The SNL FAQ: #34.20 (Seth Rogen)

It's Sunday. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

Did they open with a political sketch? YES. Fred Armisen delivered a speech supposedly from Europe as President Barack Obama, and after acknowledging all of the Euro love for him, told business leaders that his administration would not treat them any differently than they have the auto industry, when Obama forced out GM's CEO and told the car companies what's what if they want to keep getting federal subsidies. Which led to a random rundown of various businesses with Obama choosing sides. Apparently, he likes Coke and Pepsi (despite or perhaps because Pepsi changed its logo to look like his campaign banners?!). Spoiler alert?

How did the host do, and did he/she do anything outrageously funny? Seth Rogen noted upfront in his monologue that the second time around the SNL hosting train feels a bit different. If you like Rogen already, then you would be pleased with his effort. But I cannot think of anything he did that really stood out, good or bad. He was a good sport, though, in letting the cast poke fun at his looks, and the very idea that he was on to promote a second mall cop comedy movie in 2009.

Who played President Obama? Armisen. His vocal impersonation seemed way off this time around. Does that sort of thing matter to you? If so, then you'll still think SNL needs a new guy mocking the big guy.

Was there a digital short? YES Was it funny? NO. Unless you really want to hear Andy Samberg rap again. In this instance, he raps his office job performance review to say he thinks his a day in his life is "Like A Boss."

Was there a fake ad? Sort of, kind of. There was a taped sketch poking this weekend's number-one movie, with Rogen and Samberg playing off both of their tendencies to see homoeroticism as funny in a fake trailer for The Fast & The Bi-Curious.

Did the musical guest lip-sync or otherwise do something worth mentioning? Phoenix, a French band, sounded arty rock good but didn't look French.

Did my favorite character return? Yes, if you enjoy Bill Hader's Italian talk show host, Vinny Vedecci. And especially a thousand times yes if you loved Will Forte and Kristen Wiig playing country singing duo Clancy T. Bachleratt and Jackie Sned, selling songs about spaceships, toddlers, Model-T cars and jars of beer, this time with an Easter theme. Also, Kenan Thompson's French "Def Jam" comic, Jean K. Jean, appeared again on the Weekend Update desk to comment on Obama's European trip.

Were there any celebrity cameos? NO.

Did any celebrities get impersonated? YES. Newcomer Abby Elliott brought back her Angelina Jolie to poke fun at Wiig's Madonna after a Malawi judge rejected her bid to adopt another baby. And if you count comic strip characters and Muppets as celebrities, then there were a couple dozen more impressions to add to this list.

Did any politicians get impersonated? Jason Sudeikis put on the Blago 'do as indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pitched an idea to go undercover...as the governor of Illinois.

For the full recap and analysis of this episode of SNL, click here.

Follow Sean L. McCarthy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecomicscomic

Comments

[Cipherdom]

I must go on record: The Clancy T. Bachleratt and Jackie Sned sketch will go down as one of the greatest in the show's history. Based on how it must have looked on paper, I have no idea how it got aired, even late in what was probably the worst show of the season. But the total commitment by Kristen Wiig and Will Forte -- not to mention the diabolically catchy faux-Country tunes and maniacally formulaic lyrics -- sold the whole concept in a way that is still hard to comprehend, several viewings (god help me) later. How could they be so invested in writing that so deliberately subverts reason? SNL hasn't had such a moment of Dada genius since Mr. Mike left.

Vernam

[DaveVDave]

Man I missed it I hope they show it again. Anyone have an idea as to when they might?

http://www.TheCommentDepot.com

[mr lol]

I agree with his assessment of Armisen impersonation of Obama being way off. It's always been way off. This guy doesn't sound or look anything like Obama. I guess Loren Micheals is too arrogant to admit to making a mistake casting someone in black face to play the part.

[OtayPanky]

Blogger: It's Sunday. You have questions about last night's Saturday Night Live. We have answers.

===

There are a lot of things in this world to have questions about...but it's hard to imagine anyone actually having questions about SNL.

[JScott]

That's why I video it for later viewing, so I can skip the unfunny stuff, this was kinda an average (but not memorable) show. I set to record part of Mad TV (I lose 15 min of each) but I guess that's goin off the air soon, so it'll be just SNL.

[LiberalBuzz]

This review was pretty much spot on. Couldn't find anything to disagree about. The band was as boring as watching paint dry. How come there are no bands that play high energy music anymore?

The skits were so predictable that I practically spoke the words before they did.

And who has lied to Samberg and told him he was funny??

The Obama beginning could have been a lot funnier, but it just didn't seem to hit the right note. Liked the idea though.

Weekend update?? eh.

Oh well somedays you hit it out of the park and somedays you get the past Saturday.

[larry278]

I'm glad that my warm milk worked Saturday night. I was asleep by 9:30 PM, EDT & didn't awaken till 9:00 AM, EDT on Sunday.

[keene]

Thought the Madonna vs. Angelina was laugh out loud funny. First thi g I've see n Wiig in that I liked. And really it was Amy Elliott and the writing of that piece that was good fun.

[indywoman]

Man oh man it was terrible. I love Seth Rogen, but last nights sketches were boring. I fast forwarded through each skit after giving them a minute or so...and then just erased the whole thing. I've never heard of the band that was there, and they sounded good, but the songs were boring. I'm sorry, I love this show, but last night was a stinker. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are gone, and the show is struggling to find the funny. I'm going to think positive!! Better writing, better writing!!!

[Andrea Chalupa - Huffpost Blogger]

No way! Last night's SNL was one of THE most consistently funny episodes ever!:
-Bill Hadler as the Italian talk show host Vinny Vedecci called out Seth Rogen for being a bear-man and having a deep, weird voice like a bear. Been thinking that since I first laid eyes on Seth in Knocked Up.

-Andy Samberg's latest digital short "Like a Boss" was friggin right on point about d-bag bosses. Looooooved it bc he pushed the joked to the point where he was humping a giant fish in an ally. Genius. And Samberg must rap like Nureyev's gotta dance.

-OMG, Weekend Update was SO tight/perfect: Seth Meyers is the best host for that show, ever---perfect amount of straight man/rampaging comic. He went off on Obama and the Queen exchanging really bad gifts (an iPod for an 80+ year old woman? A photo of an old white woman for a young, hip, black guy?): You're heads of state not secret Santas! And Kenan Thompson killed it as Jean K. Jean. LOVED Madonna vs. Jolie! Weekend Update was perfect.

-THEN....best for last: they dressed up as the Muppets, with Kristen Wiig as Beaker, Will Forte as Kermit, Seth Rogen as Rolfe! Too good: http://www.hulu.com/watch/66320/saturday-night-live-muppet-bus

ONE OF THE BEST SNL'S EVER!

[Jamie Frevele - Huffpost Blogger]

I agree. I was cracking up almost the whole time, and if Andy Samberg wants to rap about chicken strips and turning into a jet, do not stop him. I love "Like a Boss" on "Incredibad" and was so psyched about seeing the video. (And please do one for "Boombox." Please.) Also liked "The Fast and the Bi-curious." I would actually see that before seeing "The Fast and the Furious 8."

Also loved the "different voices" sketch, Seth's Secret Santa rant and Armisen's cold open. (But what the hell about Dallas?? Dallas sucks. Sorry Dallas.)

Didn't like the tutoring one or the country music one. And Jean K. Jean can please stop now. Now. In fact, yesterday. But every sketch show is bound to have sketches that don't work. It happens.

But I really like Rogen and I like Vinny Vedecci more each time I see it. I have to say I enjoy seeing Bobby Moynihan play a whiny kid who smokes and drinks.

Loved Angelina vs. Madonna, though they need to start giving Abby Elliott more to do.

Rogen is such a cuddly Rolf. They were all pretty awesome Muppets.

I don't know why so many people watch it if they hate it so much.

[LanceJetson]

I thought it was mostly a flop. SNL was not even reaching. They have become so self-absorbed, and self referential. They've become so enamoured of the "NYC is the center of the universe" notion, that they don't care if anyone "gets it" -- hence the annoying Clancy T. Bachleratt and Jackie Sned sketch. Sure there were some humourous moments, but SNL is far, far from the edge of humor and satire that it once was or could be.

[PatA]

I've seen Seth Rogen on several talk shows recently and have been surprised at how "unfunny" he is when he isn't in a movie. I don't know what happens to his sense of humor but it is gone.....He was not good last night on SNL. I ended up turning the t.v. off and I read a book.

[Hopeington]

Watched the clip of Elliot and Wiig, spot on!! It deserves an unabbreviated Laugh Out Loud

[Sandy972]

I thought it was a bomb last night, except for the Angelian Jolie and Madonna skit, which was great. I am not a big Seth Rogan fan but he was unusually Not Funny on SNL last night. We all miss Amy Pohler...needs some new writing I think.