Hello.
Well, how was your summer? Mine was great. I had a job at a drive-in movie theater, I got to go to a comic-con in D.C. and a wrestling event at the iconic Madison Square Garden. And I had the possibility of cast members leaving Saturday Night Live in my brain ever since the season 46 finale. Since that time, I always wondered who would actually leave... and that's it. Everyone whom made comments about what could happen to them after that episode was in pole position for stepping away for more projects (one of which produced by creator Lorne Michaels) and career longevity (also caused by Lorne Michaels). But they chose to stay instead instead. And I mad about that. And I'll get to that.
But first... something I'm sad about. Beck Bennett has left Saturday Night Live after eight seasons. I didn't expect this and I wasn't ready about it. He was a really talented cast member and a bright spot of many during his years in the cast. His impressions weren't always top notch, but they certainly helped elevate a sketch to a consistently funny level. The only time I got annoyed with him is during the last couple seasons when he began appearing in about half the sketches- no matter what type of character he plays, whether he's needed in them or not.
But honestly, Bennet chose the right time to leave. He's popular with the viewers, he has great comedic talent, he's appeared on other TV shows (he voiced Launchpad McQuack on the 2015 reboot of DuckTales), and he'd be a hot commodity for almost any Hollywood production company to have him star in what could be a really popular TV sitcom or comedy movie (maybe even move over to drama; I mean he's got a good face for it). I wish Beck nothing but the best in the next chapters of his career. He was just short of phenomenal on SNL and he'll be just as much stepping away from it. As was featured player Lauren Holt. She may have lasted one season, but she had some memorable roles in several sketches this season. It's too unfortunate that she got overshadowed by the other features. I also wish Lauren the best in her hopefully burgeoning career. I did not think either would leave the show as they seemed to be great to last a couple more. Too bad a raised red flag was the last sketch of season 46 featured him as Vin Diesel in an "ad" by AMC Theaters welcoming back customers to the auditoriums and all the shitty nooks and crannies alongside that make you want to just watch watch them at home anyway with the rose-colored glasses taken off (seriously, you're not missing much.
While I didn't expect Beck Bennet or Lauren Holt to leave Studio 8H (when I should've), I really expected one of Kenan Thompson, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson and Cecily Strong to make the big announcement of leaving SNL. Really, leaving the show while they have shows on the air was a perfect time, as they have another (yet slightly more risky) safety net to fall into and if their show ends a year later, they can simply move on to another project (it's success notwithstanding) and then come back to the show to host an episode and hang around with their old castmates for a week as if nothing changed.
But as it turns out, none of them left, which - since the news hit - left me happy, pissed and confused. It all felt like a damn tease; like they planned it for months to throw everyone off. Or at least it felt like it. I mean, the optics just looked all kinds of awful. All four had side projects that took them away from Studio 8H (Baby Aidy had Hulu's Shrill, Cecily Strong had Apple TV+'s Shmigadoon!, Kenan has NBC's NBC Kenan [which also stars Chris Redd, but not important here] Kate McKinnon had... whatever Kate McKinnon gonna Kate McKinnon on. Last I checked, it was a lot [not to mention), and - if not for Lorne being their boss on both - it would've been majorly disrespectful. It's one thing to just say "we're in contract negotiations" once or twice during the season, but to do it from the start of last season till the end of the summer is infuriating. (Especially when we're talking about Davidson.)
But to be honest, I'm happy they're still here. No, I really mean it. They've helped usher in new eras of SNL and starred in or stole the show in many sketches over the years (and in Kenan's case, almost decades) and deserve the praise for it. Well, all except Davidson. Either say you're gonna leave and do it, or shut the fuck up and enjoy the full ride of coasting not trying, and mediocrity, Mr. Leave-It-To-The-Big-Boys.
Oh and Kyle Mooney too. He was great alongside Bennet (I called them Beck n Kyle during the my first couple years of reviewing the show when they appear together), but was painfully dull and annoyingly overly-quirky by himself. And it seems the show knows this, which explains why he gets his own pre-tapes to act the same way - like a modern-day Woody Allen film without the charm and substance alongside the wispy whimsy and goofiness. God, I wish they went instead; that way, two much more deserving talents got the chance to take their spots. And adding the departing Beck and let-go Lauren, four. That way, we'd have a slightly less bloated cast. Seriously, 21 cast members this season (one for probably each episode this season) and it's gonna be hard to keep track of them all and remember which ones I like, find great or bad and want them gone, especially when you still have the same group of repertory members who still take up way too much screentime. Let's hope this season takes a new direction when it comes to this new group of Not Ready for Primetime Players.
Speaking of new, the Players welcomed two very popular and praised members whom joined in season 45, and last year made their mark: Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang. I still remember the former for her brilliant spot-on impressions of Drew Barrymore and Britney Spears, and the latter slayed as Chen Biao and the Titanic iceberg along with his original characters. They more than deserve their upgrades to repertory and wish them long, happy, successful tenures in the cast.
I also send congrats and wishes for longevity to three new featured cast members joining this season: actor/writer Aristotle Athari, actress/writer Sarah Sherman and impressionist James Austin Johnson. From what I heard on social media and tv-news podcasts, they're very talented and watching videos of their work, I'm very inclined to agree. I wish them nothing but luck tonight and hopefully a long run. It feels good to see new people come into Studio 8H and make a successful first impression for Lorne and the producers; here's hoping for the same for the viewers, further strengthening that new direction for the Not Ready Players.
Speaking of direction, ladies and gentlemen, an end of an era. Series director Don Roy King announced last month that he would retire from from the role after 15 seasons (he succeeded Beth McCarthy Miller in 2006 and is only the fourth director in the show's history). Pretty much my years of watching SNL were under his vision and while the look and feel may be the same, his touch has changed for the better over time. He deserved all the acclaim and Emmys for his work and I wish him the best in retirement.
In his place is a talented director in her own right whom is best known for sheparding The Ellen DeGeneres Show since it's 2003 debut and helped over 2000 episodes. That show was the biggest gig of her career. And now, the biggest gig of her career in the form of one of the hottest shows of any kind on TV. I wish Ms. Liz the best in her new role. I thought her direction on Ellen was great, full of life, bounce and energy, something SNL needs. She's a perfect fit.
Speaking of perfect fit, our host of the season 47 premiere: Owen Wilson! ...well, you've seen his movies and interviews. He's awesome, cool, upbeat, super sweet and all other things you would think would describe Luke Wilson but wouldn't. Owen is the cool one.
Also, cool and awesome: Kacey Musgraves! Her latest album star-crossed received rave reviews, is burning up the charts and is one of her best recordings to date (then again, all I've heard from her is amazing. What a talent.)
You know what? I actually am looking forward to the premiere now. I hope you are too, as we are live with - what else- a political cold open featuring PresidentJoe Biden (played surprisingly well).
Also appearing are Strong as Kristen Shitenema, Bryant as Joe Manspit, Ego Nwodim as Ilhan Omar (for some reason), Melissa Villasenor as AOC, Pete Davidson as former NY governor Andrew Cuomo and Alex Moffitt as Chuck Shumer (whom I thought. Pretty much mocking the deep brutal discord between the people who actually do their jobs and the bastards whom openly don't and show their hatred of the American people (along ), it wasn't all the way hilarious, but it was really funny when it counts. Cecily perfectly portrayed the evil of Sinema like a modern-day Disney villain.
After the great intro introduced last season is back - but now In Living Color, Owen Wilson hit the main stage for his monologue. After introducing brothers Luke and... other one (apologies for the awkwardness), he goes into a diatribe based on his life back home and the opinions of his acting career. It was sweet, subdued and so funny, with quick quirky one-lines and top-notch timing throughout. Also, he's starring in The French Dispatch, the latest picture by one of my personal favorite filmmakers, Wes Anderson, which is why he's here. I so can't wait to see it, and I might even leave home for it.
First Sketch After is interesting. It's as if they can't use The View or The Talk anymore. So nice job mixing both shows together. For some reason, literally the same four women from the CO are in it. (I guess the COVID guidelines from last season is still in effect.) Of course, it's based on The View segment where Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro had to step off set due to breakthrough cases. This was so funny; the quick pacing, great one-liners and strong chemistry between them and Owen's doctor character is... chef's kiss. And that HPV one is LMFAO.
First Pre-Tape is something else. Based on Amazon's evil douchebag owner Jeff Bezos' unnecessary trip/ego boost to space, this is a parody on the many spinoffs of Star Trek. It was fun and hilarious seeing these rich assholes be seen as what they are. Owen, Moffitt and Mikey Day portrayed their respective characters superbly.
Also superbly, Owen's return as Lightning McQueen in this brilliant sketch featuring the making of the fourth film in Disney/Pixar's Cars franchise. Here, instead of the sweet, Fluffy, popcorn fluff we loved (Cars 2 notwithstanding of course), instead Lightning faces the increasingly disturbing real-life occurances of statutory rape, arrests for propositions against minors, hothead behavior against men related to taken women and offensives intellectual slurs against Mater. Owen was fantastic in and out of the VA booth, the delusion and gnorance from Day and Punkie Power was nice and Aristotle Athari (?) As Larry the Cable Guy was spot-on. Wow. Best Sketch so far.
Next is a Spoof on local cable access broadcasts of school board meetings and this captures the mid-key absurdity of these things as of late very nicely. Mike's Hard vaccines, people coming in with no reason to be here, expensive COVID treatments causing preteen mustaches, racist shit, Karen shit, loser gamer shit and Dog the Bounty Hunter; you'll find all the loopy idiocy featured here. It seemed like every cast member and Wilson got their words in and it was glorious.
Must mention here that everyone's favorite bed-hopping, black man-stealing, urban fashion-plagiarising, famous-for-no-fucking-reason relic Kim Kardashian West host next week. I hate her. Halsey is back as musical guest. I don't like her either. I'm skipping this.
Weekend Update is back! Colin Jost and Michael Che return with the mockings of the big stories of the week and what happened this week (infrastructure and bill) is infinitely better than what they were this time last year (fucking pandemic).
Ego Nwodim shined a bright, funny spotlight on the racial inequality of missing persons between Whites and Blacks (aka Missing White Woman Syndrome) after the Gabby Petito story. All of this was depressing and sad but brilliant and hilarious and needed.
Resident Young Person Pete Dave made his first appearance at the desk to comment on the criticism of gender conformity regarding costuming at the Met Gala. This segment brilliant spat at the annoying stereotypes regarding gender and also made me laugh when the news of Chris Pratt playing Super Mario in the upcoming movie. Plus he's back in blonde (which I loved) and wore a shirt in honor of the late Norm MacDonald, who tragically passed away on September 14. This week's Update also ended with a few of the former cast member's best jokes as Update anchor to close out. He really was comedic icon and genius who salt-dry wit and charm was the representation of comedy gold and laughs. May he rest in peace. Thank you, sir for everything.
A kind of awkward transition, but next sketch involved a funeral. The family and friends of Miriam Lewis reaches its climax when her favorite singer LeVar B. Burton sang "I Believe I Can Fly" by... R. Kelly. The family objects but let's it continue as it is her last wish. Then on the TV screen, pics of her with the creeps whom recently lost their careers for being creeps appear. And apparently that's where the humor comes it. And sis, this is not it. I get the reasoning but it barely worked for me. Kenan messing up twice towards the end was pretty funny though. Loved the on-camera pullback too.
Kacey Musgraves made her SNL return with two slam-dunk performances. Her first was slow, smooth soulful. And her second definitely invokes nostalgia of teenage life (or at least the bad lovey-dovey parts of it) and the great reminiscing of the best of it. Plus I loved the use of the Polaroid Pic at the start and the use of the projected images on the other side of her table afterward; they both were superbly well-used. I say again, Kacey is an awesome talent.
Following that is this sketch spoofing Fox's NFL broadcasts with Joe Buck and Aikman (JAJ and Wilson) calling plays, exchanging wit and repeatedly hyping the new sitcom Crazy House. It was alright but Aikmans dimness was the best. Plus, shoutout to the network's flagship station WNYW for making an unexpected appearance in the start of the skit. I'm sure the producers were sweating bullets when they realized they had to show it on air. lololol
Finally, a making of an commercial for Robinson's Mail-In Stool Testing, but despite the warnings by director (Wilson), the owners decide to be more direct and creepy about their intentions with the sent-in samples. This was...Meh. funny but lightweight. The mailman (Redd) was hilarious with his one line too. And hi, Aristotle, you human sculpture of David with a name your parents thought was worthy of a God (and is) so they named you like one. How you doin?
Rest in Peace, Herbert Schlosser. Thank you sir, for helping put SNL on the air. Forever grateful for your major contribution to television and breathing new life to Saturday Night television.
And that folks, is a wrap on the first episode of season 47 of Saturday Night Live. I largely enjoyed the episode. Owen Wilson was an awesome host with wonderful candor and charm and to me felt like a chameleon in his roles in every and all sketches. Kacey Musgraves was an equally awesome musical guest.. The cast felt like they've never left Studio 8H; the newbies were amazing. They put out a surprising amount of talent range here I'd thought I'd never see since when Day, Moffit and Villasenor joined. I think they're gonna last a while. My problem is they might get overshadowed by the vets every other episode (and were here), but we shall see when the season progresses. I'm sure they'll get a fee sketches to shine like Fineman, Yang, Johnson and Dismukes will soon enough. The writing pace and quality did slip some as the episode continoued but was still funny throughout. While it isn't as noticeable as I thought, Liz Patrick's direction made the show feel new again, and the plentiful end-of-sketch zoom-outs were sorely needed, and I hope it sticks around. All in all, a fun and funny season premiere. I think season 47 went off to a great start and hopefully stays this way for the most part.
I'm not watching next week's show. I utterly hate Kim Kardashian West almost as much as I hate Satan and Haley can shove off too. So... I'll probably see you on October 16, when I may review episode three hosted by Oscar winning actor whose claim fame was a short-lived Fox show starring Michael Rappaport, Rami Malek. Musical guest is Young Thug, but I hate him like I hate Kim Kardashian West, so I'll skip him too.
I'm Andrew, saying in parting, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the nationally syndicated hippest trip in America, the one and only Soul Train, I wish all of you nothing but love, peace and SOOOOUUUUL!
Goodnight...
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