has been a year, no? A year of depression, illness, paranoia, mania, separation, isolation, loss of feeling, loss of employment, loss of life, loss of enjoyment, loss of toilet paper... So much that came this year from one thing or another hit us like a ton of bricks , and yet the one thing that made us shed the most tears was the Peanuts holiday specials are no longer airing on network television. (Seriously? The tradition's not dead! Just buy them on DVD or digital, or swallow your pride and sign up for Apple, it's free for three days. It's not deep.)

But in these times, we all need a laugh before we go a little crazy, one of the most prominent spaces to get one is Saturday Night Live. So far, the 46th season is... mixed. Some episodes had me nearly die laughing, others nearly make me want to die. But hey, any season after five makes you feel that way, right? But since we're in a certain pandemic, even the worst sketches seem like comedy gold. right? Well, that's what we'll hopefully get this empty Halloween night (and it's rare for SNL to have a Halloween episode on Halloween, so that's a treat.) And with our host this week, comedian, former show writer and victim of a shitty Seinfeld-esque sitcom namesake (that reached a grizzly, gruesome, critically-maligned and well-deserved demise), John Mulaney, there's a promise of no tricks. Each and every time he's hosted, his light, smarmy attitude and evenly quirky-yet-surprisingly brashly humor (whether in the monologue or in sketches) has me on the floor (Although the big joke to me coming in is that despite being a well-known and liked comic, the show still manages to find white guys as musical guest that are even more well-known and liked (like the second you hear their name).) Hell, I listen to "Look What God Made Her" by Thomas Rhett more times than any of Mulaney's stand-up routines. That's my standing with him.

Also a treat, returning musical guest The Strokes. While I've never played their music, their appearance in my mental consciousness is strong, thanks to this show and their sets have been straight rock bangers I've enjoyed from the word "go". I'm sure their appearance here will not disappoint. 

We begin with a Cold Open featuring Joe Biden (played by Jim Carrey, who has to be a cast member at this point) reminding America a horrid nightmare that it got itself into - electing Donald Trump.

It's hilarious, well-written and mixed political satire and corny spooky stories together. I'm now in the pro-Carrey-as-Biden camp again, Kate McKinnon returns flawlessly as Hillary along with nice touches of Mikey Day as Nate Silver, Kenan as Ice Cube (?), Chris Redd as Lil Wayne (if he got his face stung by a bee), Maya Rudolph as Kamala and Beck Bennett as blue-hand Mitch McConnell  (whom at this point I'd be happy to dance on his grave when it happens). Let's hope all goes well on November 3

... and beyond. 

Mulaney continues to kill with his stand up monologue. Hits include comedians being "last responders", the fun of watching NY Governor Andrew Cuomo's daily Coronavirus press conferences, the arguments of family taking the kids to grandma's, "Play Covid!", the game of "America's Favorite Grandpa" (and praising Jane Lynch), "new nazis" and especially the one with the one girl at the bitch of a classmate's sleepover. His story about his 94year-old grandmother is something special too. The audience is there, but they still don't accentuate how hilarious Mulaney's set is. 

Ahh, Cinema Classics. One sketch that comes up behind you and hits you over with brilliant one liners and random stuff that happens from classic films. This time it's The Birds - that classic Hitchcock film where he tortured Tippi Hendren the whole time.  The campiness and absurdity of the iconic payphone scene is delicious, Kate McK's take on Hendren is wonderful, the sardonic performance by Mulaney is fantastic and the use of puppets birds is life-changing.

Reese De'What can reminisce on my life if he'd like.

The Pre-Tape After, Strollin', add levity to the struggle black community goes through to vote in the election. The funk and soul riff is badd, the stars of the sketch (Kenan, Reddman, Lego My Ego and PUNKIE POWER!) are dyn-o-mite! and the production is perfectly shot. I love this one and this was needed at this time to give us hope to find whatever polling places are in white neighborhoods, go to them in carpools and wait as long as possible (with snacks from the nearby Dollar Tree).

Next week, the post-election sixth episode... hosted by... DAVE CHAPPELLE! (Yes again.)

The next time I read or watch the stories of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, I'll always remember when Crane, Pete Davidson and Mikey "Mr. Sketch Security" Day asking H2 if he blows himself, roll into women's bathrooms, and other strange things to keep them from going to hell. I have a feeling Mulaney co-wrote this sketch, because that's his strongsuit. But the jokes are pretty inventive and hilarious.

Speaking of Job Security... Kate McK stars in this sketch celebrating New York City as it gets back to being itself  after the summer pandemic-- a vast wasteland of assholes, commercialism and lots of trains. But the light, airy, sweet lens and praise of frontline workers and helping hand neighbors makes it all good.

THE OCCASIONALLY PLACED LED BACKGOUND SCREEN TELLS YOU TO

OBEY.

Update Time!

First off, congratulations to the newly-married Mr. Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost!

This week, he and Michael Che discuss President Trump keeping his fans freezing in the cold during one of his rallies and shaming the people who save his obese orange ass from dying, rich black rappers supporting 45 just to keep from paying more taxes, Jared Kushner being a little racist shit again, and the hope of Trump not getting reelected. I swear Update continues to slay this season. The topical jokes are political satire are about top notch, and our two anchormenpersons continue to destroy your innards with laughs. 

Kyle Mooney returns as Baby Yoda (aka The Child) , the true star of The Mandalorian, and is better than ever as the rich male Jerry Springer guest we actually like and laugh with. 

Oh look, Diner Lobster Part 3 or Airport Bodega Part 2: Either Way It's Strange.

This time, Unnamed Chris Redd and Pete Davidson characters go to a Times Square souvenir shop and Pete Dave guy continues to go for disgusting item he shouldn't reach for, leading to the  Mulaney main worker character to admonish him and sing with random Times Square costume workers (led by Kenan) waxing lyrical about the weird, questionable yet resilient lives and jobs they live and work.

This has to be the most expendable sketch ever by now. Each time Mulaney appears they do a new version, and yet it turned out to be the best and brightest of them all. This one is no exception. But you wouldn't catch me wearing those clap-carrying driveway-making drawers. I get them but still. I can do damage to my own when they're clean.

Where were you during Moscow 1972?

Our musical guest The Strokes are a breath of fresh air. Their sweet, fun brand of indie/garage/punk rock is also needed at this time, and their SNL appearance tonight hits the mark. I'm starting to regret not listening to them when I had the chance to... but after tonight, I'll give them a listen or several.

For every "Musical Store" sketch, there's the "Mr. Bennet Gets Memed" sketch. This one I didn't feel as much as last time because it was written sloppily and quickly to cash in on number one and the directing was off. But the memes themselves were still funny. Although Mellisa and Heidi deserve better slots though. Also, if Benner wants a young adult 18-24, he could give Aalyah Mysterio a shout. She likes being confused. (What if y'all are okay with the WWE storyline with Rey Jr's daughter dating a 32-year-old grown man hand waving it as "two consenting adults", then you're okay with me making this joke.)

Overall, this was a very good episode. It's on par with Episode 2 with Bill Burr and Jack White, although this one slips a bit in quality and pacing towards the end and, mostly thanks to the long-as-hell "Souvenir Underwear" sketch. I see Lorne is back on his tick of featuring the top four cast members (Kenan, Kate McKinnon, Mikey FunDay and BeckBenn replacing the absent Cecily Strong, whom I think doesn't want to come back at this point - hope she's okay). Other Andew wasn't there either but Punkie and probably Lauren Holt too somewhere. Hopefully, the cast is spread evenly next week.

And speaking of next week, join me when Dave Chappelle hosts the second consecutive post-presidential election episode (musical guest TBA). Hopefully he won't have as much as a hard time as last time. Although he was brilliantly hilarious last time, so either way, it's gonna get the highest ratings so far. I bet you that.

Thank you everyone for joining me, a 26-year-old weirdo dressing as Fred Jones from Scooby-Doo to review the Halloween episode on Halloween Halloween night. Maybe next time it happens, I'll be married with kids in a deluxe apartment in the sky rich from my job as an ad executive... and still reviewing while dressed as D.D. from Clue Club. I'm Andrew Pollard saying "I love New York and I'm also that lady". Goodnight... and good riddance. 

Setting the Fire after Making the Rain | SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 46 REVIEW: four - Adele & H.E.R.

Hello.

It's me.

How are you?

Can you hear me?

Oh. well.

At least I can say... I'm weird.

Welcome back to Saturday Night Live Review.

Tonight two incredibly talented women strut into Studio 8H and give us, the American audience needs right now: beautiful R&B music and what could be surprising talent in comedy.

Let's begin with our musical guest.

H.E.R. is and has been a wunderkind of a comperser and lyricist since her debut. In fact she had talent years ago as a little girl during anappearance in a singing kid segment on Today. Since then, her singles have been straight fire, her performances have inspired, her look (mostly sunglasses and fatigues at her beginnings) is mysterious yet highly lovely, and her many talents as an instrumentalist is second-to-none. She was born to appear on SNL. It's just a shock that she has hasn't appeared sooner. I just can't wait to see what she'll do.

Also under anticipation is Adele. This is bloody brilliant British blowout took the industry by storm when she released Chasing Pavements in 2008. I can't tell you how many times I've sung along to it, but I think I have less outward body parts than times I've bumped to it. But three platinum albums, singles that changed pop culture forever and a slimming look that dropped jaws. When I saw a pic of her after the hosting gig was revealed, mine was halfway to Brian Griffin's. Jiminy Cricket, the last person that shook me to the core with their change in appearance was Josh Peck. There was one time I've seen her be funny and that was a skit during one special she did when she went to a look-alike contest, acting homely and mousey and later surprised her "competition". That was hilarious. I hope the writers can tap into her homegrown humor and surprise us with a new comedy star instead of jokes of her Britishness. As if they don't do enough of that.

And so we begin with the last CO on the second and (thank all the deities) last Presidential debate. Instead of Kamala, Maya Rudolph appears as moderator Kristen Welker - who deserves a medal for dealing with 45.

This was a mostly boring and iffy. Alec Baldwin And Jim Carrey give their best as Trump and Biden, but the excirmenr and novelty has worn out more and more. I blame low number studio audience. And the writers for not even trying.

Loved the Eastwooding bit and Trumps joke on how 2020 has changed the scope of time in our minds. Plus, the racial jokes toward Welker and blacks were barely punchy but still chuckleworthy. When Carrey!Biden said Melatonin instead of Melanin, I knew I felt tired without taking that suppliment. The old jokes from Carrey!Biden can only go nowhere.

Finally making her way to the other side of the set, Adele's monologue was... Not much. Just jokes about her weight loss and the money ahe lost from her lowest selling single to a swear jar commendeered by Kenan. They were funny, I expected a bit more. But I guess the writers knew Adele is a first timer and needed to find her sea legs, so I understand they needed to tread lightly at the start.

So with the Sketch After, we get the big jump. In 2019, an excited and unassuming group of people visit a strange fortune teller (Kate McK of course) telling extremely off-the-wall and humiliating futures in 2020. This was a soft one, but its still pretty funny. Kate commanded the sketch but the other cast and Adele still had good reactions. Also, this has too be the straightest gay character Bowen Yang has played.

Chad is back once again, and proves to be one of the most expendable characters this show has ever seen. Not since  Samurai has this dude been in different situations and still ends the same way with laughs aplenty. Here he's at a haunted house with a ghostly owner telling her story and asking him to tell it. Only Chad doesn't so easily. I was truly mesmarised by Adele as the homeowner. Her voice is enchanting and her makeup screams Hollywood glamour.  This has to be one of the best Chad editions ever, and I can't believe theres a few.

If theres a good reason to still have Adele sing, this sketch is it. In yet another skit mocking The Bachelor, Adele appears on a reality dating show with other girls. They get annoyed when she gets the guy's attention and when she doesn't get it, she sings her songs. The joke is when the guy turns to other girls, Adele sings a song that fits in with the situation, and that is brilliant. Even when she isn't singing, she does very well done. And shout out to Heidi and Chloe and Aidy for their reactions.

Next up a pretape on what the aftermath of the election would be. As it turns out, Trump leaving and his behavior would still elicit the samw conversations. The accuracy is also on point, as yes this is what we talk about most of the time. ID rather go back to hating Baby Shark.

Time for an Update.

Pretty much all the jokes made me laugh out loud this week. Im so backed up, and guffaw so loud, thsts all I have time for.

Melissa Villasenor gave the best performance this week just from her appearance with her impressions of The Little Rascals, Stevie Nicks and Sia.

The Village People appear to shit on Trump, but then say some possible incriminating threats. This was just as great, thanks to Kenan's high-energy vocals, the other male members dancing, the studio audience clapping along and Jost's interrupting to say they're saying felonious threats.

Another home-run this season so far. Im starting to think most of the creative juices this season went to Update.

There is this sketch about these kids that visited their grandmother. It was funny but mostly weak.

Next is a travel commercial for Africa, where white women after their divorces go there to see the beaches, the oceans, the wildlife, the black man dick, the sunrise... wait what?

While the innuendo and subtlety was funny enough, Adele's corpsing upgraded it to hilarious. Her cracking up and continuing to the end were just perfect enough to make this the second best after the Bachelor rip off sketch.

Our musical guest H.E.R., is as Adele says, devine. Both her performances were if soul and rock had a baby, and a vibe that can't be explained for days but when you do, you get out something like "Yass, Queen!". While most performances so far have been incredible, H.E.R.'s is something I'd play for days soon after. And not just because her sound is my speed (although it's mostly the reason).

Lastly, a spoof on 80s ads you'd find on MTV and 80s pop-rock music all in one. Ass Angel Designer Jeans. They make your derriere smell very fair... And is a kidney killer. It was real good and well done for what it is. Too bad the audience didn't think so.

Such a smashing episode. While there wasn't many uproarious or servile humor to be found, the jokes were mostly funny and charming. Adele really has a gift for comedy and was a fantastic host. Her otber talent still found a way into the show and was still amazing. (Lucky frickin audience!) I have no doubt Lorne and the producers will try at the after party to convince her to return for a double bill next season when her next album drops (Im guessing 29 or 30). As for H.E.R., wow. I love when she performs live, and this set was no exception. Her soft smooth grooves were slick and sensational. Her current and later albums should be red hot hits (if they haven't been already).

Next week, epsiode will be the first episode to air exactly on Halloween! Join host (former writer and comedian) John Mulaney and musical guest The Strokes as the cast tries their hardest for the sketches to be both funny and scary. Sure can't top the 1981 Halloween epsiode (wow was that traumatic). We shall see.

Until then, goodnight... And keep on chasing pavements, turning tables, setting fire to the rain, rolling in the deep and finding someone like you. Never focus on me.

ISSA BIEBER!! (again) | SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 46 REVIEW: three - Issa Rae & Justin Bieber

 Hi, everyone.

Let's talk about Issa.

No, not the iguana from Dora the Explorer

(And yes, her name has one S and not two. Sue me for making corny jokes you still laugh at).

Issa Rae is an actress, writer and producer who began her rise to success in 2011 with her YouTube series Awkward Black Girl. After the show went viral and became an award-winning hit, Rae took her talents to television where she met with TV magnate Larry Wilmore to create a sitcom that was a more real, raw and refreshing take on life as a black woman. That series would be picked up by HBO and debuted in 2015 to critical acclaim and multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations among other accomplishments, including a few for Rae for Best/Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role. That series is Insecure. As a fan of the show, I say she perfectly struck a brilliant tone (along with her staff and co-stars) of portraying black women and men in a great tone. You can also find her in several hit films like The Hate U Give, Little, The Photograph, The Lovebirds and Oscar-winning animated short film Hair Love.

To this end I ask: why wasn't she on SNL yet? I mean she's funny, pretty, young, and a woman. One more element and she would've made the cast (white). Oh that's why. At any point after Insecure premiered she would've been a perfect host had they ask her. I mean I all can afford HBO, so I'm surprised she hasn't even been asked once.

It would be a much more sensible number of appearances than Justin Bieber. Speaking of, Canada's biggest and most despised entertainment export since Johnny Test returned to the music scene earlier in the year with "Yummy", what has to be the most godawful song about food since "I Love Chinese Food" from the audible abomination known as the Ark Music Factory (apologies for reminding you of it) and "Intentions" (thr most vanilla song about praising your girlfriend for not being Marion Cunningham, with Quavo throwing his usual gibberishy nonsense about... stuff). Bieber performed both in his last appearance, and for some reason, he's back on the Studio 8H stage. Probably because he has some more hits from album #5, Changes. Maybe they couldn't find anyone else to fit the slot in time because COVID. Otherwise, I have no idea as to why they brought him back eight months after his last set, where anyone should've overlayed embarrassing videos on the green screen during Yummy anyway.

So... I'll see you guys soon for my thoughts on episode three. Not as they happen though. My brain and fingers aren't fast enough. Time to adapt to one to three sentence format.

Here we go with the Cold Open... which is about the two town halls featuring Joe Biden on ABC and the shitty key-shaking-attractor with 45 on NBC. I'll skimp on J Carrey as Biden because I've said all I did before - same with Alec Baldwin as Trump. I'll just say this, I said out loud when they took place that I hoped that SNL would shit hard on it. They didn't. It was basic, boring, had a few chuckles from me (I'm guessing that was the point), and the most amusing thing was the TV static graphic-- which implies someone still owns a box TV. The joke about Trump jettisoning a Latina attendee almost made me puddle myself. And good on the costume department for the the well-done remake of they strange "lemme see those chompers" lady. This felt like it went on forever but great effort. 

Remember when I asked why Issa hasn't hosted yet? Turned out she was to host, back in March. March what, you asked, because John Krasinski was supposed to host on the 28? Anyway, our melinated queen of a host's monologue was pretty hilarious. She lied about being the first black person to host (not even this seaso , that was Chris Rock) and being Mary J. Blige (although every other white person would believe it), and waxed ghetto-cal about her life, experiences and rise to fame. Such charm and charisma and relatability. 

The Sketch After is BonjoirHi!, a French-Canadian CBC morning news program. It was not funny but okay. I will say the highlights were Issa and Bowen Yang with their charming fake French accents and attempts to... act it. Fun Factoid: The only reason why Drake was even mentioned her was because Issa appeared in his music video for "Nice for What". Now that is good.

As was the Pre-Tape After based on 5-Hour Energy. Called 5-Hour Empathy, this version helps racist white people feel sorry for minorities. I feel these people exist and they that drink should too. The fact that they don't want to drink it perfectly touched upon those people who don't want to change to adapt to the society. That's okay. I'd feel the same about them.

Next up... a date goes weird when a women's exes pop up for no reason but to reminisce. The exes are hilariously quirky and does have me question her taste... although she does inspire me to have a more expansive pallet when it's safe for me to get back in the pool soon. This one was better than the last live sketch. But as this point I'm not excited for what's to come.

Speaking of not excited, here's Justin Bieber. Again.

And I'm sorry... but making a track that sounds like something you'd hear on TBN but is about wanting to marry and bed a girl is disingenuous and gross. Fortunately, Chance the Rapper came in and made it better (or at least tolerable).  And that Joe Pecsi line was pretty brilliant. I will happily have it stay in my brain for a while.

Weekend Update unapologetically went after 45 during his rallies and town hall this week. Jost's dig on Trump losing and leaving the US is brilliant and Che's swipe at their own network was bold was deserved. (Seriously, fuck NBC for that Trump shitstain of a counterprogramming tactic. I hope his shitting on you after years of kissing his unnatural ass was worth it.)

Mikey Day and Alex Moffitt return as Eric and Donald Jr., with Moffitt nailing Eric down pat, and Chloe Fineman appearing as a version of Tiffany I'm willing to believe is accurate since I've stopped seeing her as a Trump kid I can tolerate (I'm now Barron-only). I droned out because my TV connection kept cutting in and out. But great job this week.

Also, does anyone know who is host and MG next week? I don't think we've heard anything yet. Quite strange. 

Your Voice Chicago was decent, propelled mostly by recurring guest Maya Rudolph and PUNKIE POWER Johnson as Discount Diamond and 99c Silk.

Justin Bieber came and went like hs did on the cover of Vogue for Lonely, a woe is me for everyone hates me song. I have no feelings for him on that but great job singing the halls of 8H though. That ending made me laugh too.

So, this sketch was about some batshit crazy proud boy associates hijacking a commercial for a fast food restaurant to bitch about hating masks, forcing the establishment to open back up while it doesn't make sense, and... kidnapping a governor. It's a bold sketch, but it was ruined by the audience being afraid to laugh at it. I'm sure the joke was that they're whispering their swiping threat as they don't really want to do it for fear of getting caught; a brilliant analogy of these types of people -- talking big but doing small. 

And finally, an ebay ad for people who thought they would have a lot of new things to do during the pandemic, but instead got lazy and wasting away. This was hilarious and accurate, because I was just like them. But instead of taking new things, I just slept all day, lounged all night, binged on takeout, gained weight, and bought new WWE WWE replica title belts (maybe that's a hobby). I won't take them back though. Maybe when this is over, I'll try one thing and if I fail, I'll say I tried and won't anything else, but stick to what I'm good at... this. (Okay, even I don't believe that.)

Overall, this episode was... mediocre. The writing was all over the place, but consistently weak. The punch wasn't there at times, and my interest fleeted slowly. They tried their best but I have a feeling things will get a bit worse come next week . Issa Rae was a good host; she did a quite sweet job with unmistakable energy and charm to carry on. And, as much as I love her, I'm already starting to get a withdrawal from Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris. I know we're over two weeks away from the election (thank God, Jesus and Mary), but a brother needs a breather before we see her again. My excitement is starting to falter. Same with Carrey as Biden. Baldwin as Trump can eat a dick for all I care. At this point, if you guessed that I have run out of much more to say, you'd be right.

Goodnight everyone. 

Update: a host and musical guest are found.

Adele, the one and only, will return to Studio 8H for episode four -- but won't be musical guest. She will be hosting for the first time! That other temporary moniker will be given to the equally-talented and beautiful H.E.R. in her 8H debut.

I'm very excited and counting the hours for this one, and I hope you are too. See you then.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 46 REVIEW: two - BB is for Bill Burr & Morgan Wall--I mean Jack White

Honestly, I thought one of my favorite TV shows returning to its iconic studio under a deadly, depressing, world-ravaging pandemic and seeing what obstacles they'll overcome (hoping for the pandemic to die down [sorry, poor wording] and which guidelines they pussyfoot around (paying the studio audience to be there like they're network employees so it'll be back to normal) would be both exciting and scandalous.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 46 REVIEW: one - (Everybody Never Hates) Chris Rock & Megan (Get) Thee (Behind Me) S(a)tallion

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SAVAGES!

Hello, everyone and welcome back to... whatever the hell this is that continues to (depending on the sketch, musical performance or edition of Weekend Update) shit or gargle on the (oftentimes) great, Emmy-winning name of Saturday Night Live for the advancement or detriment of my blog, depending on who you are.