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From 30 Rock to Wordy Shock
The Blue Jean Committee is coming to a TV near you!
Impressionists Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, whose DNA includes the need to relentlessly escape into humorously absurd characters, as well as a ’70s slow rock band, have a brand new show with fellow SNL buddy Seth Meyers. The show is called Documentary Now! and it starts airing on the IFC Channel this Thursday at 10:00 p.m. What’s arguably more insane than their portrayals of well-known documentary filmmakers is that the series has already been renewed for seasons 2…and 3 before episode one has even premiered.
If crazy and ridiculous made a television show together, it would have some catching up to do to match the comedic duo of Hader and Armisen in their latest collaborative experiment.
Whether the show is a success like Armisen’s hilarious Portlandia is up in the air, but at least it will be documented.
Happy Monday!
This past weekend, I watched, The Skeleton Twins. The movie was original, entertaining, emotionally raw, fun, serious and, above all, a reminder of the importance and complexities of family. And the cast (Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell) was fantastic. This collection of actors, all with a comedic background, was ideal for this serious drama with spontaneous (and vital) comedic interruptions. It’s not a lighthearted film, yet it’s a good one for the heart to see.
One of the best scenes is in the video clip below. A brother sees his sister (who he’s trying to reconcile with) is need of a pick-me-up. Milo’s prescription for Maggie was perfect.
Starship brings out the magic in everyone.
Have an Awesome Week…Only 3 Days Until Christmas!
Happy Monday!
This past weekend, Saturday Night Live was in some rare form: it was funny. While that may seem harsh, it’s really not that harsh. However, the triumphant return of Bill Hader and former cast-mate and now co-star in the film, The Skeleton Twins, Kristen Wiig provided genuine laugh-out-loud moments: impressions ranging from Kathie Lee Gifford to a war veteran mastering puppetry and, of course, you know who…
One word, one name: Stefon!
FYI – When watching this clip, notice that when Bill starts to laugh about the mention of a certain individual multiple times (plus a doorman zinger), it’s not rehearsed. Part of the story with Stefon is that the co-creator and co-writer of the character is John Mulaney and he would frequently try to trip his buddy up during the live show with new jokes/changes handed to him as he was walking out to the Weekend Update desk. Some of these changes and jokes, however, come without warning. This was one of those segments.
Need proof?
This was John Mulaney’s twitter post from the weekend: “Sent to Rob Klein last night. Apologies for misspelling Cortese. They didn’t tell Bill about any of it before air.”
http://www.hulu.com/watch/698990
Here’s to hanging out with Dan Cortese this week (apparently, the odds are pretty good)!
It’s Live and From New York, But Is It New?
“New York’s hottest new club is called, ‘Copycat.’ And it has everything: Glow sticks, red bouncy balls, women dressed like Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, Spud Webb and a Ground Mine.
What’s a Ground Mine?
It’s when someone watches a funny sketch by The Groundlings and they say ‘mine!'”
There have been reports this week that sketch giants Saturday Night Live (SNL) stole a Tina Turner routine they performed last weekend from the famed Los Angeles sketch comedy group The Groundlings. After watching the skits side-by-side, it seems virtually indisputable that SNL didn’t lift the sketch. In normal circumstances, it could possibly be a coincidence. Well, actually, not true. But the reason why this is such a big deal right now is that SNL (celebrating its 40th anniversary) has been barely treading water the past couple years. This creative comedy problem has been exacerbated by the departures of Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Nasim Pedrad and head writer/Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers.
Plus, the co-creator of Stefon and veteran SNL writer John Mulaney left the show to write and star in his Sunday night FOX sitcom Mulaney with SNL alum Pedrad.
Despite the major cast shakeup following the end of last season, SNL still has some quality performers, like Kenan Thompson, Jay Pharoah, Taran Killam, Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan and Aidy Bryant. However, Weekend Update newcomer Michael Che is far too amused by his own jokes and the cast (in a broad sense) is lacking that special spark that fans tune in for on a late Saturday night. The expectation for gut-busting laughs is at a very low, low level. The writing has also been geared more towards flat-out opinions with an agenda about certain topics and people instead of playful, cleverly disguised comedic jabs at anybody and everybody.
Fortunately, impressionist extraordinaire Bill Hader is hosting this Saturday night with musical guest Hozier. This means (in 99.99% likelihood) a return of Stefon to the Weekend Update desk. Thank goodness! And it also means that the sketches including Hader should be laugh-out-loud hilarious, with a possible surprise guest star or two (cough-cough, his movie co-star Kristen Wiig…)?
Unfortunately, such a quick return from Hader indicates that SNL is trying to rejuvenate its audience with a past favorite. To be fair, Hader did just release a critically acclaimed drama, The Skeleton Twins, so the booking is legit and appropriate timing wise. However, like the sketch scandal, it just appears like SNL wants to stop treading water for a couple hours and instead climb into Samberg’s nearby boat with its recently departed cast members for some relaxed laughs for a change.
And judging by SNL’s current struggles, they have to be hoping that 40 turns out to be the new 30.
(P.S. Look for Saturday Night Live to lampoon itself over the scandal with The Groundlings this weekend)
Jimmy's Daily Planet 