Did you watch the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special? For fans, it was a really fun trip down memory lane. SO many comedians have cut their teeth on the show, that I’d actually forgot a few of them were on SNL first!
Favorite clips were aired between re-imagined favorite skits featuring all-star players. It was fun to see, for instance, Laraine Newman playing a character in The Californians (remember her Valley Girl character?) The triple girl power team of Jane Curtin, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler “manning” the weekend update desk was super-awesome girl power. Frankly, the segment that followed, where the male anchors introduced Chevy Chase, was lame by comparison.
It was great to see Wayne’s World again. Adding Kanye West to the bit was inspired. And smart for him to finally laugh at his Beyonce obsession. The all-star Jeopardy skit, with Will Farrell, had me laughing so hard, I could barely breath.
And who out there wanted The Pauls – Simon and McCartney – to sing a full song?
NBC has posted the cold open, featuring 5+ time host, Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon “rapping” the history of SNL!
Hulu will probably have more videos tomorrow. I’ll post them then.
SNL 40 Cold Open
Steve Martin Monologue
Celebrity Jeopardy – Will Ferrell This was an all-star cast! Kate McKinnon as Justin Bieber! Norm MacDonald as Burt Reynolds! Jim Carrey as Matthew McConaughey! Sean Connery Le Tits Now! Kenan Thompson in a Bill Cosby cameo. Yes, they went there.
The Californians – Taylor Swift, Laraine Newman
Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington display their bad California accents. Bradley Cooper and Betty White smooch. Cool to see Laraine reprise her Valley Girl accent.
Jack Nicholson introduces a montage of political sketches
Jane Curtin, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Weekend up power Jane Curtin: “I used to be the only pretty blond behind a desk reading fake news. Now there’s a whole network devoted to that.” The girls were the best. Emma Stone (Roseanne Roseannadanna), Edward Norton (Stefan) and Melissa McCarthy (Matt Foley). Wow. Melissa’s tribute to Chris Foley was amazing. As far as Ed Norton is concerned, thank god Bill Hader and Seth Meyers showed up. AND LAND SHARK! Why was Cecily Strong left out of the montage of update anchors?
Bill Murray as Nic Ocean sings the “Jaws” Theme.
This is PERFECT.
http://youtu.be/25gLcBgduHk
Waynes World
Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are back as Wayne and Garth! Kanye West goofs on his Grammy controversy. It would have been even funnier if the camera guy hadn’t missed his second cue.
Adam Samberg, Bill Hader and Adam Sandler
The first cast used to brag about how the difference between them and Carol Burnett was they didnt laugh at their own jokes. EXCEPT NOT! A song about “breaking” with clips.
Chris Rock introduces Eddie Murphy
Audience Q&A
Jerry Seinfeld fields questions from audience members Michael Douglas, John Goodman, James Franco, Larry David, Tim Meadows, Dakota Johnson and Sarah Palin. Dakota Johnson announces that she’ll host SNL on February 27.
Cast Auditions
Cast members step on the studio stage for the first time to audition for Lorne Michaels.
In Memoriam
Kicks off with the “Don’t Look Back in Anger” skit that had John Belushi as the last surviving Not Ready for Prime Time Player. Jon Lovitz is the last name. He’s not dead. It was hilarious.Too many untimely deaths on that list…
And Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed
With an introduction from Keith Richards! Paul never disappoints. ETA: Yeah, Paul definitely had some vocal issues, especially in the first verse, but I still found it to be a raw and emotional performance.
Miley Cyrus – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
The world doesn’t need Miley Cyrus to turn a Paul Simon song into a hootenanny. Introduced by Win Butler of Arcade Fire.
Kanye West – Jesus Walks, Only One, and Wolves
A really intense performance featuring Sia (or…is that you Kristen Wiig?) and Vic Mensa.
