11:30 – Cold Open – A skit Andy Samberg did a couple weeks ago was cut because of bleeped-out cussing, yet this skit’s only highlight was the cussing. Maybe if I knew more about the Governor of Illinois it might have been funnier, but the crowd didn’t seem too into either. Also, the Kristen Wiig Counter is at 1.
11:38 – Hugh Laurie’s Monologue – I don’t know why my mind expected him to walk out with a limp and a cane, (that’d be like me expecting him to come out holding Stuart Little), but for some reason I forgot about his accent, too. His jokes were very dry, as was his Christmas song medley, but Laurie’s likability shone through, so… win?
11:43 – Bronx Beat – Maya Rudolph is back (?) and Amy Poehler is back to regular size. You could feel the comfort level and rapport between these two fine comediennes, especially when they took Laurie to the ropes making innuendos about cuts of meat (he played a local butcher). The distinguished actor that he is almost broke character, so that made it work.
11:54 – Christmas Dinner – Short tempers flare at a dinner party. The dinner party’s saved by a rendition of Silent Night, Holy Night… almost. Does ir save the skit… not even close. So far I feel Laurie’s skills are being squandered. Or maybe he’s not funny. Or maybe his Brit humor clashes with the farting humor this show tends to have. Nonetheless, the idea of subtle tensions at a dinner party worked better in Will Farrell’s classic “I drive a Dodge Stratus” skit. Wiig Counter: 2
12:02 – Wedding Toasts – This skit was actually pretty good. Everyone rotated as eccentrics giving toasts. I liked Bobby Moynihan’s mic drop the best (see I learned his name – I pray he doesn’t have that waiter skit tonight). Wiig Counter: 3
12:11 – Um… wow… and not good wow. Kanye West should not sing. Because he can’t. If the Lil Wayne digitizer was supposed to do something to his voice it didn’t. And his look was ridiculous. Also, I’m beginning to think half of the people that work on this show already checked out for the holidays.
12:17 – Weekend Update – It’s funny how they get Fred Armison to play every black guy (and Maya Rudolph to play every black woman… Kenan Thompson only gets to play the fat black men and women). This time he was New York governor, David Patterson, and he was humorous enough (especially when he kept wandering in front of the camera a la McCain). Really!?! with Seth & Amy is one of my favorite bits, so I was happy to see them attack Governor Rod Blagojevich (saying his hair was like Little People toys was spot on <—British!) The worst part was Poehler announcing this was her last episode. Thanks for the laughs, Amy… you will be missed!
12:32 – Lamps! – Um… weird… and not good weird. Living lamps? Holding their owner’s hostage? And it’s a musical? Who thought of this? Seriously, I am beginning to think everyone on the staff has left. Wiig Counter: 4
12:39 – Cat Christmas Letter – Don’t know why, but cat humor almost always gets me. On the other hand, dead cat humor always gets me. Sprinkle it with passive-aggressiveness and puns – purrrrrrrfect! Wiig Counter: 5
12:48 – Digital Short – Amidst discussion of layoffs, Armison’s cookie fanatic finds himself eating something that’s not quite cookies. Armison sells it. Still, I’m reminded of a better old skit with Rainn Wilson.
12:53 – Kanye’s back. Isn’t that the same song? I know it’s not, but what happened to this guy? I loved College Dropout so much. This new stuff is crap. And stop singing/rapping about Louis Vuitton!
1:00 – What a let down compared to last week’s homerun of an episode, AND it’s Amy Poehler’s last? Bummer.
TV IS MY IV 