Joseph Gordon-Levitt Becomes a Star- Page 2

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 12:52pm

He was great during his monologue and dance number! After that, I couldn't even watch. Really bad episode.

[clever name]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 12:59pm

Janey, you only watched the opening and then say it was a really bad episode?

OOOOOWEEEE!..What up wit dat? Wat up wit dat?

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 1:15pm

Oh, no, I said the wrong thing as usual. I did watch for a half hour. I turned it off at midnight.

Posted: 11/22/09 at 1:19pm

Namo, for sure... I also have to admit that when I was at my most into SNL (only a few years ago--probably an era no one else I knew would call funny) it helped that I consistantly watched it week after week with the same bunch of friends while drinking (fairly heavily) before going out. LOL

But, this is how people always complain. Mini rant: it's like how I grew up always reading these musical theatre books that ranted on about how Broadway in the 70s was this barren desert. Funny that--Broadway in the 70s to me (someone who wasn't born till the 80s) is my ideal era--off the top of my head it gave me most of my absolute fave shows, from the5 Sondheim/Prince shows, to JCS and Evita, to Chicago and Chorus Line, to even shows I wouldn't rank as high but I still adore like Seesaw, Pippin and 20th Century. This was the desert? Sure, at the time to those who had fond *memories* of the 50s, maybe it seemed that way, and sure changes for the worse were happening (like the start of the rapid climb in ticket prices). But no contemporary era can ever compete with a memory.

Bringing it back to SNL I think, despite some weird firings last year, they have a VERY strong cast overall. I'm more mixed on the writers (and yes I know the cast pitch many of their own material...) But there's usually at least enough each week to keep me watching.

(and please Namo stop refering to my beloved Jan Jones as "whoeverthatwomanwas" )

[tazber]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 1:33pm

No, I actually suffered through the whole tragedy hoping there might be some shred of humor. But alas, it was simply not meant to be.

except Keenan as Reba. That was funny.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 2:15pm

Did you see last week's travesty, taz? Eek!

I don't know how anything could be as bad as that!

I was in, ahem, particularly good spirits last night so I found quite a bit funny in this episode but I find Joseph "Call me Joe" Gordon Levitt delightful and one of the best actors of his generation. He certainly wowed me in that opening number! And his Mraz impression was quite spot-on, and you'll find few bigger Mraz fans than me so I certainly had my claws out! All that being said, that game show sketch is precisely the kind of thing I always find humorous and "Hold On" always cracks me up so it made the T-Day sketch work for me (and maybe me alone). I must say that after last week's debacle ANYTHING would have been good in comparison, but Joe was much more than good I think.

I always just take SNL as modern day commedia dell'arte (which it is) and realize going in that I am gonna take the wheat with the chaff but I found this to be largely the best episode of the season (though Lady Gaga's musical performance a few weeks ago was the best I've maybe ever seen on the SNL stage, at least since the 70s), for whatever that's worth.

P

Posted: 11/22/09 at 2:21pm

While I didn't really agree with Ent Weekly's TV grump/critic Ken Tucker's review of this week's ep (he did point out that Make 'Em Laugh is meant to seem effortless, while Joseph seemed to be exerting as much effort as possible, butI think that somewhat misses the point) but I do agree with most of their suggestions in "ten ways to fix SNL" http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20321490,00.html

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 2:36pm

I thought it was one of the best SNLs of the season. The cold opening was funny and pointed. JGL gave an energetic, game monologue. The Palin 2012 commercial was genius. Wiig's Broadway performer was priceless (esp the deaf Jazz part). Dave Matthews as Ozzy was great fun, making fun of himself with Hader.

And that was all in the first half hour that was apparently dreadful and worth turning off. But we all have our own tastes in comedy. And that's fine.

I will never stop watching SNL. It goes through it's cycles and hanging on through the bad times pays off for me when they strike gold.

Weekend Update is always filled with a few good laughs--sometimes nonstop. Al Gore was brilliant last night.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 3:17pm

I loved the opening. The rest of the show didn't measure up, but I don't blame Joseph for that. He's clearly very talented, while the writing on this show has been getting worse and worse for years.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 8:43pm

And that was all in the first half hour that was apparently dreadful and worth turning off. But we all have our own tastes in comedy. And that's fine.

I will never stop watching SNL. It goes through it's cycles and hanging on through the bad times pays off for me when they strike gold.

Weekend Update is always filled with a few good laughs--sometimes nonstop. Al Gore was brilliant last night.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 8:57pm

I just watched the clip of him singing Make 'em Laugh and wanted to make a comment about him being winded. If you think back to the film Donald O'Conner seemed to get winded as the number went on. It was part of the number. I just think they brought in that element intentionally. I'm sure he was a bit out of breath but I think he acted more winded than he was because of Donald O'Conner in the film.


O'Conner's version

[Wildcard]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 9:22pm

What I got out of this episode was a crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He came across very debonaire and sexy that I didn't really notice before.

Posted: 11/22/09 at 9:27pm

I just don't understand how you sign up Joseph Gordon Levitt as a host and not have a Tarzan sketch with him in a loincloth-- or a locker room tighty-whitey moment- or a beach scene.....

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 11/22/09 at 9:27pm

He's definitely a talent to reckon with - and seeing his vocal and dance ability was a treat. We already know what a great comic actor he can be (3rd Rock) and he's terrific in serious roles (Mysterious Skin, Brick, The Lookout). He seems to have it all!