Hey everyone, how are you doing this week? I am doing
quite well. A lot has gone on for me this week...I
quit my part-time job (a.k.a. second job) as a cashier
at a home furnishings store (for reasons that are too
personal and too lenghty to discuss). I had been
working there full time from June '98 til about a
month ago, when I had gotten a full-time job at an
auto loan company as a collector (a job that pays
more, will benefit me more professionally/career-wise,
and one that I LOVE!!). It is a relief, since I was
very unhappy with the cashier job (long story, trust
me)

OK, enough about that, on to the real reasons for my
writing...my review of the Norm Macdonald episode.

OPENING: This is obviously a spoof on the bets the
mayors of rival sports teams cities make. This sketch
took it one step further, to prove that New York teams
are better than anyone else. Again, Darrell has done
another dead-on impression of a political figure. And
I loved the take on Hillary-Giuliani potential
rivalry.
(GRADE-A)

MONOLOGUE: OK...I am not much of a fan of Norm's. Norm
did a so-so job during the monologue...dissing the
show, even though it may have been no pun intended?
Maybe my sense of humor was not working that night,
but I didn't find it funny. (GRADE-C).

SKETCH: I, like most of the country, hates Martha
Stewart. Making crap out of household items, and we're
suppose to love her? NOPE! Money greedy, I knew this
was bound to be portrayed...The best Martha Stewart
impression Ana has done, next to the Joan Allen/Ana
one (sorry I can't decide). (GRADE-A).

SKETCH: At first, I thought this would be a 'sketch'
that we would recur at various points throughout the
show. But it didn't and I am glad...Again, I think it
was Norm's acting that had something to do with it
(Would I dare diss the Yankees now? No way!!).
(GRADE-C+).

SKETCH: I love Celebrity Jeopardy! Before the show
even started, I had a hunch they would do a C.J. spoof
with Norm as Burt Reynolds...I loved this one! And
what would a C.J. bit be without Sean Connery taking a
stab at 'Alex Trebek'? I also loved Jimmy's impression
of French Stewart, not just the voice but the facial
contortions French makes. (GRADE-A+).

SKETCH: You can always count on 'SNL' to take a
lifestyles topic and spoof it. The eating disorders
issue is one of them. And in this sketch we get to
see Rachel's debut, as Calista Flockhart. I have to
say she has done the best impression of Calista so
far. (GRADE-A).

SKETCH: OK...I said earlier I wasn't a fan of Norm's
but the two impressions I liked the best are Burt
Reynolds and Larry King. Not too bad (GRADE-B).

CARTOON: I was in the bathroom when this was on, so I
won't grade this.

SKETCH: (Please see what I wrote from two entries
ago...same grade).

WEEKEND UPDATE: I like the work Colin is doing (he is
one of my favorite WU anchors ever). But the
'Millenium Report' (this week: Moments that never
happened)...I am not impressed with. Thank god they
are only doing it every other episode. I rarely diss
Weekend Update, but sorry. (GRADE:C).

MUSICAL GUEST: Not graded (I will rarely grade musical
guests).

SKETCH: What better night for a unhappily-married
couple to vent their anger, but meanwhile trying to
show the little kiddies how 'happy' they are, than
Halloween? I loved Norm's costume (I said the costume,
not the acting) and Cheri;s too. (GRADE: B).

SKETCH: Poor Michael Jackson, a lonely man..And Howard
Stern, too (gee, I wonder how long they had to write
this sketch, since Howard made his split public, like
Friday)..I wasn't laughing, but I wasn't going "Oh
man, this sucks'. (GRADE: B-).

MUSICAL GUEST: Not graded

SKETCH: I have no idea who James Lipton is, (but I am
sure some of my acting coaches from all those acting
classes I took through a theater here in Dallas, in
the late '80s and early '90s, would know), but I liked
Will's impression of him. Norm's impression of Clint
Eastwood, too much Charlton Heston...(GRADE: B-).

COMMERCIAL: Who cares if this was from 1997? I loved
this one (GRADE: A-).

Well everyone, I hope you have a fine week...Till next
time!

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