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Saturday Night Live Season 35 Episode 22

Betty White/Jay-Z

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 5/8/10

Live from New York, it's... Betty White, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Ana Gastayer, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Molly Shannon! Sketches include "The Lawrence Welk Show," "MacGruber" (three parts), "Delicious Dish," "The Manuel Ortiz Show," "Gingey," "Scared Straight," "CSI: Sarasota," "Thank You For Being a Friend" (Digital Short), and "2010 Census Taker." Jay-Z performed a melody of "Real As It Gets," "99 Problems," "Empire State of Mind" (feat. Bridget Kelly), and "Young Forever" (feat. Mr Hudson).moreless

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (9)

Betty White / Jay-Z

10

By rishabhpb, Aug 22, 2011

The funniest episode in a long, long time. Not just because the amazing Betty White was hosting, also because of the guest stars, who are some of my favourite SNL cast members. They all had bits that reminded us of why they are so funny!

The monologue was near perfect as Betty White told us how it was for her growing up. This was an expected direction, but no less hilarious. The Lawrence Welk show was a bit 'same old', the only thing to be seen was what ridiculous/weird things Kristen Wiig would say.

The MacGruber sketches were back, and they have definitely lost the ability to amuse. Betty White was grandma MacGruber, and did a great job.

I was ecstatic at the return of Delicious Dish, it was one was my favourite sketches (and also reminded me that Alec Baldwin is hosting next episode). The double entendres, this time based on muffins, were as good as ever.

The Manuel Ortiz show is pretty lame, there's barely any lines in it. The sketch relies on a combination of catchy music, bizarre dancing and not-too-great Spanish accents. Will Forte looked really funny, though.

Cleveland 1904 was just there to have Betty White crack some crude lesbian jokes.

Great Weekend Update this time. As expected, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey returned, for "Really?". Maya Rudolph brought out the old Whitney Houston impression, and had us all cracking up. Molly Shannon appeared as Salley O'Malley (Iii'm FIFTY!) and was accompanied by Betty White as a 90-year old ("I like to stand, bend, and sit").

That was followed by one of the better Scared Straight sketches, and a CSI: Sarasota that seemed a bit flat.

The Digital Short was a sort-of tribute to Betty White, though it quickly turned into a violent, rock version of the the Golden Girls theme.

And it ended on a high with the Census sketch, with Betty White portraying a senile old woman named Lee Smith/ Asscertain / Blarfingarr Blarfingarr.

Jay-Z is a quality musician and his performance of various songs was fantastic.

Overall, that's a ten on ten episode.moreless
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If I had a dime for every time I said "Jay-Z's here", I'd have one dime.

8.5

By whoaitsconner, Feb 02, 2011

Here we go. It's the big night. Golden Girl enthusiasts, regular SNL fans, and Betty lovers all around the world will be tuning in to see how Betty White does on Saturday Night Live. The 88 and a half year old host will no doubt be a very good host, in my opinion. I'm excited to see how it goes. Along with Betty comes a bunch of old women cast members, to celebrate mothers day. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, and Ana Gasteyer all take the stage tonight.

Jay-Z is our musical guest. His new album is pretty good, and his two popular singles thus far, "Empire State of Mind", and "Young Forever" are both good in my book, so I'm excited.

The Lawrence Welk Show: Yes, yes. I knew we weren't going to get through the season without doing this sketch, once again. It was a good way to introduce all the women that were coming back tonight, too. The length and enthusiasm of the applause when Betty White came out was great.

Monologue: This was a really funny monologue. I loved her mentions of Facebook and "hay rides".

MacGruber: Yes, let's plug in the big movie premiere coming in two weeks from now. Just kidding. This was a good series of MacGrubers, with Betty White playing Will's grandma.

The Delicious Dish: This was a hilarious sketch, with the "muffin" talk. Obviously, they were paying homage to the Alec Baldwin "Christmas balls" sketch many years ago.

The Manuel Ortiz Show: This was another really funny sketch, just because of the performance. Betty White in that wig was hilarious.

Gingey: It was nice to see an original sketch. The mentions from Betty saying "Because, she's a lesbian." was great. Another great sketch.

Musical Performance: Jay-Z performs a medley of his old popular singles, including his newer single, "Empire State of Mind" with Alicia- Bridget Kelly... Oh well. We can't have everything. Still a great performance.

Weekend Update: A great Update, indeed. The jokes were all great, and Molly Shannon returning as Sally O'Malley was great, with Betty White coming on as Dottie O'Donegan. Maya Rudolph's return as Sally O'Malley was nice to see, too. And, of course, its not an Update without both Amy and Tina returning!

Scared Straight: This was another hilarious sketch. Betty's assertiveness even as the old grandma of McIntosh was hilarious.

CSI: Sarasota: This was another original and hilarious sketch. The liners that Betty would say when the camera would pan to her were just so hilarious, because they were so out there or just unrelated to what she was trying to say.

Thank You For Being A Friend: I actually really liked the real homage to Betty from the whole cast/guests of this week's show. And, then, Betty's return was hilarious. Especially when she ended it with, "Happy Mothers Day, Mother ..."

Musical Performance: Another good song by Jay-Z. And then there was Mr. Hudson...

Census 2010: A lot like the Chris Walken sketch 10 years ago. Betty made this so hilarious, with her weird answers, and her off-focus.

Wow, what a show. This was definitely a classic. Yes, I'm giving in. I know that many weren't a fan of them getting Betty White just because of Facebook's campaign, but, hey, when life gives you lemons, you make that lemonade. Betty was a really good host, and it's nice to see how sharp she still is after all her years of living. Jay-Z was also a great musical guest. I liked the return of the lady cast members, but, we didn't really get to see any of the other cast members, such as Nasim, Jenny, or Abby, really. But, anyways, it was a great show.

Next week is our season finale with Alec Baldwin and musical guest Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Hopefully they'll keep the good writing one more week.moreless
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Betty White: A fabulous female Television Legend is joined by 5 other women who have given us many great televsion moments.

9.5

By cnote89, Aug 27, 2010

Obviously, Betty White is and always will be a legend in television. From "Mary Tyler Moore," to "Golden Girls," Betty is just pure perfection. So I obviously tuned in to see how Betty would do. I am an avid SNL watcher and I probably would have watched no matter who was hosting. Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised to see her joined by such great former SNL cast members as Tina Fey, Molly Shannon, and Maya Rudolph. I was so glad that they had this little reunion and these fabulous women came back to the show that made them to support one of the greatest televsion actresses of all time. I found myself enjoying almost every sketch and I'm glad that Betty got the final word on which sketches she would perform. They brought back some classic characters and I feel that overall, it was a great episode. I hope that in the future, SNL goes with this trend and attempts to bring in more TV icons.moreless
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In My Eyes: Best Episode this year...

10

By trishuhhh, Jul 11, 2010

...and possibly ever? Granted I haven't watched every episode but Betty White was spectacular. I found it enjoyable to watch and maybe it's just cause I watched it on my dvr but it seemed like there were plenty of sketches. And they were full of White. I think her performance was top notch and she added just a some what of a sparkle to the episode. Also I found White's dirty mouth charming, I guess just old people cursing is funny to me, I'm weird I know. Plus every great SNL women made an appearance. I loved it. I thought it was fantastic and I really enjoyed watching it and I bought it on iTunes. :-)moreless
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Betty White was Hilarious and in Top Form! She was absolutely funny and appeared in every sketch and even Weekend Update. Best SNL this season!

10

By radrobd, Jun 05, 2010

I thought Betty did a fantastic job. And the return of the former SNL ladies cast was great, especially considering the current crop is lacking and relies way too heavily on Kristen Wiig to carry the show. I thought Betty was absolutely hilarious and she appeared to be having a great time. Plus, she's a natural comic and had great comedic timing. 100% better than the last original outing with Gabourey Sidibe, who seemed like a deer caught in the headlights. My favorite sketches were Betty's monologue; Betty White as MacGruber's grandma, and the digital short. I even tolerated Kenan's recurring prison sketch because Betty was funny. But even in the sketches where Betty had limited screen time or weren't that funny, she still delivered some classic lines. Delicious Dish - "My muffin hasn't had a cherry in it since 1939." Regarding her gay Hispanic son on the "Manuel Ortiz" sketch, "that explains why he doesn't like tacos." On the Scared Straight Sketch, "Wizard of Ass!" LMAO

It's obvious the cast (including past SNL players) enjoyed working with her. And Betty received thunderous applause from her first appearance to the closing credits, so much so that you could barely her her thank yous. Plus, the digital sketch and the two dozen roses at the end was a great way to honor a wonderful lady. You go, Betty!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Don Pardo	Announcer
Jenny Slate	Herself
Nasim Pedrad	Herself
Abby Elliott	Herself
Jason Sudeikis	Himself
Will Forte	Himself

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Betty White	Herself	Guest Star
Jay-Z	Himself	Guest Star
Bridget Kelly	Herself	Guest Star
Amy Poehler	Herself	Recurring Role
Tina Fey	Herself	Recurring Role
Maya Rudolph	Herself	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (1)
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- CSI: Sarasota Announcer: They got a license to kill... and a license to drive before sundown.
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NOTES (4)
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- Sketches not shown in the 60 minute version: Sally O'Malley segment on Weekend Update, Jay-Z's first performance, "Manuel Ortiz Show," all three "MacGruber" segments, and "Thank You For Being A Friend" (Digital Short).
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- Sketches cut after dress rehearsal: Brownie Husband (rerun Tina Fey/Justin Bieber); on "Bronx Beat," Jodi and Debbie (Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph) still gossip; Bomb experts (Maya Rudolph, Fred) explain issues with the car bombs; at a lingerie party, Debbie Downer (Rachel Dratch) continues to bring everyone down; on "Pretty Living," Helen Madden (Molly Shannon) and her new friend (Betty) continue to have extreme amounts of joy; a man (Jason) gives his girlfriend (Nasim) a unicorn, which upon closer inspection happens to be dead; and on Weekend Update, a pedophilic ice cream truck man (Will) gives a commentary.
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- Abby Elliott does not appear in the live broadcast.
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- With this episode, Betty White surpasses Ruth Gordon as the oldest host in SNL history. White was 88 years old as of May 2010, breaking Gordon's record by eight years. (Mrs. Miskel Spillman was two weeks younger than Gordon when she hosted in 1977).
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