S45.E16: Online Zoom Episode

[Princess Sparkle]

So...we’ll see!

[GoldenGirl90]

 

[Pete Martell]

Michael Che talks about tonight's episode and also responses to his grandmother's passing. 

Bowen Yang said in a comment that he doesn't even know what will be in the episode. If there is cut material hopefully they will put it on Youtube. 

[helenamonster]

I don't find it especially promising that the cast doesn't seem to really know what the episode will even be, and everything NBC has said about it has been vague as well. I know we're all in uncertain times here and have all been figuring things out as we go along, but maybe at least pretend you know what you're doing.

[Pete Martell]

52 minutes ago, helenamonster said:

I don't find it especially promising that the cast doesn't seem to really know what the episode will even be, and everything NBC has said about it has been vague as well. I know we're all in uncertain times here and have all been figuring things out as we go along, but maybe at least pretend you know what you're doing.

I get the feeling NBC may have asked for this last minute and everyone else has had to go along. I just wonder if they are planning to do more or if they are waiting to see response. If it's planned for more they'd have time to hone their work - if it's just a one-off then they will make the show look amateurish then they're hanging out to dry until September or October. I'm just trying to leave my expectations very low as a result.

[Irlandesa]

40 minutes ago, Pete Martell said:

I get the feeling NBC may have asked for this last minute and everyone else has had to go along.

That's good spec.  Or it could be that a lot of the cast wanted to see what they could do with the limited resources a virtual show would give them?

They're creatives and getting paid to do something crazy experimental probably excites them.  While others are probably thinking it's going to be a disaster.  I'm expecting both, actually.  I hope there's some innovative stuff.  There's a lot of good material. I hope they've been reading about people's experiences working from home/

But I also expect some of it to feel like a dumpster fire, especially with no audience.

[vb68]

1 hour ago, helenamonster said:

I don't find it especially promising that the cast doesn't seem to really know what the episode will even be,

On the other hand, what are they suppose to say? I mean, the company line is always that they don't know what will make any given show anyways. I completely agree that this is going to be a challenge, but I wouldn't read too much into cast members saying they don't know what will be in the show.

One big difference is each cast member being responsible for their costumes, makeup, and wigs. I doubt we see too many quick changes.

1 hour ago, Pete Martell said:

If it's planned for more they'd have time to hone their work - if it's just a one-off then they will make the show look amateurish then they're hanging out to dry until September or October. I'm just trying to leave my expectations very low as a result.

I don't know. I think they will get a lot of goodwill for doing it, and most people won't judge it too harshly given the circumstances. At least I hope not.

[Pete Martell]

14 minutes ago, vb68 said:

I don't know. I think they will get a lot of goodwill for doing it, and most people won't judge it too harshly given the circumstances. At least I hope not.

You're probably right, but there are some very lofty expectations for SNL and it's always a magnet for bandwagon type reactions...I guess it's a credit to them they were willing to try this knowing the possible reaction. We'll see what happens. 

[Guest]

Maybe it will be good and maybe it won't, but all I know is that composite photo of all the cast members at home, in varying states of disarray but still smiling, made me smile a whole lot as well.

Edited April 11, 2020 by tracyscott76

[AriAu]

I'm kinda excited.....Even if all they do is an hour of  Update, that would be awesome.....but how can Judge Jeannine throw up on Colin over Zoom and how can they get Kate into costume(s)???

[kib]

Just spitballin' here but I suspect the cast will tap into the material they first presented on their audition tapes for the show.  I expect a lot of impressions and such.  I'll also be sorely disappointed if there's not something akin to the nine-box opening of the Brady Bunch.

Edited April 11, 2020 by kib

[SoMuchTV]

"Can we be funny?"

[Pete Martell]

25 minutes ago, kib said:

Just spitballin' here but I suspect the cast will tap into the material they first presented on their audition tapes for the show.  I expect a lot of impressions and such.  I'll also be sorely disappointed if there's not something akin to the nine-box opening of the Brady Bunch.

The cast intro is definitely the part I'm most interested in seeing. 

I guess we'll also get a lot of Tiger King material. That will sure be something....

This may be the credits they use.

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by Pete Martell

[meatball77]

I'm excited just because it's new.

If they don't have a sketch mocking the circle it'll be insane.

Edited April 12, 2020 by meatball77

[Pete Martell]

Boo at Colin not keeping the beard. 

Glad they did a fun promo. The off-key "SNL at Home" amused me.

https://twitter.com/nbcsnl/status/1249124581547393024

[rejnel]

Quote

   6 HOURS AGO,  HELENAMONSTER SAID: 

I don't find it especially promising that the cast doesn't seem to really know what the episode will even be, and everything NBC has said about it has been vague as well. I know we're all in uncertain times here and have all been figuring things out as we go along, but maybe at least pretend you know what you're doing.

Yikes! It’s some people trying their best to be creative, to connect, and to entertain us. It’s not a NASA launch or managing a pandemic. I think it’ll be fun and comforting, if nothing else.

[ottoDbusdriver]

1 hour ago, Pete Martell said:

Boo at Colin not keeping the beard. 

Glad they did a fun promo. The off-key "SNL at Home" amused me.

https://twitter.com/nbcsnl/status/1249124581547393024

But once he got started, the pornstache with the garbage patch definitely had to go.  :)

[Galileo908]

Okay, I'm here, let's see how this experiment's gonna go! Here's a guarantee for Kyle, Pete, and Ego to get airtime!

TOM HANKS IS HOSTING?!

[SoMuchTV]

And on top of everything else, a bill withers tribute ad. John Prine coming up soon?

[Liamsmom617]

Carole Baskin Master Class for the win!

[Trini]

I think this is going well so far considering... *gestures toward everything*

[SoMuchTV]

1 minute ago, Trini said:

I think this is going well so far considering... *gestures toward everything*

Well my bar is subterranean at this point, so I’m more than happy so far. 

[saber5055]

Jo Jo Siwa was just on The Masked Singer so that's twice this week!

[saber5055]

Okay, so I laughed really hard at Colin saying Brad Pitt playing Joe Exotic in a movie would be like Denzel Washington playing him in the Colin Jost Story.

Then I did it again when Che made Colin read the "lazy" joke. So thanks, show.

[Fostersmom]

23 minutes ago, Liamsmom617 said:

Carole Baskin Master Class for the win!

So far I liked that whole sketch the most. Her JoJo impression was pretty dead on. 

[Liamsmom617]

Weekend Update...loved it. Michael Che looked so desolate...I hope the joke swap really did cheer him up.

[SHD]

19 minutes ago, Fostersmom said:

So far I liked that whole sketch the most. Her JoJo impression was pretty dead on. 

“A voice like a wooden rollercoaster” cracked me up.

I think WU would’ve been fine without the Zoom audience for laughs.

[Ms Blue Jay]

2 minutes ago, SHD said:

“A voice like a wooden rollercoaster” cracked me up.

I think WU would’ve been fine without the Zoom audience for laughs.

It was a huge mistake to add the laughs.  Some of the jokes were just so bad, and to hear these people laughing uproariously from whenever really highlighted how bad the jokes were.

I'm fine with all the other sketches.  So much better without the laughter.

Kenan looks incredibly handsome.  Alex too.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Ms Blue Jay

[formerlyfreedom]

I honestly appreciate the effort that they made to do this. Some stuff works, some doesn’t.

And OMG Ego’s make up tips just made me DIE....

[Trini]

Didn't realize how much I missed Kenan until he showed up! Would have liked to see more of him.

[Melina22]

7 minutes ago, SHD said:

I think WU would’ve been fine without the Zoom audience for laughs.

They were jarring. It would have been way better without them. 

Other than that I'm really enjoying the show. My highlight was Aidy and Kate in the Zoom sketch. I was crying. 

[Galileo908]

So yeah, this is odd, but here goes my typical play-by-play post for this strange experiment.

Cold Open: None, really. But I loved the bare bones intro.

Monologue: Tom Hanks! Of course he's the perfect "host" for this. Loved the Q&A bit.

Drake Song: Perfect for Pete. "I miss my ex." Which one, Pete? Which one? "DIRECTED BY PETE'S MOM" killed me.

Working Out At Home with RBG: I'm guessing all of these sketches are gonna be super short. For the best, probably. But I liked this. Can't go wrong with RBG having a bit to herself.

First Zoom Call: The inevitable sketch about Zoom and that was as great as it could've been. Aidy and Kate are of course the only ones who dressed for their characters. and they just killed me.

Bernie Sanders: Here's the political sketch! Yeah, it's just Larry David shooting the shit, but my god did I need this right now. "I finally have time to relax and finish that heart attack from October." I'm dead.

Masterclass: Quarantine Edition: Impression time! Someone finally impersonated Jojo Siwa. I'm old. (and yes, I saw her on the Masked Singer, too) And here's the inevitable Tiger King reference with Carole Baskins. Wait, were all three of them played by Chloe?! That's range. She needs more airtime.

WU: Home Edition: Man, if Colin and Che gave no shits before, this barebones version of update literally show that they have no shits left to give. And they got Alec Baldwin live via Zoom, and he clearly had the best audio equipment so far. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Symptoms" was gold, as was "Reverse Homer Simpson." That paints quite the picture. And the joke swap was amazing. Che had to use that grandma guilt and I thank him for it.

I didn't mind the laughter.

Bailey at The Movies: Bailey gets her own sketch! Nice touch that her video had more dislikes than likes and only 50 views. Ouch. 

Middle Aged Mutant Turtles: Oh my god yes. This killed me. It was a...nice reminded that I'm getting old. This definitely answered the question of where Kenan, Kyle, and Beck were in this show. A bit slow, but man, that's the sketch everyone's gonna talk about tomorrow. How long were they sitting on this one?

Cam Playz Dat: First a teen girl's youtube channel, and now a twitch stream. Yep, dying on the Goomba in SMB brought back memories.

Sky Sports: How do you make a sports show without sports? Improvise! I liked it. Watching the popcorn was oddly riveting.

Good Neighbor Facetime: This was needed. I want more of this. I liked Fred Armisen's cameo.

Visualizations With Aidy: "Remember WWI?" This was oddly calming.

How Low Will You Go: Quarantine dating show! So many broken vibrators. I loved everything about this. Kenan was literally by himself and was the best part.

Ego's Makeup Tips: A lot of cast members have crayola markers lying around.

I Got $2000: Another Pete song!

Hal Willner Tribute: Aww, this was nice.

So yeah, this was...a thing. But I liked this effort and I wouldn't mind if they did another one. Odd that there were STILL cast members not in this show. We had cameos from EVERYONE and yet folks like Beck, Kenan, Ego and Melissa were only in one or two sketches. Bowen Yang wasn't even in this at all save for the opening.

We return...eventually, but next week will be a New-To-Me rerun of the John Mulaney episode (yeah, still haven't watched it. So sue me.)

Edited April 12, 2020 by Galileo908

[anna0852]

That was a beautiful tribute to Hal.

[ebk57]

The Hal Willner tribute was beautiful. 

[formerlyfreedom]

And then they double killed me with  the tribute to Hal Willner. Stop it dust!!!

[Galileo908]

Man, right after that Hal Willner tribute, the credits over the empty stage was a punch in the gut.

[Growsonwalls]

I Lol'ed when Tom Hanks said "Is it going to make you laugh? Eh, it's SNL, there will be some good stuff with one or two stinkers you know the drill." Heh. Tom Hanks' dry wit is so unappreciated. 

Overall I enjoyed the Zoom conference call sketch and the master classes shorts the best. I didn't like the laughing during Alex Baldwin's call in to WU. The laugh track kind of drowned out his voice.

[ebk57]

This was fun.  A little rough, but needed.  I did love seeing people's houses, especially the Hanks house and Colin's living room. I wasn't crazy about the laughter during Update, but otherwise, a nice job. 

[opus]

Out of curiosity, does this go in the books as an official Tom Hanks hosting appearance?

[Mystery]

I liked it and appreciated it. I laughed at Heidi/Bailey saying that Emma stole from Clueless. I was baffled at her promo for Louis CK though. 

Pete Davidson might have found his niche as a home performer. Go, Pete's Mom!

And that tribute to Hal Willner was really moving. 

 

[Galileo908]

Just now, opus said:

Out of curiosity, does this go in the books as an official Tom Hanks hosting appearance?

He did the monologue, introduced the musical guest, said the goodnights. I'd count it.

[laugard]

I will have to watch again at 11:30 Pacific because I was in the middle of something and missed a lot. But it made me happy just looking up and seeing the cast on my screen. And even if I end up hating every sketch, it was worth it for the Hal Willner tribute alone. That was lovely and moving.

I normally don't comment on appearance but am going to make an exception because I thought Pete looked great and it was really good to see. 

 

[SHD]

I think time at home has done a world of good for Pete.

I was surprised Chris Martin only got one appearance. I would’ve thought they’d be desperate to fill time and a filmed musical performance would seem easier to do than another sketch.

I hated the Beck/Kyle bit. 

[Lantern7]

I wouldn't want this every week, mostly because it seems like there's more energy needed with a fraction of the resources. Maybe once a month until we get close to "normal"?

Hey, the tech-impaired secretaries came back! Very nice stuff with Zoom in place of PowerPoint.

Middle-Aged Mutant Ninja Turtles? Nicely done. Robot Chicken did something similar ages ago [warning: it's pretty dark], but seeing the guys as regular schlub fortysomethings was a neat concept. And Leonardo would up with April! I'm thinking a lot of "shipposters" are happy right now.

Goes without saying that Tom Hanks looking well should cheer us all up. I know this sounds really stupid in the larger picture, but I think him and Rita getting sick was a major "Oh, fuck, this shit is gonna be serious!" moment for this nation.

I liked KMcK as stripped-down RBG. I'm guessing Kate doesn't have a storage closet full of costumes and bodysuits. And is that the cat from Leslie Jones' UWS video?

12 hours ago, Galileo908 said:

We return...eventually, but next week will be a New-To-Me rerun of the John Mulaney episode (yeah, still haven't watched it. So sue me.)

It's John Mulaney. Of course it was awesome.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Lantern7

[vb68]

I really liked it for the most part. Was it perfect? Of course not. But like Hanks said in his own way, it never is.

I appreciate the effort everyone put into it. I agree Pete found his calling. He was the best he's ever been in sketches.

My biggest complaint was also the laugh track during Update.  I'm thinking that maybe it was used to get Che into it more though?  At least that was my impression.

Speaking of  Update, I know this is random, but I was transfixed on the guitar strategically placed on Colin's couch. I so wanted to dare him to play it. 

Where was Cecily?

The Hal Willner tribute made me cry. Full of genuine emotion and all the people who submitted video for it.

Good effort. I assume they will be back in May as they will want  a season finale.

Happy Easter one and all.

[Fostersmom]

27 minutes ago, Galileo908 said:

 

So yeah, this was...a thing. But I liked this effort and I wouldn't mind if they did another one. Odd that there were STILL cast members not in this show. We had cameos from EVERYONE and yet folks like Beck, Kenan, Ego and Melissa were only in one or two sketches. Bowen Yang wasn't even in this at all save for the opening.

We return...eventually, but next week will be a New-To-Me rerun of the John Mulaney episode (yeah, still haven't watched it. So sue me.)

Was Cecily in it at all beyond the open?

And does anyone know who the woman in the upper left hand corner of all the women singing is? I couldn’t place her at all.

[cpcathy]

Paula Pell.

[Dev F]

25 minutes ago, Mystery said:

I liked it and appreciated it. I laughed at Heidi/Bailey saying that Emma stole from Clueless. I was baffled at her promo for Louis CK though.

It's a recurring bit where Bailey yells something politically incorrect at the end of each appearance. ("The Joker director was right! Comedy is too woke!") Doesn't play quite the same when it's not over the audience applause.

[Mystery]

11 minutes ago, vb68 said:

Where was Cecily?

Or Bowen either, right? At least not in any kind of sketch.

eta: Ah, thank you, Dev F! I've never even noticed that before!

Edited April 12, 2020 by Mystery

[mikem]

I appreciate that they tried to put together a new show during this crazy time.  I thought it got much better as it went along, as there started to be more interaction and fewer single-person bits.  I think a different ordering of the sketches might have helped.

The laughter during Weekend Update helped a bit by making the performers seem less detached, but it was way too loud.  Next time, please make it about half the volume that it was.