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SNL: Goodbye Kristen Wiig, Hello Funnyman Mick Jagger
After spending the past seven years bringing to life some of the funniest SNL characters in recent history, Kristen Wiig officially leaves the cast with tears in her eyes. Oh, and I almost forgot: season finale host Mick Jagger knocks it out of the park!
A Heartfelt Farewell
If this touching tribute doesn't get you all misty-eyed, I fear there's no hope for you. Rumors of Wiig's departure have been soaring around for months, but it wasn't until the final sketch of the night, when Jagger pulled her onto the stage as a "graduating senior" and each cast member danced with Wiig in their own unique way, that the news really sank in. Kristen, I can't stress this enough: You will be dearly missed.
A Californian Cameo
Who knew that taking a right on Hillhurst would have led Timothy (Jagger) to his long-lost son? Well, I suppose none of that really matters, because Steve Martin drops by for a quick but crowd-pleasing cameo as yet another Californian searching for reason amidst The Golden State's chaotic highway systems.
Jagger Does Tyler
The next best thing to seeing Mick Jagger side-by-side with Steven Tyler is Jagger playing his own rendition of the American Idol host / Burger King mascot. But really, with as much potential as this sketch carries -- Abby Elliott nails her Jewel and Bill Hader serves up a pitch-perfect Dave Matthews -- it ends much too quickly after it begins.
Judith Finally Seals the Deal
In place of a political cold open, Judith (Wiig) and her creepy little hands return to The Lawrence Welk Show, trying to seduce an Italian sleazeball -- played by Jon Hamm! Then, in an unprecedented event in Judith's history, her prey gives in as Hamm leans in for a kiss. And then things get a bit weird...
The Last Mindy Grayson
Alongside the somehow always hilarious Broadway actress Mindy Grayson (Wiig) on the consistently funny "Secret Word" game show, Jagger plays a Hollywood megastar known for his testosterone-fueled action films -- which are clearly a ruse to hide the fact that he is flamboyantly gay.
Mick, Beck and The Blues
While both The Arcade Fire and The Foo Fighters gave solid performances with Jagger at the mic, the host's bluesy jam session with English guitar legend Jeff Beck is clearly the musical highlight of the evening. Rather than hammering out a classic Stones tune, the duo play a groovy little ditty about -- the upcoming election?
Moves Like Jagger
The rock star owns the outrageous sketch featuring a group of insurance agents at a karaoke bar, doing their best Mick Jagger impressions. Guess who isn't amused? Mick Jagg -- I mean, Kevin, the meek group member with terrible stage fright. Not only is this one of Jagger's best performances of the night, but Fred Armisen and Bobby Moynihan's physical comedy is golden.
Lazy Sunday Part Deux
Last week's 100th Anniversary Digital Short made me eager to sing the praises of last night's effort, but not even a cameo from Chris Parnell can save the "Lazy Sunday" sequel from being anything more than sporadically chuckleworthy.
A Medley, Foo!
The Foo Fighters play backup for a hard-hitting medley of "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "It's Only Rock 'n Roll." Much like the first performance of the night, Jagger hops about the stage and speak-sings while the alternative rockers in the background look like they're having the time of their lives.
Move Along, Stefon
Alright, so I'm probably going to land firmly in the minority here, but is Bill Hader's Stefon character really still that funny? I remember looking forward to the occasional appearance by the peculiar NYC night life guide, but how much longer can this sketch last when the only real joke is waiting to see Hader crack up? Still, now I know what "furtlenecks" are, so that's something.
The finale had its ups and downs, but Jagger was the perfect out-of-the-box choice to bring his own style to the mix without drawing attention away from the real star, Kristen Wiig. Now, what do we make of those other rumors telling us that both Andy Samberg AND Jason Sudeikis are leaving the show soon?
