There is no better way to pay homage to the classic variety show format than with a couple of charming, funny, sweet-voiced talents sharing in a medley of beloved songs, all while holding really long, thin microphones—the kind that seem to always be in danger of snapping in your hands—and sitting atop stools that are way too tall.
Such is why Maya Rudolph was joined by her friend and former Saturday Night Live cast member Tina Fey on this week’s Maya and Marty, as seen in a video that we came across at Vulture. The two walked the audience through their memories of variety shows from the childhoods, all while singing numbers from some of the greatest female artists. Or songs that sound like they could have been written by some of the greatest female artists, specifically Joni Mitchell. You know, songs that mention a place in Canada and a baby.
As for real songs, they also sang Dionne Warwick’s “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” and Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” but as sung by Charo (and we agree, Tina doing that probably wasn’t quite as “okay”). The two closed it out with Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Though there was nothing unnatural about them getting on or off of those stools.
This somehow managed to be a meta-joke about a variety show staple, all while still kind of being a sincere attempt at pulling it off.
What do you remember about variety shows? How did this duet compare? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Featured Image: NBC
