This Could Be the Last Time
May 20, 2012 6:28 PM Subscribe
Last night, Saturday Night Live said good bye to Kristen Wiig. It did so after an opening featuring Kristin’s small-handed character, Dooneese Maharelle and Jon Hamm. The guest was 70ish Mick Jagger performing with Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, and Jeff Beck. The show ended with a last dance.
There's some good talent that's come on in the last year, it's a shame Paul Brittain didn't stay on though.
That ending was a tearjerker.
posted by drezdn at 6:37 PM on May 20, 2012
That ending was a tearjerker.
posted by drezdn at 6:37 PM on May 20, 2012
Have they ever done that before?
Yes, Hulu has been fucking us for a long time.
posted by hal9k at 6:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [30 favorites]
Yes, Hulu has been fucking us for a long time.
posted by hal9k at 6:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [30 favorites]
She was one of the greats, but suffered for being so overused. The show relied on her far too much. It was easy to do that, of course, but I don't think it served anyone or the show well in the long run.
The final goodbye was quite touching. I was moved much more than I thought I would be. Best of luck to her -- she deserves it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
The final goodbye was quite touching. I was moved much more than I thought I would be. Best of luck to her -- she deserves it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
saw it on NBC.com today if hulu fails.
Unless you live outside of the US where neither service will work.
posted by birdherder at 6:53 PM on May 20, 2012 [19 favorites]
Unless you live outside of the US where neither service will work.
posted by birdherder at 6:53 PM on May 20, 2012 [19 favorites]
the sendoff was sweet, but the yenta in me just could not take my eyes off of Armisen and Elliott looking for any signs of dirty looks or pained longing creepy stares...alas no luck, they are at the very least solid actors.
posted by stavx at 6:54 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by stavx at 6:54 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
What the hell was Chris Kattan doing there? (Also, yay for Amy Poehler, Chris Parnell, and Rachel Dratch showing up).
posted by maryr at 6:56 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by maryr at 6:56 PM on May 20, 2012
Kristen Wiig has been the best performer on SNL for a couple of years now. In fact, one of the best SNL players ever. If others go -- Hader, Armisen, Sudeikis -- then the show could be headed for one of its usual cyclical declines. One of the really underappreciated ones in the cast is Vanessa Bayer ... I'd love to see her in more sketches.
posted by anothermug at 6:59 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by anothermug at 6:59 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
maryr: "What the hell was Chris Kattan doing there?"
Lorne briefly let him out of the dungeon to serve as a warning... "Don't let your post-SNL career reflect badly on us, Kristen. We'd hate for you to end up like him."
posted by Riki tiki at 7:02 PM on May 20, 2012 [11 favorites]
Lorne briefly let him out of the dungeon to serve as a warning... "Don't let your post-SNL career reflect badly on us, Kristen. We'd hate for you to end up like him."
posted by Riki tiki at 7:02 PM on May 20, 2012 [11 favorites]
I laughed, I cried...Mick was charming in his gorgous tux, and quite good in the skits - it seemed he'd memorized his lines too, he knows how to put on a show, and the ending was so touching!
It was one of the best episodes, and I've seen just about every one.
posted by dustjacket at 7:10 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
It was one of the best episodes, and I've seen just about every one.
posted by dustjacket at 7:10 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Mick was charming in his gorgous tux, and quite good in the skits
And Ron Wood looked healthy and sober and played some great blues.
I've just been handed a note.
posted by hal9k at 7:18 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
And Ron Wood looked healthy and sober and played some great blues.
I've just been handed a note.
posted by hal9k at 7:18 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
I haven't seen SNL for years, but I was pleased to hear about the red squares.
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 7:20 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 7:20 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
As far as I can tell, the episode is up on Hulu (via my Roku). Is there something I didn't catch?
posted by sourwookie at 7:21 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by sourwookie at 7:21 PM on May 20, 2012
I watched it for the first time in ages to see Tal Wilkenfeld perform, and I'm glad I did. Mick was great; touching ending.
posted by mantecol at 7:30 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mantecol at 7:30 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd say Hader has been doing a lot more heavy lifting than Wiig. I find the majority of her characters unfunny, and most if the sketches involving her go way past their acceptable running time. She certainly has her moments though. Good luck to her.
posted by Windopaene at 7:34 PM on May 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 7:34 PM on May 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
Have they ever done that before?
I remember the whole cast sent of Phil Hartman (and maybe Chris Farley at the same time?) with "So Long, Farewell," on his last show. It was an amazing moment, but I can't find it on Hulu.
posted by xingcat at 7:35 PM on May 20, 2012
I remember the whole cast sent of Phil Hartman (and maybe Chris Farley at the same time?) with "So Long, Farewell," on his last show. It was an amazing moment, but I can't find it on Hulu.
posted by xingcat at 7:35 PM on May 20, 2012
That dress was weird.
"the sendoff was sweet, but the yenta in me just could not take my eyes off of Armisen and Elliott looking for any signs of dirty looks or pained longing creepy stares"
Intrigued. Is there drama there or something? Spill it!
posted by ian1977 at 7:38 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
"the sendoff was sweet, but the yenta in me just could not take my eyes off of Armisen and Elliott looking for any signs of dirty looks or pained longing creepy stares"
Intrigued. Is there drama there or something? Spill it!
posted by ian1977 at 7:38 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
She and Bill Hader have been pulling that show's fat out pf the fire on a weekly, and even sketch-by-sketch basis. HADER CANNOT DO ALL THE WORK ALONE.
Actually, Taran Killam has be doing stellar work on the past two seasons, though you wouldn't know it from the last few shows. There's also Kate McKinnon, who's only been added to the cast recently, but she shows real promise. Nasim Pedrad and Abby Elliott both have their moments, and Bobby Moynihan is a great all-around mensch who livens up any sketch he's in. I'll also second the previous praise for Vanessa Bayer.
Of course, with all of the celebrity cameos ranging from Jon Hamm to previous SNL stars, it's amazing the new kids get any air time at all. They're never going to develop new stars if they keep devoting air time to the old guard. And without a decent writing staff who'll go beyond recycling old sketches like 'Secret Word', well, it really is all for naught.
Or maybe at this point the SNL problem is still best summed up by Gilbert Gottfried, who himself lasted one season on the cast back in the eighties: "At this point," he said in one interview, "it's just a restaurant with a good location."
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:38 PM on May 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
Actually, Taran Killam has be doing stellar work on the past two seasons, though you wouldn't know it from the last few shows. There's also Kate McKinnon, who's only been added to the cast recently, but she shows real promise. Nasim Pedrad and Abby Elliott both have their moments, and Bobby Moynihan is a great all-around mensch who livens up any sketch he's in. I'll also second the previous praise for Vanessa Bayer.
Of course, with all of the celebrity cameos ranging from Jon Hamm to previous SNL stars, it's amazing the new kids get any air time at all. They're never going to develop new stars if they keep devoting air time to the old guard. And without a decent writing staff who'll go beyond recycling old sketches like 'Secret Word', well, it really is all for naught.
Or maybe at this point the SNL problem is still best summed up by Gilbert Gottfried, who himself lasted one season on the cast back in the eighties: "At this point," he said in one interview, "it's just a restaurant with a good location."
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:38 PM on May 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
I thought it was a sweet sendoff for Kristen. Whatever she said to Jason Sudeikis, though, seemed to absolutely undo him. He never joined the singing, never really recovered at all, and finally just kind of disappears as he lets other cast members step in front of him. It's kind of weird to watch.
posted by donnagirl at 7:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by donnagirl at 7:48 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
Whatever she said to Jason Sudeikis, though, seemed to absolutely undo him. He never joined the singing, never really recovered at all, and finally just kind of disappears as he lets other cast members step in front of him. It's kind of weird to watch.
Agreed. I looked for him while everyone was hugging and he seemed to have left the stage. He had been trying really hard not to cry earlier. It was really sad, particularly if he's leaving too and he didn't get a goodbye celebration like Wiig did.
posted by kingfishers catch fire at 7:51 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Agreed. I looked for him while everyone was hugging and he seemed to have left the stage. He had been trying really hard not to cry earlier. It was really sad, particularly if he's leaving too and he didn't get a goodbye celebration like Wiig did.
posted by kingfishers catch fire at 7:51 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Windopaene: "...most if the sketches involving her go way past their acceptable running time"
That's been a the SNL way since 1975. Taking a funny idea and stretching it too thin to the point of it being almost painful. Occasionally they hit big through an entire sketch, but most most of the time the jokes just sit there, helpless.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:51 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
That's been a the SNL way since 1975. Taking a funny idea and stretching it too thin to the point of it being almost painful. Occasionally they hit big through an entire sketch, but most most of the time the jokes just sit there, helpless.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:51 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
donnagirl: "Whatever she said to Jason Sudeikis, though, seemed to absolutely undo him. He never joined the singing, never really recovered at all, and finally just kind of disappears as he lets other cast members step in front of him."
She said "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:54 PM on May 20, 2012 [9 favorites]
She said "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:54 PM on May 20, 2012 [9 favorites]
Is Sandberg departing as well? I just watched the most recent digital short, Lazy Sunday 2 and it ends with an odd line about "That's how it began, and that's how Imma finish it."
posted by maryr at 8:02 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by maryr at 8:02 PM on May 20, 2012
Samberg is most likely out as is Sudeikis, though there is the possibility that either could come back (especially if they need Sudeikis' Romney.
posted by drezdn at 8:05 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by drezdn at 8:05 PM on May 20, 2012
I miss Phil Hartman.
posted by Brocktoon at 8:22 PM on May 20, 2012 [33 favorites]
posted by Brocktoon at 8:22 PM on May 20, 2012 [33 favorites]
The best thing about Kristen Wiig is that she seemed game for anything. You could have plugged her into any sketch and she'd just go at it full bore. Her characters (Gilly, Target Lady, etc) were all one-note jokes, and you either liked it or you didn't. But she never seemed to phone anything in. Vanessa Bayer seems to have that same quality.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:24 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:24 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
sourwookie: "As far as I can tell, the episode is up on Hulu (via my Roku). Is there something I didn't catch?"
Hulu is useless outside the USA, so more than half (according to Alexa) of Metafilter visitors can't see any of the links.
posted by Pinback at 8:25 PM on May 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
Hulu is useless outside the USA, so more than half (according to Alexa) of Metafilter visitors can't see any of the links.
posted by Pinback at 8:25 PM on May 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
I too thought it was a sweet sendoff for her.
I'm curious about the behind the scenes dynamic of the show. How much of the writing was her, or had her stamp on it?
posted by gjc at 8:27 PM on May 20, 2012
I'm curious about the behind the scenes dynamic of the show. How much of the writing was her, or had her stamp on it?
posted by gjc at 8:27 PM on May 20, 2012
She lived in the building where I worked for a year. We complained about the elevator. She wasn't funny at all about it, which I'd expect of course. That elevator was annoying.
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
We need more than pop bands sporting red patches on late late night tv shows. We need for someone to give a fuck that, in this day and age, you have to provide the police with an agenda and invite list if you want to congregate in public and speak your mind.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:36 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by KokuRyu at 8:36 PM on May 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
Saturday Night Live is still on?!!?
More importantly, how many times can I favorite 'I miss Phil Hartman'? Because, to this day, just thinking about Phil Hartman makes me cry. They should never have let him go.. Never.
posted by Mael Oui at 8:42 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
More importantly, how many times can I favorite 'I miss Phil Hartman'? Because, to this day, just thinking about Phil Hartman makes me cry. They should never have let him go.. Never.
posted by Mael Oui at 8:42 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
The Sudeikis embrace was intriguing to me as well, he just looked so sad. Curious to see who returns next year.
posted by PaulaSchultz at 8:55 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by PaulaSchultz at 8:55 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
If Sudekis does leave, them I'm really disappointed they didn't bring back the Two A-holes for one last appearance.
But I'm assuming they'll try to bring him back to play Romney in the fall. Though it's time to let Jay Pharoh play Obama instead of Armisen.
posted by Gary at 9:09 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
But I'm assuming they'll try to bring him back to play Romney in the fall. Though it's time to let Jay Pharoh play Obama instead of Armisen.
posted by Gary at 9:09 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Saturday Night Live is still on?!!?
Yup, and I still love it, there is truly nothing else like it, whether a sketch is working or not.
Good work, Kristen, you did really well.
And yeah, Jason seemed pretty deflated.
posted by Cosine at 9:13 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yup, and I still love it, there is truly nothing else like it, whether a sketch is working or not.
Good work, Kristen, you did really well.
And yeah, Jason seemed pretty deflated.
posted by Cosine at 9:13 PM on May 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Kristen Wiig is pretty much the only reason I still watch SNL. The "Penelope" skits are the only thing that's made me laugh till I cry in ages. I'm so sad to see her go, but I hope we get to see a lot more of her. She's a funny lady.
posted by fiercecupcake at 9:21 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by fiercecupcake at 9:21 PM on May 20, 2012
By the way, for those of you outside the U.S. trying to reach Hulu, try using a U.S.-based public proxy.
posted by deathpanels at 9:28 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by deathpanels at 9:28 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
It was nice and this might not be the place for it, but for anyone outside the US, posting Hulu is like posting stuff behind a paywall. Useless.
Mediaite videos work for me in Canada. Hopefully it'll help some of you others out there on the WORLD (ahem, Hulu) wide web.
posted by Salmonberry at 9:29 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Mediaite videos work for me in Canada. Hopefully it'll help some of you others out there on the WORLD (ahem, Hulu) wide web.
posted by Salmonberry at 9:29 PM on May 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
"the sendoff was sweet, but the yenta in me just could not take my eyes off of Armisen and Elliott looking for any signs of dirty looks or pained longing creepy stares"
Intrigued. Is there drama there or something? Spill it!
According to Wikipedia and online sources, they dated last year.
posted by Gary at 9:43 PM on May 20, 2012
Intrigued. Is there drama there or something? Spill it!
According to Wikipedia and online sources, they dated last year.
posted by Gary at 9:43 PM on May 20, 2012
FWIW, a quick YouTube search for the Lazy Sunday 2 video wasn't picking up anything relevent, so I linked to Hulu.
posted by maryr at 9:47 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by maryr at 9:47 PM on May 20, 2012
That ending was so sweet! It made me smile. I love Kristen Wiig!!
posted by random thoughts at 10:03 PM on May 20, 2012
posted by random thoughts at 10:03 PM on May 20, 2012
Mick Jagger is charming, but not funny.
I can't wait to see what Kristen Wiig does. She's as good as any SNL spinoff.
posted by Camofrog at 10:18 PM on May 20, 2012
I can't wait to see what Kristen Wiig does. She's as good as any SNL spinoff.
posted by Camofrog at 10:18 PM on May 20, 2012
I can't wait to see what Kristen Wiig does. She's as good as any SNL spinoff.
Now be nice!
posted by Cosine at 10:31 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
Now be nice!
posted by Cosine at 10:31 PM on May 20, 2012 [5 favorites]
One of the coolest things about Kristen Wiig is that her high level of talent just appeared out of nowhere when she was almost 30 years old. She didn't grow up interested in acting or comedy; she wasn't even a class clown type. Yet Lorne Michaels claims that Wiig and Dana Carvey are the only two cast members that joined SNL as fully formed performers.
It's so at odds with my understanding of How Talent Works it reminds me a little of Robert Johnson at the crossroads.
posted by dgaicun at 12:34 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
It's so at odds with my understanding of How Talent Works it reminds me a little of Robert Johnson at the crossroads.
posted by dgaicun at 12:34 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Here's her Time profile:
"... Wiig didn't do any performing at all until she was in her late 20s. Not college theater, not high school talent shows, not little skits for her parents... "There are two people who arrived fully formed — her and Dana Carvey — where you saw what they did in their audition and you put it on the air," says SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels."
posted by dgaicun at 12:45 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
"... Wiig didn't do any performing at all until she was in her late 20s. Not college theater, not high school talent shows, not little skits for her parents... "There are two people who arrived fully formed — her and Dana Carvey — where you saw what they did in their audition and you put it on the air," says SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels."
posted by dgaicun at 12:45 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
It was nice and this might not be the place for it, but for anyone outside the US, posting Hulu is like posting stuff behind a paywall. Useless.
Agree. And it's not like we even get SNL over here, so I'm not sure what Hulu gains from not letting me watch it via their site in the UK.
posted by mippy at 1:13 AM on May 21, 2012
I find the majority of her characters unfunny
All of her "zany characters" are terribly unfunny. I skip through them. Some of her impressions of actual people are great. But her neurotic, shrill characters drive me up a fucking wall.
Hader is the shit though. His James Carville/"The Cajun Gollum" is perfect.
posted by Chekhovian at 3:10 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
All of her "zany characters" are terribly unfunny. I skip through them. Some of her impressions of actual people are great. But her neurotic, shrill characters drive me up a fucking wall.
Hader is the shit though. His James Carville/"The Cajun Gollum" is perfect.
posted by Chekhovian at 3:10 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
For those of you outside the US using Chrome or FF, the Proxmate add-on will allow you to watch on Hulu (and other channels). You'll also need to disable Ad Block on Hulu. If you install it, here's how to make it happen:
The US-only thing is definitely a problem, but maybe we can take more discussion of that Metatalk.
posted by taz at 4:10 AM on May 21, 2012 [24 favorites]
========= How to use on hulu =========So, hope that helps a bit.
1. Browse a video of your choice
2. Click the "details" button under a video
3. A button saying "Unblock this Videos" should pop up
4. Click it
5. The video gets unblocked
The US-only thing is definitely a problem, but maybe we can take more discussion of that Metatalk.
posted by taz at 4:10 AM on May 21, 2012 [24 favorites]
That's helpful taz. I can't install add-ons and such at work, though. Which is a pain, because I could watch Parks and Rec at lunch instead of frigging Bargain Hunt.
posted by mippy at 4:25 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by mippy at 4:25 AM on May 21, 2012
Man, I'm really surprised that so many of you watch SNL.
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 5:56 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 5:56 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
I was seriously impressed with the way Arcade Fire backed Jagger on The Last Time. Made me want to see them doing Sympathy for the Devil together, but that might be more awesome than the universe can handle.
posted by dry white toast at 6:04 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by dry white toast at 6:04 AM on May 21, 2012
One of the coolest things about Kristen Wiig is that her high level of talent just appeared out of nowhere when she was almost 30 years old.
She went through the Groundlings entire program, which takes a few years. I saw her in some Sunday Company shows; not sure if she was ever in the main troupe, though.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:36 AM on May 21, 2012
She went through the Groundlings entire program, which takes a few years. I saw her in some Sunday Company shows; not sure if she was ever in the main troupe, though.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:36 AM on May 21, 2012
Yet Lorne Michaels claims that Wiig and Dana Carvey are the only two cast members that joined SNL as fully formed performers.
To this day, I can't watch John McLaughlin (who's pretty ridiculous even in his own right) on PBS without cracking up thinking about Carvey's impressions of him. "Buhhhhh-bye!!!" He's probably the former SNL cast member I miss the most. (I liked Billy Murray a lot too but he's kept a high profile in the movies.) Also, he used to occasionally wear Todd Rundgren t-shirts in public. Googling I see that Carvey had very serious health issues (a bungled coronary bypass surgery, yikes) that kept him out of action for a number of years in the early '00s.
posted by aught at 7:47 AM on May 21, 2012
To this day, I can't watch John McLaughlin (who's pretty ridiculous even in his own right) on PBS without cracking up thinking about Carvey's impressions of him. "Buhhhhh-bye!!!" He's probably the former SNL cast member I miss the most. (I liked Billy Murray a lot too but he's kept a high profile in the movies.) Also, he used to occasionally wear Todd Rundgren t-shirts in public. Googling I see that Carvey had very serious health issues (a bungled coronary bypass surgery, yikes) that kept him out of action for a number of years in the early '00s.
posted by aught at 7:47 AM on May 21, 2012
I will always love her character Penelope. Gilly, not so much.
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Good news, I can start watching SNL again. I could never stand to watch Wiig, I would have to hit mute. Dink dong, the witch is dead. I watched this Sat to see Mick.
posted by TiHara at 7:53 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by TiHara at 7:53 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was finally able to watch this and wow, yeah, that Sudeikis thing. From the comments I was expecting he'd look kind of sullen and detached, but he really looked devastated.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:30 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jason_steakums at 8:30 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
The US-only thing is definitely a problem, but maybe we can take more discussion of that Metatalk.
As requested.
posted by fight or flight at 8:37 AM on May 21, 2012
As requested.
posted by fight or flight at 8:37 AM on May 21, 2012
Yup, and I still love it, there is truly nothing else like it, whether a sketch is working or not.
It's truly everything that sketch comedy should be-- bland, inoffensive, and full of recurring characters so that you can see slight variations on the same joke and not have to think too hard.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:59 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's truly everything that sketch comedy should be-- bland, inoffensive, and full of recurring characters so that you can see slight variations on the same joke and not have to think too hard.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:59 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm well aware that I'm in the minority here, but I never found a single one of her characters funny, or even amusing in the least. Half of them were just obscure voices and scrunched up faces without any actual humor, but most of them just made me uncomfortable. (Seriously, how many times does one have to sit through the "Gilly, Giiiillllyy, GILLY!!!" thing to know exactly what was coming.)
It's actually interesting though. I used to think that SNL would do better with recurring characters and themes, but the way it it's essentially the same exact show every week (Sorry Linday Buckingham, you're not gonna get any screen time this week either, don't you ever learn?), with a new guest host and a few new scenes.
Kristen Wiig leaving? Meh. Let me know when they start running election skits again. Or when Justin Timberlake randomly shows up. Until then, whatever.
posted by Blue_Villain at 9:08 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's actually interesting though. I used to think that SNL would do better with recurring characters and themes, but the way it it's essentially the same exact show every week (Sorry Linday Buckingham, you're not gonna get any screen time this week either, don't you ever learn?), with a new guest host and a few new scenes.
Kristen Wiig leaving? Meh. Let me know when they start running election skits again. Or when Justin Timberlake randomly shows up. Until then, whatever.
posted by Blue_Villain at 9:08 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Hey Mayor Curley, what were you hoping to come across when you clicked on this thread?
posted by roll truck roll at 9:49 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by roll truck roll at 9:49 AM on May 21, 2012
Man, I'm really surprised that so many of you watch SNL.
All I really do is watch the opening (only usually if its political, it looks to be a zany character bit, I skip it). Then I usually skip to the weekend update, and during weekup update skip any zany character bits. I WILL NOT miss the Fred Amisen Kristen Wiig zany vest singers routine. Fuck that routine.
posted by Chekhovian at 10:02 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
All I really do is watch the opening (only usually if its political, it looks to be a zany character bit, I skip it). Then I usually skip to the weekend update, and during weekup update skip any zany character bits. I WILL NOT miss the Fred Amisen Kristen Wiig zany vest singers routine. Fuck that routine.
posted by Chekhovian at 10:02 AM on May 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
I love her. I find her funny and inspirational. I am going to miss her A LOT on SNL - and I totally cried at her sendoff.
I AM NOT ASHAMED*.
I also looooved Mick Jagger and found him to be incredibly inspirational as well. The man is nearly seventy and he is still a complete spitfire. It's genius to perform old songs with "new" backing bands. I've always thought that the musical performances on SNL were awful - even by bands I deeply love and respect (Radiohead's last appearance on SNL was downright unwatchable). Something about that stage seems to suck the musical talent and charisma right out of every last person who performs on it. But not Jagger. And not Dave Grohl. Taylor Hawkins couldn't wipe the silly smile off of his face throughout the entire set. I love it when a HUGE rock star is still clearly tickled at the opportunity to perform with one of their personal greats.
*I am a little ashamed.
posted by pazazygeek at 10:29 AM on May 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
I AM NOT ASHAMED*.
I also looooved Mick Jagger and found him to be incredibly inspirational as well. The man is nearly seventy and he is still a complete spitfire. It's genius to perform old songs with "new" backing bands. I've always thought that the musical performances on SNL were awful - even by bands I deeply love and respect (Radiohead's last appearance on SNL was downright unwatchable). Something about that stage seems to suck the musical talent and charisma right out of every last person who performs on it. But not Jagger. And not Dave Grohl. Taylor Hawkins couldn't wipe the silly smile off of his face throughout the entire set. I love it when a HUGE rock star is still clearly tickled at the opportunity to perform with one of their personal greats.
*I am a little ashamed.
posted by pazazygeek at 10:29 AM on May 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Also - I think the zany vest singers thing she did with Fred Armisen is the funniest fucking thing I have ever seen in my life. Life's rich comedy pageant, I guess, Chekhovian!
posted by pazazygeek at 10:30 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by pazazygeek at 10:30 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
funniest fucking thing I have ever seen in my life
As a calibration point, do you also like the Simpsons post season 8?
posted by Chekhovian at 11:50 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
As a calibration point, do you also like the Simpsons post season 8?
posted by Chekhovian at 11:50 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's amazingly tedious that you can't have a thread about either the Simpsons or SNL without a whole bunch of posts from people saying things like "LOL I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS STILL ON" or whatever.
All of which basically parse as "I'm hipper than you because you like [thing] and I don't." It's the same as the tedious hipster pronouncement "I liked [band] until [album that came out when I was 17]; after that they just sold out."
SNL is cyclic. They've been as strong as ever, really, for the last few seasons. I agree that it's less Wiig specifically and more the aggregate strength of the whole cast. I just wish they'd figure out a way to do more with Jay Pharoah. If they really do lose Sudekis and the Lonely Island guys after this season, it'll be a blow, but the show has survived much worse.
posted by uberchet at 12:46 PM on May 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
All of which basically parse as "I'm hipper than you because you like [thing] and I don't." It's the same as the tedious hipster pronouncement "I liked [band] until [album that came out when I was 17]; after that they just sold out."
SNL is cyclic. They've been as strong as ever, really, for the last few seasons. I agree that it's less Wiig specifically and more the aggregate strength of the whole cast. I just wish they'd figure out a way to do more with Jay Pharoah. If they really do lose Sudekis and the Lonely Island guys after this season, it'll be a blow, but the show has survived much worse.
posted by uberchet at 12:46 PM on May 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
I just rewatched it, and Sudeikis looked broken up from the start. Looking them up on Wikipedia, Sudeikis became a featured player in May 2005, and Wiig joined in November 2005, close enough to bond over, I think.
xingcat: I remember the whole cast sent of Phil Hartman (and maybe Chris Farley at the same time?) with "So Long, Farewell," on his last show. It was an amazing moment, but I can't find it on Hulu.
It might be in the full episode, perhaps; it was removed from the version on Netflix. I found a transcript, at least - it's from the 1993 season, episode 20, with Heather Locklear, if that helps anyone else. (I'm not stumping up for Hulu Plus to check.)
posted by Pronoiac at 2:14 PM on May 21, 2012
xingcat: I remember the whole cast sent of Phil Hartman (and maybe Chris Farley at the same time?) with "So Long, Farewell," on his last show. It was an amazing moment, but I can't find it on Hulu.
It might be in the full episode, perhaps; it was removed from the version on Netflix. I found a transcript, at least - it's from the 1993 season, episode 20, with Heather Locklear, if that helps anyone else. (I'm not stumping up for Hulu Plus to check.)
posted by Pronoiac at 2:14 PM on May 21, 2012
the Simpsons..."LOL I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS STILL ON"
Oh I know its still on, I just wish it wasn't.
posted by Chekhovian at 2:16 PM on May 21, 2012
Oh I know its still on, I just wish it wasn't.
posted by Chekhovian at 2:16 PM on May 21, 2012
pazazygeek: I've always thought that the musical performances on SNL were awful - even by bands I deeply love and respect...
I tend to tolerate, rather than look forward to, the musical guests. I can name an exception, though; my jaw dropped at Kanye West's 2010 performance.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:36 PM on May 21, 2012
I tend to tolerate, rather than look forward to, the musical guests. I can name an exception, though; my jaw dropped at Kanye West's 2010 performance.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:36 PM on May 21, 2012
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are both incredibly talented, and SNL went through a welcome and much-needed revival while they were writing and performing there. The performances reflected how psyched the entire cast was to be a part of the show--skits featuring Amy or Tina were often ensemble pieces, showcasing everyone's talents.
But with Kristen, every skit she's in is just an homage to whatever character she's playing. There's less interplay and more, "feed me lines so I can do my thing again" as she hams it up. Which would maybe be okay if she had fun with it, but most of the time her anxious facial expressions and awkward body language made those one-joke characters of hers really uncomfortable to watch after a while, and, as mentioned, SNL always has trouble knowing when to just let a dying gag die already and end the skit.
The delight you see in the best performances has always been what made any repeat character fun for me (like Stefon and Drunk Uncle!).
The end dance was touching (gah, what a hideous dress!), but I'm glad Wiig's gone.
Pronoiac: I can name an exception, though; my jaw dropped at Kanye West's 2010 performance.
Yo Kanye, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Justin Timberlake is the best (host and) performer on SNL of of all time. OF ALL TIME!
posted by misha at 7:47 AM on May 22, 2012 [2 favorites]
But with Kristen, every skit she's in is just an homage to whatever character she's playing. There's less interplay and more, "feed me lines so I can do my thing again" as she hams it up. Which would maybe be okay if she had fun with it, but most of the time her anxious facial expressions and awkward body language made those one-joke characters of hers really uncomfortable to watch after a while, and, as mentioned, SNL always has trouble knowing when to just let a dying gag die already and end the skit.
The delight you see in the best performances has always been what made any repeat character fun for me (like Stefon and Drunk Uncle!).
The end dance was touching (gah, what a hideous dress!), but I'm glad Wiig's gone.
Pronoiac: I can name an exception, though; my jaw dropped at Kanye West's 2010 performance.
Yo Kanye, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Justin Timberlake is the best (host and) performer on SNL of of all time. OF ALL TIME!
posted by misha at 7:47 AM on May 22, 2012 [2 favorites]
The Sade performance on one of Sinbad's episodes was the best I've ever seen. Good luck finding it on video. Sorry to derail.
posted by Brocktoon at 8:57 PM on May 22, 2012
posted by Brocktoon at 8:57 PM on May 22, 2012
Playing as musical guest on SNL, or on Letterman or whatever, has to be really weird -- you get no chance to build a rapport with the audience at all, since it's nearly always one-and-done. Plus, the audience isn't there to see you specifically. It takes a LOT to transcend that. I'm generally left cold by SNL performances of bands I love, even. (Letterman can be different; some acts seem very at home there, and always deliver.)
But there are clearly exceptions. When Arcade Fire was on before, as a "real" musical guest, they were fantastic. The Foos are typically really strong wherever they play. I'm not even really a fan of Timberlake's music, but he's so fucking strong on SNL I watch his musical performances, too. But hands down, the most amazing and electric musical performance I can recall on SNL was U2 a week or so after the Ashley Simpson debacle. They were *on fire*, got the rarely-done 3rd song, and were playing "I Will Follow" as the credits rolled as a 4th number. The cast was visibly starstruck. (Wikipedia tells me this was 11/20/2004; Simpson had been on 10/23. Incidentally, this was also the season that Will Ferrell cameoed as "Gene" during Queens of the Stone Age's second song.)
Stefon and Drunk Uncle *kill me*.
posted by uberchet at 7:29 AM on May 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
But there are clearly exceptions. When Arcade Fire was on before, as a "real" musical guest, they were fantastic. The Foos are typically really strong wherever they play. I'm not even really a fan of Timberlake's music, but he's so fucking strong on SNL I watch his musical performances, too. But hands down, the most amazing and electric musical performance I can recall on SNL was U2 a week or so after the Ashley Simpson debacle. They were *on fire*, got the rarely-done 3rd song, and were playing "I Will Follow" as the credits rolled as a 4th number. The cast was visibly starstruck. (Wikipedia tells me this was 11/20/2004; Simpson had been on 10/23. Incidentally, this was also the season that Will Ferrell cameoed as "Gene" during Queens of the Stone Age's second song.)
Stefon and Drunk Uncle *kill me*.
posted by uberchet at 7:29 AM on May 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think this is the first Saturday Night Live I've seen since about (not kidding) 1993. Thanks for the Hulu-cracker, taz.
I don't recognize any of the comedians. Just Jagger and Dave Grohl's new band.
posted by pracowity at 5:19 PM on June 1, 2012
I don't recognize any of the comedians. Just Jagger and Dave Grohl's new band.
posted by pracowity at 5:19 PM on June 1, 2012
I still haven't forgiven Mick Jagger and/or The Rolling Stones for what they did to The Verve.
Also, for basically embodying the old money world of the record industry that is using the government to keep innovation and filesharing down, but forget all that, look at the doddering old man try and struggle his way through an American accent! How adorable! Did he have the cue cards up when he was sleepwalking his way through his old hits too?
But mostly it's the Verve thing.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 7:30 AM on June 5, 2012
Also, for basically embodying the old money world of the record industry that is using the government to keep innovation and filesharing down, but forget all that, look at the doddering old man try and struggle his way through an American accent! How adorable! Did he have the cue cards up when he was sleepwalking his way through his old hits too?
But mostly it's the Verve thing.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 7:30 AM on June 5, 2012
I still haven't forgiven Mick Jagger and/or The Rolling Stones for what they did to The Verve.
It's my understanding that it was ABKCO that sued, not the Rolling Stones themselves, and that ABKCO has probably screwed the Stones pretty hard as well.
posted by drezdn at 9:29 AM on June 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
It's my understanding that it was ABKCO that sued, not the Rolling Stones themselves, and that ABKCO has probably screwed the Stones pretty hard as well.
posted by drezdn at 9:29 AM on June 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
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But best to her. She's a rare and distinct talent, and, if this is a fair universe, this should be her time.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 6:32 PM on May 20, 2012 [6 favorites]