I was expecting this week's episode of Saturday Night Live, featuring host and musical guest Taylor Swift, to be a kind of disaster. Swift is untested as an actor and pretty young, but while she did act (at times) like a singer trying to act, she was the least of the night's problems. In fact, she managed to win me over with her willingness to commit to bits and a certain goofy spirit. She turned out to be one of the brighter spots in a episode that once again succumbed to utter laziness, an issue that's plagued SNL for the entire season so far. Most of the sketches were repeated and failed to supply any new twists from what we've come to expect, making them placeholders designed to fill out 90 minutes. Like it's often said: Saturday Night Live doesn't go on each week because it's ready. It goes on because it's 10:30.
Sketch Highlights
- "Cold Open: Fox News Election" - It's rare that I'll say this about an SNL sketch -- particularly one of their weekly "political" pieces -- but this FOX News rip was almost too subtle. Why the show hardly ever goes after FOX News is a mystery to me, but now that we've seen Kristen Wiig's excellent Greta Van Susteren and Jason Sudekis' spot-on Glenn Beck (I told you he'd be back), expect to see them trot out FOX News sketches more often. They'll hardly have to change a thing, either. That stuff already plays like comedy. Horrible, horrible comedy. (Watch "Cold Open: Fox News Election" video)
- "Taylor Swift Monlogue" - Taylor Swift came out early on and declared that she wouldn't be the train wreck I was anticipating with this funny-enough, cute and even catchy song about hosting Saturday Night Live. Compared to the obnoxious, bombastic musical numbers the show often opens with (when in doubt, have the host sing), this felt slight and intimate and was incredibly likable. I suspect it's going to be one of my favorite moments of the season, though I can't really explain why. (Watch "Taylor Swift Monologue" video)
- "The View" - The first one many repeated sketches for the night; the only novelty here was host Swift's sort-of-spot-on Pennsylvania accent as she impersonated terrible-haired mom Kate Gosselein. Otherwise, it was the same sketch with the exact same jokes and impressions of The View hosts. Even Andy Samberg as Nicolas Cage made no difference. The sketch was nothing but a placeholder. (Watch "The View" video)
- "Digital Short: Firelight" - So, Taylor Swift is dating one of the stars of the new Twilight movie. So let's do a Twilight parody! Only, instead of vampires, let's make it Frankenstein monsters! Because the use of a classic monster is the most laughable thing about the Twilight movies. (Watch "Digital Short: Firelight" video)
- "Hollywood Dish" - Another topic that's incredibly ripe for parody: the infotainment show. Unfortunately, like the FOX news opener, this one missed the mark. Taylor Swift's timing was way off (this was a common occurrence throughout the night) and the parody went way over the top when it should have been sharp and focused. Kristen Wiig's lipstick on the face made me smile, as did the out-of-context beat that acted as the sketch's punchline. Otherwise, blech. (Watch "Hollywood Dish" video)
- "Bunny Business" - This kind of sketch is becoming increasingly popular on Saturday Night Live; it's what I've referred to in the past as "spot the impression." Sure, the writing is lousy and mostly joke-free, but you get to the see the cast each do a celebrity impression for a few seconds. Unfortunately, many of them (including Natalie Merchant and Adam Duritz of Counting Crows) are irrelevant and cheap. Fred Armisen's Randy Newman was funny (and made sense, given the sketch was supposed to be advertising a children's movie), and Taylor Swift's Shakira was actually the standout. Between this and her Kate Gosslein, I'd say she's a talented mimic. (Watch "Bunny Business" video)
- "Weekend Update: Nicholas Fehn" - Yes, this "Update" segment has been repeated way too many times, but at least it's the first appearance of Political Comedian Nicholas Fehn this season. It's always the same joke, but I almost don't care; every time I see Fredy Armisen do this character it makes me laugh. How he manages to find new ways to start sentences and never finish them is actually an impressive skill and one that I'm somehow not tired of yet. (Watch "Weekend Update: Nicholas Fehn" video)
- "Driving PSA" - A pretty lame sketch, saved by two things: Taylor Swift's willingness to play awkward and embarrassed in full headgear (once again, she at least earns points for trying) and the surprise beat the follows Kristen Wiig butchering a Lady GaGa song. It was a genuine surprise and provided the biggest laugh of the night. Sometimes the simple things are the most effective. (Watch "Driving PSA" video)
- "Penelope Wedding" - I'm impressed that it took five shows into the new season to trot out Kristen Wiig's one-upper character. It's the least offensive of her recurring roles, likely because it's actually rooted in some kind of truth (I know a few people that are kind of like this). Still, it's always the same joke and the same punchline, making it yet another placeholder sketch. How many of those should SNL be allowed in a night? When Taylor Swift did her own Penelope, however, she once again proved to be a talented impressionist. Who knew? (Watch "Penelope Wedding" video)
- "Roomies" - One of the few original sketches of the night had a good idea that wasn't executed with much energy or inspiration. I like the way Swift teases Andy Samberg, but not much else. I wanted this to be better. The same could be said for this entire episode. (Watch "Roomies" video)
- Original Air Date: 11/7/09
- Host: Taylor Swift
- Musical Guest: Taylor Swift
