Don Draper would be chain-smoking and guzzling lots of drinks: Betty Draper bombed as host of "Saturday Night Live."
Actually the actress who plays Betty--January Jones--proved that not everyone can handle live comedy. She was a deer in the headlights, so obviously nervous she forgot lines, flubbed lines, missed cues and cracked up in the middle of skits (which I found to be the best parts of her skits).
"SNL" was so bad this week, I totally agree with RedEye Royalty blogger Ryan Kiefer, who wrote on Twitter: "Worst. Episode. Ever." Earlier this season, I called Drew Barrymore's episode "Saturday Night Lame." I think Jones' episode might have been even worse.
I don't completely blame Jones. The writing is just truly awful, with several sketches starting with promise then fizzling out, and others just starting. There were plenty of missed opportunities. From the lame "Mad Mennie Monologue," in which "Mad Men" superfans got on stage with Jones to sing an ode to her series, to a one-fart-joke, and truly missed opportunity "Rear Window" skit, to "Cloud Gazing," the final skit of the night. I can't imagine whom on the "SNL" staff thought that was funny.
Oy.
The Black Eyed Peas sang three songs on "SNL," which was three too many. NBC photo There were a few highlights: Former "SNL" player Darrel Hammond returned to play Lou Dobbs on "Weekend Update" and Nasim Pedrad did a funny Kim Kardashian on "Update." (And Seth Meyers, of course, hosted "Update." He's always a reason to watch, even if he isn't funny.)
The best second of the show, however, was when the Black Eyed Peas (awful performances) beat the crap out of Kathie Lee Gifford (Kristen Wiig) in the "Today Show" skit. I imagine the band, and Jones, wanted to do the same to the "SNL" writing staff. (And by the way, Jenny Slate's Hota Kotb doesn't hold a candle to Michaela Watkins' portrayal. I'm still mad she got fired.)
Anyway, I've attached the Lou Dobbs and Kim Kardashian clips below for you to enjoy, and some that I think are heinous. You decide and let me know what you think. Joseph Gordon Leavitt hosts next week. Despite recent "SNL" history, I still have high hopes.
THE GOOD
"Lou Dobbs"
"Kim Kardashian"
THE OK
"Today Show"
"A Ladies Guide to Party Planning"
THE BAD
"Rear Window"
"Dr.Jekyll"
"Cloud Gazing"
9 Comments
Ryan Kiefer said:
Thanks for quoting me!
Also, you didn't even go into just how bad the Black Eyed Peas were. They were off-beat and off-key. And being off-key is especially bad when you're running your voice through an Auto-Tune, as it makes it sound even worse. Their version of "I Gotta Feeling" was especially bad. They missed a whole bunch of cues. And the whole time they were jumping around the stage as if they didn't know what they were doing or why they were there.
Made me wonder if the Black Eyed Peas have any actual talent or if what little they churn out is fluffed up in the studio.
Curt Wagner said:
I mentioned BEP in passing. Not really worth more than that. lol. Thanks for commenting.
Erin K. said:
Oh it was bad. I came home to it on dvr and fell asleep before the monologue was even over.
Curt Wagner said:
LOL. And you missed nothing! Thanks for commenting.
Newskoolbulls said:
time to put SNL to rest, its been done for a good ten years now. Mad TV hung it up when they new they couldnt recapture their glory days and SNL should do the same.
J.M. Haas said:
As much as this episode bombed, SNL is an instituion. It has brought people to stardom that we most likely would have never seen otherwise. So for that alone, I think it should stay on the air. Last year during the election SNL was constantly a talking point on cable news. So, it still has some pull. I think January Jones is kind of a hack anyway. Thankfully the writers and producers of Mad Men found her narrow niche and can some what make her work on that show. But, like you said, live sketch comedy isn't everyone's strong suit. This episode reminded me of Ashton Kutcher hosting about 3-4 years ago when they did "Gays in Space"... barf.
Josh said:
I guess it's a good thing I didn't remember to add SNL to my DVR. I was planning to start watching it again but if it was as bad as you say, I probably would have been scared off.
Joanie said:
I agree with you, J.M. January Jones must have a terribly tiny range of acting versatility and got seriously lucky she found her little window on Mad Men. I have faith that SNL can bounce back.
But that was so so painfully unfunny. Even the stuff without January Jones. The Kim Kardashian bit? Really, the butt jokes? She is absurdly easy to make fun of; that was so horribly done.
I'm embarrassed for everyone involved with this episode.
J.M. Haas said:
totally. P-U.
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