EPISODE REVIEWS

Mayor Rudy Giuliani / Sarah McLachlan
November 22, 1997

I really looked forward to this show because it afforded an oppurtunity to do some "real" writing; with Mayor Rudy, or, if you prefer, Rudolph, hosting the odds of the show being centered on political satire were good. As for Sarah, well I'm not her biggest fan but I'll be patriotic and say I was ecstatic at the prospect of a fellow Canuck being on the show.

Opening: Very predictable jokes. The minute I saw the outfit I knew that they would pretend the Mayor was a eccentric nut.(Is there any other kind?) For me, the highlight was the crack about Brooklyn being half of Quinn's act. More on that later. C+

Monolog: Giuliani was uncomfortable with the monolog but as it got rolling thanks to the pleasent...uh, cuteness of the premise he got more relaxed. Not very witty, that's for sure, but I loved it. B-

Nightline: They played bait and switch! I really didn't expect them to turn it into a Koppel/Hussein friendship bit. The only genuine shock of the season so far. B+

Rita Delvechio: The highlight, of course, was seeing Hizzonor in drag. I really don't like this recurring character but they've finally started to add new elemnts to it instead of going through the motions. Still, I could care less. C

Mary Catherine: Most of the above applies here but I like this bit a lot better and she doesn't make me cringe. Still, despite the absence of a romance angle it followed the same basic structure. C+

Commercial: With programs like this don't you wish he could run again? B+

Weekend Update: The bottom finally dropped out; Norm turned in a very average performance. It still gets a high grade however because of Sarah MacLachlan and ...Ana Gasteyer?(My VCR went on the fritz the next day and I couldn't doublecheck.) They delivered an absolutely amazing song and better(in spades!) then that thing Adam Sandelr churned out five years ago. This is definately making my highlight real. B

Sarah MacLachlan: I don't like this song, "Sweet Sensation", as much as "Building a Mystery" built I was on such a high from her Thanksgiving song I just have to pass her. B

Joe Pesci Show: The first talk show skit Rudy did of the night and the weakest. Joe Pesci's been beaten by Jimy Stweart and, uh, Joe Pesci and I think it's time to call this done. C-

Cabbie: Mostly an oppurtunity to have Rudy go "friggin' Giuliani" and not every time he said it worked. Still, it was nice to see him try some characters and not just play himself through the whole program. C-

Janet Reno's Dance Party: The Mayor's second talk show bit and his second fight. Better then the first one, though. C+

Colin Quinn Explains the News: Oh yeah. This is soooooooooo much better then another song by Sarah MacLachlan. I really hate this untalented hack. They underestimated when they said Brooklyn was half his act. It's his whole act. F

Perspectives: VAN-tastic! Rudy's third and final talk show sketch of the evening and not is it the best, it's the best sketch of the show. Period. A+

Overall: With the exception of the lamentable Colin Quinn I really like this show and was pleased to finally see two good shows in a row. One more quibble however. Having the musical guests perform only one song is upsetting the balance and looks awkward appearing in the middle of the show.

Grade: B

Episode Review written by Michael Keith Goodman

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