Tag Archives: Kristen Wiig

SNL: 38.20 – Kristen Wiig & Vampire Weekend

May 12, 2013 Amanda Broyles 2 Comments

She’s back! After 11 months and 30 days, Kristen Wiig returned the SNL stage for a show full of old friends!

The cold open was one of those that the moment it started you knew people were going to be up in arms. Whenever I see internet commenters (seriously what did people do in years past when they didn’t have a comment section to vent their rage?) complain about SNL it is usually that it isn’t as good as it was in some various point in time, or that SNL needs to “get back to being funny and stop trying to be political” which makes me wonder what show those people have been watching because it’s always been political.

Of course that being said, whoever wrote the cue cards and mixed up Ariel Castro and Charles Ramsey’s name probably feels like a heel today. I imagine they’ll double check from now on to make sure they don’t switch out the name of a kidnapper and rapist for that of the man who rescued the victims. Devil’s in the details.

The monologue was funny but nothing really all that earth-shattering. Actually it was very reminiscent of Jimmy Fallon’s monologue from 2011. I do have to say though, that dress was adorable and of course any time Maya Rudolph comes on screen I’m a happy woman (please note that I will take this back in just a moment).

1-800-Flowers was equally hysterical and disturbing. There’s just something about Bill Hader in a wig and a robe talking about Asian porno that is rather unsettling. On the other hand, Kate McKinnon as the “I wish I was a lesbian so I didn’t have to carry a purse” over-sharing mom was awesome. She and Kristen Wiig seem to work really well together and I enjoyed watching it.

You know what I hate watching? The Californians. No Maya Rudolph, even your adorable and fabulous self couldn’t make me like this sketch. Much like Roger Ebert’s review of North (which former SNL writer and author of North, Alan Zwiebel carries a copy of in his wallet to this day), I hate hate hate hate hate The Californians.

What the hell is happening here? That is pretty much what everyone who happened to catch the dude in his underwear in the background of ‘Aw Nuts! Mom’s a Ghost!’ was asking. As far as I know, SNL has not even mentioned it. Outside of that creepiness, the sketch was spot on when it comes to Disney Channel shows. Not only that but it was written by Bobby Moynihan and Cecily Strong who have become quite the team this season.

In the biggest non-surprise of the night, The Lawrence Welk show sketch came back!

No matter how many times they do this, I will still laugh each and every time. Licking the sand squirrel turds? I’m a 13 year old boy. Getting crabs? Dying. Creepy doll hands grabbing at Jason Sudeikis’ junk? Yep, still funny.

Weekend Update had a few great stories and I’m a big fan of Anthony Crispino and of course Garth and Kat made an appearance but let’s just revel in this shall we?

So Seth Meyers will be leaving SNL as head writer and of course as the Weekend Update anchor likely after the first part of next season so he can take over Late Night with Seth Meyers in January 2014. Part of me is really excited for him because that’s a huge move and he’s been behind that desk for a long time so it’s probably about time. The other part of me really hates to see him go because I enjoy his WU self and of course the looming question – who takes over?

Taran Killam? It’s hard to say given that he’s such an anchor in the sketch part of the show. Vanessa Bayer? Really, I could see her taking over. I’m inclined to think she’s a bit too much of the straight guy to pull it off by herself but perhaps this is their opportunity to bring out another writer (John Mulaney now that his show wasn’t picked up?) to co-host, that worked out pretty well last time. People have been throwing around Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon’s names but I can’t see a rookie taking that over plus those two have shown to be great WU guest characters so I’d hate to lose that. All that being said, I’m sure there will be enough speculation in the coming months so we have plenty of time to discuss it, let’s move on!

I love the Target lady!!! It’s sort of funny that while the first part of the show was all Kristen Wiig recurring characters, the second half was just Target lady and new sketches. I feel like I’m going to end up with my head on a pike (don’t forget to check out our Game of Thrones reviews!) but I have to say it – I liked the second half of the show exponentially more than the first. I know, it’s weird, especially since the second half sketches are always the odd ones but this week it just worked. For me at least.

Without a doubt, the best sketch of the night, and perhaps even the season, was the acupuncture one. Very reminiscent of Dan Aykroyd and Julia Child. Everything from Fred Armisen as the dr. jumping out the window to Aidy Bryant saying “It may sound like we’re going to Mexico, but we’re not.” was damn near perfect. Whoever was manning the rogue artery deserves a special shout out because I about soiled myself when “blood” was flying through the air with specific targets in mind.

I want to find the person who thought to have Tim Robinson play an awkward sixth grader on an even more awkward double date with two grown women and shake their hand. I mean there was no doubt that Bobby Moynihan could pull that off but I thought Tim did a great job as the ‘out of his element and really how did he even end up there’ pre-teen who can’t swim yet.

As for the last sketch of the night, well let’s just say I’ve had “an apple a day keeps the haters away” stuck in my head all day and I feel as if I need to go find a copy of ‘Classy Sexy Elegance’ as soon as possible.

Overall? A great episode. There was a bit for everyone – old Kristen Wiig plus some new sketches and a great commercial and pre-recorded bit. Easily one of the best shows of the season. Next week’s season finale doesn’t look to be slowing down any with host Ben Affleck!

Until next time SNL fans!

Kristen Wiig is Back in Studio 8H and All is Well…

May 9, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

She’s back!!!! It really was only a matter of time before Ms. SNL 2000’s herself would return to the hallowed stage and this week is that time. As usual, the show’s promos have been released and it does nothing to quell the excitement.

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/xnxx-92/widget/widget.html?vid=n36522

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t watched it multiple times. In the last hour.

Because Saturday seems so far away (although there is an Arrow episode tonight which is good), I figured it would be best to go out and find some of the best of Kristen Wiig to pass the time.

“Real Housewives of Disney” is perhaps one of my favorite pre-recorded sketches in recent years. It’s hard to beat a broke Jasmine, drunk Cinderella, and gay Prince Charming.

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/xnxx-92/widget/widget.html?vid=n13429

As with all returning hosts/former cast members, I’m sure some of Wiig’s character will be making a return appearance as well. If that doesn’t include the Lawrence Welk Show, well I’m sure I won’t be alone in my disappointment.

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/xnxx-92/widget/widget.html?vid=n13207

There were a lot of people out there (typical internet commenters who seem to hate everything) who really did not like the Target lady but I love that sketch. It is rare, even to this day, that I will check out and not say “Approved!” in my head when my card goes through.

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/xnxx-92/widget/widget.html?vid=n12501

Of course no list of favorite Kristen Wiig characters would be complete without one of her many Weekend Update characters. I can easily see them bringing back Garth and Kat this week. No complaints here!

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/xnxx-92/widget/widget.html?vid=n12831

That’s a few of my favorites but surely there are some I’ve forgotten. Let’s hear it – what Kristen Wiig characters do you want to see come Saturday night?

SNL: 38.19 – Zach Galifianakis & Of Monsters and Men

May 5, 2013 Amanda Broyles Leave a comment

Season 38 is sadly in the home stretch so we have to savor each moment in hopes they will last us through the long, un-funny summer. :tear: Thankfully there was plenty to laugh at this week with former SNL writer, current The Hangover series star, Zach Galfianiakis!

The cold open was one of my favorite recurring sketches, ‘Fox and Friends’. I keep waiting for this bit to get old but somehow it doesn’t. Everytime I see the Fox logo, I’m giddy (only on Saturday night however – every other day of the week I cringe), I just can’t help myself. Of course a big part of the success of ‘Fox and Friends’ is the “corrections and I might have literally laughed out loud at “The California wildfires are not a professional soccer team”.

I love when hosts come on SNL and just do their own thing when it comes to the monologue. Zach Galifianakis did just that. Thankfully for us, his “own thing” is dry and weird and hysterical. His monologue was a perfect example. I might have soiled myself at the idea of pulling up behind someone broken down on the highway just to try out jokes. Genius.

I think we can all agree that this was the greatest sketch of the night.

Even if the writing of ‘Game of Game of Thrones’ was shit, Galifianakis in that dragon costume (a child’s XL) would have made up for it tenfold. Thankfully the writing wasn’t shit and the sketch was just funny all the way around. If the costume wasn’t enough, referring to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as an “old pilgrim” made it even better. Of course when the picture of the old pilgrim is held by none other than Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) then the sketch reaches a level of damn near perfection.

(Speaking of Game of Thrones – make sure to check back to Grizzly Bomb on Mondays to read our recap and review of each new episode. Go ahead and check out episode 5, ‘Kissed By Fire’, right here.)

The match.com fauxmercial was good but really wasn’t that much to write home about. Something about picturing Martha Stewart getting her freak on just doesn’t sit well.

“Let’s put Zach in a wig and Friends t-shirt and have him yell about Helen Keller” is how I imagine the Jennifer Aniston look-a-like sketch was born. I’d also completely forgotten about The Hangover making a third appearance so it never occurred to me that Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms (sidenote: how great was Andy’s goodbye on The Office this week?) would show up. I’m glad they did because there’s just something inherently funny about men in wigs, probably why I watch this show week after week.

For the record: Vanessa Bayer has an incredible Jennifer Aniston impression.

Weekend Update seemed really long this week. Not that it’s a bad thing, because it is not, just seemed longer than usual. I don’t know that I listened to a word Bill Hader as James Carville was saying because I was too busy laughing at his hands. Dealing cards and DJ’ing were my favorites.

I’d say this has been Kate McKinnon’s year because she has been on fire with quite a few memorable sketches and characters, but this isn’t her first year and she’s almost perfect to be a Kristin Wiig (next week!!!!!) replacement. Instead, I’m giving this year to Cecily Strong. An impressive rookie season especially with her “girl at the party” character. Three times in one year? That’s good. That’s really good.

Fred Armisen’s “Randal Meeks – tech analyst” review of Google Glass is one that I imagine Google isn’t going to be all too pleased with but the rest of the world got a good laugh. However, I can’t imagine many people were laughing at the “Michael Jordan wedding jugglers” sketch. So random and not really in a good way.

The New Balance commercial was great and “Racist Jim” was meh, but the real winner of the second half of the show (and had the Game of Game of Thrones sketch not been so great, it would have certainly topped the night) was “Darrell’s House” on Knoxville Cable Access.

At first I thought this was just another end of the night sketches that they just let go on way too long that didn’t really seem to have much of a point. The joke had been made and then they kept going on and going on. Much like the “Z-shirt” sketch from the Kevin Hart episode they did a rare callback with the last bit of the night and every edit Darrell had suggested in the first bit we saw done, even the “wink”.

The comedy writing geek in me loves things like that!

Overall, I thought it was a really strong episode. There were a few sketches that weren’t as great as others, but I think Darrell’s House and Game of Game of Thrones made up for those. This was Galifianakis’ third time hosting so by now I think everyone is aware that his shows are just going to be a bit weird and awkward. Fortunately it was entertaining as well.

But hang on to your ass Fred because next week it’s none other than Kristen Wiig returning for her first hosting gig!

I’m so excited about this episode that I’ve preemptively forgiven them for the inevitable “The Californians” sketch.

Until next time SNL fans!

Arrested Development: Kristen Wiig, Tony Wonder, and the Workaholics

March 21, 2013 Chris Tansuche Leave a comment

The most recent winner of Vulture’s Sitcom Smackdown (Reader Bracket) is Arrested Development edging out The Simpsons to be named the greatest sitcom of the last 30 years…by popular vote. That’s still something right? Possibly fueled by it’s impending return, AD seems to be as popular as ever, and for ~~hits~~ that reason we thought it was about time we got caught up on some of the latest news surrounding the shows resurrection. After all, in less than two months, we’ll be again enjoying probably one of the best comedies to grace television of all time. That’s right. I went there.

Continue reading Arrested Development: Kristen Wiig, Tony Wonder, and the Workaholics →

Movie News & Opinions

‘Anchorman 2’ Casting: Brick loves Lamp…and Kristen Wiig?

December 11, 2012 Adam Parker-Edmondston Leave a comment

“Oh my sweet Brick” is just one of the many things we could be hearing in Anchorman 2, now that resident idiot Brick Tamland has his own love interest in the form of delightful Kristen Wiig.

Here is a quote from The Wrap article regarding her entry into the KVWN team.

[box_light]

Kristen Wiig is being eyed for a role in “Anchorman: The Legend Continues” for Paramount Pictures, a person familiar with the negotiations has told TheWrap.

Wiig would play opposite Steve Carell, as a love interest in the sequel. The script is still being written, and no cast beyond the principals has been set.

The film is a sequel to the 2004 hit, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and is due to be released in October 2013.

[/box_light]

Kristen has hit it big recently with the excellent Bridesmaids (though she has always had great presence and shown amazing comedic talent in near every role she’s acted in) and this just feels like a great fit for her. Steve Carell should have a fun time bouncing off Kristen and for the story itself it is a bonus. How will Kristen’s courtship of Brick go? Will she be the lady he eventually marries and has numerous children with? Will Ron be able to cope with loosing his Brick a second time? We have plenty of time to find out, but here is hoping that brick leaves his grenade outside the bedroom and remembers that candles are for romantic dinners and not for the dinner itself.

The SNL Cast Shuffle Report for Season 38

September 12, 2012 Amanda Broyles 1 Comment

When the 38^th season debuts this weekend, Saturday Night Live will once again have a new look.

Let’s take a moment here…
Are we going to miss Kristen Wiig’s fabulous characters (surely I’m not the only person who has to fight the urge to gleefully announce “APPROVED!” when their credit card goes through successfully at the grocery store) and Andy Samberg’s digital shorts? Of course we are. That’s not even up for debate; but they are not the be all to end all of the entire show.

There is no need to lament on how awful SNL is now and how it isn’t half as it good as it was “back in the day”. Before we can even have that argument we have to realize that “back in the day” has a direct correlation to the pastgazer’s age. Is pastgazer even a word? Can I declare it a word? I am.

Pastgazer (noun) – Someone who is incapable of being excited about the potential future of a television show because they are way too hung up on how it “used to be”.

If the pastgazer is in their 30’s, I assure you their “back in the day” involves Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. Someone in their 20’s (albeit probably their later 20’s) loves them some Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon. The 40 somethings are still plodding along singing the Chopping Broccoli song and answering everything, even when not at all appropriate, with “well isn’t that special?” You don’t even want to be in the room when they feel the need to break out their patented “SCHWING!” move. It’s just embarrassing. Then you’ve got the real badasses in their 50’s who scoff at the idea that SNL has been any good since Chevy Chase left… after the first season. They long for the days of random interludes involving bee costumes and Land of Gorch sketches with the Muppets; yes those Muppets, sort of.

I think we can all agree that everyone misses Will Ferrell. Surely missing the Spartan Cheerleaders is universal. I chose to live in a world (even if imaginary) where the vast majority of people grieve daily for the loss of those crazy kids.

Thing is, even with seemingly everyone in the universe screaming about how SNL is not as good as it used to be, it is still on the air. Which is more than can be said for many other shows (let’s have a moment of silence for Kings, a great show cut down in its prime. Damn you NBC.) so obviously they are doing something right and someone is watching. A lot of someones. Someones who still like the show. Someones who in 20 years are going to say, “SNL was way better when Nasim Pedrad and Taran Killam were on.” Trust me, it’s gonna happen. This little bit of casting news is for those someones.

After the departure of Kristin Wiig, Andy Samburg, and Abby Elliott, three new cast members have been added to the lineup.
While hailing from various parts of the country, all three recently were active in the Chicago theatre scene.

Aidy Bryant is originally from Phoenix, where she lived before she attending Columbia College, and then went on to make her mark with the Improv Olympic, Annoyance, and most recently, the e.t.c. stage of The Second City theatres.
During her time at The Second City, she had the chance to team up with the Lyric Opera. Who would have ever thought that Gretel was so well adjusted?

Tim Robinson is a Detroit native, starting his career with Second City Detroit before moving on to the Second City touring company and then The Second City mainstage in Chicago. He’s been a busy man – he recently put together a pilot for Comedy Central called My Mans that was unfortunately not picked up. However, in addition to joining the SNL cast, he also has been cast in a midseason sitcom on CBS called Friend Me.

Judging by this sketch with The Second City, we might see Tim right at home with SNL’s “commercials”.

The most recently announced addition is Cecily Strong. She is a Chicago native (well Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago) and also a Second City alumni. She was with the Second City touring company and also performed with the Improv Olympic.

Another commercial sketch, this one is right up SNL’s alley, no pun intended.

Lest the actors get all the attention, it was also announced that there have been two new writers hired for the new season. Neil Casey and Josh Patten both come to SNL by way of the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in New York City.

That’s the news; now all that’s left is to take bets on how many Family Guy voices Seth MacFarlane uses during the opening monologue. Oh and we should begin the countdown to when Jason Sudeikis takes his final bow. While he’s listed on the cast page, he’s made it no secret that he is perhaps tired with SNL, which is sad. Actually I think SNL will totally suck when Jason Sudeikis leaves and I will never watch again!!!! While it was just announced that Mr. Sudeikis is returning for his 8th season, it is unclear how long he will stay though- at least through the elections which we can all agree is a good thing.

I leave you with this – a man who I think we can all agree, will most certainly feel the absence of Kristin Wiig like no one else.

The 38th season premiere will air on Saturday, September 15th with Seth MacFarlane hosting along with musical guest Frank Ocean, and his guest, John Mayer.

Conveyors of Common Sense…