If I even bother to do so, I usually watch “SNL” on the DVR sometime during Sunday. Typically, a 90-minute episode takes between 20 and 35 minutes to endure, depending on the quality of the show. More often than not, you can fast forward through not just the commercials, the bad Obama impression, and the musical guest, but you can tell where a skit is going within the first 30 seconds and skip the rest of it, too.
But something unusual happened with the latest “SNL,” hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt — it was good. Damn good. As a host, JGL is one of the best in recent memory outside of Justin Timberlake, and he presented one of the best opening monologues in years. Granted, I’m no fan of musicals, nor of Singing in the Rain, but goddamn: JGL killed it. Not just with his voice (which was just OK), but those moves. Those goddamn moves, complete with off-the-wall back flips and some of the best physical comedy ever witnessed on “SNL.” Just flat-out incredible, all the more impressive because it was live.
Ryan Reynolds: You’ve just been one-upped in the man crush competition. (And R-Squared’s “SNL” hosting gig was an embarrassment to Canadians, and it takes a lot to be an embarrassment to Canadians.)
And there was apparently something about JGL, too, that inspired the rest of the “SNL” staff — they had one of their best commercials in a long time (a 2012/Sarah Palin mashup), and a Digital Short as good as anything outside of the Justin Timberlake shorts. That’s the power of JGL, folks.
The moves you speak of were a move for move copy of the original Donald O'Connor routine. From a fan of the musical... just... *Swoon*
Posted by: hillary at November 23, 2009 5:36 PM
No seriously, I love him. Singing in the Rain!!!! for crissakes. Somebody do me a favor and kidnap him for me. I'll pay you in cookies and lube.
**why aren't you a fan of Singing in the Rain Dustin? It's one of the greatest movies EVER. And you with a gay dad and everything, you'd think you'd have a better appreciation of musicals.
Posted by: s. pisaster at November 23, 2009 5:37 PM
*sigh*
Someone please get Rowles some tissues.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 23, 2009 5:37 PM
Seconded. That episode rocked. It feels like the shows writing and performances are stronger than they have been in the past several years, and I think each episode is much more consistent as a whole (except for last week's January Jones/Black Eyed Peas debacle). But I'm also far from sober when I watch it...
Posted by: J Stride at November 23, 2009 5:38 PM
Sigh...he'd have the lead for sure with a voice that strong in the school I work for.
I'd normally say he was trying too hard, but that was the gag, so, buttons.
Disagree about the digital short. I hate to be one of those people, but I just don't get Andy Samberg. He's really only as good as the person doing the song with him (see: Chris Parnell in "Lazy Sunday" or Justin Timberlake always). But Kenan Thompson? That guy hasn't been funny since Everyday French With Pierre Escargot from "All That." And I'm pretty sure that was only funny because I was 9. Anyway, this is just to say that the digital short wasn't funny.
I once had a dream where JGL was The Joker. It was awesome. That's all I can think about when I see him now, especially when he's wearing the tie and vest. Hot.
When my mom asks for my Christmas list about 20 minutes after the table is cleared of Thanksgiving dinner and the tryptophan coma is setting in, I'll just send her a link to the video of JGL opening SNL. And the one of The Rock's opening last season as a back up.
Posted by: Intern Rusty at November 23, 2009 5:52 PM
@pinky mcLabybits:he's the son of Johnny Depp and Heath Ledger!
Posted by: carrie at November 23, 2009 6:03 PM
I think the 'What Up With That' skit is hilarious, that's the second time they've had it I think
Posted by: christian at November 23, 2009 6:10 PM
Although, two skits with Al Gore was just too much
Posted by: christian at November 23, 2009 6:11 PM
I love JGL, but with that sprinkling of facial hair, he is a lock for the next indie movie role as a 20-something child molester. Or junkie. Or junkie child molester. Or junkie molester (ie, one who molests junkies who may or may not be children).
Posted by: Slash at November 23, 2009 6:17 PM
Those back flips were impressive.
Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 23, 2009 6:19 PM
I hate to be one of those people, but I just don't get Andy Samberg.
It's cool, kelsy, I find him funny sometimes, but I don't really get him either. The guy is the legitimization of amateur internet comedy.
But, then, SNL has never been consistently good. They can have a good, solid show every now and then, but it's usually mostly crap. SNL is only good in retrospect(best ofs).
Posted by: pissant at November 23, 2009 6:19 PM
Well, now that I've watched the clip, he's back to delightful. Watch out, Brad Pitt. Or Kevin Spacey.
Clearly, JGL put in some serious rehearsal time.
Posted by: Slash at November 23, 2009 6:28 PM
Posted by: Slash at November 23, 2009 6:17 PM
OR, *HE* might get molested, by junkie children.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 23, 2009 6:39 PM
I really hope he stays this cool. I can see him being the next Christopher Walken in about 40 years or so.
Posted by: alphawhiskey at November 23, 2009 6:47 PM
RE BarbadoSlim
"OR, *HE* might get molested, by junkie children."
We should pitch that to the Weinsteins. Or Gus Van Sant. Or that dude who always makes the depressing movies about sexual deviants. Or Lars Von Trier (who may be the guy I'm thinking of in the previous sentence).
Posted by: Slash at November 23, 2009 6:48 PM
Dustin, it's good that you've made your shifting alliance official. Mancrushes are serious business.
JGL is adorable. I thought he was adorable back on Third Rock From The Sun, and then I was ashamed, because he was a little kid and I was... not.
Posted by: MM at November 23, 2009 6:59 PM
also, ALSO did anyone else notice he switched father/grandpa to mother/grandma in the song? AWWWW.
Posted by: s. pisaster at November 23, 2009 7:05 PM
Dustin how DARE you?! You abandoned the double R, leaving him in the tender care of ScarJo? What have you done? She can't love him like you did. Have you no decency, Sir?
And for that kid from Third Rock? I don't like to be that person but I'm just going to say it: Lithgow CARRIED him during that whole series.
What's next? Efron?
You Whore!!!!!
Posted by: greer at November 23, 2009 7:13 PM
When I read that he did a scene from singin' in the rain, I was hoping it was this one because man, I loves me some tap dancin'
Posted by: mswas at November 23, 2009 7:18 PM
@ christian...
I thought that skit was hilarious as well. I choked on a baked lay potato chip when he stared going in to song while Al Gore was talking.
The Mello Show with Jack Johnson was also quite funny, Dave Matthews as Ozzy was spot on.
Solid episode, really.
Posted by: ashes at November 23, 2009 7:26 PM
And when I say Mello....I mean Mellow.
I know a guy named Mello, I was actually just texting him. Well his name isn't Mello that is actually his last name but everyone calls him Mello....whatever, that explains the mis-spelling.
ummm k, I will just uh, go now.
Posted by: ashes at November 23, 2009 7:29 PM
What's up what with the director for this? We should have been able to see JGL's feet as he was performing. Lame.
Posted by: Dudleys Mom at November 23, 2009 7:49 PM
I agree - I loved the opening, and I actually laughed at the Palin thing. I didn't stay for the whole show, but JGL was adorable.
Posted by: Cindy at November 23, 2009 7:58 PM
So, I used to have a massive, unhealthy crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It has now been upped to a creepy, stalker-like obsession. As someone who has been doing swing and blues dancing for the last five years, nothing gets me hotter than a man who can dance.
He looked so damn happy when he was hosting. I was beaming while watching it.
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at November 23, 2009 8:39 PM
He does actually have a decent voice, though, as evidenced by his Jason Mraz impression. I think the physicality of the monologue bit threw his voice off a bit.
Vegan cookies. Hemp Necklace.
Posted by: Melissa at November 23, 2009 8:43 PM
That was awesome. I'd like to think that if I was famous, had the balls to perform in front of people, and was acrobatic in any way, that's the kind of SNL monologue I would do.
However, did it seem to anyone else like no one in the studio audience had seen Singin' in the Rain? How could they not be cheering when he was obviously preparing to do the wall flips? I would have been out of my seat the moment it became clear that he was going for that.
Posted by: enorquest at November 23, 2009 9:05 PM
I fell in love when I watched JGL in Brick (about two years before the rest of the population HAH!) and in more in love when I saw him in The Lookout. He was also the best thing about 500 Days of Summer (sorry Zooey) Annnnnnnnddd now I think I love him a little bit more. Can't wait to see what he does next.
to me he looks like a younger version of orlando bloom.
Posted by: Utah Dynamo at November 23, 2009 10:00 PM
I watched this episode on Hulu but they didn't show the opening monologue (WHY OH WHY??!!) but I laughed so hard at the digital short (Hanging like my nutttssss) and the Mellow Show was pretty laugh-worthy too. jGL was just so darn enthused to be there and you could see it. He even gave like his 200% in that shitty country music skit.
I still think he was hottest in Brick. But maybe that's because he was so broody.
Why do I love my 9 year old? Because..."Mom, I PVR'd Saturday Night Live for you, it was good this week" ...unfortunately it will have to wait for tomorrow as the 3 month old is trying to gnaw my hand off...goodnight all
Posted by: Mrs. Admin at November 24, 2009 12:05 AM
I'm with Pinky McLadybits on JGL looking like the Joker. Though I don't see him in my dreams.
This is a man crush I can get on board with after seeing 500 Days of Summer. I'm not sure if it was more the way his character was written or his acting but he came across as just one of the guys, someone you could just sit around and drink some beer with and shoot the shit.
Posted by: Dave at November 24, 2009 12:16 AM
Join the club Dustin, I have been stalking him since 10 Ten Things I Hate About You (I like it, don't judge).
Love. Him.
Also, how bout the Say Anything spoof at the end? His brooding was spot on
Posted by: Even Stevens at November 24, 2009 1:21 AM
The youtube video of the monologue is cropped for some stupid reason. In the full 16x9 as seen on TV, you see him head to toe for most of it. Best actor on earth. If you haven't yet, watch Brick and The Lookout.
Posted by: NP at November 24, 2009 1:35 AM
Aww fudge it! Cannot watch either of them.
I am basically stalking this dude across the internet what with twitter and tumblr. I am starting to worry about myself.
So you've all watched this THIS then? Although I was just as amused at seeing Olivia Thirlby.
Posted by: arrrghzi at November 24, 2009 6:22 AM
Welcome to the party, Dustin.
I've been a massive fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt (10 Things I Hate About You, Angels in the Outfield) since Brick. Him performing one of my favorite theatrical musical numbers of all time just seals the deal.
"Cosmo, call me a cab!"
Posted by: WestCoastPat at November 24, 2009 7:10 AM
Thank you for that. I would never have watched it otherwise, and it was great. I knew he was going to do the wall flip the moment I saw that it was slanted, but even knowing I was still filled with suspense when he took that pause, caught his breath, and then ran at the wall. I agree, the audience did not seem to have a clue what was coming.
Posted by: Morgan LaFai at November 24, 2009 2:04 PM
Ahh! JGL was amazing in my opinion. Yeah a little corny, but most male hosts could have not been able to pull the skits he did. Especially with that energy and confidence he had.
Posted by: Layla at November 24, 2009 4:13 PM
I have the same to say about Joseph gordon levitt. I mostly skip through SNL , but his skits, moves and singing were terrific!!!! this episode was actually funny! his acting was superb as usual. I always wonder ahy he is not as well know as other awesome stars. more actors like him should be called on the show.
Posted by: Anneka at December 10, 2009 12:31 PM
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The moves you speak of were a move for move copy of the original Donald O'Connor routine. From a fan of the musical... just... *Swoon*