A mere eleven months and thirty days after she left the stage she called home for eight years, the prodigal daughter returned to host SNL in an uneven, but ultimately satisfying episode. When Kristen Wiig was first announced as a host, I felt a mite of trepidation, because I knew that meant that we’d be treated to a cavalcade of classic characters (although, thankfully, Gilly was minimized to an opening monologue cameo). Despite a few misses, Wiig’s return was a success, and you could tell she was having a terrific time up there. After sketches like “New Disney Show,” which amazingly mashed up Korean horror films with the Disney Channel, “Acupuncture,” which was bloody terrific, and “1-800-FLOWERS,” I was more than willing to forgive missteps like the flat, lazily written, and mercifully brief cold open. Here’s hoping that for Wiig’s inevitable return as a host that they’ll make use of her considerable talents and give her new, challenging material that she can continue to knock out of the park.
And, in amazing news for SNL head writer Seth Meyers, it was announced today that the affable everyman will be taking over Late Night when Jimmy Fallon assumes the reins of The Tonight Show from Jay Leno later this year. Having honed his topical shtick on Weekend Update, Meyers seems like a natural fit for a late night program and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with the format. Of the news, Meyers said, “I only have to work for Lorne for five more years before I pay him back for the time I totaled his car. 12:30 on NBC has long been incredible real estate. I hope I can do it justice.â€
And now, in case you missed ’em, here are the sketches from last night (as always, may not work outside U.S. – sorry…):
C-SPAN BENGHAZI COLD OPEN
1-800-FLOWERS
THE CALIFORNIANS: KARINA RETURNS
NEW DISNEY SHOW
LAWRENCE WELK: SUMMER
VAMPIRE WEEKEND “DIANE YOUNG”
WEEKEND UPDATE FAVORITES
WEEKEND UPDATE: ANTHONY CRISPINO
WEEKEND UPDATE: GARTH AND KAT – MOTHER’S DAY
TARGET
ACUPUNCTURE
VAMPIRE WEEKEND “UNBELIEVERS”
DOUBLE DATE
SOCIALITE CD
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What did you think of Kristen Wiig’s return to Studio 7B and Seth Myers’ move to weeknights? Let us know in the comments below!
I enjoyed seeing Wiig return to SNL on Saturday. I also thought “New Disney Show,” “Acupuncture,” and “1-800-Flowers” were all clever and hilarious. I also really enjoyed seeing how much fun she was having on the show. Although I was on the way home from work at DISH when it aired, I didn’t miss it. I was able to watch on my iPad with the DISH Anywhere app, during the train ride home. Because of this I never have to be at home to watch live and recorded shows.
I love those ridiculously bloody sketches. Reminds me of Aykroyd Julia Childs or Will Sasso Kenny Rogers.