"I still am… and you're still not"
6.0
"Fair"
A Review by "HelloStuart," Amateur Critic and Texan Hipster
This week's host is Seth Rogen, the pudgy, hirsute character actor that starred in two of the highest-grossing comedy movies of 2007, "Knocked Up" and "Superbad." If you didn't catch those movies (like I did, and I'm still smarting about that), you probably recognize him from the late, great TV shows "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared." The musical guests are the Texas-based indie-rockers known as Spoon, who continue a trend of cusp-of-the-mainstream acts that began in Year 31. Their latest album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga," has been largely praised, though some might argue that it's not as challenging as their previous work.
And now, the sketch-by-sketch analysis:
COLD OPENING: Kevin Federline (AS) declares himself the world's best father after winning custody of his two kids, then spews every piece of slacker parental advice he can offer. The satire of this sketch would probably be more incisive if the writing staff did something like this two years ago, but now it feels like an afterthought.
MONOLOGUE: After pointing out that he co-wrote the "Superbad" screenplay when he was 13, Seth reads the monologue that he scribed around the same time. The brief exploration into the mind of a socially awkward pubescent, plus a random appearance by Steven Seagal (BH) resulted in a fairly entertaining monologue.
"Veritas Ultrasound HD": Watch your unborn child in hi-def! Good juxtaposition, but the execution could've used a caesarian section.
"2007 National Douchebag Championships": Three annoying pricks (Seth, BH, WF) compete for bragging rights, but they have to face the judges- Sharon Osbourne (AP), Gene Simmons (FA), and last year's winner (AS).
"MacGruber": This recurring sketch/triptych is really starting to grow on me. Trapped in a deserted silver mine, our hero's (WF) receding hairline takes priority over the bomb that needs to be defused.
"Jeremy and Sasha": A friendly chat over six thirty-something friends suddenly becomes excruciating when the children (KW, Seth) of the two hosts creeps everyone out. The reaction shots were priceless, though it delved into pointless exaggeration. Is anybody's kids like this?
"MacGruber": Now trapped in a deserted desert tower, Mac shows off his surgery-enhanced face and waitress girlfriend (KW). As expected, the utility room goes kablooie.
"Fred Thompson '08": The actor/politician (DH) addresses his low poll numbers by admitting that's he only half-interested in running. His ol' buddy Sam Waterston (FA) makes an impassioned stump speech filled with all that paralegal lingo L&O fans have come to know and love. This wasn't anything to call home about, but it's always good to see Darrell mastering another impression.
"MacGruber": Now addicted to plastic surgery, the deformed Mac fawns over himself but fails to avoid blowing up an abandoned monestary. I tip my hat to the writers for turning this into an entertaining recurring bit.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: You have to admit that "The Underdog" is a really catchy tune, even if the song is about futility and social anxiety.
WEEKEND UPDATE: Tonight's Update was unusually long (over 15 minutes); this means either there was a lot of strong material this week, or the time is padded to compensate for weaker sketches. Forgettable bits with Lou Dobbs (DH) and the New York Mets' brain trust (FA, KT) segued into a clever edition of "Really?" that spotlighted Senator Larry Craig's wide stance (pun intended) on gay rights. Update essentially ended with a guest appearance from Chevy Chase, which would've been a pleasant surprise if his shtick and physical appearance hadn't aged so badly.
"America's First Colonists": The early colony of Stonetown failed because its residents were too high to figure out a strategy for survival. By delivering every marijuana clich you can think of, this sketch literally went to pot.
"Rowlf & The Swedish Chef": After the chicken-hating cook (AS) convinces his canine friend (Seth) not to play "The Rainbow Connection" again, three more Muppet Show bit players jam on Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea." It's very clear that the cast had more fun with this than the audience; whether there's a connection between Stonetown and this sketch is yet to be seen
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: You want more horns? You got more horns! "You Got Your Cherry Bomb" is different in tone to the previous song, but it's a fun deep track.
"Mad Joe Dixon": Two 19th-century farmhands (Seth, MR) fall in love in spite of their disgusting habits. No narrative and no pure laughs make for a dull ten-to-one sketch.
Two episodes into Year 33, it still feels like an add-on to Year 32. Seth and Spoon made for a fun combo, but like the season premiere, there weren't any standout moments. Weekend Update brought things to a halt, beginning with a lame Barack Obama joke, moving onto a half-joking anti-Canadian rant that would've been better-suited for the early 1980s, and of course the unnecessary Chevy segment. This was a marginal improvement over James/West, but still I find myself wondering what they cut in rehearsal.
Sketches/Segments That Will Probably Be Removed From the 60-Minute Edit (if one shall ever come to fruition): Weekend Update, "America's First Colonists," "Rowlf & The Swedish Chef," and "Mad Joe Dixon."
Next Week: We're barely one month into the season, and we already have our first head-scratcher of the season; sometime actor Jon Bon Jovi hosts with musical guest Foo Fighters. No, I'm not making this up.
"HelloStuart" is a senior at Illinois State University. Feel free to send your questions and comments to sma17kc@aim.com.moreless