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Last Night on "SNL": Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Justin Timberlake Usher in the Best Episode of the Season

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (36)

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If “Saturday Night Live” had been as funny when Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph were cast members as it was last night, there’d have been a nice six or seven-year period when nobody would’ve said, “‘SNL’” isn’t funny anymore. This is what could happen if “SNL” brought in comedians every week instead of “movie stars.” Top to bottom, that was the best show of the season. There were no bad sketches. Some were better than others, but there was no fast-forwarding, except through the musical guest, Sleigh Bells, because I have no idea who Sleigh Bells is. The highlights were basically the whole show; you’d be wise to wait around until 1 EST and watch it in its entirety on Hulu because I’m about to post every damn skit (that’s available).

Linsanity Cold Open — “SNL” did a skit that was actually timely, insightful, and culturally aware. Impressive. And funny.

Bronx Beat — Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph reprised their old skit with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg.

Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Baby — This was only a mediocre sketch until Justin Timberlake arrived with his impression of Bon Iver. Then it became a sublime sketch.

Really?! With Seth and Amy — On men and the birth control debate.

Weekend Update Highlights — Amy Poehler sticks around and co-anchors.

What’s Up with Dat? — I don’t like this sketch, but Sudeikis face is irresistible. Plus, Bill O’Reilly and Kate Upton’s cleavage.

Super Showcase — This sketch, by itself, was actually terrible, but neither Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, nor Bill Hader could keep it together because Rudolph couldn’t seem to keep a consistent accent. And while it’s sometimes obnoxious when the cast members crack up, it was insanely infectious here.

Cosby Obama Show — A mediocre skit elevated by the last 15 seconds, which were goddamn inspired.

How’s He Doing? — Three black people discuss what it would take for Obama to lose their vote (hint: Moving in with a busted-up white girl).









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Comments

I thought the Maya Angelou prank show was pretty good too.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at February 19, 2012 11:00 AM

There was always something about Maya Rudolph that I couldn’t quite put my finger on; she seemed so familiar to me, like I’ve known her for years. I just found out she’s the daughter of Minnie Riperton, now I know.

Posted by: Pookie at February 19, 2012 11:02 AM

Super low quality video of the Jay-Z/Beyonce/Bon Iver sketch for your viewing pleasure! http://idolator.com/6190042/justin-timberlake-bon-iver-snl-blue-ivy

Posted by: nosio at February 19, 2012 11:26 AM

If you fast forwarded through the Sleigh Bells, you missed out on some sweet, sweet ear sex. They're not for everyone, but they're an updated version of the B-52's and what they do do (hehe doodoo) they do well. It's loud, bombastic and noisy. But it's fun as hell and catchy too.

Posted by: Roaddog at February 19, 2012 11:54 AM

Love Bon Iver. Timberlake was pretty much a dead ringer for Justin in that.

Posted by: Renton at February 19, 2012 12:20 PM

Sleigh Bells was absolutely terrible. I don't know if it was the mix or what but it was just incomprehensible noise. I couldn't understand one lyric. I've never heard of them and that performance didn't make me want to seek them out, either.

I actually watched the show live last night for the first time in quite a while. I figured with Maya hosting it would be better than average. I thought it was pretty good overall. Some of the skits were bad, but the good ones were great. I have no idea what the Showcase skit was supposed to be about because I think Kristin and Maya just gave up on it when they felt it falling apart. I still laughed pretty hard when Kristin drove through the back drop.

The Maya Angelou prank show was the best skit due to Pharaoh's Morgan Freeman impression, with the Bronx talk show a close second. It is always better when Amy Poehler comes back.

Posted by: TylerDFC at February 19, 2012 12:27 PM

It's part of their schtick. Their first EP actually was so blown out that your first reaction was to try and turn the volume down so you didn't hurt your ears or blow your speakers out. Even if you were actually listening at a reasonable volume. I describe them to people as dance-grunge. Their amps are all turned up to 11 and their lyrics (at least on the first album) didn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense and more were there for added melody and mood. (Much like the B-52's and Bon Iver.)

Not for everyone. But I blasted the first album with the sunroof open and windows down while driving to the beach for an entire summer. It's that kind of music.

Posted by: Roaddog at February 19, 2012 12:37 PM

If “Saturday Night Live” had been as funny when Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph were cast members as it was last night, there’d have been a nice six or seven-year period when nobody would’ve said, “‘SNL’” isn’t funny anymore.

I think they just can't sustain that level of funny for 1.5 hours/week for more than two weeks in a row. That's the biggest problem. I don't believe SNL has ever been consistently good. You just don't see the shitty skits from past. You only ever see the "Best Of"s. They should cut it down to one hour so they can lose a lot of the filler skits.

If you fast forwarded through the Sleigh Bells, you missed out on some sweet, sweet ear sex.

I didn't like their performance, but I remarked to one of my friends that I might like it more if I weren't seeing it live. We all thought the mix was terrible. Way to bring the creep by getting a dude that looks like the dude in the duo and plays the same model guitar and wears the same clothes as the dude in the duo. I thought they were twins for a moment.

Posted by: pissant at February 19, 2012 2:21 PM

My favorite part about What's Up With That is Keenan's amazing voice, I just never get tired of this skit

Posted by: Dana at February 19, 2012 2:35 PM

This episode was very forgettable to me, except that their racial humor was through the roof. You missed the best sketch of the night: "Maya Angelou Prank Show." But "Jay-Z and Beyonce's Baby" was a close second, as was "Bronx Beat." Main problem: The actual current cast had very little involvement in the success of this week's bits, save to play straight men or provide some solid impressions.

But overall, I felt kind of mediocre about the whole thing. The monologue was unbearable, several of the sketches (like the game show one) were only funny because clearly the actors had a hard time keeping it together. "What Up With That?" was decent, but not its best iteration. Honestly, I had a hard time getting excited about this episode when it was over.

Posted by: ChristianH at February 19, 2012 3:03 PM

No love for the Minaj impression? It was pretty dead-on methinks.

Posted by: Amanda6 at February 19, 2012 3:07 PM

You can't be serious. I actually thought this was one of THE worst episodes of SNL lately...and that's saying a lot, considering I can't remember the last episode of SNL that I actually enjoyed. Why do I keep watching then you ask? Funny, I keep asking myself that very same question every time too...

I thought the worst sketch was the Super Showcase. I can't stand when Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph talk in those stupid voices, and the whole thing was just a mess.

And can someone please tell me why they think it's necessary to throw Justin Timberlake into two sketches? He's not funny, and I want to slap his stupid face. Phew, I feel better.

Wow- this comment took an ugly turn. I apologize.

Posted by: Chelsey at February 19, 2012 3:28 PM

And still, Jane Curtin...
or Jan Hooks...

Posted by: Jerry at February 19, 2012 3:35 PM

Posted by: ChristianH at February 19, 2012 4:40 PM

What up with Maya Rudolph's fake abdomen in What Up with Dat?

Posted by: AM at February 19, 2012 4:48 PM

"If “Saturday Night Live” had been as funny when Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph were cast members as it was last night, there’d have been a nice six or seven-year period when nobody would’ve said, “‘SNL’” isn’t funny anymore."

Classic hater... Never can appreciate a cast member when they are on the show. They were just as funny last night as they were for that "period" you speak of.

Posted by: Masterpiece at February 19, 2012 4:53 PM

God damn "not available in your location".

Posted by: Soda at February 19, 2012 5:34 PM

I'm on the "positive" side of the fence...thought Maya was great, and always kinda have. I've lurved Poheler since her Upright Citizens Brigade days.

I gotta admit I didn't recognize Timberlake at first. It was the hair.

But yeah...I'm gonna go out and say this has been the best show yet this season.

P.S. - Who the HELL decided it was a good idea to let Lindsay Lohan back on the show? Really, SNL?

REALLY, LORNE??

Posted by: Green Lantern at February 19, 2012 5:49 PM

I kind of missed Maya Rudoph's Whitney impressions. I mean, obviously I wasn't expecting it, but I always love it.

And yeah, I almost fell off my chair when it said La Lohan was going to be hosting. 10 bucks says she bails on Thursday and Tina Fey or Alec Baldwin step in to save the day.

Posted by: TheEmpress at February 19, 2012 6:53 PM

I agree with what someone said about Jay Pharaoh. He looks NOTHING like Jay Z aside from being black, but you can immediately tell who he's impersonating. He's good. I also enjoyed Nasim Pedrad as Nicki Minaj (I think Nasim is pretty talented).

Posted by: TurnipTheRadio at February 19, 2012 10:24 PM

First time I've seen SNL in ages, and it was damn worth it. Maya Rudolph is so consistently hilarious. The musical act was atrocious, though. Loud and just flat-out random noise and I had to mut it after a few seconds.

The Beyon-Z skit was hilarious. The Nikki Minaj was spot-on.

Posted by: figgy at February 19, 2012 11:33 PM

Personally, I think Justin Timberlake is funnier than most of the cast.

Then again, I find Kristen Wiig to be absolutely unbearable: so what do I know?

Posted by: @Chrispeare at February 19, 2012 11:41 PM

The TransVaginal upgrade to lady business line made me guffaw.

Posted by: MyySharona at February 19, 2012 11:50 PM

Just watched the Cosby Obama sketch again. Joe Jamal Biden just about killed me...but when he came in with the overalls with one strap undone and mentioned his friend Cockroach, I DIED.

Posted by: TurnipTheRadio at February 20, 2012 12:31 AM

I'm biased since I've been rocking out to Sleigh Bells on my iPod for quite some time now, but I thought they were great. Granted, they are not for everyone. The vocals are supposed to be secondary to the music and it's supposed to be this loud jangley bouncy thing to immerse yourself in.

Posted by: JAJenks at February 20, 2012 1:11 PM

Love Sleigh Bells. The blown out bass drum from Tell Em kills me.

Posted by: Protoguy at February 20, 2012 2:52 PM

I didn't love this episode, and I don't think it was one of the best. It's been a strong season, but I think the Melissa McCarthy and Zooey Deschanel and even Charles Barkley episodes were better.

Also, I did not enjoy that Obama Cosby show bit at all, mainly because I felt like it was trying wayyy too hard to be funny, but I did like Joe Jamal Biden.

The Blue Ivy Carter skit rocked my world. Abby Elliot as Nicki Minaj (is that who was playing her? I need to confirm) was perfect, and Maya Rudolph totally had the essence of Beyonce. There was a bit too much of the talk show let's sing a theme song and put Keenan in a vintage suit for me, but overall I enjoyed it. Just not as much as weeks prior :)

Posted by: Corina at February 20, 2012 3:34 PM

Corina, it wasn't Abby Elliot. It was Nasim Pedrad. And yes, she rocked it.

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