“Now shut the hell up and have fun”
Cold Open: Tax Package
2 Stars
Fredbama speaks to the nation and unfortunately it’s not interrupted by Julian Assange like last week. But I actually didn’t hate this. Obama has been held hostage by the Republicans figuratively and literally and now that Stockholm Syndrome has set in he’s quoting Rush Limbaugh, believes in Trickle Down Economics, and questions if he was born in the U.S..
Paul Rudd Monologue
Paul thinks the “Paul” chants outside were for him but they’re actually for Sir Paul McCartney. They’re sure as hell not for featured player Paul Brittain who legend has it is a cast member this season.
Feline Culinary Creations
Shots of gourmet ingredients are juxtaposed with globs of wet cat food being plopped on a plate. I do always debate which flavor of Fancy Feast to get my cat before realizing he probably can’t discern the subtle differences between whitefish and cod.
Affectionate Family
Paul Rudd gets a recurring character as Austin Vogelcheck appeared in the first iteration of this sketch. Lots of man-on-man kissing, mom on son kissing, dad on son kissing, Romanian belly kissing, and nipple tweaking. I do always appreciate the commitment of these but they also grow tiresome real quick.
What's That Name?
Contestants successfully name Jared Fogle and Steve Zahn but can’t come up with the names of their doormen, maids, or summer interns. I want to dock points for them making this recurring but I can’t ding the original. The twist is half the fun and knowing it ruins the surprise. But I remember howling at this when I first saw it.
Stumblin'
Andy and Paul stumble all around town to the tune of 9 To 5, then Paul McCartney sings about walking in slow motion to the tune of Berlin. Then there’s a tiny harmonica solo. This may be the dumbest thing ever on SNL but Andy and Paul’s commitment to the stupidity sells it. You’re slapping your ass next to Sir Paul McCartney, what happens when the director yells ‘cut’? I want the behind the scenes footage of this as well.
Website Attacks
Hey, there’s my Julian Assange interruption. Where were you in the cold open? He talks to us from prison and threatens mass online attacks if not released. The straight to camera nature of this makes it feel like a second cold open, which I’m not a fan of.
Sexually Speaking
It’s the 4th appearance of Rodger Brush. This time Kristen gets the still photo role that’s traditionally gone to the featured players. I guess Nasim, Abby, and Vanessa had already got one and you wouldn’t want them to look greedy. You have to toss Kristen a part or two. I would have enjoyed seeing Paul host the imaginary show in drag.
Rodger Brush fills in for the host and gives bad advice.
Paul McCartney
"Jet"
Weekend Update
Holiday Jam
3 Stars
1st appearance of Principal Frye and also the first time we've seen Jay do an original character and not an impression. I was never too hot on these.
Meryl Streep On Ice
Meryl Streep downplays her ice skating abilities while the entire audience is moved to tears.
Paul McCartney returns with "Band On The Run"
Broadway Cares
Jeff and Mike Underballs make their 3rd appearance. Jason’s spotlight operator torments Paul during his performance of Cabaret. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the first two since they were in Seasons 32 and 33 but I remember enjoying them more, specifically the LeBron James one.
Paul McCartney returns again with "A Day In The Life" and "Give Peace A Chance"
“Well, this won't be topped”
Average
Average
3.2 Stars
MVP
Bill Hader
Affectionate Family, What’s That Name?, Website Attacks, Sexually Speaking, Weekend Update, Meryl Streep On Ice (VO), Broadway Cares
Best Sketch
What’s That Name?
Worst Sketch
Affectionate Family
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
Pretty good lineup. I’m not too hot on a Fredbama cold open and a Vogelchecks lead off but then we went on a small hot streak. Paul McCartney owns the second half of the show and I can’t complain too much. Did I need 5 songs? No, but he’s playing the hits so sure give me A Day In The Life and Band On The Run.
Host Analysis
This is a common complaint about Paul Rudd on SNL but they don’t give him a lot of funny roles. He’s super charming so you might not notice but he’s playing parts that would normally go to Paul and Taran. Game show contestant, gay guy in Rodger Brush’s audience, boring teacher addressing his students, and himself getting yelled at by an offscreen Jason.
Final Thoughts
It feels like a classic after you watch it but a lot of that is Paul McCartney. The back half is pretty unmemorable but Sir Paul comes in every ten minutes with another classic tune. It’s got the powerful one-two punch of What’s That Name? and Stumblin’ but the rest of the show is just average. It’s mostly just The Vogelchecks stank that’s souring my mood on it. This was a pretty good episode but I was anticipating a classic, so that’s my fault.
Up Next
Jeff Bridges returns for the first time since Season 8 with Eminem and Lil Wayne for the last episode of 2010
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