The 10 Best SNL Sketches of 2010
3. "Unstoppable Trailer"
This week I was informed that I am the president of the Jay Pharoah Internet fan club. So be it! The highly underused featured player shows us what he's capable as Denzel Washington in this parody of the movie Unstoppable. Pharoah has a long career ahead of him... a career that's as long as the Chrysler Building! Boom!
2. Kickspit Underground Rock Festival
This is the type of clip I like to show people when they try to argue that SNL has lost its uniqueness or edge -- a promo for an upcoming rock festival featuring a slew of bands that you have never heard of, but do sound like real band names. Also, Ass Dan.
1. "The Story of Frank Sinatra"
I'm going to take some heat for this one being number one, but bring it on! Look, Fred Armisen, when not trapped in the restricting confines of playing America's 44th President, is the most profusely quirky genius working on Saturday Night Live today. The entire premise of this sketch is that a Danish theater company has decided to tell the life story of Frank Sinatra in a production called "I did it in My Style." Unfortunately, they couldn't afford the rights to any of his music. So, instead, the make up their own song -- which is used in every situation of Sinatra's life. "Hey cool cat, I got my coat and my hat."
Update: Once a Hulu clip is available, "Stumblin'!" from the Dec 11 Paul Rudd hosted show will rank very high on this list.
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
Ass Dan all the way for me!
Now... About Pharoah...
It seems like all SNL rookies have to pay their dues and wait for their turn. This is hardly the first time Lorne Michaels has given tough love to the feature players.
However, I don't think Pharoah is all that good. Sorry. All he has are impressions. That's it. I thought it was an odd hire to begin with because since when has SNL hired specifically for dead on impressions? If that were their model, they would have hired Frank Caliendo.
I know when a comic goes in for an interview with Michaels and staff at SNL, they are always asked for what impressions they do. But at the end of the day they have to write funny sketches to get on the show. Pharoah isn't going to make it doing a steady rotation of Denzel, Will Smith and Eddie Murphy.
As for Obama, like I said in a comment a week or so ago, It doesn't matter who is playing Obama right now, the material they are writing is lousy. Besides, since when does the rookie get to step in and be the president on SNL? Since when has SNL hired specifically to fill the presidential role? Again, if that were the case, they would have hired Caliendo after Will Ferrell left.
Pharoah's impressions are amusing, but all they really are are Pharoah talking like the guys he does impressions of. That will get old if he doesn't supplement it with funny writing.
By the way, this opinion comes from a guy whose favorite SNL impression of all time was Chris Farley as Carney Wilson in the 'We are the World' inspired 'Raise Your Hands, Raise Your Voice, Give the Chickens Another Choice' sketch...
RIP Ass Dan
Really? Okay, then.
I think the saddest commentary about SNL is that three-year-old Zach Galifianakis material is better than about 99% of what the show's actual writers are churning out. And, honestly, I laughed more at Zach's stuff than I did at anything above it on this list. And it's the third time I've heard it!
Actually #2 isn't all that original. It's a parody of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNe11E_KiAk
Warning: Not for kids!
Sick of hulus ads
As a professional Michael Buble Tribute Act I'm always scouring the web for clips of the man to try and emulate his accent and wit, and lo and behold I discover SNL - well... firstly I'm gutted that it doesn't air here in the UK so keep having to scour the web for clips.
Thanks for posting that one - Nothing beats the Christopher Walken cowbell sketch though 😉
Finbarr.