The Awesomes is a new comedic superhero cartoon from the brains of SNL‘s Seth Meyers and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s Mike Shoemaker, that will be debuting on Hulu in August. There’ll also be a screening at Comic-Con, but for now interested parties can watch a trailer below:
Continue reading Seth Meyers’ “The Awesomes” Set to Premiere in August on Hulu
Another great season of SNL wrapped up this weekend with host Ben Affleck joining the Five Timers Club. Sadly Mr. Affleck did not get the fanfare of previous club initiates but in all honesty, this season finale was more about departing cast members than it was the host.
Someone who doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, despite being in his tenth year on SNL, is Kenan Thompson. There are quite a few who think he needs to move on but if he keeps up things like comparing his Al Sharpton hair to Fredrick Douglas, then he can stay as long as he desires. However, it was “Matthew McConnell” that really made me laugh. How could you not laugh at the idea of Wooderson in politics?
The monologue was cute but still rather meh at the same time. The backlash Affleck got for saying marriage is work was ridiculous to begin with. The fact that they couldn’t come up with anything a little bit more topical (the Oscars seems like they were months ago…) is even more ridiculous. That being said, I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Garner so anything that gets her on my TV, I’m okay with it.
The “Bengo F*** Yourself”? I can’t tell if I liked it because it brought back Fred Armisen’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or if I liked it because it was funny, or really if I even liked it at all. Ahmadinejad having to say “park the car in Harvard Yard” each time was amusing but the premise was a little blah. It just left me wanting to go watch “I Ran So Far” again.
I know I’ve proclaimed something to be the “best so far” at least twice this season, but ‘Xanax for Gay Summer Weddings’ really was the best commercial of the season. Everything from the favors of cheez-its and mini bottles of water compared to two tickets to Italy and 40K and Bill Hader dancing was delightful. Bobby Moynihan not owning an iron? Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon as the couple getting married with their pack of dogs? Flawless. The tagline of “Not necessary for lesbian weddings” made me laugh more than anything in quite some time. Don’t know who wrote that bit but hats off to them because it was amazing.
Not amazing was Ben Affleck with his Jimmy Stewart impression and Bill Hader’s “holding out for management” sketch. Actually the only highlight of that was Kate McKinnon pronouncing that she was 40. How that sketch made it to the front half of the show is beyond me because it was awful.
One of the best parts of living in the internet age, is the ability to have a look at our favorite shows that we’ve never had the chance to get before. If you wanted backstage photos back in the dark ages of my childhood, you had to either know someone or see them in a magazine. I know right? Oh the humanity! Now you pop on over to Instagram, or Twitter, or Facebook and you’ve got those things right at your fingertips. Thankfully Joe Kelly, an SNL writer, got a picture of that incredible shirt that Taran Killam was wearing in the ‘New Beginnings’ sketch because it truly needs to be seen as often as possible. Impressive bead work. The sketch was all right, but that shirt was clearly the highlight.
I have been watching SNL ever since I was going to sleepovers or found a way to sneakily watch TV after my parents went to bed so mid-80’s. Actually the first episode I remember seeing was Ron Reagan hosting with musical guest The Nelsons. Oh yea. In all those years, I don’t know that I’ve seen a better send off for a character than was given to Bill Hader’s Stefon.
Stefon came on as expected and things progressed as they usually do. Then, in a moment of horror vocalized clearly by the audience’s gasps, he storms off stage telling Seth that he’s found a new man and he’s getting married. The fabulous Amy Poehler saves the day by telling Seth Meyers to go after him and we are treated to a The Graduate send-up that would no doubt make Dustin Hoffman proud. I’m woman enough to admit that it made me cry to see all Stefon’s clubbing friends there at his wedding. ‘Menorah the Explorer’ and of course ‘DJ Baby Bok-Choy’ warmed the cold cockles of my heart. However, nothing compares to having the happy couple return to the Weekend Update set and take a final bow surrounded by other fantastic Weekend Update characters.
A remarkable end to an incredibly entertaining character and ongoing storyline.
Sadly, the rest of the sketches weren’t nearly as good or noteworthy. ‘Greg’s Funeral’ was entertaining to a point, and the ‘Engagement BBQ’ was mildly funny but only because it was nearing 1 am and I was tired. Really the only thing the second half had that was positive, sketch wise was the ‘not porn stars anymore’ and their Hermes handbags.
Three times in one season seems like a lot, but these two have managed to keep this sketch interesting despite over-playing it. One can hope they won’t continue to do it as often as the gag will easily be played out, but for now it worked.
Bill Hader had his moment and at the end of the night, it was time for Fred Armisen’s. He didn’t even attempt to go the funny route, instead just went straight for our hearts and ripped them out and stomped them for good measure.
Of course it would be difficult to assemble a cooler group of musicians and it seemed right that Ian Rubbish would have his moment that was that cool. If I hadn’t gotten teary with Stefon, then I certainly would have when I caught sight of Fred/Ian’s guitar strap proclaiming his love for Lorne Michaels.
Overall, this was a crappy episode with great moments. Ben Affleck wasn’t all that great in his sketches but it seemed right that he host this show and give even more closure to Stefon (he played his brother in the first episode Stefon appeared on Weekend Update). Really this finale was all about two men who have been shining beacons of the SNL cast for years.
There are still plenty of cast decisions up in the air – Jason Sudeikis, for one – but we know that even though at least two big names are leaving, there are plenty talented actors ready to step into their shoes as has happened for all 38 years the show as been on air. It’s survived big names leaving and it’ll survive these big names leaving. Now we just have all summer to obsess over who will be the new cast members and of course, who will take over Weekend Update!
It’s been a great season, I’ve really enjoyed this time we’ve spent together SNL fans. Just because the season is over doesn’t mean our relationship has to be. Stick around for there will be plenty of SNL news over the break and of course there will be plenty of things to discuss as we approach Season 39!!!
Well the inevitable day is upon us. Bill Hader – talk show host, Vincent Price, James Carville, Al Pacino, and of course Stefon – is leaving SNL. He announced his departure with an interview with the New York Times.
[quote]It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point,” Mr. Hader said in an interview. “It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go.’ — NYT[/quote]
It’s foolish to think that SNL cast members will be around forever, even ones who have woven themselves so intrinsically into the fabric of the show as Hader has. For eight years SNL fans have tuned in on Saturday nights, sure that Bill Hader would be wearing some odd wig, dancing like a fool, hosting a game show, or breaking while Fred Armisen gyrated in his lap. Well this Saturday will be the last time to do so as it will be Hader’s farewell.
If there is a silver lining in this news, it’s almost a sure thing that we’ll have a Stefon sighting this weekend.
What does this mean for the show? Well obviously someone will need to step into the talk show hosts shoes but beyond that, a lot is still up in the air. Fred Armisen could be leaving. Jason Sudeikis is likely leaving. Kenan Thompson is wrapping up his tenth season so I wouldn’t be surprised if he left. Nasim Pedrad was in the non-picked up John Mulaney pilot so could she be looking to leave? Seth Meyers will be around for the first part of the season but then he’s off to take over for Jimmy Fallon at Late Night.
So much uncertainty but Hader himself assures the fans that the show is left in capable hands.
[quote]I found myself looking up and watching the new people do their sketches. I like watching Kate McKinnon do something — there’s a joy in seeing a new move from somebody and going, ‘Oh, she can do that.’ — NYT[/quote]
SNL survived Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg leaving last year. It’s survived beloved cast members leaving for decades now, it will survive Bill Hader’s leaving. Doesn’t mean it won’t suck, and he won’t be missed, but it will survive. And hey, we can always looks forward to Don Pardo announcing “your host, Bill Hader”.
It’s been 15 years since Vince Vaughn last graced the SNL stage and after this week’s show, one has to wonder why it’s been so long? I actually loved this episode as weird as it was, and boy was it was weird.
Unlike last week’s press conference with Kim Jung Un, this week’s with Pres. Obama (Jay Pharoah’s imitation is getting better each time out) and two senators discussing gun control was actually funny. Even if it wasn’t funny, those wigs were enough to laugh at. Bill Hader has a lot of forehead going on there. A lot.
The monologue was a little odd and different but I liked it. I can’t tell you why, but I did. The interaction with the audience, the fact it wasn’t musical, how very “Vince Vaughn” it was, it all worked for me.
Bill Hader’s wig in the cold open was just a preview for the awesomeness that was HBO presents Al Pacino Accused Murderer Biopic Series. Between Phil Spector and the Menendez brothers shouting “Tequila”, I was rolling. Hader’s Al Pacino impersonation is so good that that it isn’t hard to see why they often bring it back. I do wonder when Pippy Longstockings found the time to not only go to law school but then go on to pass the bar and actually become a judge – that is one amazing ginger!
The Weather Channel’s show, Stormy Skies might be the best sketch I’ve seen in a long time. I’d be really okay with The Californians being laid to rest and Stormy Skies becoming a recurring thing. I had tears from laughing so hard. They had every stupid weather man cliche – the time and temp, the standing outside in torrential downpours for no logical reason, and Aidy Bryant as the person who decides it’s their big chance to get on camera behind the weather reporter was a highlight. I just can not tell you how much I loved this sketch. Needs to happen again, please.
I have a feeling that “History of Punk – The Bizarros” has been sitting on a shelf for awhile just waiting for this week. With good reason. Whatever your opinion of the former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was, you have to admit that the pre-recorded bit was pretty good.
Of course whenever you have anything even remotely close to The Sex Pistols it’s going to be awesome by default. I do think they did a good job treading the line between trash talking and paying homage to a very controversial figure.
By the time we got to “Short Term Memory Loss Theatre”, I started to wonder if this was actually the Bill Hader show, hosted by Bill Hader, starring Bill Hader. Not that it’s a bad thing, he just was a very strong presence in every bit of the show so far. This sketch was a good example of what made this episode so good; new sketch ideas, not necessarily based on current events or pop culture references, that are actually funny more than they are strange. It seems like that has been lacking a bit in recent years. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been so long since Vince Vaughn had a huge movie so they didn’t feel as if they could spoof it like they did with Les Miserables, The Avengers, and The Hunger Games but whatever it was, it worked. Of course Bill Hader breaking is always funny. Enter Landlord!
So there are rumors floating around that Seth Meyers is leaving. First his name was included in the running for joining Kelly Ripa on her morning show. Then it was that he was going to be taking over for Jimmy Fallon when he moves to The Tonight Show. I can see him leaving but what I can’t see is who will fill his seat on Weekend Update. I can tell you who it can’t be and that is Kate McKinnon.
Whether she intended to or not, she is quickly becoming one of the best “guests” on Weekend Update. I think I say this every time but I just can’t get over how entertaining she makes these stories of ridiculous people. A woman claims to be raised by monkeys? Let’s get Kate McKinnon on that one. And she nails it! Now if she would only get a bit more comfortable not relying on cue cards so much, things would be perfect.
Have I mentioned that this episode was a bit weird? There was just a feeling about the show in general that was just different and the Junior High Prom sketch was the embodiment of that feeling. As awkward as it was, I still really liked it. Not to mention, more Aidy Bryant! I always get excited when I see her get more airtime. Of course let’s not kid ourselves, the real winner of this sketch was those sweet dance moves. Well that and Nasim Pedrad’s face as Vince Vaughn throws punch on her telling her to “Make better decisions.”
I would like to thank SNL for completely ruining my life. Now every time I hear that theme music, I will start singing ‘babababababasketball”. Life ruiners. Of course then I will think of Dave Tesh with his little hammer and I will laugh so maybe my life isn’t as ruined as first thought.
The night closed out with this happening. As if it couldn’t get any weirder or more awkward they brought back “Last Call if for Lovers” and we all cringed with delight.
Overall, this was a fantastic show. I really wasn’t expecting much which might have played into it but seriously, I loved it. I’d go so far as to say it might have been one of my favorites of the season so far. The writing seemed to be fresher instead of feeling like they had to fit the host into certain sketches and there weren’t a lot of recurring sketches which is refreshing.
Of course it’s that time of year where everyone goes on hiatus again for a little bit so no new episode until May 4th when Zach Galifianakis hosts.
Until then SNL fans!
Grizzly Bomb 