04/05 - Christopher Walken/Panic at the Disco, Official Review Thread Options

[barryemc2]

sorry folks

this was one of the worst hosting job ever

I tuned in specifically since I am a Chris Walken fan, and was greatly disappointed to basically see him reading cue cards with no attempt to disguise it, interact with the rest of the cast or react to the material in any way

Walken is a pro to be sure, but didn't seem to be making any effort

Sorry to be a downer, but it was a waste, sadly

[farleyrules]

Bill and Hillary cold open - So the joke is that the press is stupid because they didn't know the Clintons were wealthy all along? It was executed very clumsily and they only moment that was smirk worthy was Bill’s remark, “nothing more,” while casting sidelong glances at Hillary. Grade: C-

Monologue – This was the best monologue of the year IMO. The question and answer sessions have been done numerous times before, but this was the first time they have had the host submit the questions to be asked. Walken milked the pregnant pauses so that you didn’t know if he was going to berate or congratulate the audience member asking the question. Perfectly suited to Walken’s style. The show looks very promising at this point. Grade: A+

Grease Rehearsal – Grease is not unique among musicals in that it features racy lyrics, but it has always struck me as a little funny that so many high schools perform a musical which is essentially about getting laid. Obviously somebody at SNL thought that was a funny too. Unfortunately, not everything in life that makes you grin will be good enough material to fashion a sketch. This is one of those ideas better left alone. Repetitive and boring, this sketch never found its groove. Grade: C-

Farewell Party – This is the type of sketch that gets written specifically for Walken. The “creepy guy” sketch. There were some good moments, especially the bathroom remembrances and the mix CD, but Walken seemed determine to tank this sketch by never looking Sudeikis in the eyes and staring only at his cue cards. Still, Walken is the ultimate “creepy guy” so it wasn’t all bad. The tongue in the ear was definitely the highlight. Grade: B-

Laser Cats! 3D digital short – Laser Cats is probably one of those things that you either love or hate. I fall into the former camp. This one was the best installment yet. All of kinds of references to the evil James Bond villain to the Star Wars impossible shot and subsequent awards ceremony. The horrible effects, cheesy costumes, literal names, and derivative story were all perfect. Sure it looks like the work of high school students. But, that’s the point. Grade: A+

Surprise Party – A feature for Kristen’s ultra-excited personality. She does a great job with this type of character, but the sketch just got old very quickly. And with this type of sketch there is no good way to end it. Jumping out of the window twice is not really a great ending. Walken was still glued to the cards. Grade: C

Weekend Update – A much shorter and improved WU. I really like that there was no guest commentator (or two) tonight and the jokes were very crisp. The appearance by Andy was enjoyable and much better than a Kenan-in-a-dress segment. My favorite WU of the year and I hope they keep this format. It clocked in at just 7 minutes, which is about half the time of some of the longer WUs. Grade: A

Walken Family Reunion – An excuse to have the entire ensemble show off their Walken impression. I thought Amy did the best, but I couldn’t even tell what Andy and Kenan were trying to do. Since it relied solely on impressions, and most were just so-so, this did not do much for me. Grade: C

Indoor Gardening Tips – Walken always seems to get a solo piece and this was tonight’s. I get the feeling that was written just so we could hear Walken say “googly eyes” over and over again. The writers probably heard him say Google and laughed their butts off and had to find a way to get him to say google on the show. Or maybe I’m just dreaming. Original? Yes. Good? Not particularly. It was really more in line with what they great Phil Hartman used to do. Even with poor material, Hartman could have slam-dunked this one. This Grade: C-

Top Chef – Those cooking shows like Iron Chef can be somewhat entertaining to see what they create with the specified ingredients. Unfortunately, I think they are more entertaining than this sketch. I would have rather seen Walken at least attempt to create something rather than whine to everybody that he can’t cook with those ingredients. He could have whipped up something that gave the arrogant judge food poisoning. The sketch would end with Armisen curled up on the ground clutching his stomach. Now THAT would be funny. Grade: C-

Larry King – I guess President Carter writes a bunch of books that nobody reads. Who knew? Apparently nobody, since they are not being read. An OK sketch primarily because I think Armisen does a good job portraying the buffoonery that is King. Grade: B-

Overall – This episode marks a first, at least in recent memory: there was only one live recurring sketch (King). I really appreciate that, but it still fell short in many respects. Walken was completely unprepared, but the sketches seemed a bit underdeveloped as well. SNL always tries to make the claim that they are a topical show, but outside of the Clinton cold open and Weekend Update, there is nothing topical about the rest of the sketches. By topical, do they mean sketches that written for the host? If so, then I can see that because most of these sketches were written specifically for Walken. Given Walken’s illustrious history with SNL, this episode can only be thought of as a disappointment. Grade: C-

[AmyGooglyEyes]

I can't believe the "The Man Who's Very Scared of Plants" skit is not getting better reviews!!

I loved it !!

" .....you have to know where you stand with your plants!! "

I think it was one of the best of the show.
.... and I got the impression he enjoyed doing it, which made it even better.

...for some reason, it brought back fond memories of the "Anal Retentive Chef" : )

[sammi_b]

Bill and Hillary cold open - I think that this skit had the potential to be good, but it was just missing the energy. i think the concept is funny, that the press is making such a big deal of something they should already know, but they just didn't take it to the next level. Grade: C-

Monologue – this was definately the best monologue of the season. i loved him scolding people for his own questions. and the invisible bird flying into glass doors was genious. i thought that i was the only one who had that fantasy. Grade: A+

Grease Rehearsal – i really liked this one. as a little kid, i was OBSESSED with grease. i knew every word, and i'd act it out with friends. about a year ago, i watched it again, but i was shocked by how dirty it actually was, and that i was going around as a seven year old quoting it. so, i definately found this very amusing. and i loved the lyrics. that is totally my sense of humor. i love just really random crap. Grade: B+

Farewell Party – this one could have been really good, but i was so distracted by the reading of the cue cards that i couldn't enjoy it. the lack of eye contact totally broke the sketch for me. it would have been hilarious if walken was able to just stare creepily at jason, checking him out. i'm so sad that this one was deminished because lines weren't memorized. Grade: C

Laser Cats! 3D digital short – i couldn't believe that they brought laser cats back. again. but i actually enjoyed it. i've always liked laser cats, but i never thought that it was worth even the first repeat. but it's growing on me even more, especially since they keep on coming up with fresh story lines. it was good, but i prefer completely original shorts. Grade: B+

Surprise Party – this was my favorite of the night.... probably just because i have a slight girl-crush on kristen. i think that the idea was pretty original, and i felt like kristen's excitement was contagious. the physical aspect of it was my favorite. i loved kristen's hand motions when they were doing the run through. i know that if i'm ever involved in a suprise party, there will be no way that i will be able to restrain myself from reinacting this skit. i just wish it had an ending. Grade: A

Weekend Update – this was ok. for some reason i didn't like it as much this week, even though it was probably just as good. i did like that there were no guest commentators, just andy as the pregnant man, which was funny. i really liked the fish joke and the german joke, but nothing else really stands out in my mind. Grade: B

Walken Family Reunion – i was actually quite pleased to see this. i've always loved doing impressions of christopher walken, and obviously the cast of snl does, too. bill's was amazing. if i wasn't able to see the tv, i wouldn't be able to tell whose was whose. no one was terrible at it, which was a shock. andy was not so good, but he completely admits that he is in no way a master of impressions. even kenan didn't bother me this time. but they still needed to find a better ending. it was like they made no effort at all in that area. Grade: C+

Indoor Gardening Tips – i felt like this was something we would have seen on snl a decade or two ago. i liked the quirky aspect of it, but it didn't really go anywhere. all of the plants looked pretty cool, and i really considered actually gluing some googley eyes on my mom's house plants. i think that if they had pushed it just a little bit farther, like having him threaten a plant or something, that it would have made it funny enough to recieve more than just a chuckle. Grade: C-

Top Chef – maybe if i had seen this show before i would have enjoyed it more. but i haven't, and i thought it wasn't that great. walken was kind of funny (but once again the reading of the cue cards annoyed the hell out of me), but it just didn't have enough energy. it was supposed to feel rushed and frantic, but it just didn't come through. so it felt akward. i wish that instead of having him not do anything, they would have had him whip something amazing up in the last five seconds, steal one of the other chef's creations, or be on the phone with dominos. Grade: C-

Larry King – i didn't like this, but i don't think it was really aimed at my age group. of course i know who jimmy carter and larry king live are (i'm not an idiot), but i just don't find any humor in the impressions. these are two people who have no cultural relevance for me, so the jokes just weren't funny. it wasn't bad. it just wasn't for me. Grade: D+

Overall – i had high, high, high expectations for this episode, and i was kind of disapointed. i thought that walken was going to be amazing, but he just seemed really unprepared. coming from theatre myself, i understand the importance of being able to keep up the pace of a scene, and when you don't know the lines, there's no way you can do this, and it kills the show. i don't know what the deal was. maybe he's just getting older. the writing was good and the sketches were original, but something was lacking. hopefully next week will be better. Grade: C-

[jamesj_1]

Once and for all, please do not have Christopher Walken back as host ever again!! He has done a couple of memorable skits in the past. But his incessant staring at (and reading of) the cue cards was distracting, to say the least, especially since he was in virtually every skit. He wasn't even attempting to "act." Just stood there like a log and read the cue cards---anyone can do that.

Also, some of the digital shorts have been quite good, but we don't need one every single episode. Quality suffers after the high output. And the laser cats wasn't funny the first time.

[snlguy]

Christopher Walken was horrible. I can't believe Lorne let him even go on. It's so arrogant that these "stars" go on without ever going over the scripts thinking they are such big celebrities they can get away with such a crappy performance. I felt bad for the regular cast of SNL as you can tell they were trying and they knew their lines and Walken blew it for them. Walken, please don't host SNL again. We don't want you!!! Retire, go play golf, go see a broadway show but don't host SNL again,,, please. I'm a huge fan of SNL and so far it's been a great season up until you hosted the show. You were shameless in reading those cue cards, You werent' even trying to hide it. Bad bad bad. Please don't have him back

[joannzinaman]

Hey Farley Rules. I was also Disappointed with this Also. They didn't even have A Continental. Either they don't know how to write for those or Christopher Walken is Tired of Doing Them. I didn't Care for Bill and Hillary. I Give This C. I didn't like the Monlogue at All. I would Rather had A Song and Dance. Those Questions weren't even very Good. I give this D. I thought Grease was Funny and I was Waiting to see how They would use the Word Fleam. I was Laughing at ***** Wagon or whatever He said. I also liked Go Gene Rayburn Go. I used to Watch The Match Game. I Give This A. I thought the CD and Photograph was Interesting, but I HATED when He put his Tongue in His Ear. That Grossed Me Out ! I thought that was A Little Too Long Also. I think I have to give the Farewell Job D because of the Tongue in the Ear. I thought Laser Cats was Interesting with Chris Dodd and Christopher Walken and that Dog in there, but I Still Don't Like Laser Cats. I Guess that I will Give C. I would have thought the Surprise Party would be Okay Except for Kristen. She got on My Nerves. I would have Rather had Penelope and I don't like Penelope. That Excitement Worked when Brian Williams Won the Publishing Clearance. Brian had Won All that Money so Kristen was Supposed to be Excited. I guess that I will give C. I Liked Andy being the Pregnant Man on Week End Update. I guess that I will give B. I Like Impressions and I was Interested in Them Talking about The Deer Hunter. I got A Kick out of Darrell Getting A Kick out of Saying that He didn't take the Bus because He was Walken (Walking). I thought that Bill Hader had the Best Christopher Walken Impression. I wish that Jay Moor was in that Skit. Jay Moor was the First Person that I had heard Impersonate Christopher Walken. I Give this A. I wasn't that Thrilled with the Garden Tips, but Nothing was That Great on This Show so I will Give It B. I didn't Care for the Top Chef so I will give it C. I didn't Care for the Larry King/Jimmy Carter. I have Seen Better Larry King Skits. I will give it C. Also, I didn't like Them Repeating Annuale Period Skit Especially Since Tina wasn't even on there. I didn't think This Monlogue was the Best. I thought that Tina's was Better with Steve Martin. I Also Liked Ellen Page with Andy being that Writer who had Written Juno. I think that I Liked Brian Williams Monlogue Better Also. I said I think because I can't Remember as well what Brian did with His Monologue, but I think that I thought it was Pretty Good. I also did not like Panic At The Disco. I thought the Violin Players Wearing the Band Uniforms was Stupid and I would have Added A Chord at the End of the Second Song. I Guess that I will Give This Overall C. Jody

[DG3]

Christopher Walken was horrible. I can't believe Lorne let him even go on. It's so arrogant that these "stars" go on without ever going over the scripts thinking they are such big celebrities they can get away with such a crappy performance.

You're perfectly describing Annette Bening when she hosted. She never looked at the other people and simply locked onto the cue cards.

However, Walken has done great work in previous shows, so there was no way to know he was going to have such a bad show this time. But as I mentioned before, there is simply something wrong with him now. Early stage Alzheimers or something similar. It's sad to see.

[ComedyWriter]

I'm going to be a Disagreeable Dan here and say that I loved that Walken stared at the cue cards, undressing them with his eyes. It was as if an Andy Kaufman character came to life.

Walken has always been a heavy cue cad looker-atter. True, last night's episode was a particularly exaggerated example of that, but it's the sort of stuff that you expect from Walken. If you were expecting something else, you clearly were expecting a different Christopher Walken from the one that I know and love (in a completely inappropriate way).

-Nick

[Carlapalooza]

Message from the Clinton Campaign: This was all right. The funniest part was Darryl saying, "Talk to people, nothing more" and "Speaking engagements, nothing more". Oh, and Amy saying,"Psych! That's never going to happen". haha
Grade: Chuckled

Monologue: I loved the pre-written question & answer idea, then his pretending he didn't write them. The dual powers and sliding glass door thing was pretty funny. "What? No bird." haha Nice to see the SNL writers on the screen. I liked the way he told Jim Downey to, "Read it as if you thought of it" (haha he probably did!). And SNL writer, Bryan Tucker - haven't seen his face since he played the pseudo Roy in the Roy Rules Digital Short It was hilarious when Christopher said, "You wouldn't think that to read off cards is so tricky. You look at the words and you read them." He IS the pro at it. ahahaha
Grade: Laughed Out Loud

Annuale: I'll never get tired of watching this commercial - it's perfect. "When it IS time for your period, hold on to your f'in' hat!
Grade: Laughed My Ass Off

High School Musical Practise (Grease): This was great! Loved the way he kept saying, "That's dirty!" and "No, shut up". Amy was hilarious as Miss Hash! Sometimes, she doesn't even need lines....just the looks she has on her face, etc. is enough to get a laugh. Funny how they had to change it so much to where it didn't even make sense after. It's like those businesses "cleaning-up" movies - when they try it with movies like The Departed or Scarface....it just doesn't work, nor should it.
Grade: Laughed Out Loud

Nathan's Goodbye Party: What a creep haha. Loved the mixed CD and portraits he made (The nude one he mentioned would have been funny to see! They could have just draped a sheet across his package or something haha Tongue in the ear was sickeningly funny. Loved the music they had playing haha
Grade: Laughed Out Loud

Digital Short - Laser Cats 3D: Excellent!! Too bad they couldn't get Frazzles, yelling, "Hoobastank! Glasses oooooon, glasses oooooooooooon, glasses f'in on!" I can't get enough of these cheap visual effects! Makes me laugh every time. I thought the military 3-shot volley for Andy's laser cat was a great touch. haha! I'm glad they put Keenan in this - he needed something new and fun.
Grade: Laughed My Ass Off

Surprise Party: Kristen is great. Her little sayings, "OMG!", "Freakin' psyched", and "Yessss!" made me laugh. Especially watching her trying not to spill the beans, saying, "Is there a party? what? no?", etc. haha Her jumping through the window made me laugh pretty hard.
Grade: Laughed My Ass Off

Panic at the Disco - "Nine in the Afternoon" and "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" I like these guys so I enjoyed it. I noticed they changed the lyrics....to me it sounded like, "Closing the HARD damn door". I was surprised they did that - I mean, people say OMG and similar sayings all the time on TV and it's not a problem. Oh well, the fact it was changed and for whatever reason, doesn't affect me, just thought it was odd.

Weekend Update: I loved Andy as Thomas Beatie. His poses and facial expressions were great. The part with his dong - hilarious! I really liked the John Edwards, Madonna, and cigarette tax jokes.
Grade: Laughed Out Loud

Sweet Waters Reunion: I thought everyone did great impressions of him. Amy's and Bill's were the stand-outs though. Good idea for a sketch.
Grade Laughed My Ass Off

Indoor Gardening Tips: This was pretty funny. We are buying googley eyes at the store today for our houseplants because now I've become suspicious of them LOL
Grade: Chuckled

Top Chef: This was funny the way they had him walk around talking to everyone, wasting all his time.
Grade: Smiled

Larry King Live - Jimmy Carter: I loved Fred and Darryl's impressions! I've never read his books but I've heard they're a bit of a snoozefest. It made me laugh when Fred said, "Do you ever think, "I shouldn't write this - it won't be interesting?". haha
Grade: Chuckled

I'm not sure why Christopher Walken was reading more than usual off the cue cards and he stayed standing in one spot in most of the sketches (I don't know his personal business) but he still makes me laugh with his mannerisms and facial expressions (Or lack of haha) anyways.
Overall a "Laughed Out Loud" episode.

[DG3]

I'm going to be a Disagreeable Dan here and say that I loved that Walken stared at the cue cards, undressing them with his eyes.

If it were only that calculated it might be funny, as in maybe a sketch about a person who can't look at other actors because he's afraid of losing his place on the cards.

But the consensus of reviews have stated that Walken was dreadful. I think you're giving him too much credit for the legendary bits he's been involved in on SNL (The Continental, Cowbell), and not taking him to task when he stinks.

I love Walken. So when I turn off the show with 30 minutes still to go, you know something's way off.

[farleyrules]

Monologue: Nice to see the SNL writers on the screen.

I said to my wife, "That's Paula Pell. She's currently a head writer and has been there a long time." My wife replied, "She looks like a super-sized Tina Fey."

Digital Short - Laser Cats 3D: I thought the military 3-shot volley for Andy's laser cat was a great touch. haha!

Did you notice that it was three cats shooting three times? A nine cat salute celebrating each of the nine lives that had been used up.

[sandibeach317]

I'm not trying to be mean but what is up with all the cue card reading?! Almost every actor in every skit just stood there reading off the cue cards, especially the host. It's been happening alot on the show this season. Horatio Sands used to the be main culprit but now it seems to be everybody. Do they just not have enough time to rehearse or have they become too dependent on the cards. It doesn't show any talent and its very hard to watch. Again, I'm sorry but I hope this gets to the right people and maybe it will improve the show.

[ComedyWriter]

Do they just not have enough time to rehearse...

Yes. Remember, they have to write, cast, and direct all of the sketches in just 5 days, then they have to build all of the sets and create all of the costumes. Then, even when they do rehearse, there is little guarantee that the piece won't change drastically between then and when it goes to air.

I just get the feeling that a lot of you haven't been watching the show closely enough. Blatantly looking at the cue cards is nothing new and has been joked about for years on SNL. With the schedule that they work within, there is just no way around it...unless they start using ear pieces like they used for Stevie Wonder.

In regards to Walken, he has always read off the cue cards. Go back and watch the Blue Oyster Cult/"More Cowbell" sketch and watch as Walken reads every line off the cards as if it was the first time he had ever seen the words. That's one of the reason I love watching Walken host; he looks like he's completely out of his depth and, for all we know, he is, but he plays it up in classic Christopher Walken style which makes it all the funnier in the end. Maybe I'm alone in that sentiment, who knows.

-Nick

[DG3]

Maybe I'm alone in that sentiment, who knows.

At least for this episode it seems you are.

[IconMatthew1]

Wow some of you are saying this was bad? I thought this was hilarious! I cracked up with the monologue. Set Myers with his wow Bill Clinton he lied to your face, I wonder what that feels like? was priceless and the indoor gardening with the eyes I laughed so hard I cried this so made up for SNL and their I love Hillary campaign, okay not really those episode left a sour taste in my moth that will take some real good guests to get rid of but still.

[Carlapalooza]

I said to my wife, "That's Paula Pell. She's currently a head writer and has been there a long time." My wife replied, "She looks like a super-sized Tina Fey."

Did you notice that it was three cats shooting three times? A nine cat salute celebrating each of the nine lives that had been used up.

I do see that a little bit but not in their facial features - I think it's mostly their glasses.

No, I didn't notice the 3X3! Ahaha! That makes it even funnier!

[jamesj_1]

Nick: It is admirable that you are willing to make excuses for the cast and for Walken in particular. But (to quote a Seth/Amy news feature)...Really! Five whole days for the cast and host to memorize their lines?...Really! And having an acclaimed actor as the host who didn't make any attempt to act?...Really! And we should give him a pass because he has been this unprofessional in past hosting duties?...Really!

You are indeed correct when mentioning that cue card reading has been a regular feature of this show for decades and for Walken, to be sure. That doesn't mean that it should be acceptable or embraced. Shouldn't these so-called professional actors aspire to more than that? Walken was so blatant and used the cue cards as such a crutch that every aching syllable out of Walken's mouth was agonizing and insulting for the viewer. If he had a least tried to act, tried to make eye contact, tried to actually portray his character in any scene, I might be a little forgiving as you evidently are. Yet the lack of effort from Walken was so innately bad that Lorne Michaels should issue an apology to the viewers.

[ComedyWriter]

Really! Five whole days for the cast and host to memorize their lines?

Actually it's probably around 24 hours or less that they have to memorize what they can of the sketches that will make it to air in addition to two or three additional sketches that will never make it to air. So, I'll toss your "Really?!" (Where's my interrobang) right back at you in the form of, "Really?! You think someone is capable of memorizing over 60 minutes of material in 24 hours on minimal sleep? Really?"

I'm not trying to defend or make excuses for anyone, I'm simply trying to tell it how it is.

-Nick

[LittleGipper]

Actually it's probably around 24 hours or less that they have to memorize what they can of the sketches that will make it to air in addition to two or three additional sketches that will never make it to air. So, I'll toss your "Really?!" (Where's my interrobang) right back at you in the form of, "Really?! You think someone is capable of memorizing over 60 minutes of material in 24 hours on minimal sleep? Really?"

I'm not trying to defend or make excuses for anyone, I'm simply trying to tell it how it is.

-Nick

We were at the show. It was a first for us to see the show live, what an operation, a ballet of sets, props and actors with seconds to spare.

We are long time fans of the show and were happy see Christopher Walken...a SNL icon. He has always read off the cards....it's not that he does it, it is HOW he does it! It is his pauses and annunciation.

Everyone loved the Walken Q&A!

High School musical was ok...it was great when he would cut them off and say "NO, shut up!"

Goodbye Party was an uncomfortable funny that you can only get with CW.

Laser Cats - Funny in it's over the top way...Loved seeing Dodd and Lorne in 3D glasses, but it was too long.

Kristen was freakin great in the Surprise Party...we thought she was going to pee her pants!

Amy's Walken-isms were right on! We were surprised that Hammond wasn't better.

Indoor Gardening was silly....I love how he says the word "googley" and scared himself. It made me chuckle to have him point out the eye contact thing and be unable to look at the plant only the cards. Because the "eyes are the windows to the FACE!"

Top Chef was OK...liked the concept of the obvious, and how he was over everyone's shoulder wanting melted cheese instead ob beets and peeps.

Larry King could have been better or .."I'd like to think so, Larry"

Overall we drove home giving the show a solid B. We may be bias since we were part of the audience, but reality is that we watched 65% of the show on the monitors..just like at home.. with no commercials. The audience has limited views due to a very small studio and lots of sets. It was a great time and if you listen closely you will hear us laughing.