"Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub and...Action!"
Cold Open: Anyone Can Host Finalists
4 Stars
Buck meets the five finalists
Don Pardo tells us that "The Waltons Eat Their Young" will not be seen tonight in order to present SNL. Gilda and Garrett are talking backstage about the Anyone Can Host finalists, Garrett asks if any are black. They are all white, but the sixth runner-up was "mulatto". There's an unemployed guy from Oregon, a co-ed from Vassar, a mother from Peoria, the Governor of South Dakota and an old lady. Buck comes out to meet them and tells them to follow him if they get lost and tells them it's time to say their one scripted line "Live from New York...". The eventual winner, Miskel Spillman gets the biggest laugh of the 5 when she introduces herself, "I'm Miskel Spillman, I'm old".
Buck Henry Monologue
Don Pardo tells us that "The Waltons Eat Their Young" will not be seen tonight in order to present SNL. Gilda and Garrett are talking backstage about the Anyone Can Host finalists, Garrett asks if any are black. They are all white, but the sixth runner-up was "mulatto". There's an unemployed guy from Oregon, a co-ed from Vassar, a mother from Peoria, the Governor of South Dakota and an old lady. Buck comes out to meet them and tells them to follow him if they get lost and tells them it's time to say their one scripted line "Live from New York...". The eventual winner, Miskel Spillman gets the biggest laugh of the 5 when she introduces herself, "I'm Miskel Spillman, I'm old".
Buck Henry Monologue
3 Stars
Buck interviews the finalists
Buck brings the finalists up one by one to ask them why they would make a good host. The Governor makes a dull political stump speech, the co-ed claims to be an SNL groupie, the unemployed kid tells an anecdote about being fired from his last job by a turkey, the mom thinks her kids will listen to her if she's on TV and Miskel Spillman wants to host so other old people will start watching the show. Miskell is clearly the front-runner as she seems the most genuine and fun. The Governor and mom are kind of dull, the co-ed seems shy to be on camera and the unemployed guy is trying way too hard. Buck then tells us how we can vote for our favorite.
Little Chocolate Donuts
Buck brings the finalists up one by one to ask them why they would make a good host. The Governor makes a dull political stump speech, the co-ed claims to be an SNL groupie, the unemployed kid tells an anecdote about being fired from his last job by a turkey, the mom thinks her kids will listen to her if she's on TV and Miskel Spillman wants to host so other old people will start watching the show. Miskell is clearly the front-runner as she seems the most genuine and fun. The Governor and mom are kind of dull, the co-ed seems shy to be on camera and the unemployed guy is trying way too hard. Buck then tells us how we can vote for our favorite.
Little Chocolate Donuts
5 Stars
John Belushi starts his day off right
John competes in various track and field events and tells us the secret to his athletic prowess is a delicious breakfast of little chocolate donuts. An instant classic. Belushi's physicality while he's competing in the Olympics complete with his stilted delivery as a commercial pitchman, topped off with the fact that he's smoking a cigarette.
Samurai Psychiatrist
John competes in various track and field events and tells us the secret to his athletic prowess is a delicious breakfast of little chocolate donuts. An instant classic. Belushi's physicality while he's competing in the Olympics complete with his stilted delivery as a commercial pitchman, topped off with the fact that he's smoking a cigarette.
Samurai Psychiatrist
3 Stars
Samurai Futaba acts as a psychiatrist
The 12th appearance of this character is probably a bit of overkill. After his last appearance in the Charles Grodin episode I thought we might be done with this but this must have been something Buck liked as they brought it back every time he hosted. It basically becomes a game of English vs. Japanese gibberish as Buck describes a problem to John who answers in a made up language. The sketch ends with Samurai Futaba committing seppuku after Buck claims that he's a quack.
Stunt Baby
The 12th appearance of this character is probably a bit of overkill. After his last appearance in the Charles Grodin episode I thought we might be done with this but this must have been something Buck liked as they brought it back every time he hosted. It basically becomes a game of English vs. Japanese gibberish as Buck describes a problem to John who answers in a made up language. The sketch ends with Samurai Futaba committing seppuku after Buck claims that he's a quack.
Stunt Baby
5 Stars
A stunt baby takes the brunt of abuse in a film scene
Buck is filming a scene for a film where he gets angry at his wife and child. The director stops the scene to bring in the stunt baby. The joke is telegraphed a bit too much, once they bring out the stunt baby you know what's going to happen. Still, I got a big kick out of just how far they took this. Buck not only throws the baby to the ground but slaps it, punches it, slams it into a clock, drags its face across the crib and throws it out the window.
A.M.O.A. Sanitized Motel
Buck is filming a scene for a film where he gets angry at his wife and child. The director stops the scene to bring in the stunt baby. The joke is telegraphed a bit too much, once they bring out the stunt baby you know what's going to happen. Still, I got a big kick out of just how far they took this. Buck not only throws the baby to the ground but slaps it, punches it, slams it into a clock, drags its face across the crib and throws it out the window.
A.M.O.A. Sanitized Motel
3 Stars
A look into motel cleanliness
Dan narrates as still photos display the lengths a cleaning crew goes to in order to clean a motel room. Lab techs come in with flame throwers and high powered hoses to clean every glass and toiletry item after a guest leaves. Not much to say about this, it was cute and short.
Leon Redbone
Dan narrates as still photos display the lengths a cleaning crew goes to in order to clean a motel room. Lab techs come in with flame throwers and high powered hoses to clean every glass and toiletry item after a guest leaves. Not much to say about this, it was cute and short.
Leon Redbone
"Champagne Charlie"
"Champagne Charlie is my name by golly and rogueing and stealing is a game"
I'm not quite sure how to describe this. I didn't like it but I thought it was interesting as heck. Sometimes watching music performances from different eras is like landing on an alien planet. Was this popular in 1977?
Weekend Update
Dan and Jane tell some bad jokes. Evel Kneivel is gonna jump bail for his next stunt. Laraine Newman interviews the five finalists backstage to get their feelings on how they think the show is going. As each one speaks, Laraine quickly takes the microphone away and cuts them off. Once again, Miskel displays the best comedic timing. Laraine calling her old doesn't get a laugh but her retort of saying she's tired does.
Baba Wawa appears live via satelite from Jerusalem. She says 'r's as 'w's, that's the gag and they repeated this thing 12 times so far in 3 seasons.
Reunion In Kiev
3 Stars
Flashbacks run rampant on a Russian train
Gilda is taking a train and flashes back to the day before when she was still on the train and thinks about tomorrow when she will still be on the train. A waiter keeps bringing her a glass of wine and referencing what day it is in relation to the previous flashback. It’s a difficult one to explain but it’s a weird and interesting sketch. Went on a tad too long but it was a nice head scratcher.
Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
Gilda is taking a train and flashes back to the day before when she was still on the train and thinks about tomorrow when she will still be on the train. A waiter keeps bringing her a glass of wine and referencing what day it is in relation to the previous flashback. It’s a difficult one to explain but it’s a weird and interesting sketch. Went on a tad too long but it was a nice head scratcher.
Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
2 Stars
Rat-keteers celebrate their favorite furry friend
I didn’t get this at all. I don’t know if it’s a generational thing or a hipness thing, but from what I’ve seen of SNL, I don’t think I like Michael O’Donoghue. I hate to say that I dislike such a staple of the series but I just don’t get this. Mr. Mike introduces us to The Rickey Rat Club, for some reason. I don’t know why he has to intro this, his inclusion adds nothing other than to make you know that you’re in for something weird, man. It’s a parody of The Mickey Mouse Club but with lab rats and they talk about lab rat things like experiments and electric shock. I feel like this is going for shock value but while it’s fun to cheese off the squares, you could still be funny while you do it.
The Franken and Davis Show
I didn’t get this at all. I don’t know if it’s a generational thing or a hipness thing, but from what I’ve seen of SNL, I don’t think I like Michael O’Donoghue. I hate to say that I dislike such a staple of the series but I just don’t get this. Mr. Mike introduces us to The Rickey Rat Club, for some reason. I don’t know why he has to intro this, his inclusion adds nothing other than to make you know that you’re in for something weird, man. It’s a parody of The Mickey Mouse Club but with lab rats and they talk about lab rat things like experiments and electric shock. I feel like this is going for shock value but while it’s fun to cheese off the squares, you could still be funny while you do it.
The Franken and Davis Show
4 Stars
Flashback to Tom and Al’s Thanksgiving
Al and Tom start off with photos of their rise to fame, breakup, charity endeavors and reunion at the behest of Jackie O. Then we cut to their Thanksgiving at Jackie O’s house where Tom started choking but his attempts to signal for the Heimlich Maneuver were mistaken for a game of charades. I liked this better than their first outing, which I was also a fan of.
A Film by Gary Weis
Al and Tom start off with photos of their rise to fame, breakup, charity endeavors and reunion at the behest of Jackie O. Then we cut to their Thanksgiving at Jackie O’s house where Tom started choking but his attempts to signal for the Heimlich Maneuver were mistaken for a game of charades. I liked this better than their first outing, which I was also a fan of.
A Film by Gary Weis
The Five Finalists
4 Stars
The finalists court favor with Buck
A hidden camera in Buck's hotel room shows each of the five finalists coming up to talk with him. The co-ed hits on him, the unemployed guy tells a story about murdering wildlife, the mom gives a sob story about needing the money for Christmas, the Governor bribes Buck with a cushy government job and Miskel says she should host because she'll probably be dead soon. If I were voting I would probably be rooting for Miskel but the co-ed seems to have either some acting training or a natural easiness on camera. The unemployed guy is slightly irritating but would probably fit right in with the cast at the after party.
Speaking of imminent death, Leon Redbone returns with "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone". Still not sure how I feel about this. It's interesting but I don't think I'd ever buy a Leon Redbone album.
Schiller's Reel
A hidden camera in Buck's hotel room shows each of the five finalists coming up to talk with him. The co-ed hits on him, the unemployed guy tells a story about murdering wildlife, the mom gives a sob story about needing the money for Christmas, the Governor bribes Buck with a cushy government job and Miskel says she should host because she'll probably be dead soon. If I were voting I would probably be rooting for Miskel but the co-ed seems to have either some acting training or a natural easiness on camera. The unemployed guy is slightly irritating but would probably fit right in with the cast at the after party.
Speaking of imminent death, Leon Redbone returns with "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone". Still not sure how I feel about this. It's interesting but I don't think I'd ever buy a Leon Redbone album.
Schiller's Reel
Life After Death
1 Star
Also speaking of imminent death, people talk about their near death experiences, all of them end with being told to take a number and wait. Then an ominous sign reading 'Now Serving 32' is shown. While this wasn't very funny, it also wasn't very interesting. I'm more interested in that audience member with a mustache.
Is Michael Shannon a time traveler?
FINAL ANALYSIS
Before we say Goodnight, Buck gives the finalists one last moment to sell themselves to America. The Governor asks that people not vote for him as he doesn't want to do it anymore, the co-ed claims that she's failing all her classes, the unemployed guy says something about chastity that didn't make any sense, the mom tries to guilt America in to voting for her and Miskel says this is the most wonderful time she's had in 80 years. Miskel is definitely the sentimental favorite but I kind of want to see the co-ed host. She was quite good in the Gary Weis film and her final attempt to pick up Buck made me laugh.
Average
Before we say Goodnight, Buck gives the finalists one last moment to sell themselves to America. The Governor asks that people not vote for him as he doesn't want to do it anymore, the co-ed claims that she's failing all her classes, the unemployed guy says something about chastity that didn't make any sense, the mom tries to guilt America in to voting for her and Miskel says this is the most wonderful time she's had in 80 years. Miskel is definitely the sentimental favorite but I kind of want to see the co-ed host. She was quite good in the Gary Weis film and her final attempt to pick up Buck made me laugh.
Average
3.4 Stars
MVP
Miskel Spillman
From the cast, John Belushi
Little Chocolate Donuts, Samurai Psychiatrist, Reunion In Kiev, Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
From the cast, John Belushi
Little Chocolate Donuts, Samurai Psychiatrist, Reunion In Kiev, Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
Best Sketch
Stunt Baby
Worst Sketch
Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
Mr. Mike's Rickey Rat Club
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
The episode was about the contest more than anything else so I would have thrown them in a little more. Move the Gary Weis film to the post Update slot and let the five play lab rats in the Rickey Rat Club. I'm probably taking my vote too seriously but I want to see how they handle themselves in a sketch before I decide which one I want to host the show. Sure, Miskel Spillman can be funny when you look her in the face and tell her she's old but can she handle dialogue?
Host Analysis
This episode holds a bit of SNL historical significance as Buck becomes the first official 5 timer. He would go on to become the first 10 time host. It would all be in the first 5 years and he would never be seen on SNL again. I wonder if there's a story as to why he has never come back. Not as a host but the show likes to make a big deal out of the 5-Timer's Club that you would think the guy who did it first would get a mention. I liked Buck as host. He was the perfect choice for an episode like this as even though he's not a cast member, he feels like he's part of the show. Having him interview the finalists is just like having Lorne or Mr. Mike do it. He fit right in with the cast and you can tell that the show felt comfortable giving him some of the weirder material that may not have worked with a newbie.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
While most of the episode feels like a build up to something coming, it still had enough original material to stand on its own as an enjoyable episode. I liked all the stuff with the finalists, The Franken And Davis Show was really funny, Reunion In Kiev was more cute but definitely interesting, Little Chocolate Donuts is a classic and seeing Buck Henry beat the hell out of a baby was one of the hardest times I've laughed all season. The season had a slow start with the Madeline Kahn and Hugh Hefner episodes but 3 really good ones in a row has me thinking that maybe people are right when they say the first 5 were the best.
Up Next
Mary Kay Place hosts. I am not familiar with her early work and only know her from films like Being John Malkovich and The Big Chill. Let's keep the train a-rollin' though.
Up Next
Mary Kay Place hosts. I am not familiar with her early work and only know her from films like Being John Malkovich and The Big Chill. Let's keep the train a-rollin' though.
Yeah, while watching this I was leaning towards the co-ed
ReplyDelete