As a writer reviewing a weekly sketch show without a linear plot, it becomes easy to start to write your own narrative from the lack -- one perhaps that goes like this: SNL--Used--To--Be--Great--And--Now--Isn't--So--Hot--But--Has--Some--Decent--Sketches--Now--And--Then--But--Man--Do--I--Miss--The--Glory--Days. Comfortable. But something clicked on this week's Saturday Night Live that hearkened back to the Will Farrell days of 2000, and it was completely welcome after last week's lackluster return.
What Worked
Either the writers just had a better week, or Zooey Deschanel stepped up the hosting and acting game. From her Valentine's Day monologue song to the entire Generation Y-skewing "Bein' Quirky with Zooey Deschanel" skit, Zooey radiated grace and hilarity with every eye flutter and voice crack.
Sports Metaphors For America
Clint Eastwood keeps coming back with more Super Bowl commercials for Obama. Or maybe it's Rick Santorum...no, America? Oh, Chrysler. Turns out his pants are just too high. Regardless, the three-peat performance here by Bill Hader was one of the night's highlights.
Everybody Hates Mitt
Jason Sudeikis' Mitt Romney tries to play off his primary losses to Rick Santorum as no big deal, but it doesn't quite work. Even for his dog. Definitely one of the best political sketches this year, but it seems like SNL's writers are in their own little primary, trying to find out how to write for the candidates before the General Election.
Les Jeunes En Paris
The Artist's Jean Dujardin makes a guest appearance to counter Zooey's all-singin'-all-dancin' reputation, and with a wink, the French TV parody becomes a dance number from the Oscar-nominated silent film. Something must be happening on Television this month...
What Didn't Work
Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-Piers Morgan!
Current events always make better early sketch material than stripper jokes, but so much more could have been done here, with Piers Morgan (a brilliant Taran Killam) going to town over MIA's middle finger incident at the Super Bowl.
Make Technology Hump
Because a pistol humping a pager is funny for about 10 seconds, not three segments.
Favorite Moments
Nic Cage-Off
While an Arianna Huffington visit to Weekend Update seemed like the best moment of the night, soon Nic Cage actually joined Andy Samberg as Nic Cage in a sort of meta Face-Off moment, poking as much fun at himself as Samberg's impression.
How Come They Talk So Fast?
Zooey gets hired at a 1940's newspaper only to find everyone apparently talks as fast as they did in the movies back then. C'mon, you have to have asked yourself that question once or twice when you've turned on Turner Classic Movies late at night.
Whitney
Comedy's response to real tragedy is always a fine line, handled masterfully in the past like Jon Stewart's return to the air after 9/11. With only a few hours to prepare something for the show after Whitney Houston's tragic and sudden death, they pay great tribute here with a classic screenshot of Whitney and Molly Shannon from years ago.
Musical guest Karmin only helped push the energy to a great and consistent pace. I only hope next week can keep it up...please, no more stripper jokes.
