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Last Night on "Saturday Night Live": Needs More Muppets

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (22)

snlmuppets.jpg

The first half of last night’s “SNL” was a rousing success, with appearances from The Muppets (in a brilliant signing monologue), Paul Rudd, Governor Jon Hunstman, and Seth Meyers’ “Really?!” with Kermit the Frog. Every skit and commercial in the first half hit, and the episode looked as though it might go down as one of the rare classic “SNLs”. Unfortunately, the second half of the show took a giant crap in its own pants. With the exception of a Andre the Giant impression from Jason Segal, the entire second half was miserable, unfunny, and dull.

Still, the first half was great, starting with The Muppets monologue:

The Mitt Romney cold open was good, too, and if Mitt Romney somehow wins the election, the show is going to have to find a way to keep Jason Sudeikis for another four years.

The Kemper Pedic Bed commerical is the reason that, even though the Muppets were on the show, it’s still not suitable for children.

The Kissing Family is difficult to watch, but Paul Rudd’s cameo makes it totally worth it.

The Weekend Update jokes were decent last night, but “Really?!” with Seth and Kermit demonstrated that, on the rare occasion, “Weekend Update” can show the same political self-righteousness that “The Daily Show’ exhibits every night.

Jon Huntsman wasn’t actually funny on “Weekend Update,” but it was kind of neat to see him on the show.

The miserable second half of the show featured another terrible “Digital Short,” notable only for the way it completely wasted an Olivia Munn cameo.

Finally, here’s that Andre the Giant impression.









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Comments

It was a completely wasted Olivia Wilde cameo. An Olivia Munn cameo would just be a complete waste.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at November 20, 2011 10:40 AM

Yeah, I sat through that Muppet opening monologue completely straight-faced. We're talking not even so much as a slight chuckle. Not even a half smile.

Posted by: Jeff in Middletucky at November 20, 2011 10:44 AM

Muppets make everything GREAT.

And I'm guessing we didn't get more Muppets because someone got your memo on The Muppets over-saturation, Rowles.

That opening monologue? Not only did it get me excited for the movie (totally borrowing some kiddos so I can see it on opening day) but it also made me nostalgic for the days when, as a wee lass, I'd get up early to watch The Muppets Show and also Muppet Babies and I was totally giddy with joy and had the goofiest grin on my face the whole time.

Yes, I know they are essentially puppets and I shouldn't be so affected but Jim Henson made it his mission to bring them all to life and make you forget that you're just watching pieces of felt with personalities.

No matter how crappy the second half: Muppets always make it a win.

Posted by: smijca at November 20, 2011 10:51 AM

I was more upset that they wasted Paul Rudd in the final sketch. You're going to have a skit with a band and not have Rudd full-out dancing? For shame.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at November 20, 2011 10:55 AM

Huntsman is goooood looking. Too bad he's got a snowballs chance in hell, I like him as a politician as well.

Posted by: snapnhiss at November 20, 2011 11:52 AM

We're not even going to mention Abby Elliot's creepily accurate Zooey Deschanel impression? I know the rest of that sketch sucked hard core, but she got the singing voice and everything.

Posted by: Intern Rusty at November 20, 2011 12:31 PM

It was a completely wasted Olivia Wilde cameo. An Olivia Munn cameo would just be a complete waste.

I love you, three-nineteen. That girl be funny; give us more Wilde, SNL.

Posted by: Sefa at November 20, 2011 12:37 PM

What, no mention of the skit where they tore Hipstery Deschanel a new one?

Typical for this site.

SNL just found its way back to my seasonal recording queue.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 20, 2011 2:55 PM

Screw you, that Digital Short made me laugh a lot lot lot

Posted by: ChristianH at November 20, 2011 3:14 PM

The Kissing Family sketch had me rolling...until it got to the Jason/Paul kiss at the end. Then I felt strangely tingly. And I might've replayed that part a few times.

...

I'll be in my bunk.

Posted by: Dingles at November 20, 2011 3:21 PM

Anyone else notice in Weekend Update that the husband "accidently" shot the wife? No one? Just me?

Jason Segal and Paul Rudd, like the Muppets, and butter, tend to make everything better. And while I adore Jason he bears an uncomfortable resemblance to my super-cute college boyfriend who broke my heart, which means that I want to fuck the shit out of him and cut his balls off.

I love you! I hope you die!

Posted by: Shonda at November 20, 2011 4:04 PM

Florence and the Machine. That woman has some pipes.

Posted by: Gistine at November 20, 2011 5:24 PM

My youngest was unhappy that Kermit was so mean, in the monologue and again during weekend update. I think I agree.

Posted by: mswas at November 20, 2011 6:25 PM

For what it's worth, mswas I think Kermit was very unhappy that Kermit was so mean. I cringed at that too but blame it more on Seth and the writers who come up with WU material.

I wasn't too enamored myself with what they had Kermit say, especially because it wasn't in line with the gentle spirit with which Jim Henson always portrayed Kermit.

Posted by: smijca at November 20, 2011 7:07 PM

what about jason's impression of ricky gervais, awesome! and i think the ashton kutcher one was also really good.

Posted by: Fher at November 20, 2011 9:01 PM

I actually found the first half (or before WU) to be a little dull, but the second half hilarious. Maybe it was just the tired mood I was in, but I cracked up at the New Jack Swing Thanksgiving and all of the impressions of different famous people trying out to replace Regis.

Posted by: Lauri at November 20, 2011 9:33 PM

I thought this was a pretty decent episode, especially considering how they wasted the last few hosts. It should be mentioned that Florence + The Machine's performances were awesome, too.

Posted by: Even Stevens at November 20, 2011 11:33 PM

Is it bad that I audibly guffawed at the end of the Digital Short?

"Check mate!"

I love you, Jason Segel.

Posted by: Jelinas at November 20, 2011 11:54 PM

Nothing about "Massachusetts Afternoon"?

Drinkin' cinnamon beer with you??

Really???

Posted by: Green Lantern at November 21, 2011 5:55 AM

Loved the Deschanel take-down and the Garrison Keillor piece was spot on also.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 21, 2011 10:34 AM

I thought the only real clunker was the retirement party sketch. Besides that, I thought this was a very strong episode. Loved Keenan on the New Jack Swing skit, Garrison Keillor, the short, AND "Massachusetts Afternoon." Actually, I've really been enjoying those odd sketches where it's not really about the laugh. I think the 2 French skits with Emma Stone were awesome, and I felt that "Massachusetts Afternoon" was in the same vein. I appreciated that Paul Rudd just sort of showed up, along with Florence. Solid episode. Oh, that Lego gag had me in tears.

Posted by: Jeremiah Drueke at November 21, 2011 12:43 PM

Have not watched SNL in many years, but just started downloading this episode, Muppets!

Posted by: TrickyHD at November 21, 2011 9:19 PM