EPISODE REVIEWS

John Goodman / Paula Cole
February 7, 1998

Overview:

If you watch with any regularity you have a pretty good idea what to expect with a John Goodman show. Paula Cole is this year's Grammy darling so if you're not familiar with her work by now this show will make a good introduction. As for Aykroyd, well its a good thing I like him because to speak against him would be sacreligious.

Opening:

They started with a fairly silly sketch about Monica Lewinsky and while decent enough it underscores a tremendous problem that exists within SNL now. It had absolutely no bite. This was a grand oppurtunity and they really, uh.....ahem, *cough* blew it.

C+

Monolog:

Actually, it wasn't a monolog but a number from the Blues Brothers. I'm still not 100% convinced that John Goodman belongs in the band but the energy is undeniably infectious.

B-

Morning Latte:

Here's what I said last time: "This skit mocking the opening patter of morning talk show hosts ('Mike & Maty', 'Crook & Chase', et al.) was to close to the way it really is to be funny; it's actually more scary when you think about it. The stuff about the shooting was funny, though. Grade: C" This time around, however, the writing was sharper and just generally loopier. The payoff was the same, unfortunately.

B+

Ten Commandments:

Now this is how they should have opened the show. Not as goofy and it edged towards racy and was, in, general, really nicely done.

B

Olympics:

They did this on the last episode and i wasn't exactly bowled over. A waste of time until something BIG happens in Japan.

C-

TV Funhouse:

Good, as usual. Interesting that Smigel is sticking to tried and true concepts this season for the most part.

B+

Food Network:

Another bit about Zippergate, approached from another angle. Despite the coverage it nevers feels like they're going to hard on him. For the most part, they've dealt with it wearing kids gloves.

C

Weekend Update:

Oh please. Quinn has got to go.(But leave the set, I like it.) Some jokes hit but they would've worked coming from anyone. And Ferrell telling him he rocked was gratuitous and just begging for you to like him. If he wants people to accept him as anchor he has to do it by being good and not mooching applause.

D

Paula Cole:

I'm not sure what song this was but she performed it nicely enough. I can take it or leave it.

C

Judge Judy:

Aykroyd as Irwin Mainway again and really the only reason to watch this bit. I watch Judge Judy incessantly but I think they don't quite have the right grip on doing her just yet.

C

Martha Stewart:

Delightful, as always. One of the few recurring bits thats consistent in terms of quality. Can't wait until the next one.

B

Sabado Chistoso:

Another part of the Food Network sketch that came earlier. A smidgen beter mostly due to talking in Spanish. Good enough to stand on its own, really.

C+

When Cobra Attacks:

Very average. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. However if I absolutely had to choose between yay or nay I pick the latter.

C-

Neil Diamond:

They didn't make him look stupid, just perverted. =) But I gotta tell you, I wish Will Ferrell would stop warbling.

C

Review:

Nothing truly awful but nothing too memorable either. An inoffensive meaningless outing which could have been better. Undoubtedly some people liked it better then me but I'm a well known cynic. ;)

Grade: C-

Episode Review written by Michael Keith Goodman

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