The season premier of Saturday Night Live is always a bit sketchy (pardon the pun), especially when the show is in a “transition” year and has cut some cast members. This year’s debut was an exercise in “almost.”
This week’s host, internet comedic phenom and chronically over saturated Dane Cook, was almost funny. His monologue was a four-minute sample of his stage show, which is full of near clever observations and all but engaging physical comedy. The first show of the season sets the tone for the year. As the host for the season opener, Cook was…well…less than.
And then there was musical guest the Killers. Front man Brandon Flowers was decked out in a creepy moustache and oddly well-fitted western wear that seemed to be ripped right from the cover of the latest Urban Outfitter catalog. Jerking around and singing almost on-key, Flowers seemed to be trying a bit too hard to be weird. Crsipin Glover, he ain’t, lo though he tries.
If Saturday’s show is any indication, we may be heading to another dark chapter for the longest running comedy sketch show on television. Countdown to the obligatory SNL deathwatch: five…four…three…
The Killers need to fire their fashion advisor.
And I don’t know why, but I thought the skit about Al Pacino talking to his bank was hilarious. Not that he looked or sounded ANYTHING like Al Pacino… Maybe just because his banking skillz reminded me of my homeboy PLP.
I totally forgot about the season premier of SNL. I caught the last sketch (I think) and the second performance by The Killers. My fiancee is a big fan of the band, so I had to keep some tight lips about my feelings on their performance. I just didn’t dig them. And Dane Cook, well… I’m sorry, I don’t still don’t know who the hell he is.
I feel so old.
Anyway, I’ve been a fan of SNL since ’90 and watched it religiously until about ’03. I’m just not familiar with the cast, though I like a few of the “veterans”. The show just doesn’t hold as much weight for me as it once did. I’ll watch it when I get a chance, but for me the heyday was ’90-’93: Myers, Carvey, Hartman, Farley, a little bit of Jan Hooks, a dash of Spade, a pinch of Dennis Miller, and just a little bit of Chris Rock. Call me old fashioned. Call me sentimental. Call it my formative years as “With a Little Help From My Friends” plays in the background; or maybe “Heart-Shaped Box”.
Anyone with an interest in SNL in particular and sketch comedy in general needs to pick up a copy of “Live From New York: An Uncensored History of SNL.”
You really get a feel for the pressure cooker atmosphere and the fascinating behind-the-scenes relationships. As sucky as the show has been, as untalented as its casts seem to be, you realize what a crapshoot the whole thing is and what a wonder such a show is even able to air each week.