Saturday, December 15, 2012
SNL -- DEC 15, 2012 -- MARTIN SHORT WITH PAUL MCCARTNEY
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
SNL
MARTIN SHORT WITH PAUL MCCARTNEY
-- DEC 15, 2012 --
Paul McCartney was a much better than average musical guest. Other than that (and one sketch), it was not a terrific show.
Before the program started, I was wondering how they would acknowledge the ongoing devastation from the hurricane (and Paul just sang at the huge 12/12/12 benefit) aggravated by the terrible tragedy at the school:
I wrote: "Well, I wonder how SNL will deal with the current tragic climate. It took a while to come back after 9/11.
Before the program started, I was wondering how they would acknowledge the ongoing devastation from the hurricane (and Paul just sang at the huge 12/12/12 benefit) aggravated by the terrible tragedy at the school:
I wrote: "Well, I wonder how SNL will deal with the current tragic climate. It took a while to come back after 9/11.
'This school shooting is a tragedy that demands a change in the way we deal with guns and how we prevent violence. Will SNL acknowledge the reality of the country's mood? They usually are very sensitive to news. I wonder how they will react."
The answer is that they ignored it completely, except possibly for the choice of the COLD OPEN song. The show seemed to have been put together before the shooting, and never changed. While there may be too much of the same simplistic, overly sentimental, repetitious sanctimonious cliches on the news, there is always room for a sincere and honest and simple reaction to important events. I was a little disappointed.
Here a short recap of the show:
COLD OPEN: A sweet Silent Night, Holy Night by the New York Children's Chorus At first I thought this was in response to the news, but it seemed to just be a Christmas Song. Perhaps it was a tribute to the children.
MONOLOG: SNL (cast and host) alumni hanging out in the hall. Plus a lascivious Christmas song, with Martin Short kissing almost anyone he could reach.
TONY BENNETT: A slimmed down Alec Baldwin doing a terrible impression of Tony Bennett on a pointless talk-show type sketch.
PREPARING THE GYNECOLOGIST FOR THE ROYAL VISIT FROM KATE MIDDLETON: a slightly annoying Martin Short, but some very funny moments.
THE ACTOR'S STUDIO "YOU'RE A RAT BASTARD CHARLIE BROWN": Not funny. Not a very good parody. Not very good impressions.
PAUL MCCARTNEY - MY VALENTINE: It was nice. (But) This may be the saddest Valentine's song ever.
It turns out that Paul directed a music video of this song with Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp. It wasn't on SNL, but here it is from YouTube. (Recap continues below):
WEEKEND UPDATE: Moderately funny jokes. No zingers. I can't believe there is no mention at all of either of this week's events -- the 12/12/12 concert or the shooting. JACOB THE BAR MITZVAH BOY was a lame effort. However, THE GIRL AT THE PARTY YOU WISH YOU HADN'T STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH was the winning sketch of the night. Great writing, concept and execution. Looks like a new character for SNL.
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?: I don't get this sketch at all. Not at all.
MCCARTNEY - MAMA SET ME FREE: Lots and lots of energy!
CATCHING UP AT RESTORATION HARDWARE: Kind of a lame sketch; same kind of idea as the old "I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS" but without origiinal, funny lines.
PAGEANT AUDITIONS: Martin Short singing, insults Paul McCartney telling him he can't sing. Not funny or pleasant; but then it morphs into a final Christmas song by McCartney & the Kids.
Here a short recap of the show:
COLD OPEN: A sweet Silent Night, Holy Night by the New York Children's Chorus At first I thought this was in response to the news, but it seemed to just be a Christmas Song. Perhaps it was a tribute to the children.
MONOLOG: SNL (cast and host) alumni hanging out in the hall. Plus a lascivious Christmas song, with Martin Short kissing almost anyone he could reach.
TONY BENNETT: A slimmed down Alec Baldwin doing a terrible impression of Tony Bennett on a pointless talk-show type sketch.
PREPARING THE GYNECOLOGIST FOR THE ROYAL VISIT FROM KATE MIDDLETON: a slightly annoying Martin Short, but some very funny moments.
THE ACTOR'S STUDIO "YOU'RE A RAT BASTARD CHARLIE BROWN": Not funny. Not a very good parody. Not very good impressions.
PAUL MCCARTNEY - MY VALENTINE: It was nice. (But) This may be the saddest Valentine's song ever.
It turns out that Paul directed a music video of this song with Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp. It wasn't on SNL, but here it is from YouTube. (Recap continues below):
WEEKEND UPDATE: Moderately funny jokes. No zingers. I can't believe there is no mention at all of either of this week's events -- the 12/12/12 concert or the shooting. JACOB THE BAR MITZVAH BOY was a lame effort. However, THE GIRL AT THE PARTY YOU WISH YOU HADN'T STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH was the winning sketch of the night. Great writing, concept and execution. Looks like a new character for SNL.
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?: I don't get this sketch at all. Not at all.
MCCARTNEY - MAMA SET ME FREE: Lots and lots of energy!
CATCHING UP AT RESTORATION HARDWARE: Kind of a lame sketch; same kind of idea as the old "I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS" but without origiinal, funny lines.
PAGEANT AUDITIONS: Martin Short singing, insults Paul McCartney telling him he can't sing. Not funny or pleasant; but then it morphs into a final Christmas song by McCartney & the Kids.
LINKS
Here's a very little about Martin Short and even less (since he's so well known) about Paul McCartney. Plus links.
MARTIN SHORT
Martin is Canadian, an actor, a comedian. He's 62. He is not tall.
MARTIN SHORT ON WIKIPEDIA
MARTIN SHORT ON AMAZON
PAUL MCCARTNEY
Paul was a Beatle. He's 70 already.
PAUL MCCARTNEY ON WIKIPEDIA
PAUL MCCARTNEY ON AMAZON
Labels: Martin Short, My Valentine, Paul McCartney, Saturday Night Live, SNL
