Alec Baldwin commenced his 15th hosting assignment for Saturday Night Live by noting that he was now tied with Steve Martin. A TV was wheeled on-stage for Martin to appear “via satellite” to jabber amiably, only to have Baldwin shove the television off-camera. The bit was quick and funny.
That was followed by a jaunty, extremely well-choreographed Digital Short starring Andy Samberg as a cocaine-addled businessman who sang and danced about his ruined life with demented energy.
I’ve decided to devote this final SNL recap of the season to just the sketches I thought were funny. Therefore I won’t mention the loooong Kristen Wiig-centric sketch: She was Starfish, the “new script supervisor” for a Dallas-like TV show called Arizona Nights, with Baldwin and Samberg. The guys could barely get their lines out as Starfish yammered.
Thank goodness for Nasim Pedrad and her Bedelia character, introduced earlier this season in the Tina Fey-hosted week. A teen nerd who loves her parents and says things like “courtesy’s contagious,” Pedrad had this sweet-natured kid deliver heartfelt, intricately-worded speeches about how cool her dad (Baldwin) is. Pedrad makes someone who’s usually a figure of ridicule into an interesting, quirky, fully realized young girl.
The night’s best fake ad consisted of Abby Elliott impersonating Sally Field in a fake ad for Preniva, a drug to prevent “bone loss.” The satire was forthright and clear in “Sally”‘s warning: “Preniva won’t solve all your problems — you’ll still be a woman.”
The high point of “Weekend Update” was an appearance by Stefon, the New York “city correspondent” played to eyebrow-moistening perfection by Bill Hader. Stefon, clearly an audience favorite already, recommended that innocent tourists go to sordid nightclubs that feature unique novelties such as “Germfs” (German Smurfs, natch) and “a party room filled with human bathmats.” Stefan is like a contemporary Warhol Factory character: sweet, jittery, and gravely decadent.
Baldwin’s best acting was probably in the late-in-the-evening, absurdist sketch about a military sniper trainer whose garbled, bellowed order — it came out something like, “Tay da shaaa!” — baffled nervous soldiers played by Jason Sudeikis and Kenan Thompson. Baldwin delivered his gibberish with machine-gun speed, and did a lot of good rolling-around slapstick.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed a couple of lively blues-rock numbers, with an emphasis on the guitar work of Mike Campbell.
To sum up the 35th season of SNL: I’d say the best editions were the ones hosted by Fey, Taylor Swift, and Zach Galifianakis. Pedrad wins best-rookie award. Best dancing: Sudeikis in every “What Up With That?” sketch. And SNL never shoulda gotten rid of Michaela Watkins.
Your opinion of last night’s show, and nominations for the season’s best, please?
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You are so right about Zach Galifiniakis as one of the highlights of the season. You know you have a strong host when he can solely rely on his own material during the monologue instead of relying on lame intervening cast members helping out talentless (January Jones) hosts.
RIP Ronnie James Dio \m/
Worst episode ever!!! Alec Baldwin sucks!!!
ITA on Jason Sudeikis’ dancing!!!! Highlight of the season!
Seth Meyers and Weekend Update have been the only constants – he almost looks like he’s auditioning to replace Jon Stewart every week.
PS: The URL for this article is posted wrong on the main page – too many http’s at the beginning.
i agree, someone just give him a show already!!!
Thank you, Hannah–fixed!
Ken-
WTF is up with just writing about the bits you think were funny. I mean, it is telling that of the whole show these were the only funny bits to talk about, but shouldn’t you at least take some time to talk about where the episode floundered? Which was a whole lot of the show in my opinion.
I hope you will do a season summary type post still. I would love to see your suggestions on how to make the show better!
I know I rag on SNL, and even though I think this season both sucked and blew, I already know I will be missing it next weekend.
Yeah, Jason Sudeikis is great, and often under used. I wish Weekend Update would play off the strength of Seth more instead of spitting in as many lame character bits. I hated the tourism suggestion guy and Kristen Wiig + Fred A’s god awful singing bit. I thought Bobby M.’s Snookie was good, but went on a bit too long.
I totally agree. During Update last night, I kept thinking “I thought this was supposed to be a fake newscast.” Too little news satire…too many character bits.
I totally DISagree! I absolutely loved Stefon and Wiig/Armisen’s bit, and even enjoyed Snookie too. Thought it was a pretty perfect Weekend Update, actually.
Last year at this time I would have said Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig were two of the guiding stars of SNL; this year, both their stars have fallen fast, and that dumb song duo sketch is the most obvious example. I swear, sometimes I feel like SNL repeats bad sketches out of pure spite, and that goes double for crappy Weekend Update correspondents, especially any of the ones played by Kenan Thompson or Will Forte. Snooki doesn’t do much for me either.
I do like the Secondhand News Guy by Moynihan, and I actually like Wiig’s Aunt Linda.
I loved the character bits. I think it was the only point of the show where I was laughed out loud. I think it was also the first time I saw kristen wigg crack. I’ve never seen her laugh during a skit. But I think there were a lot character bits because it ewas the seaon finale.
Seriously?? Kristen Wiig and Fred Armesian’s sketch had me and my husband laughing a LOT. Kristen Wiig is probably the most talented person on SNL right now. It makes it way more funny to see Kristen starting to crack when she is typically impenetrable when others are laughing during the skits!
God I’m rewatching a “What’s Up With That” sketch and eofiwjeofiwjfowijfwofij LOVE Jason’s dancing. bahahahahahahahha. so great. I mean, that jumpsuit! That Jew fro! And Fred’s Kenny G sax? bahahahahahahahaha looooooooove it.
And Seth Meyers is great. Maybe he’s focusing too much on Weekend Update and not enough on other sketches though?…..(awkward….)
Doesn’t Weekend Update PREDATE Jon Stewart’s version of the Daily Show?
Yes, but IMO, the problem with Weekend Update is the fact that The Daily Show and Colbert Report cover a good chunk of the material M-Th and when it finally appears on Weekend Update, I think to myself- yea, I’ve heard that already. [Not to mention the cold open this week seemed alot like Colbert's Oil Spill Randomizer from this past week.] Update does a fine job in its commentary, but it sometimes appears old because it is commenting at the end of the week- which was never a problem before TDS and TCR gained prominance and a similar audience.
I too agree about Jason’s dancing -chose to watch another show last night (will watch this one On Demand later) and was hoping that they wouldn’t have the What Up With That? sketch. SNL is always a hodge podge of good and bad that luckily will fade from our memories and we will be left with just memories of the good in years to come. So no best episode for me.
I think this was one of the better episodes of the season, possibly due to its talented and versatile host, Mr. Baldwin. End of the Year Awards
Best New Jersey citizen invasion- Bobby Moynihan as Snooki “Call me Garfield because Im orange and I love lasagna!”
Best Disgraced former Gov. – Bill Hader as Eliot Spitzer hawking failed celeb marriage cards “Whats worse than being a Spitzer? Being a swallowster! (Elmer Fudd laugh)
Best Digital Short based on The Wiggles- The Tizzle Wizzle Show “Knives! Knives! All kinds of knives! Everybody grab a knife!”
Best Sketch about a feminine nine year old boy using obscenities- Fred Armisen as Riley “BITCH!!”
And Hader-as-Spitzer’s John Edwards card: at least there wasn’t–ANIMAL ****! One of the funniest things ever.
Prison Jumpsuit = Instant Classic.
hahah i loved his bit on the prison jumpsuit too
and ok – did kristen wiig as starfish remind anyone else of miley cyrus? cause my sister and i thought it was uncannily like miley’s own teeth/talking
Agreed about Riley! Armisen had about a million failed characters this year (court reporter, anyone?) but that was the only one I thought that might be able to go somewhere.
Tina Tina Shanooz on the JLo Episode. I didn’t care for JLo but that was when that skit was the funniest. They should retire it now.
Defineitley “For de ambulance, BEEP BEEP, Get out da way, baby ate a penny, OHH MA GAAAWWWD”
This was definitely a solid episode… you really can’t expect anything less with Alec Baldwin at the helm.
I kind of thought that last night’s show was kind of like a redemption show for Kristen Wiig. She was used for more original material and less on her hackneyed, jittery, over-the-top characters. I know this has not been the best season for her, but I keep tuning in every week hoping to see something reminiscent of why she was brought on to the show in the first place.
BTW, my thoughts exactly on Sudeikis. I honed in on that months ago… now when that sketch comes on, both myself and my husband go on “red tracksuit trackdrown”. A highlight every time.
SNL, take note: next season, less actors under 25, and more seasoned guest hosts. I can has more Alec Baldwin and Justin Timberlake?
WHAT??? Wiig’s characters were almost ALL the same overt the top drivel she performs in every show! Starfish, the singing lady… she was all over this episode and in almost every sketch and was barely funny in any of them!
Your suggestions at the end of your comment were spot on though!
ARE YOU ON CRACK?!? Kristen Wiig is the WORST THING ON THE SHOW. Every week, she overdoes some way-over-the-top lame character that she DRAGS out for the entire skit. She’s NOT funny. Whoever’s running the show needs to realize that she’s dragging the show down and GET RID OF HER.
yea i agree – i didn’t laugh at any of the skits she was in yesterday
They might use her too much but Kristen Wiig is definitely the most talented cast member right now. Followed by Bill Hader. I wish they would give more time to Elliott and Pedrad. I think it might be time for Armisen and Forte to leave. This was their eight season. I’d say the same about Meyers, too, but he’s the head writer and won’t be going anywhere soon. Cast changes don’t always have to be bad things.
I enjoyed Baldwin as the Greek man with Kenan Thompson. The sketch wasn’t necessarily funny, but Baldwin’s enthusiasm was entertaining. I especially liked “The Facebook”.
That was the best sketch of the night! I rolled my eyes big time when I saw Keenan as Brady, even though I like Keenan. But this one was really good!
That sketch cracked me up.
Seriously people?? That was the worst sketch of the entire season. Dragged on WAYYY too long and was just utterly terrible.
This is an example of a terrible sketch on paper that turns out out to be pure gold live due to the lengths Keenan and Baldwin went with their characters. “I Poke You!” They sold it on that sketch and it gave me some of the bigger laughs of the night. Just like the Taa The SHAA sniper sketch. Dumb sketch that works and works well due to the enthusiasm and hard work of Alec Baldwin.
Last night was ok–Baldwin seemed tired, and he has been better in the past. Some of the cast members really stand out–Wiig,Sudeikis, Hader, Elliot,Pedrad,and Seth’s Weekend Update. The Season’s Best shows are those when John Hamm and Justin Timberlake host!! Tina Fey had a good show, and of course, Betty White’s show will win her an Emmy Award.
Jon Hamm, second that. That was my favorite of the whole season, actually, as awesome as T. Fey is. Michale Bublé? Come on, Jon Hamm’s episode wins.
Sergio. Hands down. EPIC.
Definitely Jon Hamm!
I’m a firm believer that Hamm & Bublé was the best sketch of the season.
Agreed. The best sketch of the season.
Definitely agree about the Jon Hamm episode. It was by far my favorite. MVP: Bill Hader. That guy is crazy talented.
Any incident of Jason Sudeikis dancing in “What’s Up With That?” was probably the highlight of the season for me.
Hamm and Buble OWNS!!!!!!!
But I think my fave episode was Zach G.
“Hamm and Buble” was hands down my favourite sketch of the entire season. I still can’t listen to “Haven’t Met You Yet” without giggling.
My second favourite was Taylor Swift in the Frankenstein Twilight Spoof. She was hilarious.
Hello, Betty White???
exactly! where’s the love for Betty White?
Here! Love Betty White-I couldn’t stop laughing at the “muffin” sketch.
The Zac and Tina Fey Shows were good not a big fan of the Taylor Swift one though1…i thought Both Betty White and John Hamm were much better!
The Taylor, Tina and Betty eps were my faves — they were the only three that kept me watching for the whole 90 minutes. Some of them I never turned on, or turned right off (I’m looking at you, January Jones and Gabore Sidibe).
I happen to think that the Taylor Swift episode was trash and was the worst one of the season. The only good that came out of it was the hilarious Scared Straight episode (“1.21 Jizzawatts”- classic!) a skit in which Swift did practically nothing, and when she did do something, it wasn’t funny. As for the funniest, it would either be Zach Galifinakis, of Charles Barkley. As for funniest skit, it would either be Threw It On The Ground or Laser Cats 5.
You obviously just don’t like Taylor; her monologue song, for me, was the funniest moment of the whole season.
Nope, sorry sweetie Taylor stunk.
I agree with you on the Taylor Swift episode. Blah.
Bitch please! Taylor’s was the best.
Really? Threw it on the ground? I think that’s one of the worst digital shorts Samberg has ever done. The Tizzle Wizzle Show and the Cocaine song were both better than that. Betty White was funny, for awhile, but it really was a one joke show of getting granny to say dirty stuff. I think Galifinakis and Hamm were best. Mostly garbage dog food, Carter and Son’s BBQ and Preniva were the best commercials. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Galifinakis’ opens were the best. Potato chip thief, What is Burn Notice, Smash Mouth, Bedelia, What’s up with that ft. Galifinakis, Gingey, and Bidet were the top live sketches of the year. Forte’s women’s history song and Stefon were the best Update segments. Finally Booty Call, Sergio, Flags of the World and the above mentioned Digital shorts were also at the top. Unfortunately, the live sketch writing in the show I think is suffering the most, where as taped stuff is really working for them a lot better these days. All in all, kind of a weak season, which is unfortunate as last year’s gave me a lot of hope for this one. I say Bring up Moynihan, keep on Elliott, maybe Pedrad. Boot Slate, and at this point I think Wiig too. That Starfish sketch is like the ultimate proof that she needs to “get on outta here”. Her characters are just tired at this point. I like Forte a lot but i wonder if he’ll be out if MacGruber hits it big like I think it will. Also I would like to see more of Jorma on screen, I think he’s fun to watch.
The “Threw it on the ground” short was a pretty spot-on send-up of/commentary on the bellicose hippie-type (i.e., the “hippie-crit”). It was actually one the smarter digital shorts SNL has done.
“That’s not my dad that’s a cell phone, and i THREW IT ON THE GROUND”
A thoroughly pedestrian episode. Seemed like the writers had run out of ideas and Baldwin was coasting. Why Kristen Whig is on this show, let alone the only female lead now (the other female performers are listed in the “featuring” section in the opening credits) remains a mystery. She is thoroughly unfunny.
Agreed! Wiig sucks!
GET RID OF KRISTEN WIIG.
Yes, get rid of her now. She does the same one note character over, and over, and over. And Gilly???? Possibly the UNFUNNIEST character ever to appear on SNL.
Despite hardly ever laughing week after week at this show, i still manage to watch episodes each week (mostly out of boredom). However, whenever Kristen Wiig retreads one of her overused characters in a sketch i just can’t stand the annoyance and have to change the channel. How some people find her funny is beyond me…
I just don’t get Miss Wiig…..not amusing at all.
The sad truth is, I don’t think we’d feel that way if Wiig hadn’t been so overexposed last season, or relied so much on ridiculous and affected characters. She was such a good member of the ensemble when she first joined, a real breakout who could do silly and straight-woman stuff, but once everyone got sick of her it’s really been hard not to roll one’s eyes whenever she steps on the screen. That said, I think the show would be in big trouble without her unless they get a handful of amazing new women, fast; only Pedrad has potential to be one of the current ladies available.
Betty White was the best host, and the best episode of the season. No one else came close.
Not putting the Betty White episode as one of the season’s best? Criminal.
I suppose Taylor Swift’s was the best of the “not-legal-drinking-age-host” shows. I’m still trying to purge the memory of the Twilight werewolf attempting “comedy” from my brain.
so now that NBC finally lets people from other countries view their videos you decided to use hulu because they don’t
Baldwin is hysterical!!!Bring back the SHWETTY BALLS SKITS!He is fabulous,and SNL need some new comedy writers!
I was really hoping for another “Delicious Dish”, but I suppose after last week, that was too much to ask for. I think Betty White’s episode was far and away the best of the season.
You want new comedy writers, yet you want them to keep doing the same sketch over and over??? Makes no sense.
Why would you want to keep beating that dead horse? We get it, it sounds like they’re talking about genitals and it was funny in the 90′s. Can’t we leave the classics alone? You would want Dan Akroyd coming back talking junkie down off of bad high again would you?