Blog Archives
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)
The Carlton: Defining the Unusual
Carlton’s log: I’m about to dance America back to the ’90s!
Jimmy’s Daily Planet is a big fan of the 1990s sitcom hit, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The acting and the writing was fantastic. Plus, it was a show that achieved the right tone with teenagers and parents alike in terms of the appropriateness of the jokes and the content in general. And it was coupled with valuable life lessons.
Of the many memorable scenes, episodes, zings and lessons learned, there is one particular dance that remains a treasured favorite. It’s iconic. “The Carlton” expresses a love not only for the smooth voice of singer Tom Jones, but also a feeling that allows anyone to literally throw caution to the wind and move like no one’s watching.
Except people are always watching (and doing) that dance with ecstatic delight, especially when it’s performed by its original sitcom lead on prime-time television on a major network.
Alfonso Carlton, you know what to do:
Thank You Alfonso!
Starlight’s Goldberg Express
Spoiler Alert: This post contains content from the October 1, 2014 episode of The Goldbergs:
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is a famous play with the most divine leading man. As a matter of fact, what has every person who has played the part of Jesus said immediately after hearing the good news (likely on a Friday)?
“Jesus Christ, are you kidding me!”
Anyways, Beverly’s most delicious snuggle monster Adam gave a spirited audition to play Jesus in the school play, but, sadly, it wasn’t enough. Instead, the part went to Data Dave Kim. Consequently, when Adam and girlfriend Dana Caldwell checked “the board” for the assigned parts, Adam’s finger devastatingly had to scroll onto the dreaded second page/second string of performers to discover his new role (literally).
“Sometimes, you just gotta be Todd the Apostle.”
Too distraught to properly congratulate Dana on getting assigned to play Mary, Adam went biblical to seek guidance from the only person who could help him in this tragic situation: His Smother. This led to a contentious meeting with the principal (who owed Beverly for introducing he and his wife years earlier…) and the casting director/director of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In true Goldberg fashion, Beverly utilized some verbal jiu-jitsu to allow a second, rival play to open.
And would this be a second showing of “Jesus Christ Superstar” with a new cast? Well, let’s put it another way: what would make that play even better? Try adding skates and a killer disco soundtrack…
Yes, Adam was the new lead in a school production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express!”
For anyone who has seen “Starlight Express,” all the characters sing, act and roller skate in perfect harmony. Yes, it’s just mildly ambitious for kids in middle school to master such skills in about a week or so. Enter the laughs!
Now, this part of the plot was personally satisfying because when I was around Adam’s age, I actually saw “Starlight Express” in Las Vegas with my family! The music, the flashing lights, the roller skating and the story was unforgettably fantastic. It was one of the coolest things I had ever seen and heard in my life. During the episode, Beverly bribes her daughter Erica to play the female lead and “thunder mama” herself served as the skating choreographer. While the rehearsing for “Starlight Express” was a disaster, the comedy was gold (as you’d expect). Unfortunately, Adam got too involved and too intense and a competitive streak developed with the rival play co-starring his girlfriend Dana. Eventually, both Adam and his mom came to their senses, conceded to the reality of “the board” and her precious angel returned to his supporting role as a made up apostle to Jesus.
As you do.
While the secondary storyline of this episode featured Barry and Murray leaving hockey games early to beat traffic, the storyline with “Starlight Express” between a loving mother and her baby boy rang especially true for this writer. It reminded me how a mom and her young son can genuinely relate and bond over a disco musical with roller skating while that boy is at that awkward age of not wanting to hang out with his parents. Thankfully, like Beverly, my mom was (and is still) willing to be goofy and silly with her son to spend time beyond just helping with homework and going clothes shopping.
I’d like to say more, but I don’t think I could do it as well as others:
The Goldbergs continue to show “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel” with family.
A Wonderful Wednesday
It’s Wednesday and since the name of the fictional band below starts with the letter “w,” it seems fitting that this video clip should be posted today instead of tomorrow (Throwback Thursday).
Do you find yourself just doing that thing you do each and every day?
And remember, if someone asks you why you’re wearing sunglasses, just say, “because I’m the drummer.”
Jimmy's Daily Planet 