EPISODE REVIEWS

Garth Brooks
February 28, 1998

Overview: Garth Brooks becomes the first man to host and be musical guest since, uh, Hammer from way back when. I hear he's shilling fries now. No real fear because Brooks exudes charisma; he could sell ice cream to Eskimoes.

Opening: Sadaam seems to be protrayed as a likable, regular guy a whole lot, isn't he? I felt this was a particulary strong opening considering this season's cold openings have been fairly mixed. It was almost giddy. A-

Monolog: Brooks and the strawberry alarm clock combo. It either works or it doesn't for you. (I kinda liked it.) B-

Cowboys: Silly, but passable. Could've been a whole lot worse. C

Mango: This bit has really grown on me but I'm hoping I don't see it again this season otherwise its tangible charms may start to grate. B+

Oprah: A real hummer. Or maybe it blows? Let me think.... C

TV Funhouse: I'm writing this a considerable while after this show aired and when I saw this I was kind of ambivalent towards it. However in between I saw a clip of it on some Smigel profile and I gotta say...the concept, if not the exucution, has grown on me. C+

Old French Whore: People were talking about this a few days before it aired, on tv and in the newsgroup, and I was disappointed when I saw it. Good enough but the build up wasn't worth it to me. C

Weekend Update: Crushingly predictable. C-

Who's More Grizzled?: Somebody was thinking with this one, I'll tell you. The best concieved piece of the night if not as sharp as it might have been. Put smiles on one's face. B-

Garth Brooks: Garth does his Jimmy Buffet impression. A+

Goatboy: Shouldn.t he have been made into a rug or something by now? This one wasn't all that smart either, to tell the truth. D

Movie Theatre: The token Tracy Morgan skit of the night. Kind of so-so. C+

Hospital: You get Robert Duvall to do two skits so what do you do? Write one good one, even if its far from perfect, and one that sucks. If for some reason you are reading this review backwards, I won't hold you in suspense. It sucks. C-

Overall: One of those shows where there was enough quality stuff to make you(try) to forget the bad sketches but enough of a downer to keep it from a coveted "A". Still, a very well done show.

Grade: B+

Episode Review written by Michael Keith Goodman

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