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Hey! Not the Worst! (Also, Jay Pharoah F**king Rocks)

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (27)

saturdaynightscarlett.jpg

Not a great episode, but for the first time all season, not an absolutely abysmal one, either.

G-20 Cold Open

Save for Fred Armisen’s consistently terrible Barack Obama impression, the political open had Nasim Pedrad hilariously interpreting for Bill Hader’s President Hu Jintao. “I like to have my neck bitten when someone IS DOING SEX TO ME.” The political opens have been excruciating this year, but this one was damn near decent.

The Unstoppable Trailer

The best skit of the night was the fake trailer for Unstoppable, again thanks to the best part of the season so far, Jay Pharoah and his spot-on impersonations, here again of Denzel Washington.

Kanye Apologies to George W. Bush

Again, funny mostly because of Jay Pharoah, and W.’s Twitter address, “@notsocuriousgeorge”.


16 and Pregnant Spin-Offs

Funnier in theory than in execution, the “Cribs” spin-off bit was nevertheless kind of funny, and hey! It’s short.


Millionaire Matchmaker

The running theme in last night’s episode apparently was Scarlett Johansson doing a Brooklyn accent, which is clearly the extent of her comedic talents. However, in this skit, she did rip off a few great insults. “You look like an ass fraggle.”

The Digital Short

“What was that?”

Exactly.

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire? They were cool, and then not cool, and now? Everything looks cool in relation to the rest of “SNL.” So, win?










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Comments

For some reason Scarlett Breasthanssenson does good SNL.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 14, 2010 10:04 AM

The only part of this that I remotely care about is Arcade Fire's (lovely) performance.

Posted by: Talia at November 14, 2010 12:56 PM

I still don't "get" arcade fire. I think it's because I can't get any sense of real melody out of their songs.

Posted by: Ian at November 14, 2010 1:06 PM

The Unstoppable trailer was perfect. I hope they do Training Day next week.

I love Scarjo, but can we get her some lipstick that isn't the same color of her face? She just looked weird.

Posted by: EJ at November 14, 2010 2:14 PM

Nasim Pedrad is so shrill. She had me fast forwarding constantly. Also, Jay Farrow is unsettling to look upon.

Posted by: Gitley at November 14, 2010 2:38 PM

I made it through 0:57 of the 2:10 of that Unstoppable trailer skit.

If that was THE BEST, I'd be afraid of what the quality is for the rest.

Posted by: Fredo at November 14, 2010 2:41 PM

Either SNL must cost pennies to produce or Lorne Michaels must have the same hold on NBC that Jay Leno has. Those are the only reasons I can think of for why that show is still on the air.

I still say they should take it off the air for a year or two then bring it back.

Posted by: John W at November 14, 2010 2:48 PM

Screw all you guys. The Arcade Fire is the well to my lighthouse.

Posted by: coryo at November 14, 2010 3:45 PM

Wait...Arcade Fire were well known enough to fall in and out of cool already?

Posted by: Robert at November 14, 2010 4:32 PM

Robert, I'm confused as well. I think Arcade Fire have been pretty consistently badass, personally. Dustin can shove it.

Posted by: 2HB at November 14, 2010 4:48 PM

Scarlett, that haircut is a crime against nature.

Posted by: Lauren at November 14, 2010 5:10 PM

Can I love the music and ignore the ridiculous haircuts and clothes? At least they actually seem to want to play the instruments they're using. I've seen too many "indie" bands where they play instruments as if each one were a dirty kleenex they just picked up off the ground, or had a pure distilled indifference to said instrument.

Posted by: e at November 14, 2010 6:37 PM

I loved Scarlett, damn funny and damn hot. Arcade Fire I have been reading about for years on nerd/indie sites, and I correctly guessed that I couldn't last 90 seconds into the song, wow, that was some boring pretentious shit, and with no less than three violins...crap.

Posted by: TrickyHD at November 14, 2010 8:29 PM

The first SNL skit with Hu Jintao (about a year ago) was one of the most insightful, accurate portrayals of the state of US - China relationship. People who do China policy stuff in DC were emailing it around town like single women send LOLcat emails.

This time it kinda just beats the same (dead) horse. Go find the earlier one if you want a 7 minute treatise on the US China relationship.

Posted by: morganew at November 14, 2010 8:36 PM

"You look like a visible fart."

Classic. I've already used it twice.

Posted by: The Pink Hulk at November 14, 2010 10:54 PM

The problem as I see it as to why people have a problem with the music of Arcade Fire is it can be complicated. It is complex, deep layered music. It isn't just a power trio (no slam against power trios) banging out the same three chords again and again. Its not for everyone, it refuses to be the reality tv of music, simplicity for the masses. There is melody here, its complex and its beautiful. Some of the best bands aren't for everyone, and their music is challenging. Radiohead. Wilco. Hey, they aren't Fallout Boy, but then who could possibly compete with tha?

Posted by: ZAGA at November 14, 2010 11:11 PM

As the father of an itinerant musician (violin), I offer default approval to anyone who employs violinists, especially at union scale.

Posted by: , at November 15, 2010 1:51 AM

I will always love ScarJo for the 'this jacket is expensive' and the 'everyone needs a chandelier!" skits. If she can't live up to those two, forgetaboutit.

Posted by: Teresa at November 15, 2010 6:36 AM

My DVR decided not to record this episode. I believe it may now be on strike from the 2010-11 season of SNL....

Posted by: Steve at November 15, 2010 10:50 AM

When Emma Stone hosted a few weeks ago, I mentioned how refreshing it was for a female host to be dressed modestly for her monologue. They usually look (at best) like high end prostitutes. Mr. Edna gave me a strange look and rolled his eyes. When ScarJo walked out Saturday night, I just pointed. He conceded.

Posted by: superEdna at November 15, 2010 11:19 AM

Regine Chassagne was having some vocal issues, but "Sprawl II" is such an amazingly epic song.

"We Used To Wait" was an odd choice, but I'll watch Arcade Fire play any song they want, any time.

Posted by: ChristianH at November 15, 2010 3:58 PM

Maybe Jay Pharoah can do a Barack Obama impression. It's worth a shot.

Posted by: KateNonymous at November 15, 2010 6:55 PM

What? No mention of that kid-actor thing at the end? I thought that was dead-on.

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Posted by: Likkle Perry at November 20, 2010 9:50 PM

so far i dont see obama doing any better job with the economy than it has been when he picked up. US$ still at record low

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Posted by: Vanda Tao at December 10, 2010 10:26 AM