SNL Scorecard: Did a Slew of Cameos Save Elton John's Show?
What an odd night. Then again, when Elton John was announced as Saturday Night Live's musical guest and host, perhaps an "odd night" should have been expected. But not quite like this.
Last night's episode was hardly the worst or best of anything we've seen from SNL this season, but it prompted more than a little confusion for viewers. For instance, why so many cameos? With Tom Hanks (who appeared in three sketches and introduced John as the musical act, so "cameo" is a stretch in his case), Jake Gyllenhaal, the Knicks' recently acquired star forward Carmelo Anthony all stopping by Studio 8H, were producers worried about John's ability to host? Was Hanks needed for backup? Ultimately, John had less to do with last night's problems than the one-note writing during the second half of the show -- a show, oddly, that featured a season-low nine sketches (including the monologue and "Update"). What happened? To the Scorecard!
Sketch of the Night
"Knights of the Realm" (John, Hanks, Hader, Brittain, Samberg, Armisen, Killam, Moynihan, Wiig): The opening to this sketch -- something called "Fancy a Jar, Do ya?" followed by Paul Brittain breaking in as a BBC anchor -- was almost better than the actual premise. Anyway, if nothing else, I've always wondered what would happen if modern-day knights had to defend Britain from a dragon. Also, this sketch had Elton John's best delivery of the night in reference to Bono's Spider-Man musical, and who knew Tom Hanks could do such a great Michael Caine impression?
Score: 8.5
The Good
"ESPN Classic: Ladies Shot Put" (Sudeikis, Forte, Hanks, Wiig, Anthony): It's so nice to see Will Forte back on SNL. His presence has been missed this season, and just having him return for one sketch seemed to inject some adrenaline into Sudeikis, too. Even with Hanks involved, this wasn't the best Twinkle and Stink, but it was just nice to see hapless sports commentators onscreen one more time (with a guest spot by Anthony in drag, because why not?).
Score: 8.0
"Laser Cats, the Musical" (Samberg, Hader, Hanks, Michaels, Anthony, Armisen, John, Wilson the Volleyball): I go back and forth on Laser Cats. I mean, I get it -- it's supposed to be bad -- but occasionally the formula just feels tired. This time around, Hanks's presence and hyperactive charm pushed this one into the realm of the enjoyable. Best line: Hanks asking, "What do I love?" and Lorne Michaels responding, "World War II?"
Score: 7.0
"Weekend Update" (Meyers, Armisen, Gyllenhaal, Samberg, Thompson): Certainly not the best update for Meyers or Thompson's Bronx Zoo snake-keeper who lost the zoo's runaway cobra (a segment completely changed at the last minute after the cobra was found on Thursday). Regardless, Armisen's Qaddafi segment was more politically charged than the normal "world leader" segments, bringing out the best in Armisen in the process. Also, Samberg's Nic Cage was great even though it left Jake Gyllenhaal with very little to do.
Score: 6.5
"Elton John Monologue" (John): Look, I know, this wasn't particularly great, but something has to be said for John's spirit. He appeared to enjoy himself, which seemed in turn to lead to his otherwise average delivery getting a decent reaction. Come on: When he sang five seconds of "Your Song" and announced that just put his son through college? That was pretty funny. Or what about his joke about his son rejecting the breast, taking after both of his fathers? Of course, this was all before anyone knew the writers would make John's sexual orientation the overriding theme of the evening.
Score: 6.0
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Comments
Elton is actually a naturally very funny guy. Not sure SNL has ever been the best platform for anybody to be funny. This show needs to call it a day. Getting Lorne Michaels to surrender power would be harder than over-throwing a Middle-Eastern dictator at this point.
Are you kidding? SNL has become THE place to go for endless gay jokes. Part of why it is so bloody tiresome and NOT funny these days. Those jokes were old back when Charles Rocket was on...
I love the Lawrence Welk sketches, and I was pleasantly surprised by the monologue. So the first half of the show was pretty good for me, even with the abundance of cameos. After Laser Cats it was all downhill though....nothing abysmal, it just seemed to lose energy. And once again, the female cast was virtually nowhere to be seen - even Wiig only had a few bit parts after the opening.
Overall, all I can give the ep is a big shrug. Hopefully next week will be a bit more inventive.
Man, do I disagree on your topspot. I throught "Knights of the Realm" was the worst sketch of the evening. Badly paced, far too long, and generally one of those sketches that allows the cast to just sit around doing funny voices since not a whole lot of people are aware what the celebrities actually sound like beyond a general idea that they are british. And the Sir Mixalot gag was one of those jokes that fall flat, then just stinks up the room for the rest of the sketch, as he sat non-moving for the next several minutes. And it probably didn't help that none of the cast, perhaps except for Killam, Brittain and moments of Hanks, made the vaguest effort to sell it. And that was the oddest Michael Caine impression I have ever seen. And I hesitate to call it a Michael Caine impression, as I have never heard him talk like that.
Overall, the show had its shining moments, like ESPN, Lasercats, the BBC part of KOTR, the monologue, which actually gave me hope for the night, and some good jokes in WU, but it was heavily undermined by the writers trying to skate by on reminding us that Elton John in gay. Silver Screen and Old West had a lot of potential, but they never really got going. Royal Cockneys and Welk, well, there wasn't much new there, lets leave it at that.
I was sold on that sketch from the "Fancy a Jar, Do Ya?" opening.
Yes, agree 100 percent that "Old West" had potential, but nothing ever came out of it. Honestly, I just don't think they knew what to do with Elton and it feels like one big missed opportunity.
This show wasn't very good. I usally like most of the shows but this one was very disappointing. Abby, Nasim, and Vanessa were barely used. Even Kristen was in less than usual. I hate when the show is dominated by the guys. Hopefully next week is better and spreads out the airtime to everyone.
I thought the episode was really funny. It always helps when the host looks like he's actually having fun and isn't a nervous wreck. The only sketch I didn't care for was The Old West, and even that made me chuckle a few times.
Your opinion of The Silver Screen sketch should be reconsidered. It was a rare example of when a sketch goes nowhere and has a one joke premise, but still somehow works because the actors are so into it. Surely this was one of Killam funniest performances since he started SNL. When it aired last night, I was so sure you where going to put it in one of the top spots on the list because of your man love for Killam alone.
On that note, where were the women last night!?!?! I understand that when there is a gay host there is probably going to be less female roles overall, but this seemed to be beyond that. Aside from the cold open, Wiig was in two small roles and that was it for women. Was this Elton's doing? Does he hate women? I doubt it, but the question needed to be raised.
"your man love for Killam alone."
Ha! But, yes, even though he got a lot of airtime, it wasn't my favorite night for Killam. But, still, a very good night for him. I think he's assimilated his way into the cast in a way the other male featured players haven't quite done yet.
And you're right about the women. After the cold open, we never saw Bayer or Elliott again.
Did anyone notice the woman who came in from the top right door during Elton John's monologue? It was when he mentioned Lady Gaga was his son's godmother. At first I thought it was her, coming in for a bit. But the woman just stood there until the end of the monologue. Strange.
Too bad Brittain wasn't used more and Jake G. was wasted. Loved and love Killam.
Ha just a friendly joke!
Count me in the Killam Fan Club too!
I was stunned at the dead silence in the audience when Will Forte appeared in the ESPN skit. Maybe they didn't realize that he left the cast?
Always look forward to your SNL articles, Mike!
Thanks! Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that Will Forte has a very strong, adamant, but kind of cultish fan base (which I would include myself in) -- maybe? In other words, I wouldn't expect a random audience to go crazy for him, but I wish they would have. Some day, Forte will get his recognition. (And, for what it's worth, Forte is one of the absolute nicest people I've ever come across in his line of work.)
Yeah, I was just thinking that he's probably been gone roughly about the same about of time Maya Rudolph had when she came back to play Michelle Obama, and I remember her getting a huge round of applause. Of course, with fewer women in the cast, her absence was probably more noticeable too.
Can somebody tell me what songs Elton sang? I thought it was a slap in the face to the American public. Just weeks ago he stated he was tired of being made to feel like a 2nd class citizen by the American people. I don't know too many 2nd class citizens hosting SNL.. He is revolting. Sad. And used this to 'desensitize' the country to accept this tragic lifestyle. Unfortunately, the generational curse will carry down onto his innocent child.
How bad was it? Elton John was unconvincing playing the part of an old poof. The Silver Screen sketch approached cuteness. Seth Myers got in a few zingers. But the rest was the usual lame-ass double entendres and extended adolescence wank off. I hate boys.
He performed "Hey Ahab" and "Monkey Suit" from his new album. I don't think I even understand the rest of your comment, but I'm afraid to ask for clarification.
It's not worth clarification as CB isn't worth anyone's time.
Go back in your hole, CB.
Kind of a random question -- but what song were the Queen and Prince doing?
-The mere idea of the celebrity knights having to come up with a plan to save Britain from some sort of crisis was enough to make me laugh for five minutes, even if the execution of the sketch was a little underwhelming. - I thought it was pretty funny when the Queen and Phillip gave Elton a hard time about changing the words to 'Candle in the Wind' for Dianna's funeral. - Was it me, or were the two songs he performed the same song? - I'm just going to throw this out there, I love me some Forte, love me some Sudekis, but I cannot stand Twinkle and Stink. Never have thought it to be very funny. If Forte was in the house would have rather seen Jon Bovi during Update.
That woman was the band's percusionist.
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