SNL 38th Season Premier Review

The 38th season of Saturday Night Live kicked off this week with guest host Seth MacFarlane. Overall, it was a mediocre offering, with the same sorts of tired, low-risk comedy sketches like the "Sex over 50" show where the hard-of hearing producer sits in for the regular show's expert. The sketch about the studdering sergeant was a bit predictable, but well played nonetheless. However, it was aired so late in the show that many in the audience likely misses it. The show was not without it's topical references, including an appearance by Gangham Style South Korean rapper PSY, and impressions of Clint Eastwood with the RNC empty chair and the Honey Boo Boo Todlers & Tiara's duo. The best part of the show for me, however, was when Seth MacFarlane appears as swimmer Ryan Lochte at the Weekend Update Desk. It feels so weird to be dry!

Remember when SNL only had one guest?

On Saturday night, April 2, 2011, Elton John was scheduled to be both the guest host as well as the musical guest. It's a job not easily done and my hopes were high as the opening monologue was strong - both in terms of the writing as well as John's delivery.



However, while John is not known for his acting, it would have been nice to see him play someone other than himself. Even when he was a character in the sketches where he appeared, that character was still loosely based on him. I really was looking forward to seeing him play it straight (pun or otherwise). Instead, Carmelo Anthony showed more range. And while it was a surprise to see the unbilled big names like Tom Hanks aboard, it did seem like he was pinch-hitting for the otherwise one-note performance of John, since Hanks appeared in a number of different sketches showcasing his comedic acting brilliance. The only true cameo of the evening, then belonged to Jake Gyllenhall, and it's a shame they didn't utilize him more. Anyone who saw Gyllenhaal on Jimmy Kimmel the other week likely laughed a lot more during that appearance than during the entire SNL episode.

Finally, the most disappointing part of this week's SNL was the lack of screen time for the female members of the cast. Even when they had a sketch with the Queen of England, it featured Fred Armisen in drag. Maybe with a more regal Helen Mirren as the host, the ladies will get more screen time in the next offering.