Saturday Night Live 4/21/2007 - Spoilers allowed

[LoadStar]

This episode contained some real stinkers, including one I'd consider the worst... ever. Combine that with Bjork, and you have an hour and a half of pain.

Presidential Press Conference: not too bad, I suppose. They get points for the unusual step of having Sen. Schumer do the "live from New York" on tape... plus I'm really liking a lot of the stuff Kristen Wiig does.
Monologue: Obviously they recognized that having Scarlett Johannson do a monologue would be a trainwreck, so they took advantage and jammed in another Sanjaya parody. Nothing original here, unfortunately, just making fun of the fact that he can't sing and has unusual hair.
Live with Regis and Kelly: Eh, Ok, I suppose. With her doing the Ivanka Trump character, I can't tell if she was SUPPOSED to look like she was reading right off the cue cards or not... because if that were the case, she did a terrific job.
Prom Dress Shop: Moderately entertaining, not laugh-out-loud funny, at least to me.
Digital Short ("Roy Rules"): Uh, yeah. Let's just say it wasn't their best digital short and leave it at that.
Marble Columns: What was the point of this?
WIIX - Michelle Dison: Very weird, somewhat amusing... but I just don't get the end. What the heck?
Bjork: Who listens to this? I mean that seriously - does anyone actually listen to Bjork? I don't know of anyone who does. In any case, I don't get this performance at all, it just hurt my brain.
Weekend Update: Not bad for once. I still hate Amy and Seth's delivery, there's too much smug grinning at the camera every time they make a joke, but some of the jokes were amusing this week, particularly the "Really?" segment.
Kuato: Wow. I think this was the worst sketch I've seen on the show. Ever. This is one of those sketches I'd have liked to have seen Lorne Michaels stop the sketch in the middle and apologize to the audience.
News Makers with Jane Pauley: This was just dumb, except for the joke that they made about the Today show they did at the beginning. It was a couple of jokes about YouTube in search of a sketch.
TV Fun House: They need to talk to The Daily Show to learn how partisan humor can be funny... because this wasn't remotely.
Bjork 2: I don't get it. I... just don't get it.

[Langree]

Kuato: Wow. I think this was the worst sketch I've seen on the show. Ever. This is one of those sketches I'd have liked to have seen Lorne Michaels stop the sketch in the middle and apologize to the audience.

This was an old skit they did YEARS ago, closer to the release of Total Recall. (up to the point that they brought in the second one I think it was word for word the original skit)

[LoadStar]

This was an old skit they did YEARS ago, closer to the release of Total Recall. (up to the point that they brought in the second one I think it was word for word the original skit)
Wow. So bad they've done it twice?

Gee, I'm sorry I missed it the first time. :rolleyes:

[Langree]

Wow. So bad they've done it twice?

Gee, I'm sorry I missed it the first time. :rolleyes:

I've been watching it more this season then I have in years and I have noticed that alot of the skits are either based on or have mention of an extremely dated nature. Some stuff that younger people aren't going to get the reference, hell I bet the cast doesn't "get" some of the old stuff they are talking about.

[Peter000]

Like what? They're writing the stuff, and the writers and cast aren't THAT old. They must get it, and be "hip" enough to think that most people will get it.

I thought tonight's show was really funny overall. Maybe I was just in the mood to be entertained, but almost every skit got laughs from me.

[Langree]

Like what? They're writing the stuff, and the writers and cast aren't THAT old. They must get it, and be "hip" enough to think that most people will get it.


Ya, that 20 year old kuato reference was real hip. :rolleyes:

The Al Pacino phone call earlier this year, mighta been cute when scent of a woman came out, now, notsomuch.

I'd hafta rewatch the ones on my Tivo, but yes, some of the material is dated, and just because the cast is young doesn't mean the writers all are.

[Peter000]

What's to get? They explained it right in the skit, making direct reference to Total Recall. I'm not saying that skit was funny, but the reference isn't totally obscure. It's not like they made a reference to the losing ticket in the '68 elections or something.

[balboa dave]

Bjork: Who listens to this? I mean that seriously - does anyone actually listen to Bjork? I don't know of anyone who does. In any case, I don't get this performance at all, it just hurt my brain.
...
Bjork 2: I don't get it. I... just don't get it.I wish I could describe the joy I feel that you don't get Bjork.

[spikedavis]

I wish I could describe the joy I feel that you don't get Bjork.

:up:

[Jeeters]

This was an old skit they did YEARS ago, closer to the release of Total Recall. (up to the point that they brought in the second one I think it was word for word the original skit)They did it once this season, too. In the season premiere with Dane Cook.

[Aniketos]

Bjork:


Wow. I think this was the worst sketch I've seen on the show. Ever. This is one of those sketches I'd have liked to have seen Lorne Michaels stop the sketch in the middle and apologize to the audience.
[/quote]

Edited to show how I felt about that performance. If I didn't know she was coming on the show, Id have seriously thought it was a skit.

[Beau_in_Austin]

I enjoyed the episode, and I think Bjork is a brilliant performer.

An aside: curious, those people, who will watch an entire show they don't like, then spend additional time writing in an online forum about what a waste of time it was to see.

[Jesda]

Bjork is amusing in a kitty playing with yarn sort of way.

[Jesda]

I enjoyed the episode, and I think Bjork is a brilliant performer.

An aside: curious, those people, who will watch an entire show they don't like, then spend additional time writing in an online forum about what a waste of time it was to see.

Is there something else on TV Saturday Night?

[LoadStar]

An aside: curious, those people, who will watch an entire show they don't like, then spend additional time writing in an online forum about what a waste of time it was to see.
I'm an eternal optimist. I'm constantly watching, hoping this will be the week they start making good episodes again.

[EchoBravo]

I enjoyed the episode, and I think Bjork is a brilliant performer.I don't know much about her, but immediately bought/downloaded "Earth Intruders" after the show. The fact that it's too weird for The Heartland makes me enjoy it more.

An aside: curious, those people, who will watch an entire show they don't like, then spend additional time writing in an online forum about what a waste of time it was to see.:up: I s'pose that's why we're all here, but when you step back a bit, it is a colossal oddity.

FWIW, somebody should do a poll. What's more tired & cliched...

a.) SNL isn't as funny as <insert your drunken college years>
b.) The BSG writers don't know where this is going. I'm never gonna watch again!
c.) The Lost writers don't know where this is going. I'm never gonna watch again!

;)

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

An aside: curious, those people, who will watch an entire show they don't like, then spend additional time writing in an online forum about what a waste of time it was to see.


I think SNL is the one show (or thread) where thread crapping is allowed.
The attention to detail is what makes its fun.

[Peter000]

I'm an eternal optimist. I'm constantly watching, hoping this will be the week they start making good episodes again.
Invent a time machine and go back to 1975 and watch the first season then. I'm assuming this is your gold standard.

(Or buy the DVDs (http://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Night-Live-Complete-Season/dp/B000JLQPYK/ref=sr_1_1/102-6623666-1234516?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1177258739&sr=1-1) . :D)

[LoadStar]

Invent a time machine and go back to 1975 and watch the first season then. I'm assuming this is your gold standard.

Mmmm... actually not. Mine would be roughly 1988-1993.

[lambertman]

I just hope for 30 minutes of good comedy each episode. Most of the time, I get it.

A lot of it tonight was Bjork. I have this unexplained fondness for her, because she's an alien and all. (She kind of looks like a less crazy Rachael Ray. :D )

Always love Darrel Hammond's Regis impression. The "You're TIRED!" delivery was spot-on.

[markz]

This episode contained some real stinkers, including one I'd consider the worst... ever. Combine that with Bjork, and you have an hour and a half of pain.

Presidential Press Conference: not too bad, I suppose. They get points for the unusual step of having Sen. Schumer do the "live from New York" on tape... plus I'm really liking a lot of the stuff Kristen Wiig does.
Monologue: Obviously they recognized that having Scarlett Johannson do a monologue would be a trainwreck, so they took advantage and jammed in another Sanjaya parody. Nothing original here, unfortunately, just making fun of the fact that he can't sing and has unusual hair.
Live with Regis and Kelly: Eh, Ok, I suppose. With her doing the Ivanka Trump character, I can't tell if she was SUPPOSED to look like she was reading right off the cue cards or not... because if that were the case, she did a terrific job.
Prom Dress Shop: Moderately entertaining, not laugh-out-loud funny, at least to me.
Digital Short ("Roy Rules"): Uh, yeah. Let's just say it wasn't their best digital short and leave it at that.
Marble Columns: What was the point of this?
WIIX - Michelle Dison: Very weird, somewhat amusing... but I just don't get the end. What the heck?
Bjork: Who listens to this? I mean that seriously - does anyone actually listen to Bjork? I don't know of anyone who does. In any case, I don't get this performance at all, it just hurt my brain.
Weekend Update: Not bad for once. I still hate Amy and Seth's delivery, there's too much smug grinning at the camera every time they make a joke, but some of the jokes were amusing this week, particularly the "Really?" segment.
Kuato: Wow. I think this was the worst sketch I've seen on the show. Ever. This is one of those sketches I'd have liked to have seen Lorne Michaels stop the sketch in the middle and apologize to the audience.
News Makers with Jane Pauley: This was just dumb, except for the joke that they made about the Today show they did at the beginning. It was a couple of jokes about YouTube in search of a sketch.
TV Fun House: They need to talk to The Daily Show to learn how partisan humor can be funny... because this wasn't remotely.
Bjork 2: I don't get it. I... just don't get it.


Pretty much sums up my thoughts on this episode to a tee.

Kristen Wigg is becoming on of my favorites on the show.

Fred Armison being on screen gets an automatic fast forward from me. I just don't find any of his characters funny.

On weekend update, I loved the line about cutting costs on "Law & Order" by just calling it "Law" next year. And the sound effect with just half of the "DUN dun" made the joke even better!

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

Earth day "suck it neptune"

[ElJay]

I liked the Kuato sketch just for the final shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger saying that he had written that train wreck.

[edc]

Monologue: Obviously they recognized that having Scarlett Johannson do a monologue would be a trainwreck, so they took advantage and jammed in another Sanjaya parody. Nothing original here, unfortunately, just making fun of the fact that he can't sing and has unusual hair.

Was she saying something? Was there somebody else on the screen?

All I saw was the girl, that dress, and..ummm...her talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4NC0caMko

[markz]

<snip>...her talent.

Both of them!

[MisterBubble]

I have an unexplainable fondness for all things Fred Armisen (yes, even The Prince Show) ever since he played that giant parrot a few years back that had me laughing so hard I nearly busted. I assumed "Marble Columns" was some spoof of a real NYC area ad. The way the audience was going crazy about the part when his "daughter" comes on and starts pointing at the various columns seemed like it must have been a spoof, unless I was missing some other joke. Even though it was repeated over and over, I did crack up every time he said "Marble Columns" though - with that heavy accent it couldn't have sounded like he was talking about anything LESS fancy. (Sounded more like a used car ad) I also loved the look on Keenan's face (I also love him in almost anything) when he's eating cereal in the kitchen and suddenly the columns magically appear. It was just silly enough to be funny to me.

And I agree with whoever said the cartoon was bad. I ALWAYS love the Robert Smigel cartoons, and whenever they promote it during the show opening I look forward to it all night. When it didn't appear until the last 15 min of the show, I had a feeling it was going to suck, and IMO I was right.

[jradford]

When Scarlett hosted the first time, they did the same skit with "Chandeliers." ("Ya gotta buya chanduleea.") Scarlet played the same role, with the "And this one, and that one, and that one," line. I think the audience was clapping when she started up with that mainly because it was the signature line for her from the previous episode.

Overall, I was fine with the episode. Most of it stayed in the mildly amusing departement, nothing that I have much interest in seeing again, though. I fast forward through almost every musical act, even if it's someone I'm interested in. I'm not in it to watch the music, and the sound is always terrible and dissapointing if there's someone I'm looking forward to.

[xuxa]

WIIX - Michelle Dison: Very weird, somewhat amusing... but I just don't get the end. What the heck?




Guess you missed the news reporter getting attacked by a cat last month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ynz2Vvz9xo

[MisterBubble]

When Scarlett hosted the first time, they did the same skit with "Chandeliers." ("Ya gotta buya chanduleea.") Scarlet played the same role, with the "And this one, and that one, and that one," line. I think the audience was clapping when she started up with that mainly because it was the signature line for her from the previous episode.

Ahhh... thanks for the explanation. I guess I missed that part when she was on before, because I don't remember it - but that makes sense. I also wanted to clarify, there IS one Fred Armisen ongoing sketch that I DO hate - that Nuni/Noonie or whatever oddness. Just the sight of their weird furnishings in their home is enough to get my FF button into overdrive.

[busyba]

there IS one Fred Armisen ongoing sketch that I DO hate - that Nuni
No stupid, it's 'Nuni'. Clinch your buttocks when you type it.

[Lainie*H]

Mmmm... actually not. Mine would be roughly 1988-1993.
:up:

I too watch every week, hoping for it to get good again.

[LoadStar]

Guess you missed the news reporter getting attacked by a cat last month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ynz2Vvz9xo
I did, but it seems really bizarre to tack it on to the end of a sketch like that... and the whole way they did it, with a stuffed cat on a string attached to a pole? Weird.

[JLucPicard]

Can someone explain to me how Bjork actually has a career??? She even dances like William Hung.

[zordude]

The episode wasnt great, but the monologue eye candy was well worth the minor effort it took for me to FF the parts I was bored with.

Z

[balboa dave]

Can someone explain to me how Bjork actually has a career??? She even dances like William Hung.Let me guess. You think American Idol is a good show. :rolleyes:

[JLucPicard]

Let me guess. You think American Idol is a good show. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure I understand the connection, unless it was just the Hung reference - I was trying to think of someone who couldn't dance for crap that a majority of people would know. OK, let's try Elaine Bennis (sp). And yes, I was a fan of Seinfeld.

I tried watching both performances, and all it reminded me of was Roseanne singing the National Anthem (and yes, I'm a baseball fan, too).

I know everyone has their own particular tastes - based on Bjork's performances on SNL, "taste" seems to be a real stretch.

[balboa dave]

I'm not sure I understand the connection, unless it was just the Hung reference - I was trying to think of someone who couldn't dance for crap that a majority of people would know. OK, let's try Elaine Bennis (sp). And yes, I was a fan of Seinfeld.

I tried watching both performances, and all it reminded me of was Roseanne singing the National Anthem (and yes, I'm a baseball fan, too).

I know everyone has their own particular tastes - based on Bjork's performances on SNL, "taste" seems to be a real stretch.It's because your criticism demonstrates the narrow minded view that the pablum espoused by American Idol is what music should be, and originality and creativity are something to be made fun of. Bjork's music has a complexity and depth that escapes the casual or disinterested listener. It's definitely not for everyone, and that suits me just fine.

[LoadStar]

I would argue that certain people convince themselves that anything "different" is good... the more different it is, the better it is... and if most people hate it, it's even better yet. They convince themselves that they're the better for being smart enough to "get it," and anyone who disagrees with them is intellectually stunted in some way.

I constantly run into these types of people... these are the kinds of people that go around raving about this unsung indie band that's making this music that's just sooooo cool 'cause it's so different than anything else out there. I sit down and listen to it, and am in virtually every case I listen to this sooooooo cool music, and think that it's just crap, and just different for the sake of being different, not because it's better or anything.

[balboa dave]

I would argue that certain people convince themselves that anything "different" is good... the more different it is, the better it is... and if most people hate it, it's even better yet. They convince themselves that they're the better for being smart enough to "get it," and anyone who disagrees with them is intellectually stunted in some way.

I constantly run into these types of people... these are the kinds of people that go around raving about this unsung indie band that's making this music that's just sooooo cool 'cause it's so different than anything else out there. I sit down and listen to it, and am in virtually every case I listen to this sooooooo cool music, and think that it's just crap, and just different for the sake of being different, not because it's better or anything.Wow. Condescension of other views, while smugly holding on to your own as the one that matters. I've never seen anyone work so hard to justify the narrow scope of their own personal taste.

[Samsara]

I constantly run into these types of people...

Constantly? Really? Y'know, at some point, you may need re-evaluate the source of the problem.

Samsara

[JLucPicard]

It's because your criticism demonstrates the narrow minded view that the pablum espoused by American Idol is what music should be, and originality and creativity are something to be made fun of. Bjork's music has a complexity and depth that escapes the casual or disinterested listener. It's definitely not for everyone, and that suits me just fine.
Wow, OK, so I guess I stepped on some toes here - my apologies.

For the record, though I watch American Idol, it in no way influences what music I listen to, nor what I base my opinions about music on. Those brain patterns were laid down long before AI was a gleam in Simon's eye.

I will here and now apologize publicly for any hurt I've caused any Bjork fans. I guess the fact that she was asked to be a musical guest on SNL should have told me she had some following of some kind. There ARE people in this world that enjoy soap operas and those that spend hours watching shopping channels, too. To each their own, I guess.

I was just having a real hard time trying to figure out what the appeal was. Then again, I don't care at all for rap music (or urban music or whatever it's called) and classical doesn't generally tend to float my boat either.

Long live Bjork??? :shrug: :rolleyes:

[LoadStar]

Wow. Condescension of other views, while smugly holding on to your own as the one that matters. I've never seen anyone work so hard to justify the narrow scope of their own personal taste.

Thanks for summarizing what I was complaining about in my post. I was in fact having trouble finding the right words to say what I was thinking, and your post pretty much sums it up.

[Peter000]

It's because your criticism demonstrates the narrow minded view that the pablum espoused by American Idol is what music should be, and originality and creativity are something to be made fun of. Bjork's music has a complexity and depth that escapes the casual or disinterested listener. It's definitely not for everyone, and that suits me just fine. I find that attitude condescending and insulting.

I constantly run into these types of people... these are the kinds of people that go around raving about this unsung indie band that's making this music that's just sooooo cool 'cause it's so different than anything else out there. I sit down and listen to it, and am in virtually every case I listen to this sooooooo cool music, and think that it's just crap, and just different for the sake of being different, not because it's better or anything. I find that attitude condescending and insulting.

[balboa dave]

Thanks for summarizing what I was complaining about in my post. I was in fact having trouble finding the right words to say what I was thinking, and your post pretty much sums it up.Biggest zoom of the week. :rolleyes:

[sonnik]

Okay, here's a service to everyone that enjoys the obligatory thread-crapping in an SNL thread. Imagine it as a Mad-Lib of sorts.

(Begin)

I [detested / was bored silly of / didn't laugh once during] this episode. [Sketch] [was not representative of current events / went on too long]. When are they going to give up on [recurring character]?

This show hasn't been good since the [first season / days with Eddie Murphy / days with Chris Farley]. When are they going to just [cancel / put the show out of its misery / fire Lorne Michaels / fire the writing staff]?

(End)

...And go ahead and think to yourself making these comments each week aren't as tired as the bad jokes on SNL.

I just wish we could go back to the good ol' days of cutting edge comedy from Albert Brooks or The Muppets or more recently when Sandler would pop onto Update with some idiotic character he came up with that Saturday afternoon. I'll just discount the other 75 minutes of crap from every episode and insist that SNL has always been the "best of" shows and DVDs - rather than the 90 minute bag of who-knows-what-you'll-get that it's always been.

Maybe, just maybe, it's just easier to connect with a certain era of the show - and it's different for each person. It's not the show that's gotten better or worse or changed in any way over 32 years, its very possible that it's you.

For me, I respect trying to compile topical yet edgy 90 minute live show in a six day period. Sometimes you'll get that killer sketch or joke that sticks with you for years, most of the time it's just average, sometimes it's just downright crappy. It's ALWAYS been that way.

[stalemate]

For me, I respect trying to compile topical yet edgy 90 minute live show in a six day period.Maybe if they made a show about this process everyone would see how hard it is and respect SNL more. NBC should totally do this and then they'd have 2 huge hits on their hands. ;)

[laststarfighter]

Guess you missed the news reporter getting attacked by a cat last month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ynz2Vvz9xo
I watched the follow up to this and she actually tried to make us believe she was laughing instead of crying. :rolleyes:

[Jeeters]

Biggest zoom of the week. :rolleyes:I think he got it and *you've* been zoomed. :)

[JLucPicard]

I find that attitude condescending and insulting.
Thanks! - those are the words I was looking for.

[jradford]

I find that attitude condescending and insulting.

I find that attitude condescending and insulting.
:up:

[David Platt]

Wow. Condescension of other views, while smugly holding on to your own as the one that matters.

Kind of like this? (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5085059&&#post5085059)

[Fish Man]

Different strokes, I guess.

I thought this was one of the better episodes this season.

Presidential Press Conference: Fairly funny, could have been better.
Opening Monolog: Stupid, not funny, but my oh my what eye candy! :)
Live with Regis and Kelly: Excellent!! Very very funny. SJ playing Ivanca Trump as essentially a feminine version of "The Donald" had me in stitches! :up:
Prom Dress Shop: Not bad. I was amused.
Digital Short: Meh. OK, a few chuckles there.
Marble Columns: A follow up to the "Chandeliers" sketch they had last time SJ hosted. HILARIOUS!! A sketch making fun of the completely classless Neuvo-Riche (spelling?). The New Orleans area is full of people who are exactly the type this sketch was lampooning. Flush with money, but with the social sophistication of trailer trash! I guarantee that there are alot of people in this area who didn't think it was funny because they were completely zoomed by it: "Yeah, dat's right! Mawble Collums awe towtally boeawsting wit class an' sofistication! Waat's funny 'bout dat?"
WIIX: A scream! Escaping-pee funny! :up: (Kristin Wigg is a comic genius!)
Bjork 1 and 2: I don't know if I'd buy her CD's but she clearly is creative and interesting. I'd listen to her material over hip-hop any day!
WU: Pretty funny throughout. "Really!!??!!" was the highlight, as it was when they have done it before.
Kuato: Gross, and pretty darn funny. Highlight: "I'm Ahnold Schwarzenegger and I wrote this sketch. Talk to the hand!"
Jane Pauly: Lame, could have done without this one.
TV Fun House: Total suck! This one really laid an egg!

[Martin Tupper]

It's because your criticism demonstrates the narrow minded view that the pablum espoused by American Idol is what music should be, and originality and creativity are something to be made fun of. Bjork's music has a complexity and depth that escapes the casual or disinterested listener. It's definitely not for everyone, and that suits me just fine.
Wow. Condescension of other views, while smugly holding on to your own as the one that matters. I've never seen anyone work so hard to justify the narrow scope of their own personal taste.
LOL

[Fish Man]

The last two times Scarlett Johansen has hosted, they've had fake ads for "Neuvo-riche" decorating cliche's (which as I mention above, I found very funny).

1. "Chandeliers"
2. "Marble Columns"

My wife and I came up with two suggestions for the next times SJ hosts:

3. "Concrete Fountains"
4. "Statues of Cherubs"

:D

[madscientist]

Personally, I like Bjork a lot although I don't get a chance to listen to her newer stuff much. But The Sugarcubes was (still is, although they've been disbanded for ~15 years) one of my favorite bands. I have a thing for women singers with very strong, interesting voices: Bjork, Johnette Napolitano, Linda Perry, Joss Stone, Paula Cole, Dolores O'Riordan, plus of course Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, etc. I realize that's a wide range there :). And, I left out a lot obviously.

I did FF through here SNL performance but I generally do, since as someone else here mentioned they always sound terrible even when I really like the band. Saying the performance sucked is legitimate (although not really newsworthy :p ), but I do think that it's unfair to completely trash a band/singer (and the people who like them) solely on the basis of an SNL appearance.

[lambertman]

I liked watching the beanpole in the middle of the Bjorkdiggers. She had some expressions that seemed to say "even *I* think this is weird." :D

[aindik]

I haven't finished the ep yet. I'm in the middle of the Jane Pauley sketch, so I'm almost done.

I thought it was a decent ep. I LOLed at Marble Columns. Maybe you have to be from New York to really understand why it's funny with that accent. I don't mean that in a condescending way about non-New-Yorkers. Just that it's a very New York-centric sketch. "Who lives here? The Pope?" Funny. And I don't currently live in New York, so I don't know if there's anything current on TV that it was lampooning. It was funny, and only to New Yorkers (or, an even smaller niche, people from Long Island), that the Marble Columns store is in Lynbrook.

Add me to the people who didn't get Bjork at all. I also thought I saw one of the background singers laughing at the ridiculousness of Earth Invaders. I stared at the whole performance with my mouth open.

[YCantAngieRead]

Thing about Bjork is that if you can get past the weirdness, she has an AMAZING set of pipes. There are times she's just been way too weird for me. Other times, I've actually gone out and bought her album.

An SNL phenomenon that I don't really get these days-episodes, to me, either seem to be VERY good or VERY bad. There's really no in-between.

This was just bad, for me. And I really WANT SNL to be good.

[TAsunder]

I like a few bjork songs here and there, but those two sounded pretty bad. Being someone who watches more than one SNL every 4 years just to comment on how awful it is, I will reserve judgement on them since SNL vocals are always crappy.

Didn't like this episode much. There were only three parts I liked. One being the total recall sketch (I enjoyed the fact that scarlett johanson actually spent a good 30 seconds tonguing someone - and that they are getting more and more over the top with the fake vomit in SNL). The other two reasons involved the monologue.

That cat reporter youtube was pretty funny. Still doesn't make the SNL one funny.

[Fish Man]

I LOLed at Marble Columns. Maybe you have to be from New York to really understand why it's funny with that accent. I don't mean that in a condescending way about non-New-Yorkers. Just that it's a very New York-centric sketch. "Who lives here? The Pope?" Funny.

That accent, and the New Orleans "Yat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yat_%28New_Orleans%29)" accent sound essentially identical.

Also, New Orleans is the most heavily Catholic city in the USA.

So, the accent, and "Who lives here? The Pope?" hit squarely with New Orleanians as well! :)

[Mike Farrington]

What's with all the Bjork hatred? She's one of the few performers I haven't FF'd through this season.

[busyba]

Re: bjork, I think Will Ferrell (as Alek Trebek) summed it up in the Celebrity Jepoardy sketch that featured guest host Winona Ryder playing Bjork: "Are you Icelandic or retarded?"

:D

[Fish Man]

What's with all the Bjork hatred? She's one of the few performers I haven't FF'd through this season.

+1

While she's not absolutely my favorite musician, she's many orders of magnitude better than any Hip-Hop artist, or some Brittany Spears clone lip-synching a "performance".

Bjork was relatively enjoyable.

Now, if SNL would only hire a competent sound engineer... :rolleyes:

[madscientist]

Thing about Bjork is that if you can get past the weirdness, she has an AMAZING set of pipes.+1
Now, if SNL would only hire a competent sound engineer...+2 !

[LoadStar]

Thing about Bjork is that if you can get past the weirdness, she has an AMAZING set of pipes.
To me, this is kind of like having someone pound on a perfectly tuned grand piano with their elbows. "If you can get past the fact that he's playing with his elbows, he's an AMAZING piano player!" Once I hear him play with his hands, not his elbows, I'll change my mind, but for now, all I hear is him pounding on the keys with his elbows.

As for Bjork, once I hear her do something that isn't bizarre, I'll be glad to change my mind. :)

And actually, I suppose as some sort of performance art piece, it was interesting... but as a song? Weird with a capital BIZARRE.

What's with all the Bjork hatred? She's one of the few performers I haven't FF'd through this season.
Hatred would be too strong of a word. That would imply I cared one way or another about it. I just found it weird, that's all.

[markz]

To me, this is kind of like having someone pound on a perfectly tuned grand piano with their elbows. "If you can get past the fact that he's playing with his elbows, he's an AMAZING piano player!" Once I hear him play with his hands, not his elbows, I'll change my mind, but for now, all I hear is him pounding on the keys with his elbows.

As for Bjork, once I hear her do something that isn't bizarre, I'll be glad to change my mind. :)

And actually, I suppose as some sort of performance art piece, it was interesting... but as a song? Weird with a capital BIZARRE.


Hatred would be too strong of a word. That would imply I cared one way or another about it. I just found it weird, that's all.


+ 1

I just don't get Bjork. I understand that there might be people out there that like her. I am just not one of them. I don't hate her or wish her any ill-will. I just chose to FF through her performance because it isn't my cup of tea. She may be a good singer and may be talented, but it's not for me.

[smak]

Was she saying something? Was there somebody else on the screen?

All I saw was the girl, that dress, and..ummm...her talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4NC0caMko

Yah, when those things get a movin, there's no stopping them!

-smak-

[balboa dave]

Kind of like this? (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5085059&&#post5085059)
Exactly. :D I never claimed that I wasn't condescending.

[balboa dave]

Personally, I like Bjork a lot although I don't get a chance to listen to her newer stuff much. But The Sugarcubes was (still is, although they've been disbanded for ~15 years) one of my favorite bands. I have a thing for women singers with very strong, interesting voices: Bjork, Johnette Napolitano, Linda Perry, Joss Stone, Paula Cole, Dolores O'Riordan, plus of course Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, etc. I realize that's a wide range there :). And, I left out a lot obviously.
I've never thought of it in those terms, but you've listed many of my favorite singers, so I guess I have the same attraction. Another favorite in the same vein, PJ Harvey.

[DevdogAZ]

I think he got it and *you've* been zoomed. :)
+1

[Fish Man]

I've never thought of it in those terms, but you've listed many of my favorite singers, so I guess I have the same attraction. Another favorite in the same vein, PJ Harvey.

Add to the list: Annette Strean of Venus Hum (http://www.venushum.com/)

I definitely see some stylistic similarity between their music and Bjork too.

[treyj]

I have an unexplainable fondness for all things Fred Armisen (yes, even The Prince Show) ever since he played that giant parrot a few years back that had me laughing so hard I nearly busted.OMG, that was one of the funniest skits ever! I hated Nuni originally but now I find it funny. Same thing with Two A-Holes. I think a lot of their skits are like that now, they're only funny after you see them a few times to get the point of what they're saying. One time doesn't always get the message across. In some ways, I consider that a more advanced form of comedy, along the lines of Curb Your Enthusiasm (which I hated for about four episodes and then thought was some of the best comedy on TV) and Arrested Development (which I have not seen enough episodes of so I still think it's bad, but believe it's good in the same way as CYE). I think people expect each skit on SNL to be independently funny, and while some are, it seems to me the writing is going in a different direction.

I didn't get the cat attacking Kristen Wigg, but I liked the skit (I really like her and well, Scarlett is so pleasant to watch), but I really laughed after seeing the youtube video of the cat attack. She's done that skit before, and it's funnier the more times they do it.

[markz]

OMG, that was one of the funniest skits ever! I hated Nuni originally but now I find it funny. Same thing with Two A-Holes. I think a lot of their skits are like that now, they're only funny after you see them a few times to get the point of what they're saying. One time doesn't always get the message across. In some ways, I consider that a more advanced form of comedy, along the lines of Curb Your Enthusiasm (which I hated for about four episodes and then thought was some of the best comedy on TV) and Arrested Development (which I have not seen enough episodes of so I still think it's bad, but believe it's good in the same way as CYE). I think people expect each skit on SNL to be independently funny, and while some are, it seems to me the writing is going in a different direction.

I didn't get the cat attacking Kristen Wigg, but I liked the skit (I really like her and well, Scarlett is so pleasant to watch), but I really laughed after seeing the youtube video of the cat attack. She's done that skit before, and it's funnier the more times they do it.

I did like the parrot skit, but nothing else Fred does.

I know what you mean though about having to see things a few times. I initially didn't find Arrested Development all the funny until the 3rd or 4th episode. Then something clicked in my head and I was hooked!

[madscientist]

Add to the list: Annette Strean of Venus Hum (http://www.venushum.com/)Oooh, cool! Hadn't heard of them.

If you like that, have you tried M.I.A. (http://soundpedia.com/music/YXJ0aXN0XzkxNTY=/M_I_A_/index.html) ? (sorry, that's the best link I could come up with). Do Ya' is especially great, but hard to find.

[Beau_in_Austin]

Wake up, little thread-y, wake up...

It's time to dance with Bjork!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIt2Tb5dOAs

[busyba]

Anyone remember Viva Variete? It was a comedy faux-variety show starring Thomas Lennon and Kerri Kenney (of 'The State' and 'Reno 911').

Anyway, they would occasionally play some kind of game with a member of the audience. One time the game was called "Mork, Bork, Pork or Bjork". The person would be asked a series of trivia questions whose answer would either be Mork (of Mork and Mindy), Bork (the failed SCOTUS nominee), Pork (the other white meat) or Bjork (the retarded icelandic noisemaker).

I always think of that bit when the subject of Bjork comes up.