I thought the show was pretty good. A nice mix of live skits and old clips. I assume they worked on it longer than they spend on the weekly episodes. Shows what some extra time can do.
The musical acts were a little lame. I suspect they used all the good ones at the Saturday night concert at Radio City Music Hall. Paul McCartney is in danger of becoming a joke. He's just croaking out the songs now. The best musical number in the show was Adam Sandler's song. In second place was Andy Samberg's rap film.
Good to see a "Deep Thoughts" clip after all these years, and the film with Belushi at the cemetery was eerie.
I was surprised at all the guests but was really impressed with Sabrina Carpenter both in her singing and acting. Where was Dan Ackroyd? He'll show up for a Ghostbusters movie but not this. Not a classy move Danny.
Where was Dan Aykroyd? He'll show up for a Ghostbusters movie but not this. Not a classy move Danny.
A source close to Aykroyd said that he "could not come." Aykroyd wrote the following in a social media post last Friday morning:
“Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago. This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it’s friggin’ Holy!!”
Where was Dan Aykroyd? He'll show up for a Ghostbusters movie but not this. Not a classy move Danny.
A source close to Aykroyd said that he "could not come." Aykroyd wrote the following in a social media post last Friday morning:
“Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago. This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it’s friggin’ Holy!!” Thanks!
I found the audio pretty dodgy, but on the whole the show wasn't bad. The DVR cut off the last 10 minutes, so we were spared Macca's voice and I don't really feel too strongly about seeking it out.
I'm probably in a profound minority, but I find that as time goes on my pre-existing love for Lovitz just gets bigger and bigger.
I was really disappointed with this show. It started off with a bang having Steve Martin do the opening monologue. Steve Martin never disappoints. Then it just got worse. The best cast look like they have one foot in the grave or they have already passed on. I love Bill Murray's Weekend Update countdown. I wish they done more tributes to Norm MacDonald, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman. The golden age cast probably won't be around for the 60th Anniversary. I did rewatch SNL 25th Anniversary again. This was more entertaining. The 40th and 50th Anniversary shows are not worth the rewatch.
I have no need for any SNL retrospectives. I have and love the DVDs for those first four glorious, hit-or-miss seasons. Yes, it's very much Boomer humor, but Belushi was a force of nature and Ackroyd admired the early B&W TV shows he parodied with affection. Gilda Radner remains much missed, and Jane Curtain's considerable intelligence always shines through. Garrett Morris sadly remains SNL's forgotten man.
The Blues Brothers debut is imo the show's single greatest moment. It's also imo the finest episode the show ever aired.
Broderick Crawford was an early guest host, and he did a filmed "man in the street" segment in which Greatest Generation regular Joes and Janes interacted with him. Crawford was so incredibly approachable, a true regular guy, and I never forgot that, which makes his now sadly-forgotten films all the more enjoyable.
