Blog Archives
The Power of (Impossible) Positivity
It’s time to turn on the “weekend swagger.”
Do people still say the word “swagger” out loud?
The short answer is no. The longer answer features many sources for this term’s cultural collapse, most recently damaged by a middle-aged father in Los Angeles who has the promotional ego of Mt. Everest and the ROI of, well, his mediocre NBA son Lonzo Ball. It would be too easy (and obnoxious) to listen to the nonsensical, yet very real rants of patriarch LaVar Ball. Instead, watching the hilarious character actor Kenan Thompson of SNL do an impression of the aforementioned father is the perfect comedic escape.
If the Ball family has taught us anything, it’s best to check ourselves before we shoplift in China wreck ourselves.
Some New Laughs for Thee to Enjoy
This is the real (wait, fake) debate of the 2016 presidential election we’ve all been waiting for in this weekend’s premiere of the 42nd season of Saturday Night Live.
Comedy has its place in politics and Saturday Night Live (SNL) is that epicenter. The in-house legend Lorne Michaels, fully aware of his institution’s role in highly contentious elections, sought outside help to gently assist in a (potential) ratings bonanza by convincing longtime friend Alec Baldwin to play Donald Trump opposite hilarious cast member Kate McKinnon (Hillary Clinton). Throughout SNL’s esteemed history, creating caricatures of major political candidates and powerful leaders has been an entertaining trademark of the show. Particularly this election cycle, the major question isn’t determining whether there will be ample material from both sides.
Or material from the third candidate: Aleppo…Aleppo…Aleppo?
The concern is how much of the material has to be written?
The craziness, anger and, yes, sadness, of this presidential election has reached new lows that people never thought possible from the two major (well, all of the) candidates for the White House. And politics has always provided a steep curve. Still, scandals and new reasons for anger erupt on a seemingly daily basis, frustrating voters across the political spectrum. “These are our choices?” In this time of great trepidation, let’s take comfort in the words of the late Mark Twain:
“Humor is tragedy plus time.”
SNL is banking on five days being enough time from the tragedy of that first presidential debate.
The Master Thespian is Standing Up
Live from Columbus, Ohio, it’s Jon Lovitz!
The aforementioned SNL great Jon Lovitz will be performing stand-up comedy tonight at the Columbus Funny Bone. Thankfully, I will be in attendance with my dad to witness this comedic master perform his craft. Possessing the same quality as Bill Murray, meaning that just seeing him evokes laughter in anticipation of what he might say and has said in the past, watching “The Pathological Liar” and “The Master Thespian” on stage in a small comedy club will be a great thrill.
Especially having performed Improv comedy on the very same stage just a couple months ago!
Jon Lovitz is part of the old school SNL that’s rooted in cleverness, pinpointed punchlines and outrageously hilarious innuendo. The professional funnyman, somehow, sparks those uncontrollable laughing fits that bring tears to your eyes.
Even if the only thing that Jon Lovitz does is give a look at the SNL 40 celebration.
Yeah, that’s the ticket look!
P.S. Jon Lovitz is still alive.