S41.E03: Tracy Morgan / Demi Lovato

[formerlyfreedom]

Tracy Morgan hosts; musical guest Demi Lovato

 

 

 

[vb68]

The promos are funny.  I really hope that Tracy has a good show.

[AriAu]

Tracy was on for a long time, but I don't really remember him having any truly memorable characters-am I forgetting one

[formerlyfreedom]

Tracy was on for a long time, but I don't really remember him having any truly memorable characters-am I forgetting one

 

Brian Fellow's Safari Planet is one I'd love to see. I'll have to think for some more, but I did love it. If it were closer to Christmas, I'd hope we'd get the Christmas Song.

 

I think Kenan Thompson does some characters that Tracy used to do - how about an Al Sharpton-off?

[Maverick]

I'm sure Astronaut Jones will show up too. He was the first Star Jones (I know cause I am a lawyer) but half the audience wouldn't know who she is aND the other half wouldn't care.

[justjen]

I think this episode will be overflowing with ex-cast cameos (as it should be). Like the current cast maybe shouldn't even show up this week because of all the other people.

[Primetimer]

And will we return to a certain Safari Planet?

Read the story

[Traveller519]

I think I would rather see Astronaut Jones than Brian Fellows, but that shtick may not play as well in 2015.

[Fostersmom]

I think Tracy could get out there and do nothing for 90 minutes and people would love it. I know I would. He's been thru so much and was there for so long, the good will will support him. He didn't have a lot of characters, but he always was funny in the bits. 

[Princess Sparkle]

I think I would rather see Astronaut Jones than Brian Fellows, but that shtick may not play as well in 2015.

I am now going to have the Astronaut Jones song stuck in my head for the next week.  I am not upset by this prospect at all.

[EricJ]

Where's the Tina Fey cameo? At put that at 90%. Alec Baldwin at 50%.

[Traveller519]

I am now going to have the Astronaut Jones song stuck in my head for the next week.  I am not upset by this prospect at all.

Just because I want to make sure you get all the lyrics correct! ;)

 

[Brattinella]

I'm almost afraid to watch.  Here's hoping that Tracy has a perfect show!

[spaceytraci1208]

Looking forward to this episode, Tracy didn't have a lot of recurring characters, but he always made me laugh. Something about his delivery. Now and then I'll still randomly say "That bird is a liar!" ...one of my faves from one of his Brian Fellow's sketches

[Fisher King]

19th-century critic Jebidiah Atkinson (Taran Killam) shares his thoughts on the crop of new fall TV series.

 

Please, PLEASE let this happen. Jebidiah Atkinson is the only truly laugh-out-loud recurring bit for me.

[vb68]

Looks like the show will be pushed back a few minutes on The East Coast because college football just now wrapped.   Anybody recording should probably adjust their DVRs at least 10 minutes or so.  I bet Lorne is furious.

Edited October 18, 2015 by vb68

[WhosThatGirl]

Looking forward to this episode, Tracy didn't have a lot of recurring characters, but he always made me laugh. Something about his delivery. Now and then I'll still randomly say "That bird is a liar!" ...one of my faves from one of his Brian Fellow's sketches

Me too! " Did you see that bird? He is not me!!" There's a really bad clip of it on youtube, you can hardly hear it but I watched it anyway yesterday and my favorite part is after he sends the bird away he looks at the camera and goes, "we will fix this in editing!"

Edited October 18, 2015 by WhosThatGirl

[Fisher King]

Larry David as Bernie Sanders!

[MrWhyt]

No one else could be the Bern.

[WhosThatGirl]

Wooddraw! I always remember that sewer skit with Britney. 

[Galileo908]

Cold Open: Of course we're covering the Democratic Debate. Alec Baldwin as Jim Webb suddenly made Jim Webb interesting. And of course Kate's Hillary was perfect here...but bringing in Larry David as Bernie Sanders? Hell froze over by getting him back on the show, I want whoever assembled this sketch promoted. For those that missed the real debate, this was pretty much what happened.

 

Monologue: Good to see you back, Tracy. And he didn't need to sing! And we got a 30 Rock reunion out of this! I still want Jack McBrayer to host.

 

Family Feud: Okay, A family vs the father's new family? Interesting premise, especially with Leslie, Kenan and Tracy in the same sketch. I'll admit, a sketch about Tracy Morgan and Leslie Jones fighting each other could've been better than this.

 

Brian Fellow: Hooray! You'd think with the camel that they'd tie it in to all the smoking talk, but it didn't happen. But I did love how EVERYONE had their own thought bubble (and that the Camel kept ruining the shots)

 

Fake Cocaine: I loved how the commercial turned into an ad for Fake Poop Spray because the Fake Cocaine didn't throw anyone off, although I would've liked a third product to counteract that one showing up. Or even reveal that Beck used real cocaine to throw off the Fake Poop Spray. But Leslie Jones screaming was a good enough punchline, I guess.

 

WU: SNL is heavily biased towards Hillary, we get it you guys. But the discussion about the "outsiders" on the GOP side was incredibly on point. Did anyone else hope that Tina Fey would host the rest of update? And for some reason, Willie gets funnier every time. His life just gets progressively worse. I didn't expect Woodrow to come back, but I enjoyed it.

 

Bernard: Tracy Morgan in the intro to a Disney musical. Love it.

 

The Standoff: When Tracy Morgan wants to dance, you take him up on it!

 

Yo! Where Jackie Chan At Right Now?!: This is classic silly SNL. Was this Bobby's only appearance in the show? I just loved the randomness of interviewing the Chief from Carmen Sandiego. And of course Leslie Jones was the one who most likely knew where he went.

 

Astronaut Jones: Yay! Mixing Astronaut Jones with The Martian was a great move. Once again the theme song was the best part. Tracy just couldn't spit out that punchline, could he?

 

All in all, I call this episode "decent." So much potential, but I still liked what we got.

[vb68]

OK, I had a grin a mile wide on my face like an idiot through the whole thing.  I loved the whole show.   You could tell everyone was trying to do a great show for Tracy.

 

I  can't even remember when they last had a cold open that good. Between that and the 30 Rock Reunion and the return of both Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones, this is an epic episode.   Maybe even an instant classic.

 

And yes, kudos for getting Larry David. 

 

ETA:  

 

For those that missed the real debate, this was pretty much what happened.

 

 

I only wish they had a Lincoln Chafee line blaming his dead father for more of his screwups.

Edited October 18, 2015 by vb68

[bmoore4026]

Not a bad episode, I thought.

 

Loved Larry David as Bernie Sanders and Kate McKinnon continues to be awesome as Hilary Clinton.  Props to Alec Baldwin appearing as what's-his-face at the debate.

 

Super props for the 30 Rock crew to show up!  Loved it and I loved Tina's heartfelt message to Tracy.  Also loved the cancelled 2012 shows popping up.  Yeah, Smash was cancelled in 2013, but still.

 

The last sketch was weak, as was the fairy tale village one, but the Brian Fellows one (hee hee, camel butt) and the Dysfunctional Family Feud sketch were great.  And should I have felt bad about the Pistorius joke during Weekend Update, because I don't. 

[opus]

After all these years, I had finally gotten that astronaut song out of my head...

[WhosThatGirl]

"I can't see the camera Camel!" This was a decent episode. I laughed though most of it, because Tracey did a good job and it made me happy to see him. Also good job getting Larry David to play Bernie Sanders! Because that's all I thought during that whole debate on Tuesday was that Bernie was Larry David. And also that Jim Webb just kept saying he wanted to talk but Alec pretty much covered that in the skit as well. 

Edited October 18, 2015 by WhosThatGirl

[Kromm]

Tracy was on for a long time, but I don't really remember him having any truly memorable characters-am I forgetting one

Tracy defied the idea that SNL has to be about repeat "characters".  He did have a few (Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones), but I never got the sense he especially liked repeating himself that way.  It was grudgingly done, I think.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Kromm

[Toaster Strudel]

I didn't like TM on his original SNL stint, nor did I enjoy his character on 30Rock.   Brian Fellows is on my "worst characters" list with Chris Kattan's "Mango."  Having said that, I am glad he's doing well! 

 

Larry David was a hoot!  I hope he comes back.

[Galileo908]

Tracy defied the idea that SNL has to be about repeat "characters".  He did have a few (Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones), but I never got the sense he especially liked repeating himself that way.  It was grudgingly done, I think.

Yeah, Brian Fellow was pretty much Tracy's only major recurring character. Him & Astronaut Jones are very one joke characters, but I just love them.

[helenamonster]

Cold Open: Alec Baldwin! Larry fucking David! Also Kate is so beautiful I want to cry.

 

Monologue: Please tell me I'm not the only one who got teary at that 30 Rock reunion (and I'm so freaking jealous because a couple of my fellow interns were at the show to see it). I especially loved seeing Tina and Jane, even though Tina is everywhere and I get my daily helpings of Jane from my continuous loop of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt rewatches. Still. Amazing.

 

Family Feud: Glad they decided to forgo the usual celebrity version and change it up. Original premise and decent sketch.

 

Brian Fellow's Safari Planet: I'm a slut for the show using live animals in sketches. The camel walking in the frame and Tracy managing to stay in character while telling it to move was hysterical.

 

Fake Cocaine: Amazing.

 

Weekend Update: I think these two are getting better at the regular jokes, but the banter and editorializing still comes off as woefully under-rehearsed. Look, I'm never going to warm up to these doofuses (doofi?) so whatever. Tina Fey is basically my mother. And ugh go away with Willie, it's not funny.

 

The Loveliest Kingdom: Weakest sketch of the night. Went nowhere.

 

The Standoff: I saw where this was going as soon as Tracy started talking about dancing. Still pretty funny.

 

Yo! Where Jackie Chan At Right Now?: This was funnier than it had any right to be.

 

Astronaut Jones: 'Nuff said.

 

So glad to see Tracy doing so well, and his little girl is adorable! Awesome episode.

 

I can't believe we're going from this to Donald Trump. Is Lorne out of his fucking tree?

[Bees]

Cold Open: Wow, SNL is severely biased towards Hillary. I thought people were just exaggerating when they said it but yikes. Though, full disclosure, I'm full-on for Bernie Sanders so my viewpoint may be compromised a little. Though I feel like it's not necessarily like they hate the other candidates. I think Hillary just brings more material for them. That being said Larry David as Bernie Sanders is brilliant casting. I can't believe they got him on there. I wasn't surprised in the least when I saw Alec Baldwin. I pretty much figured he and Tina would be on. 

 

Monologue: Oh my god, another non-singing monologue! This is unprecedented! That being said, this was more heartwarming than funny but it was still pretty funny. However, that camera was really wonky. Did love the Smash and Animal Practice pop-in ads show up randomly. I must say I was pleasantly surprised to see McBrayer and Krakowski there. I like that they showed up. And I love the whole nod and wink to it being in 2012 when it clearly wasn't. Hooray for 4th walls! Loved Tina's message to Tracy.

 

Family Feud: I must say I really liked the premise of this but I thought it could've been done much better. Especially with Leslie and Tracy there. There was just something kind of just slightly off about this sketch. It could've been done better. I think I chalked this more up to the writing than anything else. The actors seemed to have it together.

 

Brian Fellow: I loved that everybody had a thought bubble. I was hoping they'd have a conclusion for Aidy and Pete's characters. That would've been cute. However, it doesn't matter really. The camel was clearly the star of the show though. I chuckled when that camel was ruining the shots and Tracy's little ad-lib with the camel. 

 

Fake Cocaine: I really liked the concept for this and I liked the convolutedness but as someone else said, a third product would've really brought things together. I did like the ending with Leslie (whom I love in small doses) going "WHO TOOK A SHIT IN MY BEDROOM?!" was pretty hilarious. I also liked how Beck was like "I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HERE!" to Vanessa's character whens he asked about the fake poop spray. 

 

Weekend Update: Geez, guys, wave that Hillary flag a little harder I'm pretty sure there's still 0.1% of the population who still doesn't get that you're voting for her. Also, serious objection to Bernie Sanders being one of the "old white guys who's still playing even if he's losing" since he's doing fairly well all things considered. Also, Martin O'Malley isn't that old. Even that rant about outsiders feels like they're basically justifying why they want Hillary to win. Just admit that you want to see her win because you think she'll give you better material and will keep Kate in the cast for the next five years and get it done with. Okay rant over. I did like seeing Woodrow and enjoyed Tina's little bit. 

 

Bernard: I liked this. It was silly as hell but quite honestly, it worked. I also liked the veering off into Taran's character saying something that causes Tracy's to be like "Uhh...dude...." then randomly changed the subject to end it off. 

 

The Standoff: I like stuff like this where you think it's going in one direction but it goes in another. I thought the shoe reveal was pretty funny. And it was weirdly sweet in a bizarre way. I do wish we saw some of the dancing but maybe it's better that way that it cuts out then. Doesn't make the joke run too long. 

 

Yo! Where Jackie Chan At Right Now?: This is the type of silly later in the night sketch that I love. I enjoyed the hell out of this kind of stuff. And I liked the random pan around to random people asking if they knew where he was. Part of me wants to see this as a recurring sketch but have a revolving co-host. But part of me also feels like this is also a really perfect one-shot sketch. I did love seeing The Chief from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (that was my jam growing up!) but part of me was also thinking "They do know that Lynne Thigpen (who played The Chief) died in 2003, right?" (also fun fact, she was the DJ in The Warriors)

 

Astronaut Jones in Mars: This sketch makes me realize why I kind of liked this episode a lot -- nothing dragged on for too long joke-wise. Nothing was repeated a thousand times in hopes that the 500th time they way it, it'll be funny. The jokes were all hit and run and the sketches were just long enough to savor the joke but not spoil it. Even though I didn't really care for this one (I think Tracy flubbed the final line), I must admit a huge reason why I mildly enjoy this sketch is because of the theme song. 

 

All in all, I found myself really enjoying this episode overt Hillary bias aside.  Larry David as Bernie Sanders is genius. I wonder if they'll have him come back. I'm not sure if they will but who knows. He was great at this time though. And Tracy was super game for everything and I feel like every sketch this episode was at the very least a great idea or at least had something worth a little chuckle about.

[possibilities]

Til I came here and learned otherwise, I thought it was Lorne playing Bernie. It made the sketch much funnier, somehow.

 

Loved the Jackie Chan and Tango sketches. Wished we did get to see Taran and Tracy tango. All the build up, and they denied us the dip!

 

The musical number would have been much better if they hadn't used a gay joke for the punchline.

 

The democrat's debate sketch kind of wrote itself. Some of it was actual transcript, and there was only a little exaggeration. Still, it was funny.

 

All in all, good episode.

[Galileo908]

 

"They do know that Lynne Thigpen (who played The Chief) died in 2003, right?" (also fun fact, she was the DJ in The Warriors)

1) Didn't know that about The Warriors!

2) Death hasn't stopped random celebrity cameos before. I recall a Harry Caray sketch airing the week he died and it was brought up in the sketch.

[Ms Blue Jay]

What a legendary episode that will go down in history.  Tracy!  Larry!  I'm in heaven.  It's like this episode was made just for me.  

[VCRTracking]

I'm on the West Coast so unfortunately I was spoiled on Twitter about Larry David's perfect casting as Bernie Sanders but it was still great to see him along with Alec Baldwin as Jim Webb.

 

The monologue with the 30 Rock reunion was great.

 

I liked seeing Brian Fellows again and admit to being surprised they had a real camel onstage!

 

I've only known Demi Lovato from the Disney Channel but man, she's got awesome pipes.

 

"Where Jackie Chan At?" was fun.

 

Astronaut Jones was my favorite Tracy Morgan character and was happy to see him along with Demi Lovato as another sexy alien.

[Spartan Girl]

This is the funniest SNL episode I've seen in a long time, and most of that was due to how happy I was to see Tracy Morgan. I had a feeling Tina and Alec were going to cameo to support him and I was right.

Larry David was perfect as Bernie Sanders.

The camel blocking the camera was the best part of Brian Fellowes.

Family Feud was so wrong yet so funny. Leslie and Tracy do go well together.

Needless to say, I will be skipping Donald Trump's episode.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Ugh, Trump November 7.  I will be steering clear.  (I do like Sia but the Trump prospect horrifies me.)  Miley Cyrus rerun next week I think.  

[vb68]

I know it's way early, but I can see Tracy finally winning an Emmy for this episode next year in that guest actor category that they submit hosts in.  He was incredible last night.

 

Here's Mike Ryan's scorecard.  I think he's the best SNL recapper going.

Edited October 18, 2015 by vb68

[hendersonrocks]

It wasn't until the show started that I realized how much I'd been holding my breath, hoping Tracy was going to do okay. Once we got through the first couple of bits it was fun to sit back and enjoy it - because he was legitimately great, and it was great to see.

 

And you can tell that everyone totally showed up for him; this was some of SNL's best work in a looong time. My highlights:

• Tina Fey, showing Colin and Che how it's done.
• Tracy yelling at the camel that he can't see.
• Whatever the fuck that was about Jackie Chan.
• Kate McKinnon and Larry David, a match made in election heaven.

[shantown]

So was this a good night for Demi as the musical guest or not? On one hand, she gets the exposure from being in Tracy's episode. On the other, no one is talking about her at all. I thought she did well, but I think she was definitely overshadowed by Tracy's return.

[Fostersmom]

OK, I had a grin a mile wide on my face like an idiot through the whole thing.  I loved the whole show.   You could tell everyone was trying to do a great show for Tracy.

 

I  can't even remember when they last had a cold open that good. Between that and the 30 Rock Reunion and the return of both Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones, this is an epic episode.   Maybe even an instant classic.

 

And yes, kudos for getting Larry David. 

 

ETA:  

 

 

I only wish they had a Lincoln Chafee line blaming his dead father for more of his screwups.

 

When Mooney began flapping his hands around like an over excited toddler, I about died. I know Chafee didn't do the hand thing, but somehow it really summed up his whole political run in one moment. Alec's Webb whining about time was expected, but I loved his passing on questions when something was finally directed towards him. Larry David was great too. My only issue was they probably won't be able to get Alec and Larry back as the campaigns go on. I doubt Webb will be in it for the long haul, so it won't matter, but Sanders will. Kate's Hilary has already gotten much better than it was last season.

[AriAu]

I may be in the minority, but I thought it was only ok. The skits were weak, altho each had a funny moment, just not enough to carry them. Yes, the camel was the highlight of that bit and the dancing slippers were funny, but the execution was weak. Even the reunion wasn't all that funny, especially with everyone staring at their cue cards.

 

However, Larry David IS Bernie Sanders. Perfect.

Also thought Update was very good (other than Willy), and yes, Tina should have just taken over.

 

Family Feud-what a shock, Leslie Jones screaming. We have never seen that before, but she was matched by Tracy, who also has never screamed before!

[PamelaMaeSnap]

I know this is an unbelievably stupid question but ... is it Brian Fellow or Brian Fellows (or both intentionally?)

 

And I love camels. Almost as much as I love Tracy Morgan.

[Brattinella]

I loved the show except for the blatant Hillary bias.  It's ALL NBC, btw, not just SNL.  Tracy was wonderful, Larry David and Kate were perfect (she even had the crazy eyes going for her!).  I adored the camel, and wanted more of her!

I gave Demi Lovato a chance for both songs, first one I hit mute after about 30 seconds.  The second song only took 15 seconds to be caterwauling.

 

And I WILL be watching the Trump show!  Definitely NOT skankasaurus Miley.

[JocelynCavanaugh]

I know this is an unbelievably stupid question but ... is it Brian Fellow or Brian Fellows (or both intentionally?)

And I love camels. Almost as much as I love Tracy Morgan.

It's Fellow, no S, but Tracy says Fellows anyway, which doesn't help. The official title card says "Brian Fellow's Safari Planet" (not "Fellows'"). It's not a stupid question since the whole thing is confusing. I just happen to be a stickler for this stuff.

[PamelaMaeSnap]

Thanks, Jocelyn! I watch the show but not religiously enough (generally because I am not a late stayer-upper anymore) to know whether that is a running joke in and of itself (the name being "Brian Fellow" but Tracy saying "Fellows") or whether it may have been as a result of his not being back 100% from his accident or that he just says "Fellows" and it is what it is.

 

Small stuff, I know, but I get paid for being anal-retentive with a hyphen so these things tend to catch my attention and not let go.

 

[heatherchandler]

I gave Demi Lovato a chance for both songs, first one I hit mute after about 30 seconds. The second song only took 15 seconds to be caterwauling.

I didn't think she sounded terrible but I turned her off because the songs suck. Why did she stop playing her "hit" song halfway through? To showcase some song no one knows or likes??

[Mumbles]

I enjoyed this much more than I expected, as I am not a big Tracy Morgan fan. What really impressed me about the Family Feud sketch was how good the acting was. Leslie and Sasheer looked genuinely angry and wounded.

Rolled my eyes at the Jackie Chan sketch at first but soon its silliness won me over, with Leslie's lead from 1997 ("Write that down") and the Jackie Chan trap.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Thanks, Jocelyn! I watch the show but not religiously enough (generally because I am not a late stayer-upper anymore) to know whether that is a running joke in and of itself (the name being "Brian Fellow" but Tracy saying "Fellows") or whether it may have been as a result of his not being back 100% from his accident or that he just says "Fellows" and it is what it is.

 

It's Brian Fellow'S Safari Planet so the man's name is Brian Fellow.

 

But Tracy refers to himself as Brian Fellows and wears red lipstick.  All wonderful elements that conclude to the amazingness that is that character.   It's NOT a result of the accident.  Tracy has always done this and I've always loved it.

 

I thought Demi Lovato did a fine job.  I really like that song "Cool for the Summer" and was singing along.  No complaints from me.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Ms Blue Jay

[DollEyes]

  My verdict: great show. TBH, I wasn't the biggest Tracy Morgan fan, but his brush with death seems to have changed him for the better & I'm rooting for him now and given the standing ovation he got at the Emmys, so is Hollywood. The 30 Rock parody was pitch-perfect, down to the annoying corner ads for Smash & Animal Hospital.

 

 The Family Feud sketch was good, the fake cocaine sketch was better & Brain Fellows was awesome. Not even the camel could upstage him, but it was close.  I liked the Jackie Chan sketch, but I was a little disappointed that Chan himself didn't turn up in disguise.

 

Tina Fey on the demise of Playboy's nude pictorials and her fantasy layout were hilarious, as was the return of Woodrow.

 

Can Larry David play Bernie Sanders every week?

 

 

I didn't think that [Demi Lovato] sounded terrible but I turned her off because the songs suck. Why did she stop playing her "hit" song half way through? To showcase some song that nobody knows or likes?

 

   Hey, I like "Confident." IMO, it's a good song with a great video (directed by Robert Rodriguez) and Demi looked and sounded much better in her live performance than Miley Cyrus did in hers.

[Dejana]

I didn't think she sounded terrible but I turned her off because the songs suck. Why did she stop playing her "hit" song halfway through? To showcase some song no one knows or likes??

 

"Confident" is the follow-up single to "Cool for the Summer". I guess a medley gave Demi the chance to feature more of her songs in her two performance slots.