"Fatty falls down, ratings go up"
Cold Open: Permission To Host
5 Stars
Tim talks Lorne into letting Farley host
Lorne is not completely sold on having Farley come back to host but Tim assures him that he has been totally clean for 6 weeks, no booze, no women, he's still got the eating thing though. Lorne is still unconvinced but that's when Farley bursts in and says he understands the skepticism but he's not gonna let his old boss down. Lorne reminds him of his past indiscretions.
"What about Marisa Tomei?"
"I had to go to the bathroom, I get confused."
"What about the time with Pardo?"
"Old guys throw up all the time, especially Pardo."
"Do you remember any of the John Travolta show?"
With the backup from his new sponsor, Chevy Chase fresh out of the Betty Ford Center himself, Lorne agrees to let Farley host as long as he can still fall through a table. Chris hops on Lorne's desk and tries his hardest but Lorne informs him that it isn't a breakaway but he can host the show. Chris screams into the camera, "Live from New York it's Saturday Night!" and with those 7 words, I started to tear up a little bit.
Chris Farley Monologue
Lorne is not completely sold on having Farley come back to host but Tim assures him that he has been totally clean for 6 weeks, no booze, no women, he's still got the eating thing though. Lorne is still unconvinced but that's when Farley bursts in and says he understands the skepticism but he's not gonna let his old boss down. Lorne reminds him of his past indiscretions.
"What about Marisa Tomei?"
"I had to go to the bathroom, I get confused."
"What about the time with Pardo?"
"Old guys throw up all the time, especially Pardo."
"Do you remember any of the John Travolta show?"
With the backup from his new sponsor, Chevy Chase fresh out of the Betty Ford Center himself, Lorne agrees to let Farley host as long as he can still fall through a table. Chris hops on Lorne's desk and tries his hardest but Lorne informs him that it isn't a breakaway but he can host the show. Chris screams into the camera, "Live from New York it's Saturday Night!" and with those 7 words, I started to tear up a little bit.
Chris Farley Monologue
5 Stars
Chris lets everyone down and a replacement is called in
As the band stops playing, Farley is nowhere to be seen. Lorne, Chevy Chase and Tim are staring at an empty stage on a monitor and lamenting their decision. Farley is sprawled on a couch in his dressing room eating an apple when Ana walks in.
"What are you doing in my dressing room?"
"This is your dressing room? This used to be my dressing room."
"Ewww."
We cut back to Lorne who is trying to keep the show going. He asks Tim if he has Chris Rock's phone number. Then we cut back to Ana who is buttoning her shirt as Farley says "That oughta hold ya". Ana encourages him to go out and host and show everyone his talent and courage. Farley jumps to his feet, screams for his underpants and heads towards the stage. By this point, Tim has gotten it in his head that he's going to host the show so he takes center stage but is quickly upstaged by Chris Rock and is quickly joined by Farley. Rock starts off the proceedings.
"I'm not the host tonight and Timmy damn sure ain't the host tonight. The host tonight is our good friend Chris Farley. We all started the same year. Chris has gone out to make movies, I got my own show on HBO and Timmy's still black."
Farley says he's learned a lesson about responsibility and says it's time to grow up and quit goofing around and time to start the show.
Not knowing the backstory, this is an excellent cold open/monologue. I remember watching it live and being thankful that my comedy hero had gotten his act together and happy that he was back doing what he does best. Knowing the backstory makes this all bittersweet. Rock wasn't in the studio for a bit, he was there in case something happened and Farley couldn't host. There was a monologue and a few sketches written for him just in case. Farley had an oxygen tank nearby at all times and blew out his voice during dress rehearsal, he was obviously not a well man.
Yum Bubble Genital Herpes Gum
As the band stops playing, Farley is nowhere to be seen. Lorne, Chevy Chase and Tim are staring at an empty stage on a monitor and lamenting their decision. Farley is sprawled on a couch in his dressing room eating an apple when Ana walks in.
"What are you doing in my dressing room?"
"This is your dressing room? This used to be my dressing room."
"Ewww."
We cut back to Lorne who is trying to keep the show going. He asks Tim if he has Chris Rock's phone number. Then we cut back to Ana who is buttoning her shirt as Farley says "That oughta hold ya". Ana encourages him to go out and host and show everyone his talent and courage. Farley jumps to his feet, screams for his underpants and heads towards the stage. By this point, Tim has gotten it in his head that he's going to host the show so he takes center stage but is quickly upstaged by Chris Rock and is quickly joined by Farley. Rock starts off the proceedings.
"I'm not the host tonight and Timmy damn sure ain't the host tonight. The host tonight is our good friend Chris Farley. We all started the same year. Chris has gone out to make movies, I got my own show on HBO and Timmy's still black."
Farley says he's learned a lesson about responsibility and says it's time to grow up and quit goofing around and time to start the show.
Not knowing the backstory, this is an excellent cold open/monologue. I remember watching it live and being thankful that my comedy hero had gotten his act together and happy that he was back doing what he does best. Knowing the backstory makes this all bittersweet. Rock wasn't in the studio for a bit, he was there in case something happened and Farley couldn't host. There was a monologue and a few sketches written for him just in case. Farley had an oxygen tank nearby at all times and blew out his voice during dress rehearsal, he was obviously not a well man.
Yum Bubble Genital Herpes Gum
3 Stars
A delicious gum that also combats your genital herpes
A brightly colored chewing gum that is also a cure for genital herpes. The cast is seen dancing around and chewing gum while also talking about the bumps on their genitals. And the flavor lasts longer, longer than my genital herpes.
Morning Latte
A brightly colored chewing gum that is also a cure for genital herpes. The cast is seen dancing around and chewing gum while also talking about the bumps on their genitals. And the flavor lasts longer, longer than my genital herpes.
Morning Latte
3 Stars
Two morning talk show hosts yammer about
Cheri and Will play too overly excitable morning talk show hosts who prattle on endlessly about inane topics. When the sketch starts they are giving grief to their producer, Farley, who bought a hard rock CD over the weekend thinking it was light jazz. Cheri went to see Men In Black over the weekend but was unaware that it had been out of theaters for months. Farley mentions that he met Will Smith over the weekend but they don't seem to pay attention. Then things get a little serious as they address the topic of school shootings. They don't like it, they don't support it and they think it's bad. Farley comes out with a gift for Cheri, Men In Black on VHS. They ask him where he got it and he has apparently had enough and screams, "I said I ran into Will Smith over the weekend you stupid bitch, don't you listen?". Realizing what he's done, he tries to laugh it off and they join in. So the sketch is basically, what if Gelman screamed at Kathie Lee Gifford?. Just like with their cheerleader characters, Will and Cheri have excellent chemistry together and play off of each other well but I came here for a Chris Farley episode and I got a lead off sketch fit for a far lesser host.
St. Monica Autumn Dance
Cheri and Will play too overly excitable morning talk show hosts who prattle on endlessly about inane topics. When the sketch starts they are giving grief to their producer, Farley, who bought a hard rock CD over the weekend thinking it was light jazz. Cheri went to see Men In Black over the weekend but was unaware that it had been out of theaters for months. Farley mentions that he met Will Smith over the weekend but they don't seem to pay attention. Then things get a little serious as they address the topic of school shootings. They don't like it, they don't support it and they think it's bad. Farley comes out with a gift for Cheri, Men In Black on VHS. They ask him where he got it and he has apparently had enough and screams, "I said I ran into Will Smith over the weekend you stupid bitch, don't you listen?". Realizing what he's done, he tries to laugh it off and they join in. So the sketch is basically, what if Gelman screamed at Kathie Lee Gifford?. Just like with their cheerleader characters, Will and Cheri have excellent chemistry together and play off of each other well but I came here for a Chris Farley episode and I got a lead off sketch fit for a far lesser host.
St. Monica Autumn Dance
3 Stars
Mary Katharine Gallagher meets a boy at her school dance
Farley is alone at a catholic school dance. He's been rejected by every girl in his school so he's left with asking the nuns to dance, they refuse as they are on a date with God. They both suggest he try asking Mary Katharine Gallagher who herself is all alone as the boy she has a crush on told her he doesn't dance with dogs. He asks her for a dance and is actually delighted when she sticks her fingers under her armpits and smells them. During their dance she breaks away to maul the cute boy and is again rejected. Hurt that she used him as his proposal was sincere, Farley approaches again.
"I may be a tad overweight and not as hip as some of the other catholic school boys but I know a good woman when I see one. So I'll ask you again, will you dance with me?"
They dance under spinning lights before striking disco poses. He butt bumps her into the arbor, she spins him into a table, she jumps backwards on to a folding table. It actually turns into a very sweet sketch. Almost like a passing of the torch to Shannon to take over the mantle of doing anything to your body for a laugh. I did feel a little bad that they made Farley do so much physically.
Martha Stewart Living
Farley is alone at a catholic school dance. He's been rejected by every girl in his school so he's left with asking the nuns to dance, they refuse as they are on a date with God. They both suggest he try asking Mary Katharine Gallagher who herself is all alone as the boy she has a crush on told her he doesn't dance with dogs. He asks her for a dance and is actually delighted when she sticks her fingers under her armpits and smells them. During their dance she breaks away to maul the cute boy and is again rejected. Hurt that she used him as his proposal was sincere, Farley approaches again.
"I may be a tad overweight and not as hip as some of the other catholic school boys but I know a good woman when I see one. So I'll ask you again, will you dance with me?"
They dance under spinning lights before striking disco poses. He butt bumps her into the arbor, she spins him into a table, she jumps backwards on to a folding table. It actually turns into a very sweet sketch. Almost like a passing of the torch to Shannon to take over the mantle of doing anything to your body for a laugh. I did feel a little bad that they made Farley do so much physically.
Martha Stewart Living
4 Stars
Martha shows you how to pull off her favorite Halloween pranks
On this week's show, Martha is going to show you how to pull of Halloween pranks in style. You can toilet paper your neighbor's house with a fun design, use Robin's eggs to throw at doors because they splatter in a 'prism of harvest colors' and of course there is the flaming bag of poo.
"I spend 364 days of the year suppressing the demons inside of me but on all hallows eve I invite them to dance."
Spinning Class
On this week's show, Martha is going to show you how to pull of Halloween pranks in style. You can toilet paper your neighbor's house with a fun design, use Robin's eggs to throw at doors because they splatter in a 'prism of harvest colors' and of course there is the flaming bag of poo.
"I spend 364 days of the year suppressing the demons inside of me but on all hallows eve I invite them to dance."
Spinning Class
4 Stars
Matt Foley motivates a spinning class
Tim is trying his best to whip an exercise class into shape but just isn't getting through to them. So he's called in a pro, he's been down in the locker room scarfing down chocolate flavored coffee beans for the last six hours. Of course it's Matt Foley, motivational speaker, he's 35 years old, thrice divorced and lives in a van down by the river. After berating Will he gets on the stationary bike and we hear a loud ripping of his pants. He says that this is a common occurrence and as long as you're wearing an athletic supporter everything will be okie dokie, unfortunately he has forgotten his. Then we get a lot of Farley doing his thing. He yells at anyone who questions him, takes frequent rests while pedaling and narrates where he would bike to like his son's dorm to steal his student loan check and go out looking for Asian hookers.
"If there's one thing that Matt likes it's a little Hong Kong phooey!"
At one point he gets off the bike and drinks an entire pot of coffee. He pauses for a second and lets out a deep "woah woah". I got scared for a brief moment thinking that this was the moment his heart was finally going to give out. They sketch ends with the stationary bike somehow becoming mobile and crashing into the wall where Matt decides he's going to motivate the karate class next door.
Weekend Update
Tim is trying his best to whip an exercise class into shape but just isn't getting through to them. So he's called in a pro, he's been down in the locker room scarfing down chocolate flavored coffee beans for the last six hours. Of course it's Matt Foley, motivational speaker, he's 35 years old, thrice divorced and lives in a van down by the river. After berating Will he gets on the stationary bike and we hear a loud ripping of his pants. He says that this is a common occurrence and as long as you're wearing an athletic supporter everything will be okie dokie, unfortunately he has forgotten his. Then we get a lot of Farley doing his thing. He yells at anyone who questions him, takes frequent rests while pedaling and narrates where he would bike to like his son's dorm to steal his student loan check and go out looking for Asian hookers.
"If there's one thing that Matt likes it's a little Hong Kong phooey!"
At one point he gets off the bike and drinks an entire pot of coffee. He pauses for a second and lets out a deep "woah woah". I got scared for a brief moment thinking that this was the moment his heart was finally going to give out. They sketch ends with the stationary bike somehow becoming mobile and crashing into the wall where Matt decides he's going to motivate the karate class next door.
Weekend Update
"A man is being sued by a woman who was conned into marriage only to have the wedding called off after he convinced her brother to give him a kidney. Don't I know it!"
Bill Clinton is having a week long visit with the president of China. Clinton will ask for human rights reform, trade expansion and a Chinese herb said to have the power to straighten a bent penis.
Microsoft is being charged $1 million per day for failing to adhere to anti-Monopoly laws. At this rate Bill Gates will be broke...10 years after the Earth crashes into the sun.
A man allowed his 8 year old daughter to take the wheel of his car and an accident occurred damaging 7 other cars and injuring 6 people. This once again proves that women can't drive.
After one joke doesn't get a big reaction, Norm says that the punchline wasn't very good but encourages the audience to laugh anyway because it helps Farley have a little rest. Norm later claimed that he was purposely stretching out Update to allow Chris some time to recoup after two physically demanding sketches.
Tracy Morgan stops by just to let the audience know that he's on the show. He's been on 23 episodes but fails to get recognized in his own neighborhood. You may know him as "the other black guy" or by his recurring character, The Guy Who Smiles Real Big At The Goodnights. That character has appeared in all 23 episodes and it makes Tracy feel good that when people ask him what he does he can say he works at SNL. When they ask him what he does there he can say he's the other black guy. Then they recognize him as the guy who smiles real big at the goodnights. I remember watching SNL religiously during this period and this being the first time I really took notice of Tracy. I think it was the first time he ever made me laugh. It may have been the first time I realized he was on the show.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"The Impression That I Get"
Oh boy did I love this band and this song at this time. It's kind of a perfect band for this episode as the lead singer's raspy voice matches Farley's. They also have the same energy, they're both about being loud and fun. It would be neglectful of me to not mention the dancing man. As much as I am a fan of the band, I don't really understand this. I guess if a song didn't require his instrument, he would just stand to the side and dance. It just adds to the fun.
Goth Talk
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"The Impression That I Get"
Goth Talk
2 Stars
A public access goth show is interrupted by the host's older brother
These are my least favorite types of sketches. Putting your recurring character as the host of a talk show is lazy. Making them the host of a public access show they do in their basement is lazier. Wayne's World did it, they weren't the first, but we can stop now, not every character you dream up needs to host their own talk show. So Kattan and Molly are two wannabe goth posers who usually host their show in their den but Kattan's grandmother is staying for the weekend so they have been moved to the garage. Jim comes in with Farley and they want the two to move so they have somewhere to park their cars and they start to bully the two. They even pants their special guest, Baron Nocturnal, lead singer of Satan's Answering Machine, and throw him in the pool. So the sketch goes like Molly says something spooky, Kattan says something in a weak high pitched voice and Jim and Farley take turns beating on them. I'll pass.
In The Lost Deep Thoughts Jack's friend Gary says he found Jesus. Jack thought they had struck it rich but it turned out to be something different.
Sally
These are my least favorite types of sketches. Putting your recurring character as the host of a talk show is lazy. Making them the host of a public access show they do in their basement is lazier. Wayne's World did it, they weren't the first, but we can stop now, not every character you dream up needs to host their own talk show. So Kattan and Molly are two wannabe goth posers who usually host their show in their den but Kattan's grandmother is staying for the weekend so they have been moved to the garage. Jim comes in with Farley and they want the two to move so they have somewhere to park their cars and they start to bully the two. They even pants their special guest, Baron Nocturnal, lead singer of Satan's Answering Machine, and throw him in the pool. So the sketch goes like Molly says something spooky, Kattan says something in a weak high pitched voice and Jim and Farley take turns beating on them. I'll pass.
In The Lost Deep Thoughts Jack's friend Gary says he found Jesus. Jack thought they had struck it rich but it turned out to be something different.
Sally
5 Stars
Sally brings on a guest with a big giant baby
Sally is doing a show about big giant babies and her guest is Cheri who was 17 when she gave birth to a 22 pound baby boy. They bring him out and it's Farley in a pair of giant Underoos. When Sally asks him if he can say 'Hello' he responds with 'I wear special pants'. This sketch just needs to be seen as I can't do it justice. Farley crawls around the stage, he eats Sally's shoe, picks up Cheri and puts her down on her head and, in a fit of brilliance, rips off Tim Meadows's arms and beats him to death with them. This is easily gonna be one of my 5 best of the season.
Boseephus
Sally is doing a show about big giant babies and her guest is Cheri who was 17 when she gave birth to a 22 pound baby boy. They bring him out and it's Farley in a pair of giant Underoos. When Sally asks him if he can say 'Hello' he responds with 'I wear special pants'. This sketch just needs to be seen as I can't do it justice. Farley crawls around the stage, he eats Sally's shoe, picks up Cheri and puts her down on her head and, in a fit of brilliance, rips off Tim Meadows's arms and beats him to death with them. This is easily gonna be one of my 5 best of the season.
Boseephus
2 Stars
Hank Williams, Jr. records his Monday Night Football intros
Farley is Hank Williams, Jr. aka Boseephus and he's recording his Monday Night Football intros where he would sing 'All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight' with the names of the teams playing. He does so with his friend Jack, both the bottle of Jack Daniels and Colin Quinn who is also named Jack. Will, Tim and Ana in the booth keep making fun of him and telling him he sucks. Finally Hank speaks up for himself.
"I sing music for working people, not the most sophisticated people but it comes from the heart."
Everyone in the both sees the errors of their ways and starts to sing "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" in a lower, softer and sadder key. Then Boseephus turns to the camera with one more piece of advice.
"Remember, no matter how dirtbag anyone seems, underneath it all they still got a heart."
The Super Fans Revisited
Farley is Hank Williams, Jr. aka Boseephus and he's recording his Monday Night Football intros where he would sing 'All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight' with the names of the teams playing. He does so with his friend Jack, both the bottle of Jack Daniels and Colin Quinn who is also named Jack. Will, Tim and Ana in the booth keep making fun of him and telling him he sucks. Finally Hank speaks up for himself.
"I sing music for working people, not the most sophisticated people but it comes from the heart."
Everyone in the both sees the errors of their ways and starts to sing "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" in a lower, softer and sadder key. Then Boseephus turns to the camera with one more piece of advice.
"Remember, no matter how dirtbag anyone seems, underneath it all they still got a heart."
The Super Fans Revisited
5 Stars
Catching up with the Super Fans after Coach Ditka left Chicago
We get the answer to the question, what happened to the Super Fans after Mike Ditka left Chicago for New Orleans. Where does their loyalty lie? Well, for George Wendt he couldn't decide so he moved to Jackson, Tennessee which is the town exactly in the middle of the two cities. He has fashioned half Saints half Bears jerseys by gluing two jerseys together with nacho cheese. Robert Smigel switched over to the New Orleans Saints completely and we see him in Louisiana eating crawfish and jambalaya as he compares New Orleans's superior 2-6 record to Chicago's 0-7. As for Farley, he was committed to a sanitarium and is living his life like it's the year 1986, the last time the Bears won the Super Bowl. He's watching old games on TV and anxious to see Jimmy Stewart on the Johnny Carson show. Every time anyone questions his reality he has a heart attack.
Weather Scope
We get the answer to the question, what happened to the Super Fans after Mike Ditka left Chicago for New Orleans. Where does their loyalty lie? Well, for George Wendt he couldn't decide so he moved to Jackson, Tennessee which is the town exactly in the middle of the two cities. He has fashioned half Saints half Bears jerseys by gluing two jerseys together with nacho cheese. Robert Smigel switched over to the New Orleans Saints completely and we see him in Louisiana eating crawfish and jambalaya as he compares New Orleans's superior 2-6 record to Chicago's 0-7. As for Farley, he was committed to a sanitarium and is living his life like it's the year 1986, the last time the Bears won the Super Bowl. He's watching old games on TV and anxious to see Jimmy Stewart on the Johnny Carson show. Every time anyone questions his reality he has a heart attack.
Weather Scope
4 Stars
Pacific storm, El Nino, taunts his enemies
The massive storm, El Nino, is threatening major damage. We see a satellite image of the storm and it's Farley dressed as a luchador. He taunts those that would get in his way.
"I am El Nino, all other tropical storms must bow before El Nino. Yo soy El Nino. For those of you who don't habla espanol, El Nino is Spanish for...The Nino."
Jim Breuer comes out as Ric Flair and challenges El Nino to a cage match against him and The Junkyard Dog. Farley bursts in and they wrestle. Next week's episode promises Hacksaw Jim Duggan taking on the Santa Ana winds.
FINAL ANALYSIS
The massive storm, El Nino, is threatening major damage. We see a satellite image of the storm and it's Farley dressed as a luchador. He taunts those that would get in his way.
"I am El Nino, all other tropical storms must bow before El Nino. Yo soy El Nino. For those of you who don't habla espanol, El Nino is Spanish for...The Nino."
Jim Breuer comes out as Ric Flair and challenges El Nino to a cage match against him and The Junkyard Dog. Farley bursts in and they wrestle. Next week's episode promises Hacksaw Jim Duggan taking on the Santa Ana winds.
FINAL ANALYSIS
"I wear special pants"
Average
3.75 Stars
MVP
Can't really think of anyone to give it to other than Farley but if forced to go with someone from the cast
Tim Meadows
Cold Open, Monologue, Yum Bubble, Spinning Class, Sally, Boseephus
Tim Meadows
Cold Open, Monologue, Yum Bubble, Spinning Class, Sally, Boseephus
Best Sketch
Sally
Worst Sketch
Boseephus
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
It's possible that they were making changes on the fly to accommodate Farley. I assume that the pre-taped Super Fans sketch was cued up for when they needed it. So, I hate to rearrange sketches but I could have done without Boseephus and would have been happy with another visit from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Also, I know it may seem like a cheat for the live audience but if he was really in ill health they could have done a few more pre-filmed bits. Knowing that Farley was literally on his last legs makes me respect him a little more because I saw nothing but commitment in this episode.
Host Analysis
Farley is my comedy hero so I can't say a single bad thing about him here. Even when he was in bad materials I still loved him. I watched Almost Heroes with a smile on my face recently and that movie is abysmally unfunny but Farley saves it with his heart and soul. It almost pains me to watch this episode knowing that he would be dead in less than 2 months but he seemed to be loving what he was doing.
Final Thoughts
A bittersweet episode to be sure. I found myself crying as much as I was laughing, but they were good tears. I also wanted a little more Farley. Using him as a background player in Morning Latte and Goth Talk almost seemed like a waste. It's hard to complain though knowing that this episode came close to never happening so I'm perfectly happy with what I got. The trivia about Chris Rock hosting in Farley's absence always perplexed me. Why not just throw on a rerun? Why go live with a different host and a different show than you prepared?
Up Next
Final Thoughts
A bittersweet episode to be sure. I found myself crying as much as I was laughing, but they were good tears. I also wanted a little more Farley. Using him as a background player in Morning Latte and Goth Talk almost seemed like a waste. It's hard to complain though knowing that this episode came close to never happening so I'm perfectly happy with what I got. The trivia about Chris Rock hosting in Farley's absence always perplexed me. Why not just throw on a rerun? Why go live with a different host and a different show than you prepared?
Up Next
Another SNL great comes back to host as we get Jon Lovitz with musical guest Jane's Addiction.
He does look out of shape and hoarse here sad end to a funny guy
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