Segments are rated on a scale of 1-5 stars
DEMOCRATIC RALLY
campaigning Barack Obama (JAP) lets Mitt Romney (JAS) defeat himself
— Jay (rightfully) takes over the Barack Obama impression that Fred had been doing since 2008. Interesting idea to have Fred basically pass the torch to Jay on camera by playing a normal character who introduces Jay’s Obama and, at one point, asks the crowd a lighthearted “Wouldn’t want his job, right?” The latter is a nice meta, tongue-in-cheek moment, and shows Fred to be a good sport after SNL presumably took the Obama impression away from him.
— Huge audience applause for Jay’s entrance as President Obama. Nice to see.
— As expected, Jay’s doing a good Obama impression. And after how much he consistently struggled for airtime the preceding season and would have some moments his first two seasons in which he would come off rather green and stumbly, it feels good to see him leading a cold opening with total ease and poise. He’s come a long way.
— Good conceit with the “secret weapon” that Jay’s Obama has turning out to be him just letting his opponent, Mitt Romney, make a fool of himself.
— Pretty funny bit regarding the Sanford & Son theme song, though I’m always a sucker for references to that show.
— Taran’s Paul Ryan: “I’m just terrible with numbers. Now…let’s talk budget!”
STARS: ***½
OPENING MONTAGE
— New montage.
— The new theme music being used tonight is in a noticeably slower tempo than it would soon go on to regularly be.
— For the first time since all the way back in season 25, the opening montage has the cast members being shown in still photos instead of moving shots.
— Vanessa Bayer, Taran Killam, and Jay Pharoah have been promoted from featured players to repertory players.
— Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, and Cecily Strong have been added to the cast.
MONOLOGUE
Family Guy creator host sings about how his head is filled with voices
— Some good dark humor right out of the gate with Seth MacFarlane fulfilling his childhood wish of what he always wanted to say in his SNL monologue: “Please go out with me, Farrah Fawcett!”
— Pretty fun seeing MacFarlane seamlessly transition between all of his main Family Guy voices.
— It’s a given that MacFarlane would do a musical monologue, but it helps that 1) MacFarlane built up so much goodwill earlier in this monologue that I don’t mind him breaking out into a song, and 2) the heavy reliance on musical monologues in these late 00s/early 10s years (particularly season 36) was greatly reduced in the season that I’ve just completed my coverage of yesterday (season 37), which I didn’t even realize until now.
— Some great celebrity voices MacFarlane breaks out into during the song, especially Michael J. Fox and Kermit.
STARS: ***½
OBAMA FOR AMERICA
anti-Romney ad documents dickish behavior toward laid-off (BIH) & (KET)
— Good to see tonight’s episode continue to make it known that Jay is SNL’s new Obama.
— This brings back memories of the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth commercial spoof SNL did in 2004 about John Kerry, which, like this commercial, aired in the season premiere of an election year (season 30).
— Some great bits from Kenan.
— A laugh from the “Mitt Romney probably gave Dan’s wife herpes” disclaimer.
STARS: ***½
SEX AFTER 50
Rodger Brush doesn’t want to hear about seniors’ sex lives
— (*groan*) And here to remind me, after the shred of goodwill he earned from me at the beginning of this episode’s cold opening, how way-past-his-prime he is and how he should’ve left years prior is Fred with the return of THIS damn recurring sketch.
— Surprisingly, this is the first appearance this recurring sketch has made since the Paul Rudd episode from two seasons prior. It completely skipped season 37. Thankfully, tonight’s installment ends up being the final one.
— Ah, Cecily Strong. Much like what I said about Kate when covering her first episode towards the end of the preceding season, it feels interesting arriving at the first SNL appearance of the still-currently-on-SNL-in-2020 Cecily Strong, though her “appearance” in this sketch is just in still photos during the opening title sequence.
— Ugh, cue the tired, annoying regular gag with how Fred’s Rodger Brush can’t hear what the audience members ask him.
— Only one sketch in, and Tim Robinson’s lovably goofy natural demeanor that I fondly remember from when this season originally aired is already a welcome sight in my current viewing. It’s gonna be fun reviewing him in what (sadly) ends up being his sole season as a cast member.
STARS: **
EASTWOOD AND CHAIR
Clint Eastwood expands iffy political satire into a one-man show
— Very funny idea for a spoof of the Clint Eastwood/chair incident.
— I got a good laugh from how Jay’s testimonial just has him asking a deadpan “Man, what the f(*bleep*)k was that?”
— The third and final appearance of Taran’s sassy testimonial-giver character (who previously appeared in the Meryl Streep On Ice and Rock’s Way pre-tapes from the preceding two seasons), who always has a funny one-liner.
STARS: ****
LIDS
on-demand “Gangnam Style” performances enliven a hat store; Psy cameo
— Only two sketches in, and MacFarlane has been disappearing well into the characters he’s playing.
— Jason’s hairstyle in this sketch is reminiscent of the one he regularly had in his early seasons.
— Boy, a sketch based on the Psy/Gangnam Style sensation sweeping the nation at the time. Talk about a time capsule.
— Very funny addition of Taran and Bill.
— Good bit with Bobby’s Psy and Taran’s…uh…green suit guy not knowing where to exit.
— A very thin sketch, but it’s fun enough.
— Now we get a cameo from the real Psy, making this sketch even more of a time capsule in hindsight.
— Ha, look at how cocky Psy is coming off in response to all the huge applause the audience is giving his entrance. Enjoy your 15 minutes while it lasts, my friend.
STARS: ***
PUPPETRY CLASS
troubled vet Anthony Peter Coleman (BIH) darkens playful puppetry class
— Oh, hell yes! A legendary Bill Hader sketch.
— A priceless incongruous placement of this traumatized war veteran character in a puppetry class. And Bill is selling this to utter perfection.
— A particularly funny bit with Bill’s character, through his puppet, using typical internet lingo in a dark context when telling Vanessa’s Valley Girl-type puppet disturbing war details.
— Fantastic visual of Bill’s puppet smoking a cigarette and impressively even blowing smoke out of its mouth.
— Yet another standout bit, with Bill’s puppet strangling Kenan’s puppet to death when reminiscing about one war incident.
— Bill continues to be perfectly committed to this sketch, this time by going all fucking out when making out with Vanessa’s puppet.
— Overall, an absolute classic. Great way to kick off what ends up being Bill’s final season. This sketch is a prime example of how, even in his final season, Bill hasn’t lost a step in the strength he’s always had as a performer.
STARS: *****
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
musical guest performs “Thinkin Bout You”
WEEKEND UPDATE
Honey Boo Boo (VAB) & Mama (BOM) weigh in on the presidential election
dumb & hunky Ryan Lochte (host) mumbles about the fall TV schedule
Latina teenager Mimi Morales (CES) wants to increase voter turnout
— SNL gets in their required spoof of the then-inescapable Honey Boo Boo and Mama June. I remember online SNL fans made predictions shortly before the original airing of this episode that if SNL spoofed Honey Boo Boo and Mama June, new cast member Aidy Bryant would play Mama June. SNL ended up throwing SNL fans for a loop by casting Bobby in the role instead. I think I can see why they refrained from giving Aidy that role. Given the fact that Aidy is SNL’s very first plus-sized female cast member, having her play the heavyset Mama June in her very first episode might’ve been considered a little unfortunate and too on-the-nose.
— Feels rare seeing Vanessa playing this type of sassy, over-confident role. It’s fun seeing her do this.
— I like the bit with the subtitles translating Honey Boo Boo and Mama June’s mumbly conversation to each other.
— A fairly short and sweet Bobby/Vanessa commentary.
— Ha, I love the audience’s loud gasp in reaction to the Meyers’ un-PC “Say hello to my little friend” joke regarding Al Pacino playing Joe Paterno.
— Always a nice rarity to see a host doing an Update commentary.
— MacFarlane’s Ryan Lochte: “I was…America in ‘lympics.”
— MacFarlane’s moronic portrayal of Ryan Lochte is absolutely killer.
— Very memorable part of the Lochte commentary, where he mistakes the title “Go On” for “Goon”.
— MacFarlane’s Lochte: “Oh, man, it feels so weird to be dry.”
— An overall fantastic Ryan Lochte commentary.
— Cecily Strong making her live SNL debut playing a Hispanic character. Back at this time, I and some other online SNL fans were under the incorrect assumption that Cecily herself was Hispanic, based on how she looks. I’m also the same guy who, two years later, incorrectly assumed Pete Davidson was half-black when I initially saw a photo of him doing standup with a really short hairstyle in an article announcing SNL’s hiring of him.
— A likable and believable performance from Cecily here. Her lines themselves are only okay, but she’s selling them.
— Jay doing funny character work without even uttering a word.
— When this originally aired, I remember thinking SNL was setting up Cecily’s Mimi Morales to become a recurring Update character. We end up never seeing her again after this episode. Cecily’s first breakout Update character actually ends up being a certain conversational character who makes her debut just two weeks after tonight’s episode, in a Weekend Update Thursday special.
STARS: ***
DRILL SERGEANT
army privates contend with drill sergeant’s (host) speech impediment
— MacFarlane continues to do solid character work tonight.
— Funny bit with Tim Robinson’s confused answer to MacFarlane’s unclearly-worded question.
— Great bit with MacFarlane trying to get out of a stuttering block by softly singing his “How’d you learn to dress yourself?” question, then getting angry at Bobby for playfully singing his response to that question.
— Fred’s hair looks like it’s starting to gray by this point of his SNL tenure, which, combined with how his face is also starting to look older, really drove home to me back in 2012 how long he had been on SNL. I remember feeling the same way about Meyers in tonight’s Update, as his hair also looked to me back then like it was starting to gray.
— Great ending regarding the push-ups MacFarlane’s character tries ordering his men to do.
— An overall original, simple, and strong sketch.
STARS: ****
STEVE HARVEY
it suits Steve Harvey (KET) to make over (host) in his own image
— Lots of airtime for Vanessa in tonight’s season premiere. When this originally aired, with this being the first post-Kristen Wiig episode (and boy, do I remember how weird and refreshing it felt back in 2012 to see a new episode without Kristen in it, after having gotten so used to her dominant presence for so many years), some online SNL fans assumed that Vanessa’s heavy utilization in this episode meant she would take over Kristen’s spot as SNL’s lead female who gets cast in a majority of the main female roles. Funny to think back on that assumption in hindsight, given the fact that it’s absolutely NOT how the remainder of Vanessa’s tenure ends up playing out.
— Very funny initial visual of MacFarlane entering in his Steve Harvey-looking makeover.
— MacFarlane, regarding his new look: “I feel like an Iranian DJ.”
— Funny mention of an Earth, Wind & Fire cover band named Dirt, Water & Heat.
— I absolutely love Kenan-as-Steve-Harvey’s amused delivery of “Ain’t no white guy in Boyz II Men!”
— MacFarlane, when asked how he feels about the very unexciting prize he won: “I’m not gonna say no on TV in front of everybody!”
— Overall, it’s amazing how SNL was able to wring a good amount of laughs out of what initially seemed like a very thin and unexciting concept.
STARS: ***½
FIRST DATE
on a blind date, (host) & (NAP) vocalize their emotions with funny voices
— A nice use of Nasim, who has seemed really invisible tonight before this sketch appeared. Also a fitting use of MacFarlane’s famous knack for doing voices.
— Hilarious part with MacFarlane, after starting to do a stereotypical black guy voice, immediately cutting himself off and self-consciously saying “No, I’m not gonna do that.”
— Oh, wow. By this point of tonight’s episode, I actually had forgotten all about new cast member Aidy Bryant until now, given the fact that she’s making her first and only appearance of the night in such a late-in-the-show sketch. When she showed up in this just now, I was initially taken aback, basically wondering “Wait, what’s 2020 cast member Aidy Bryant doing so early in my SNL project???”, before remembering this is her first episode.
— A brief but funny appearance from Aidy. Wish she got more to do for her first episode, though.
— Kenan (who’s been having a strong night in general) delivering the goods with his various displeased reactions to Nasim and MacFarlane’s constant voices.
— This sketch has a cute, funny, and very well-executed premise that feels timeless, like it would fit well into any SNL era. Come to think of it, you could also say that about the Drill Sergeant sketch from earlier tonight.
— I love the audience’s gasping laughter when Nasim lightheartedly reveals that her sister is dead.
— Bill steals this already-solid sketch with his walk-on.
STARS: ****
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
musical guest performs “Pyramids”
WOODEN SPOON WAREHOUSE
Amish (host) & (TIR) spell out the URL of their wooden spoon company
— Great to see Tim Robinson front-and-center in his first episode, again being lovably goofy in a natural, subtle way.
— I absolutely love the letter-by-letter breakdown of the Amish-themed symbol that each letter in Wooden Spoon Warehouse’s website URL stands for. Fantastic.
— The “The river what took my son” bit, complete with MacFarlane lowering his head in a mourning, respectful manner, is the standout moment of this great piece.
— And already, we’re out. Short and absolutely sweet. I found this to be an overall perfect and unique little sketch. I heard that the dress rehearsal version of it was actually longer, with MacFarlane and Tim following their letter-by-letter breakdown of the URL by doing a number-by-number breakdown of, I think, their company’s phone number. I guess the show was running long, forcing SNL at the last minute to do away with the phone number portion of this sketch. Probably for the best, actually, because I think this sketch worked better in its live brevity. Having an extra scene at the end of it might’ve been pushing things a bit.
STARS: *****
GOODNIGHTS
IMMEDIATE POST-SHOW THOUGHTS
— A very strong season premiere. Aside from the Sex After 50 sketch, I enjoyed every single segment, and found several of them to be particularly strong, including two all-time favorites of mine (Puppetry Class and Wooden Spoon Warehouse). In addition, there was a certain vibe and flow to this episode that I absolutely loved, especially in the post-Weekend Update half of the show. Part of that could be because of all the solid original premises we saw throughout the night, which feels refreshing coming immediately after the recurring sketch-heavy Kristen Wiig era. A promising sign for SNL’s future. Seth MacFarlane fit in perfectly as a host and added to the episode’s strength, not exactly by being a show-y host with lots of flashiness like some great hosts are, but by doing lots of quiet but solid character work and displaying lots of range.
MY PERSONAL CHOICE OF “BEST OF” MOMENTS FOR THIS EPISODE, REPRESENTED WITH SCREENCAPS
RATED SEGMENTS RANKED FROM BEST TO WORST
Puppetry Class
Wooden Spoon Warehouse
First Date / Drill Sergeant (tie)
Eastwood And Chair
Democratic Rally
Monologue
Obama For America
Steve Harvey
Weekend Update
Lids
Sex After 50
HOW THIS EPISODE STACKS UP AGAINST THE PRECEDING SEASON (2011-12)
a step up
My full set of screencaps for this episode is here
TOMORROW
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Puppet Class is a top 5 all time sketch for me, and the sketch that cemented Bill as my favorite cast member of all time. Holy fucking shit does he kill it in this sketch. When this aired, I was literally crying laughing (one of the only times that’s ever actually happened to me) by the time Bill started making out with Vanessa’s puppet.
Seth is such a great straight man in that role. I feel like he’s underrated as a straight man (I think Brian usually gets the best lines in Family Guy, though its been years since I’ve seen an episode. I do however watch American Dad pretty often, since somewhere around season 6 that got a really gonzo sense of humor and ended up the far funnier show to me). He was a charming host, and game for a good amount, I’m surprised they never asked him back. Then again, Ted 2 and his western spoof flopped, so I guess it makes sense. Its crazy to think of how white hot he was in 2012 (he hosted the Oscars!) and how quickly he dropped the ball (like when he hosted the Oscars). The same thing happened to Psy, though the process lasted only a few weeks that time.
I believe this is the episode Bill would later (rightfully) receive an Emmy nomination for. I don’t really care about the Emmys truthfully (the fact that the current era of SNL has won the show by far its most awards shows how worthless and starfucker-y those shows are) but it was great to later watch Bill (once again, rightfully) win twice for Barry. Speaking of Barry, that show alone gives him easily the most interesting post SNL career of this era, because if that show sticks the landing it could be comedy’s answer to Breaking Bad. Amazing stuff.
Not to say this cast hasn’t done much. Popstar was one of my favorite comedies of the decade, and Brooklyn 99 is reliably good (but rarely great, if I’m being honest), so I’d say he’s in second place. Seth’s show is alright except when he does Closer Look which is always excellent (also that show always has fun SNL chit chat whenever he has a former cast or crew member on. It gets VERY inside and I love it). Will made Macgruber, which is also one of my favorite comedies of the 10s, because A: I’m very silly & B: the 10s didn’t have that many great comedies. The Last Man on Earth was ok, though it got kind of old pretty fast, which was a bit of a bummer. Kristen surprisingly hasn’t gone on to very much since SNL, with her biggest non SNL role (Bridesmaids) happening while she was in the Cast. I am cautiously interested in her role as “Leopard Baddie” in Wonder Woman: 1984 though, and her movie she has coming out next year (from what I’ve heard it has the potential to be “Bad Kristen Wiig Sketch: The Movie”, which yiiikes). I thought she was great in Anchorman 2 as well. Jason’s new show Ted Lasso is also really solid if anyone hasn’t seen it, especially once it gets going. It’s not anything mind blowing like Barry, but its some great comfort food, and Jason is VERY likable in the lead. Fred’s been much more enjoyable to me since he left. Documentary Now is Hader’s second fantastic show on air right now, and a lot of that is due to his and Fred’s routinely amazing performances. I also really liked his Amazon show Forever with Maya. Mulaney has honestly seen more success than most of the main cast, which is probably why he’s hosted more than any of them.
The date sketch wasn’t my favorite, with surprisingly Fred delivering my only laugh (okay Seth bailing on the black voice made me laugh too). That sketch did play in his wheelhouse though, and I do like him as a supporting player a lot, just not a lead (cough, Rodger Brush, cough). It made me realize in 09-11 that sketch would have probably just been him or Kristen doing all that “look at me” shtick, rather than the cast, which would have made it far less tolerable.
Cecily, Aidy & Tim! Don’t have much more to say other than that I’m excited to rewatch them, as I love all 3 (though I’m about ready for Aidy to leave, as her & Kate’s non Corporal sketches have been tanking hard the last couple years) ((The Corporal is seriously fucking great though, as is the Mulaney sequel)). Cecily joined the cast when I was 14, which is crazy to say, so I’ve had a huge crush on her since high school.
Frank Ocean is easily one of my favorite current artists, but his performances left me a little cold here. The same happened with his Grammys performance from around that time, I guess his music just doesn’t translate very well to live performances?
“(the fact that the current era of SNL has won the show by far its most awards shows how worthless and starfucker-y those shows are)”
It also has to do with an Emmy rule change.
https://variety.com/2019/tv/in-contention/saturday-night-live-emmys-supporting-categories-1203230693/
True but a part of me suspects they only made the new category to give SNL more awards.
For the life of me, I only remember the PSY sketch, and I was annoyed at the time of the repitition of the Gangnam Style joke. Looking now, it’s decent enough, though I remember being slightly bored considering it’s Seth Macfarlane. Maybe I was expecting him to do a Family Guy sketch, but hey, I was 14.
And I’ll be honest, the week after this episode aired, my family got Xfinity cable and I… just… COMPLETELY blanked out on SNL as a result (as in, I saw SOME reruns- the Applegate and Galifanakis episodes specifically- but I didn’t watch another first run until the season 41 premiere- though I DID watch the SNL40 special- simply because I was focused on other stuff.) To be honest, after I found out Samberg left, I clocked out already. So, it’ll be interesting to see how these episodes play out.
love love love this episode. i’m not even a huge seth macfarlane fan per se, but his “up-for-anything” theater-kid energy fits in so well with this cast (and kind of foreshadows where the show goes over the next several years with, let’s say, mixed results).
the puppet sketch is incredible, but the lochte bit is my personal highlight — it was such an unexpected pull, and macfarlane’s line-reads and demeanor (“soup yourself!”) totally hit the spot for me. one of the SNL bits that just make make me laugh uncontrollably no matter how many times i watch it.
both of frank ocean’s performances are killer, as well.
i’ve been watching SNL basically every week since 1997, and i think the stretch from this episode until meyers leaves in mid-S39 is my favorite period of the show.
S38 in particular has such a fun mix of reliable veterans and hungry newcomers in the cast, and it results in a whole bunch of fantastic top-to-bottom episodes (louis ck, jamie foxx and zach galifinakis particularly stand out, and jennifer lawrence’s episode is a guilty pleasure for me), plus a whole slew of interesting sketch ideas and performances.
even the lesser episodes from this next 1.5 years or so have at least a couple fun pieces (including some very strong first editions of sketches that probably recur too often over the following 2-3 seasons). very excited to relive this period over the next couple weeks.
This is probably the best season premiere of the entire 2010s, though the Margot Robbie episode is also very strong. Seth fit in really well.
The dialing back of the recurring characters in this season is something that continues on SNL to this day in 2020.
Since Family Guy seems to be polarizing among comedy people, I didn’t know how Stooge was going to react to Seth. I’m glad to see he enjoyed this episode! (Though I’d have given an extra half star to WU and Psy, probably.)
I like FG and can look past the crassness and the randomness which people complain about. And I can appreciate American Dad. I haven’t seen enough of his other work, but just those two shows should have been enough to keep Seth on SNL’s radar. Maybe like a modern day Buck Henry: someone who was well-known for behind the scenes work, but most of the on-screen work that people know is from SNL. Seth (like Buck, or 70s-80s Steve Martin, or 80s-90s Hanks) fit in well with the cast. I also think this episode further proves my theory about when comedy legends* host… the cast/writers kind of take it as a challenge and up their game. Rickles, Sid Caesar, Seinfeld, Zach Galifianakis, Chappelle, Newhart, not to mention respected former cast members (Carvey)… all of them hosted consistently excellent episodes. Just my theory.
*-is MacFarlane a comedy legend? “Only time will tell.”-Kent Brockman, from some other animated show entirely
Macfarlane did such a good job hosting this, I kind of can’t believe he never hosted again. I suppose his shows are still relatively popular but maybe his personal fame dropped off by comparison to where it was at this point. That said, he does play the main character in that sci fi show he does so it’s not like he’s vanished entirely.
I remember being really impressed with this episode. I’m not generally a MacFarlane fan, so he surprised me; but also, the lifted weight from the show was just so immediately clear.
I also was so happy with this montage. I was tired of the last one, and never liked that theme arrangement. From this point on, the montages and theme arrangements have all been top notch.
I wish it were more in my DNA to revisit episodes that I watched live, but for whatever reason, I’d rather watch older episodes multiple times over. My gut tells me that this next season-and-a-half really was pretty special, and I wanna revisit it, but I feel compelled to stick to my ordered binge through the series, which means I’d have to watch seasons 35-37, and that may be too big of a hurdle.
Man, the show is in for some major ups and downs through to the end of this project. I’m beyond curious to see where this journey takes us, particularly so I can finally use the ~scholarly and analytical lens~ I have for the older seasons on the current show. Crazy to say, but this will end right around or soon after the current season finale. I’m sure deconstructing each new episode will start to get very cross-reference-y, what with having the growth of the current cast and issues fresh in mind and all. I’d say this is definitely where the current era starts, in terms of writing and production stuff, and maybe the proto-current era, in terms of onscreen talent. I’ve seen a few say we basically get two or three “casts that never were,” starting here, which certainly is true, if you look at all the one-and-dones, two-and-dones, and five-year-rookies. BUT, I think it’s pretty undeniable that Kate, Aidy, Cecily, and Kenan run the game, right now, and they’re officially all there, already.
@OldSoul97 I agree with you on the opening credits. This one and the following one are the credits most people recognize instantly. I do disagree with you on one recent opening montage, in fact, it’s the current one. It has nothing to do with the montage itself (props to everyone involved figuring out how to pull it off during this time), but with the theme music. It’s practically the same music from last year, but with a different horn arrangement in the first thirty seconds. It also makes the intro seem longer than it is (which it is, 20 people). Hopefully, it will just last for this season and they revamp the next one entirely. But that’s all up to Pfizer.
Wow, it wasn’t until I read this review that I realized I’ve seen this episode, or at least parts of it. I definitely remember the “say hello to my little friend!” joke on Update, because my mom (who I was watching it with) reacted the same way the audience did… And I remember the “First Date” sketch, which I always thought was really funny. I don’t remember anything else in between, so I’m guessing it was DVR’d and my parents were skipping around.
Other than that… I love the Puppet Class sketch. Bill Hader is just so great. And I want to say the fact that they did a sketch about “Gangnam Style” is funnier than the sketch itself, but I just watched it and I actually loved it for being so silly and providing a nice blast from the past (even though I couldn’t stand that song at the time).
Not really a Seth MacFarlane fan but he did a great job playing several distinct characters in this episode.
Aidy is a fellow Columbia College Chicago alum and was a year behind me there (she’s class of ’09). We had several mutual friends and probably were around each other several times. I have vague memories of seeing her around. However, everybody is pretty anonymous in college and EVERYBODY at CCC was in some sort of comedy or improv troupe so you didn’t think anything of it. From all accounts from mutual friends she was/is a very nice person who was a naturally funny and wasn’t a shock she got on SNL. I know…cool story bro.
Iirc, Cecily already starts getting mainstream attention before the holiday break, maybe even sooner
Also remember Howard Stern loved the puppet sketch which would eventually lead to Bill coming on the show
Btw, I think Jason has his “We’re the Millers” haircut in this episode
This is where I argue where the new era begins, even though we still have Army, Suds, Hader, and Seth for awhile yet. What a fun episode; I’ll even forgive one last appearance by Rodger Brush. (I didn’t hate that sketch, but it is quite repetitive. Also, if Rodger was IRL he would be a #MeToo casualty. But I digress.) Seth was an excellent host, and Frank Ocean was mesmerizing. IIRC, this was a very good season but just short of an all-time great year.
CR86 mentioned Aidy, but I was acquainted with Cecily when I worked at iO Chicago in 2011. We make small talk, I was going to add her on Facebook but forgot, and now here we are. I’d be amazed if she remembered me, though.
Poor Tim Robinson. I think he only wanted to be a writer, but he was added to cast (allegedly) because they might need five white guys to play Mitt Romney’s sons. He demoted himself to the writers’ room after one awkward year. Cecily and Aidy had a so-so first show, but they (and Kate) make an impact very soon.
Six episodes until “the sloppy swish.”
Kate gets a big showcase the following week with her Anne Romney Update piece. I remember her Beyonce bit at the end of that piece was the first time I really thought, “whoa, who’s this new girl? She’s GOOD.” Then I worried she would end up being Kristen 2.0. Good thing I was wrong though, since while it’s been disappointing at times, I’d say Kate’s had a much stronger tenure.
I had forgotten until Stooge mentioned it in this review that Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With premiered in an Update special, but that’s definitely where I first really noticed her as well.
I really liked Tim in his one year stint. I thought he brought a fun goofy energy to sketches like Sandberg did. I guess they thought he would be one too many white guys following the insane amount they hired next season, but did we really need Brooks Wheelan over Tim?
I’d be surprised if their decision was based on his being a white guy, considering how reluctant they were (in spite of many years of criticism) to hire more non-white cast members in this era. Considering they still kept Tim on as a writer for a number of years, he likely suffered from being the new guy in a cast of mostly veteran male cast members (Taran and Jay being the exceptions, but they had their own struggles), not being conventionally attractive enough (I think he looks very handsome but then I’m not really the target audience for SNL anymore) and from issues involving nerves and depression that they talk about in this article:
https://www.theringer.com/tv/2019/12/17/21024325/i-think-you-should-leave-tim-robinson
Of course he is then swapped out oncamera with Mike O’Brien, who is incredibly awkward on live television (more than Tim was), and helping to hurt what was a strong run at SNL for Mike otherwise. As happens over and over with SNL’s casting choices, one mistake leads to a bigger mistake, which leads to a bigger mistake…
Here’s another article where he says he would have gotten more comfortable oncamera but his time as a cast member was “scary” and “not fun” and “not a fun year” and he was happier afterward. So…yeah.
https://www.gq.com/story/tim-robinson-i-think-you-should-leave-interview
I had watched SNL occasionally with my older brother during the Wiig years and liked it overall, but this was the first episode I saw on my own desire after getting really invested in the show’s history over the prior summer.
I watched Seth’s shows excessively at the time so I had high hopes that were ultimately delivered. Puppet Class is an instant classic and I enjoyed the Obama ad for Kenan’s part. I dozed off during Update, but awoke just in time for Wooden Spoon Warehouse at the end.
A great premiere that really sets the tone for an excellent season altogether!
This episode also contains my favorite line from any SNL sketch ever:
“Repeat after me: my sergeant does not st-st-stutter!”
“My sergeant does not st-st-stutter!”
Even in dress, the refreshing nature of this whole show felt exciting. Season 38 is my choice for best of the HD era.
CUT
Obama For America #2
~ Obama (Jay) grudgingly approves another ad: Mitt Romney’s 6th son (Bobby) details his experience getting “kicked out” of the family. And the Romneys’ former neighbor (Vanessa) recalls seeing them leave for vacation and strapping a dog kennel to the top of their car, a kitty cage on top of that, a turtle habitat on top of that, and a pet bumblebee taped to the top of that
Sunday Night Football
~ Al Michaels (Fred) and Cris Collinsworth (Bill) discuss an injury received by a (fictional) member of the Pittsburgh Steelers (MacFarlane), after being tackled by two 300-pound men from opposite directions. His lower half is missing, complete with guts spilling out and blood squirting the interviewer (Nasim). Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (Kenan) comments. Three staffers (Taran, Jay, Tim) bring in the legs, hoping he’ll be able to play by the end of the game. A fan (Bobby) is saddened about the news as now his Fantasy Football roster is in jeopardy. A crawl explains that after this incident, the NFL instated the “Jake Pryor Rule”, in which any player torn in half must rest for 4 days before playing again. The narrator reveals herself to be Kathleen Turner (Hader again in a deep husky voice)
Romney’s Contributor
~ Mitt Romney (Sudeikis) has dinner with a generous campaign contributor (MacFarlane) and his wife (Vanessa). McF assigns tasks to Romney like cutting his steak, choosing a nice wine, and dancing The Robot to the live music (string orchestra silently played by Jay/ Aidy/ Tim/ Cecily). Romney frequently asks his aide (Armisen) if he should be giving in to all the rich man’s demands, but the aide rationalizes everything (e.g. “Sir, it IS customary for the host to serve the wine.”)
Pure Party Times with Natasha & Galina
~ Queens-based public access show starring heavily-accented sisters Natasha & Galina (Kate & Cecily), featuring dancing and “no sex”. Their friend (Hader) is the DJ and the guest is their brother (MacFarlane), who brings news about their dying father, sick because his girls are living in the U.S. and not their home country. After the sisters break down, brother says he’s kidding and their father is fine. They all dance to celebrate.
Convention Cutaways
~ airs on Thursday’s Update special, with Steve Higgins replacing Seth MacFarlane’s announcer v/o
~ MacFarlane & Cecily cut from the air version
G.O.B. Tampons
~ airs next week
CHANGES
Gangnam Style: Tim Robinson played Sudeikis’s role in dress. The crowd was responsive to him, but Lorne must’ve wanted to give Jason something to do after the cold open, and only the 2 Romney sketches in dress. The first sign of Tim’s misuse on the show.
Wooden Spoon Barn Warehouse did feature “picture names” for the number to call. “555” was “three squirrels looking at something”. Tim blooped slightly while holding the phone number sign upside down at first. (“Whoopsie!”)
puppets: Hader didn’t tongue-kiss the female puppet in dress
Steve Harvey’s fedora was part of the makeover. The naked bald head in the live show is much better.
Rodger Brush signed off with: “Next up, we’ll watch a movie about how the vagina ages”; he can’t stick around for that because he just ate a fried bologna sandwich
Aidy’s short testimonial was cut from Eastwood And Chair
MacFarlane’s cohorts Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild wrote an “additional sketch” that did not make it to the live show. Out of the cut bits, only “Sunday Night Football” seems like their style
DRESS RUNDOWN
Jay is Obama
monologue
G.O.B. TAMPONS (CUT)
Steve Harvey
st-st-stutter
OBAMA #1
funny voices
EASTWOOD AND CHAIR
Gangnam Style
Frank Ocean #1
Update
Honey Boo Boo & Mama
Ryan Lochte
Mimi Morales
Sex After 50
Sunday Night Football (CUT)
OBAMA #2 (CUT)
puppets
Pure Party Times (CUT)
Frank Ocean #2
Romney contributor (CUT)
CONVENTION CUTAWAYS (CUT)
Wooden Spoon Barn Warehouse
goodnights
Minus Fred, having the S38 cast spread out over a couple years would have been a dream.
Excellent season opener; I’ll have to revisit.
Season Opening Sketches Ranked
*****
– First Bush/Gore Debate (S26)
– A Nonpartisan Message (S34)
****½
– The Wolverines (S1)
****
– Lily Tomlin’s Arrival (S2)
– Relatives Of The Rich And Famous (S10)
– Bush Address (S15)
– Wayne’s World (S17)
– Woody Allen At The Theater (S18)
– Clinton Auditions (S20)
– O.J. Today (S21)
– Oprah (S23)
***½
– I Love You (S4)
– Bush Address (S16)
– Clinton Address (S19)
– Oprah 2002 (S24)
– Bush Briefing (S31)
– GOP Debate (S37)
– Democratic Rally (S38)
***
– In The Oval Office (S3)
– The Pope (S5)
– Our Age Is Showing (S7)
– Live From Burbank (S8)
– Tartikoff’s Office (S9)
– White House Dinner (S13)
– Hanz & Franz (S14)
– Election Coverage (S22)
– Reform Party Headquarters (S25)
– Schwarzenegger Address (S29)
– Bush Rally (S32)
– A Message From Hillary Clinton (S33)
– RNC Headquarters (S36)
**½
– Drug Testing (S11)
– Cheney And The Bomb (S28)
**
– In Bed With Elliott Gould (S6)
*½
– First Bush/Kerry Debate (S30)
– Gadhafi Speech (S35)
N/A Rating
– It Was All A Dream (S12)
– 9/11 Tribute (S27)
John Solomon and Rob Klein wrote the puppet skit according to Bill on Seth Meyers.
Tonight is Cecily’s final show
And then there were none. After Cecily leaves tonight, all four featured players will no longer be on the show