SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Rocks the Halls Once More

Article first published as SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Rocks the Halls Once More on TheTVKing.

Coming back to host another Christmas outing, the Jimmy Fallon-led installment of Saturday Night Live this past weekend is the best of the fall run. In fact, the whole show is on a bit of an upswing, at the good end of the cycle for a series that ebbs and flows over the years. Buoyed by a plethora of wonderful cameos, and joined by musical guest Justin Timberlake, who appeared in plenty of bits, as well, Fallon shows us what SNL should be.

It begins right off the bat with an opening that brings back Timberlake in a rapping (this time, wrapping) costume, with Jimmy and Aidy Bryant joining him. This isn't the only recurring sketch in the episode (Barry Gibbs himself shows up for Jimmy and Justin's "Barry Gibbs Talk Show"), and it's definitely a crowd pleaser.

There is some debate as to whether Saturday Night Live should rest on its laurels, reusing the same roles over and over again. However, the most memorable characters in the series have been ones who have returned many times. It's hard to come up with an hour and a half of new material every week, and as long as the performers and writers can do something new with the material, as they do for both of those follow ups this week, why not let them continue? They usually just build upon the past as a starting block, anyway.

A well-used surprise guest spot is always effective. Besides Gibbs, Paul McCartney pops in for the monologue, and Mayor Bloomberg and Madonna appear. I'm disappointed Chris Rock, seen in the closing, stays off stage, but overall, these are some big names that are not wasted, and that's appreciated.

Fallon is a veteran of SNL, which means he already knows what he's doing coming in (yes, losing it on stage counts as knowing what he's doing, as he did it back in the day, too). Hosts are not created equal, and sometimes it's hard to predict how a new one will act during the show. Going with Fallon, there's a known quantity that works, especially in the impressions department, and the episode plays to his strengths.

Timberlake has been a very frequent guest, and has hosted with success in his own right before. Combined with the already-wonderful chemistry he has with Fallon, he's a strong addition. From playing a Gibbs brother, to his spot-on mocking of Jimmy himself in the all-around funny Celebrity Family Feud bit, which has several hilarious moments, Timberlake adds much to the proceedings.

One of the most memorable sketches of the night, though, barely involves Jimmy or any other person who is not a regular cast member. The girls in the cast, including Bryant, Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon, Vanessa Bayer, Nasim Pedrad, and Noel Wells, make a music video about having sex in their childhood bedroom. The tune is catchy, the lyrics are smart, and these women can carry a tune. It reminds me both of the highly successful Digital Shorts SNL used to have and the strong female ensemble during the time of Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Tina Fey. Might we poised for a second coming?

There actually was not a single dud in the whole installment. A couple of scenes were weaker than others, but still would have been great on any other week, when the bar wasn't set quite so high. After a couple of years of much mediocrity, it's great to see SNL get things together again, whether it lasts through the winter and spring or not.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET, returning in mid-January to NBC.

The last post of Gossip Girl

The CW aired the final Gossip Girl episode this week. Entitled "New York, I Love You XOXO," the episode wraps up the Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) storyline, reveals who is behind the titular character's website, and gives a glimpse into the future for all the main characters. It's an hour of cameos and romance.

Gossip Girl has always been scandalous and overly dramatic. And yet, I feel like some parts of this episode go just a little too far. One can be shocking without the plot holes, and this series usually is. The scene where Bart falls to his death is not helped by the hokey music, and making the finale A plot about some scheme to quickly wed Blair (Leighton Meester) to Chuck (Ed Westwick) so that she doesn't have to testify against him, when he did nothing wrong in the first place, is kind of ridiculous.

That being said, anything that gets a ring on Blair's ring, instead of around her neck, is good stuff. Fans of the series have been waiting for Blair and Chuck to finally get together for a very long time. Knowing they were promised to one another, but having to wait because of their careers, is sheer torture. "New York, I Love You XOXO" has to see them them walk down the aisle, and it did, with enough style to satisfy.

The wedding scene itself is touching. Do I wish the other drama wasn't forced upon it? Yes. But at least all of the characters pull together, and manage to make it happen before the police can show up to arrest Chuck. We get to see everyone celebrating and happy.

I also have mixed feelings on the outing of Dan (Penn Badgley) as Gossip Girl herself. He is a writer, sure, and has the talent and motivation to accomplish such a feat. However, there is a vague feeling that it doesn't quite add up. I would have to go back and re-watch the series to pinpoint when it doesn't work, and at some point, I will. But my first impression is, while this serves this particular point of the story very well, it may not add up in earlier seasons. And I think the flashbacks are mainly present in this episode to try to give a feeling of continuity.

The other characters' reactions to Dan's outing are completely in character and fantastic. Nate (Chace Crawford), who is already established as a good guy at heart, of course will forgive Dan when he is handing the story to Nate, saving Nate's beloved Spectator. Serena (Blake Lively) has also always been understanding, and her clear affection for Dan, at an all-time high after reading the nice things he wrote about her, make her susceptible to letting it slide. Chuck can appreciate a game well played, and Blair is, well, Blair.

Rufus (Matthew Settle) handles the news the best of anyone, because his concerns are real, and, I assume, the show's way of trying to address any past inconsistencies. Being mad at Dan about everything that happened with Jenny (Taylor Momsen) is exactly what Rufus should be, and allows someone to be angry, since Dan's friends can't be.

I love, love, love that everyone from Mayor Bloomberg (cameoing as himself) to Blair think that Dorota (Zuzanna Szadkowski) might have been Gossip Girl. After all, what fan hasn't suspected Blair's handmaiden is the guilty party from time to time, even though her apparent loyalty would make this the ultimate betrayal? And her wonderful bits that pepper the series continue through "New York, I Love You XOXO" when she has a very surprised Jack (Desmond Harrington) make her a drink.

The other reaction shots are great, too, as the secret is exposed amid a wave of appearances by past characters. These include Juliet (Katie Cassidy), Lola (Ella Rae Peck), Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), and even an almost unrecognizable Jenny. What a great way to fit the faces of earlier seasons in, without shoehorning them into a story in which they wouldn't fit! It's satisfying for the fans, makes sense for the series, and provides a great way to mark this major revelation.

One thing that is being talked about is the teasing cut scene where Kristen Bell, playing herself, delivers some of the same infamous phrasing she has been speaking for years as the voice of Gossip Girl, narrating Gossip Girl. It's fun little bit with another CW star, Rachel Bilson (Hart of Dixie), also playing herself, and a tongue in cheek reference for fans. This is all well and good, and I very much enjoyed it, until Bell turns and winks at the camera at the end. That takes it just a step too far, making what could have been an amazing scene only a very good one. We get the joke without the wink. No need for ham.

Then there's the ending, set five years later. There is a lot to praise this scene for. Knowing that it takes Dan and Serena five more years to get married is a bit disappointing, but not exactly surprising, considering. Given their track record, they probably broke up three times before getting hitched. I also greatly enjoyed seeing Chuck happier than he's ever been, glimpsing Dorota playing with the next generation, and Nate being successful, even if he hasn't found a girl yet.

The other elements of that scene, the ones that didn't make sense to me, such as Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jack being invited (though I adore the thought of the evil duo as a couple), and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) ending up with William (William Baldwin), can be overlooked. After all, we know that relationships shift, and without seeing what happens in the intervening five years, these are plausible circumstances. They just aren't ones that are really telegraphed in the episodes leading up to "New York, I Love You XOXO."

Does anyone else want a two hour TV movie leading up to Dan and Serena's big day? Because I sure do!

Gossip Girl is a series that broke new ground, set trends, and was a highly addictive prime time soap for a good many years. I greatly appreciate the work everyone involved put in, and found the vast majority of it extremely entertaining. Even if the series finale stumbled a few times, it hit the needed emotional beats, and did not spoil my love of the show. For that, I thank it, and will definitely miss my Gossip Girl.

XOXO

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

"Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" on Curb Your Enthusiasm

     Last night, HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm ended season eight with "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox." Larry (Larry David) finally runs into his upstairs neighbor, Michael J. Fox (himself, The Good Wife, Rescue Me), and begins to suspect Michael is faking some Parkinson's symptoms in order to get back at Larry for a possible tiff. Unfortunately for Larry, no one believes him. Nor does his girlfriend, Jennifer (Ana Gasteyer, Saturday Night Live, The Good Wife), believe that her seven year old son is gay, and so is offended when Larry buys him a sewing machine for his birthday. In the end, Larry must flee town to escape his detractors.

     Larry's problems in Curb Your Enthusiasm always stem from misunderstandings. Or Larry taking a stand when he thinks something isn't right. Either way, Larry causes many of his own problems, and certainly does little or nothing to help himself. "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" is no different.

     Larry is trying to do right by Jennifer by buying her son a sewing machine. The kid raves about Project Runway and fashion, and thus, it seems fitting. Yet Jennifer and Susie (Susie Essman) rip into him, since it's an effeminate gift. Since the kid loves it, and it aligns with his interests, what's the harm, really? Perhaps Larry doesn't know him well enough to take such a bold step, but it makes the kid happy, and isn't that what's important? It's not really Larry's fault that the kid sews Susie a swastika after seeing Larry doddle it. He can't control what the kid likes.

     Everyone loves Michael J. Fox in the world of Curb Your Enthusiasm, just as in real life. Larry is on Fox's turf. Does he really think he will be able to turn Fox's friends and neighbors against him, just because he has a beef with Fox, that may or may not be real? Larry speaks with Fox man to man, but it still doesn't clear up his suspicions, especially when more possible offenses keep happening. At this point, Larry should just drop it. But that's not in his nature, soinstead, he goes to the building's board, which, of course, sides with Fox. Then Larry inadvertently insults Michael at his charity event, leading Mayor Michael Bloomberg (himself) to call on Larry to leave town, to rousing cheers.

     It's worth noting, Larry is in New York City, his home town, the latter half of this season, because of lies and trouble back in Los Angeles, his current home. Yet, it takes very little time for Larry to upset the people in NYC, and soon they send him packing again, this time to Paris.

     If "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" does turn out to be the series finale, as no additional season has yet been ordered, it leaves some loose ends, especially concerning Larry's relationship with ex-wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines). But the episode does contain the perfect ending scene, with Larry and Leon (JB Smoove) walking the (obviously fake) streets of Paris, as Larry rants about the same offense he so recently rants about in LA. No matter where Larry goes, he never changes. And that's the beauty of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

     Curb Your Enthusiasm also stars Jeff Garlin, and may or may not return to HBO for a ninth season.

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     To catch up on Curb Your Enthusiasm with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Curb Your Enthusiasm - "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" on Blogcritics.