whatevs.org presents...

"SNL - SEASON 31 REVEALED"

by Nummer and H-Bomb

Episode 18: Julia Louis-Dreyfus / Paul Simon (5/13/06)

CONEY RATING SYSTEM
= John Belushi
= Amy Poehler
= Tim Meadows
= Melanie Hutzel
= Charles Rocket
= Self-Explanatory

0-10 Coneys – Garbage
11-20 Coneys – Needs Improvement
21-30 Coneys – Average
31-40 Coneys – Above Average
41-50 Coneys - Instant Classic
51+ Coneys - Unparalleled Comic Genius

OAD = Original Air Date*

(*To be fair, coneys will be awarded the same as they were the first time they aired)

: “I wanna kiss you all over and then take a dump on your stomach” – Hader’s bum character.

The winning Wiig/Hader formula from the Matt Dillon/Arctic Monkeys episode strikes back. Wiig scored big tonight as a frustrated morning show host (Linda Davenport….I mean Lydia Johnson) and paranoid alien abductee while Hader’s homeless impression from “Selective Bum” again proved both of these featureds are ready for full time.

Dreyfus! So much buzz. Starting off by joining Dane Cook and Jack Black with one of the best monologues of the season, Dreyfus proved that ex-female cast members can carry an entire show just as easy as the men. Although most of her roles were filled with sexual innuendos (she acted out leud acts in Charades, got some nasty talk from a homeless man and then recalled a character waking up in a puddle of urine), you could tell she was having fun out of the confines of prime time.

Sanz and Hammond also had big nights. Sanz’s voice in the Myspace sketch more than made up for his lack of screen time over the last few episodes and Hammond’s Rich Little was in a word, brilliant. That said, I’m still hoping these two are on their way out after the season ends.

When it came to music, how could you not love Paul Simon…or more importantly his band! Talk about a ragtag makeup of musicians. You’ve got Phil Leotardo from The Sopranos on drums, some crazy hippy (possibly Liam Neeson’s character from the 11/13/04 “Drug Sniffing Dog” sketch) playing lead guitar, some dude who just stepped out of the dressing room at Express on keyboards and three guys hanging out in the shadows rounding the group out. Sure the songs had some cheesy lyrics (most notably the food at public schools bit during “Outrageous”), but just watching these guys interact made coneys.

Capping off the good were the cameos. Unlike their over abundance in Steve Martin’s episode, the pre-taped segments with Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld regarding the “Seinfeld Curse” as well as both Al Gore appearances (with dialogue again written by his daughter Kristin, just like the time he hosted in 2002), all helped Julia deliver a very strong show.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus definitely put forth the old college try as this week’s host on SNL. Too bad the sketches couldn’t quite keep up with her energy and charisma. Although she did appear to be a little stiff in her monologue, Dreyfus quickly settled into her roles with well rehearsed ease. Similar to last week’s episode with Tom Hanks, only 12 skits aired with Dreyfus occupying merely half of them. I’ll be the first to admit that Dreyfus certainly didn’t dole out any truly memorable performances, but I did expect a bit more airtime for the “first former female cast member to come back and host SNL.” Nevertheless, I did enjoy Dreyfus’ hosting debut even if the writer’s fell short of their task at producing clever skits.

This week’s show also brought our beloved featured player Bill Hader back to the forefront a bit more, a place he most definitely deserves to be. As with Dreyfus, Hader’s characters weren’t exactly brilliant, but it was great just seeing him in the limelight, even just for a few brief skits. I have to say, I wouldn’t mind his bum character hitting on me at lunch in NYC. “You ladies finally come to your senses?” I’m glad to see Lorne has. Best.

Rounding out the highlights of this Saturday’s show were, undoubtedly, both of Paul Simon’s performances. It’s truly inspiring to see seasoned musicians on the SNL stage, playing music that stands the test of time despite all of the Fall Out Boys and Ashlee Simpsons that try to usurp them. And seriously, that guitar player with the crazy long curly hair and chops was just totally best.

Despite earning 3 coneys, the 14 minute long Weekend Update could easily have been cut in half. Finesse’s entire segment should never have made the air (anyone catch his Starkeesha dance capper) and what was up with Samberg’s David Blaine impression? It was definitely appropriate and topical, but couldn’t he have whipped up something other than a half assed Napolean Dynamite voice for it? A total of three cutaways to Armisen’s Wolfgang Fey bit could have been reduced to just one as well. With the sketch writing as hot as it was tonight, it’s a shame Lorne allowed this to go on for SOOO LOOONG.

Following up last weekend’s so-so “Testicles” digital short, tonight’s “Peyote” installment was easily the worst of the season. Maybe its time to put a lid on these for the season Samberg…

The worst bit of the night, ironically, was the coveted SNL Digital Short. Basically a complete rip-off of it’s debut, “Lettuce,” “Peyote” lacked any originality or humor. In fact, the whole punchline could be seen from a mile away. Come on, guys. Are you really that out of ideas after only one season?! Could this be an indication that maybe you shouldn’t play these EVERY episode?! Quit blowing it, Lorne!!!

Unfortunately, “Peyote” wasn’t the only poor sketch writing to plague this episode. Skits like The Morning Show and Unsolved Mysteries just felt recycled and uninspired. If it weren’t for some hilarious performances by the likes of Dreyfus and Hader (Armisen, Forte, Sudeikis and even Hammond and Gore can be credited as well), I highly doubt this episode would’ve earned the coneys it did.

Finally, what the hell was up with Weekend Update? It went on FOREVER….and it still wasn’t even that funny. 14 minutes is ridiculously long for ANY skit, especially when it only means more Fey anti-Bush jokes and Finesse Mitchell appearances. Worst.

Another above average show for Season 31. Dreyfus is leaving next week’s host Kevin Spacey a tough act to follow. Especially considering the fact Spacey has to deal with his episode being the season finale as well.

I have to say I’m a bit disappointed with this week’s turnout with host Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She did a fantastic job and certainly proved herself worthy of future hosting duties. But the writing….it’s got to improve or I fear for another so-so finale, which just can’t happen with Spacey at the wheel. Hopefully with more airtime from Hader and the gang of featured players, next week’s show can squeak by with some respectable results.

CONEY COUNT

1. Cold Opening: Parallel Universe
Premise: In another dimension, President Al Gore addresses the US
Cameo: Al Gore

2. Monologue: Louis-Dreyfus

3. Commercial Parody: Tech Pack
Premise: Waist pack designed to hold electronic devices looks like a bomb

4. Sketch: Selective Bum
Premise: One woman out of a group is not harassed by a homeless man

5. The Morning Show
Premise: A morning talk show experiences technical difficulties

6. Sketch: Myspace and You
Premise: Sexual predators attend a how to Myspace seminar

7. Music: Paul Simon “How can you Live in the Northeast”

8. Weekend Update
Guests: Al Gore, Armisen, Finesse and Samberg

9. Sketch: Charades
Premise: Parody of a 1970s game show

10. Sketch: Unsolved Mysteries
Premise: An actress has a hard time believing an alien abduction recreation

11. Music: Paul Simon “Outrageous”

12. SNL Digital Short: Peyote
Premise: Fake ad for peyote

TOTALS

34.5 / 48 Coneys

28 / 48 Coneys