Hello Coneheads — This is my review of SNL50: Anniversary Season Recap. Ten years ago, SNL celebrated its 40th anniversary, and one of the high points of that season was Michael Keaton’s triumphant return as host for the first time in 20 years. His monologue with Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan remains a personal highlight, especially as it foreshadows the eventual retribution of his two signature movie characters, Batman and Beetlejuice. I am.
Speaking of which, the long-delayed legacy film Beetlejuice is now in theaters, and apparently it’s not terrible. I’m too scared to watch. At least that justifies Keaton’s fourth hosting appearance. As former cast member Gary Krueger recently pointed out to me, “SNL understands its heritage and its roots. By bringing back classic hosts and musical acts, it’s anchoring the show in its past.” But it also keeps the show relevant. Michael Keaton and last week Stevie Nicks have brilliantly redefined themselves as artists, and it’s great that SNL recognizes that. It’s a real plus for tradition.”
Krueger also pointed out that when Keaton first hosted in season 7, “he had great success on The Night Shift, but the real pinnacle of his career was still ahead of him.” When Keaton hosted for the second time, he rode the momentum of “Batman Returns,” then disappeared into the world of character actors for a few years before finally making a comeback with “Birdman.” So we’re back to SNL 40, and we’re talking about tonight. SNL LORE, you have to love it. Get ready: Billie Eilish is the musical guest for the fourth time.
Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
cold open
Lego maven Bret Baier, played enigmatically by Alec Baldwin, is interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph), who is “very reserved, very thoughtful.” He gets in the way and bullies. Harris is aiming to go viral, even quoting Adam Driver’s now-iconic line from Megalopolis (co-starring Chloe Fineman!). The crowd applauded Rudolph several times.
Baier shows a misleading clip of former President Trump (James Austin Johnson) quoting Big and Freaky Friday, along with the “amazing” Ja Biden (a returning Dana Carvey). Baier also fired back at President Trump at Univision’s Town Hall, dancing to gay anthems like “It’s Raining Men,” a song he famously co-wrote with Paul Schaefer.
NBC
This is pretty good, check it out! Good pacing, fun moments – the one-liners and dialogue really crackle for once. My only criticism is that obviously no one is waiting for or needing Alec Baldwin on this show. He doesn’t even appear in the latest Beetlejuice. I think it’s cool that he plans to reunite with his Beetlejuice co-star Geena Davis at New Jersey Comic-Con, but will we see Keaton tonight? Or no? i am confused.
Gary Krueger said they were “fully settled” after the cold start to the season. Relevance up to the second part, impressions that are fun to watch, and comment(s) regarding the status of the candidacy are expected. There is satire there, and that satire can be interpreted in different ways depending on each viewer’s view of the characters. One person may see a trait as a criticism, while another may see it as an attraction. For me, it’s more interesting not to know what the actors and writers are thinking, so I can apply my own opinion. ”
monologue
Keaton recalls working as a PA for Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when SNL started in 1975. In a bizarre moment, Andy Samberg (not a cast member) and Mikey Day come out as Beetlejuice and want him to say, “It’s Showtime.” This is what they did with his monologue last time, guys. weak!
Their explanation as to why Samberg won’t be in this week’s cold open is a lot of fun, but it’s weird that he makes a cameo appearance in the monologue. And Sarah Sherman’s moment is cute. But hey, look at Killam and Moynihan’s take on this idea. It’s much better.
Krueger recalls: “I felt like I let Michael Keaton down. He came over, hung out with me, came up with ideas 24/7 that week. He was a match for everything. I think it was split between two studios and times because 8H had election coverage, but those shows lacked the same energy, in my opinion, without giving him enough to work with, really. I thought I wasted a funny, down-to-earth guy.”
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“Shop TV”
The two happy hosts (Day and Heidi Gardner) meet up with Cookie Guy (Keaton) to watch a Halloween-themed infomercial. Oh, yes, this is a tried and true premise, folks. Keaton has cookies that look like breasts. Many innuendos and puns ensue. MA-TV will appear on the screen. That’s very suggestive. “Do those cookies have different ethnicities?” the caller asks. An order arrives from Pelican Bay State Prison.
Don’t Break It – “Skydiving”
Inside the airplane, the altitude is rapidly increasing. Our heroes John Higgins and Martin Herlihy are celebrating their birthdays, but the atmosphere isn’t right. Instructor Ben Marshall never seems weird, but he’s off today. Another instructor, played by Keaton, is having the worst day of his life.
It’s a dark premise, and audiences don’t seem to know what to make of it.
“Forbidden Romance”
An interracial couple (Ego Nwodim and Andrew Dismukes) brings their parents in for a blessing. Preacher Kenan Thompson is more understanding than Michael Keaton’s father.
Dismukes said he wrote the song to explain their love. And he goes for it with his ukulele. This is the origin story of Train’s “Hey Soul Sister.” The crowd is quiet, but you have to respect Dismukes’ efforts. He appealed to his parents more than anything – they loved corny, awful white boy songs. In the process, he loses Kenan. He withdraws the blessing.
“Tik Tok”
It’s always good for SNL to face, even reluctantly, that it’s 2024. This is pretty haphazard and there are lots of references and detailed information online. Still, I much prefer this format to, say, a game show or commercial parody. So it helps you stay modern, even when formatting is difficult.
Another “very modest, very thoughtful” mention. Then there’s JAJ’s Trump (who, like Billie Eilish, scolds the Bowen Yang singer) and Rudolph’s thirsty trending Kamala Harris. Biden, played by Dana Carvey, also shows up and dances. But it’s fun to see how the new cast members settle in, and the sharp final moments regarding the addictive nature of the app.
Billie Eilish performs “Birds of a Feather”
First of all, the fun camera work and blue sky background. “Birds of a Feather” was released this summer as the second single from Eilish’s third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. It’s about deep love and the desire for a lasting connection. cute.
weekend update
16 days left until the election! Colin Jost compares the final messages of two presidential candidates.
New cast member Emil Wakim joins us to talk about the election and being from Lebanon. Great stand-up material — incisive commentary on growing up as a Christian Arab. “We’re like the black guy with the backpack in the cartoon.” Momentarily detonating the bomb, he quickly recovered and blamed Colin. Very sharp.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show recently returned for the first time in four years. Sarah Sherman appeared on the update desk – the show was praised for its diversity, but in true Sherman fashion she objected – “Where’s my Midwest 4?!” She’s not a teenager , I want to see a normal woman wearing normal underwear. I have one request for her. Please let me participate next year!
“The 90s are back!” Yes! Well, maybe. Thank you for your kind words.
“Uber Game Show”
Sherman and Bowen Yang were heading to the airport for a trip to Miami, but the rideshare driver (Nwodim) was lost in thought. So many thoughts! Well, conspiracy theory. The ride turns into a game show. Sherman and Yang will be joined by Nwodim’s eccentric ideas and commentary. Michael Keaton also participated.
Billie Eilish performs “Wildflower”
The candid “Wildflower” also appeared on her latest album. She previously performed this song live on COLORS.
“Horror Choreographer”
We’re filming the latest Michael Myers movie, and stuntman Jackson (Mikey Day) is overly theatrical. His Broadway coach (Keaton) sees the character as sensual rather than formal. The director (Dismukes) thinks the murder is too “cheeky and frivolous” and not well planned.
Shout out to former Michael Myers actor Tony Moran, whom I once met in Salem, Massachusetts!
“Tableside”
Two families have gathered at the restaurant and it’s “lively.” Suddenly, his father (Keaton) assumes that the waitress (Gardner) is an old flame from Morristown, Massachusetts, where he used to summer stock when he was younger. They connect over old flames and lost loves. I love music that leaves a lasting impression on my heart.
final thoughts
What did you think? Please vote here. Looks like there weren’t many customers today…
Bringing Baldwin back to face Baier is very puzzling. I have PTSD from Trump-era shows. Kruger told me: “I don’t care about the fact that celebrities are brought in to make a political impression. I don’t dispute the fact that dramas may be more successful or have higher ratings, but with very few exceptions. I always thought the cast should do everything on SNL, except for Jim. Guess Gaifgan was busy preparing for Al Smith’s charity dinner…? I remember SNL did a fun TikTok sketch with Billie Eilish in scrubs in 2021, but you can find it online I couldn’t do it. If anyone knows where it is, please let me know!
