C6
S TELEVISION shales from C1
‘Saturday Night Live’ ” because al- though Laraine Newman was lured back before the cameras for the sketch and some new interstitials, none of the great old Gilda Radner sketches were included in the (incomplete) copy of the show made available for preview. (Jane Curtin wasn’t in evidence.) Maybe it was deduced that all the best sketches from the first five years have been played and replayed enough times and that the focus should be mainly on new generations of SNL gals. Er, ladies. Er, young women. (Maybe youthful members of both
sexes should simply be called “Guys.” Already people often address a crowd of both sexes as “you guys,” so it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch). There’s some tweaking of both feminist and male chauvinist canards in the new sketch, which degenerates quickly into a session of gripes and accusations, the women playing absurdist versions of themselves. “I am a countess,” Nora Dunn declares. “You are garbage,” Rudolph says to Oteri (or maybe vice versa) after one is accused of “pulling” the other’s “weave” off. They’re performing the way the “real” characters perform on those shows and even get rewarded with canned laughter and applause. “Reality” television, bah! Rudolph accuses Kristen Wiig — herself a one-person stock company — of choking her dog, Amy Poehler complains there is still a restraining order against her for having tried to ram three of the other women with a limousine, and Tina Fey renders the most godawful song, “I Wanna Spend Some Time Witcha” from her new CD, in a near-perfectly godawful way. Having been thoroughly corrupted by cable, the women in the sketch all have some junk to plug — Shannon pushes low-fat cocktails, Gasteyer shills for a skin-care line made with an unmentionable ingredient, Louis-Dreyfus hawks “eco-friendly slip- on earrings” and Poehler notes proudly that they have all made “sex tapes,” which are also, of course, for sale. After that rowdy beginning, the
parade of fondly remembered sketches from past seasons hurries by, with an emphasis, for better or worse, on the more lewd and racy — and just plain dirty — sketches that make you wince and laugh at the same time or sometimes, just recoil. There are two major pieces built around innuendo about oral sex, one of them also a well- deserved smack at NPR not for the idiotic way it has treated commentator Juan Williams (that’s too recent, of course, for a retro show) but for just
KLMNO
TV NEWS ONLINE From TV’s top shows to industry buzz, get the latest television news in the TV Column blog at
washingtonpost.com/tvcolumn.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010
INTERACTIVE TV LISTINGS Keep track of your favorite television shows and movies with our interactive TV listings at
washingtonpost.com/tv.
Spice girls: A risque retrospective showcases ‘SNL’ women
DANA EDELSON/NBC UNIVERSAL, INC.
OPENING SHOTS:Tonight’s special gets underway with a sendup of “Real Housewives” shows with, from left, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Andy Cohen, Cheri Oteri, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch. The show then rebroadcasts some hilarious sketches from seasons past.
how dull it can be. It’s one of those two- woman talk show sketches in which the double entendre is audaciously outrageous. Then, later, Christopher Walken, one of the absolutely most enigmatic guest hosts to log multiple visits, is seen in a replay of “Welcome Colonel Angus,” a baldly ribald sketch set in the Deep South — at an old plantation called Shady Thicket — with each new line of dialogue more insanely suggestive than the last, the actors having high times with the hoary obviousness of it all. And of course, on the far brighter side, there had to be a sketch in which Fey does her cherishable and imperishable impression of Sarah Palin, this one doubly great because Poehler does Hillary Clinton. There’s a genuine satirical richness to these portrayals; they do go beyond simple impressions
TOM SHALES
Complain though we may about “Saturday Night Live,” the show is still the
greatest training ground for comic talent around.
of the old school — you know, Jimmy Cagney saying “you’re the guy who shot my sister” and Cary Grant burbling “Judy Judy Judy” and so on. “Saturday Night Live” has advanced
the art of the impression immeasurably, even with Darrell Hammond now departed from the cast. On the other hand, there can be grievous relapses, as on the most recent SNL episode. The whole show was pretty lame, but a sketch supposedly parodying a relic from TV’s past — Vincent Price’s Halloween special — was just agonizingly witless. And none of the impressions seemed apt, much less clever.
But then again yet again (follow the bouncing pendulum) — people are still talking, at least in smart circles (we’re guessing, of course) about the sensational impression of Denzel
Washington that newcomer Jay Pharoah did on another recent “SNL.” Pharoah did his Eddie Murphy on Saturday night’s show, also great. Pharaoh’s is the kind of electrifying talent that can help recharge the batteries of everybody on the show — at least, here’s hoping. But the topic at hand is “The Women
of Saturday Night Live,” having come into their own in the ’90s and early aughts, most notably perhaps when Fey became head writer on the show, co-anchor of “Weekend Update” and a sparkling performer besides. Complain though we may about “Saturday Night Live,” the show is still the greatest training ground for comic talent around —and Monday night’s special belabors the obvious with inarguably entertaining results.
shalest@washpost.com
BROADCAST CHANNELS
4.1 WRC (NBC) 5.1 WTTG (Fox) 7.1 WJLA (ABC)
7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 News Seinfeld Wheel
Access 9.1 WUSA (CBS) News Chuck Mother Rules 14.1 WFDC (UNI) Llena de Amor Connect. VH1
BABY MAKES THREE: Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza get ready for parenthood on VH1’s “Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Washington’s ABC affiliate launches a three-part series, “The Day Every Second Counted” (WJLA at 5 p.m.), which looks at heart health for women in the wake of WJLA reporter Jennifer Donelan surviving a heart attack in September. The first segments air within the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts on Monday, followed by Part 3 during the 5 p.m. news on Tuesday. Part 1 features an interview with Donelan. Sherri Shepherd adds another gig when she takes over “The Newlywed Game” (GSN at 6 p.m.) as the rebooted, classic game show returns for another season. Turner Classic Movies begins
the seven-part documentary “Moguls& Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood” (TCM at 8) on Monday night. Airing Monday nights through Dec. 15, each part is accompanied by a panel discussion about the week’s topic on the following Wednesday at 11 p.m., hosted by Robert Osbourne and Jon Wilkman. Part 1, titled “Peepshow Pioneers,” starts with the years 1889-1907. The remaining couples on “Dancing With the Stars” (ABC at 8) must dive into the history books on the show’s 200th episode and perform a dance originally done by the likes of Kelly Osbourne, Mel B, Drew Lachey, Hélio Castroneves, Gilles Marini and Emmitt Smith; plus, the six former contestants return to judge how well the current contestants can measure up. “The Women of SNL” (NBC at 9), a special that looks back at
famous “Saturday Night Live” actresses, is previewed by Tom Shales on Page C1. Missing the Jersey drama
since “Jersey Shore” wrapped up for the season? Fear not — the “Shore” producers have returned with “My Big Friggin’ Wedding” (VH1 at 9), following five East Coast couples from Long Island and New Jersey as they plan their over-the-top weddings. Yes, we’re talking about receptions that involve lasers and smoke machines. McGarrett faces a nearly impossible situation on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS at 10) when a Navy SEAL (on the run for murder, though he promises he’s innocent) flees on a memorial battleship with hostages in tow. If a ’90s TV star had a major life change, but doesn’t have a reality show to document the process, did it ever really happen? Either way, try to forget that “Saved by the Bell” star Mario Lopez and his girlfriend, Courtney Mazza, had a baby girl back in September, as new show “Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby” (VH1 at 10:30) premieres and follows the couple getting ready for impending parenthood many months ago. Actor Robert Downey Jr. stops
by “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS at 11:35) as does musical guest Elvis Costello. “The Tonight Show With Jay
Leno” (NBC at 11:35) hosts Janet Jackson, “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson and a performance by Duffy.
— Emily Yahr
26.4 WETA (PBS) PBS NewsHour 30.1 WNVC (MHz) Al Jazeera Journal 32.2 WHUT (PBS) Tavis Smiley Passport 50.1 WDCW (CW) Two-Men
66.1 WPXW (ION) Without a Trace A&E
ABC Family AMC
Animal Planet BET
Bravo CNN T e First 48 Funniest Home Videos Eva Luna Two-Men
Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow France News News Masterpiece Mystery! 90210
Without a Trace Intervention Funniest Home Videos
(5:30) Movie: Alien Movie: Red Planet (2000) Pit Boss
Pit Bulls and Parolees
Cartoon Network Scooby-Doo Johnny Test John King, USA
Discovery Disney E!
ESPN ESPN2
Food Network Fox News FX
Hallmark HBO
HGTV
History Lifetime MASN
MSNBC MTV
Nickelodeon Spike Style Syfy
TBDTV TBS TCM TLC TNT
Travel TruTV
TV Land TV One
USA Network VH1
WGN
Real Housewives-Atlanta Advent. Time MAD Parker Spitzer
Wreck Kardashian Wreck
9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 T e Women of SNL
News
MLB Baseball: World Series, Game 5 -- San Francisco Giants at Texas Rangers Jeopardy! Dancing With the Stars Ent. Ton.
News Castle
Two-Men Mike&Molly Hawaii Five-0 Soy Tu Dueña
Hubert H. Humphrey: T e Art of the Possible American Experience Wallander
Gossip Girl Criminal Minds
CABLE CHANNELS Hoarders
Funniest Home Videos I Shouldn’t Be Alive
106 & Park: Top 10 Live Movie: T e Honeymooners (2005) Real Housewives-Atlanta
Comcast SportsNet English Premier League Soccer Comedy Central Movie: Superhero Movie (2008) Swamp Loggers
Good-Charlie Good-Charlie Movie: Den Brother (2010) E! News
Monday Night Countdown Good Eats FOX Report
News News
Gran Noche de El Show Noticias Autism RT Mmt Luxury Passport Equitrekking Charlie Rose
Entourage Enthusiasm Family Guy Family Guy Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds Hoarders
Funniest Home Videos Rubicon
I Shouldn’t Be Alive Top 10 Rappers
Real Housewives-Atlanta Watch Anderson Cooper 360 American Chopper
Intervention T e 700 Club
Mad Men
Pit Bulls and Parolees T e Mo’Nique Show
Real Housewives-Atlanta Premier League Review SportsNet Redskins Happens
Total Drama Stoked King of Hill King of Hill Family Guy Family Guy Larry King Live
South Park South Park South Park South Park Daily American Chopper
T e E! True Hollywood Story Fashion NFL Football: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
2010 World Series of Poker 2010 World Series of Poker 2010 World Series of Poker 2010 World Series of Poker E:60 Unwrapped Unwrapped Unwrapped Best T ing Best T ing T e O’Reilly Factor
Diners Hannity Two Men Two Men Movie: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Who’s Boss? Who’s Boss? Little House on the Prairie Lovely Bones 24/7
Hunters Int’l House Hunt. Property Reba Real Time With Bill Maher Treat
Movie: Jane Doe: ’Til Death Do Us Part (2005) Treat
Hardball Chris Matthews 16 and Pregnant
Nat’l Geographic Alaska State Troopers iCarly
Jerseylicious Seinfeld
Breeders’ Cup Show Countdown Jersey Shore
Movie: Lying to Be Perfect (2010) Riggo’s Postgame Xtra
Jersey Shore Movie: Amelia (2009) First Place House Hunt. Hunters Int’l House Hunt. Hunters Int’l First Place First Place
Restoration Restoration Pawn Stars Pawn Stars American American Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ancient Aliens How I Met How I Met Reba T e Works
Rachel Maddow Show T e Last Word World
9/11: Science and Conspiracy Giuliana & Bill News SpongeBob My Wife-Kids My Wife-Kids Hates Chris Hates Chris Lopez
Scare Tactics Scare Tactics Scare Tactics Scare Tactics Scare News
(6:15) While the City Sleeps Moguls, Movie Little People Little People People Bones
Bones Cops Repo Sanford Sanford
Lincoln Heights NCIS
Sanford Martin NCIS
Don’t Forget Don’t Forget I Love Money Buried Life World Man-Made Disasters How I Met How I Met
ESPNEWS Tom O’Brien John Riggins Countdown With Olbermann Buried
9/11: Science & Conspiracy Lopez T e Nanny T e Nanny
(6:00) Star Wars: Episode I -- T e Phantom Menace (9:02) Movie: Star Wars: Episode I -- T e Phantom Menace (1999) Movie: Angel Eyes (2001)
Newstalk Sports Talk News News
Seinfeld Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy T e Films of T omas Edison
Little People Cake Boss Cake Boss Fabulous Cakes Bones
T e Closer
Man v. Food Man v. Food Bizarre Foods-Zimmern Cops
Repo
Sanford Martin
Bizarre Foods-Zimmern Repo
Repo
Movie: Stripes (1981) Diff Wrld
Diff Wrld
WWE Monday Night RAW My Big Friggin’ Wedding
Dharma-Greg Dharma-Greg Old Christine Old Christine Funniest Home Videos Stings Giuliana & Bill
Scare Tactics Scare Tactics Scare Tactics Gundam Gundam ABC News News
Lopez Tonight Moguls and Movie Stars
Little People Little People Men of a Certain Age
Bourdain: No Reservations Bourdain: No Reservations Stings
Unsung Martin T e 40-Year-Old Virgin
Bret Michaels Mario Lopez My Big Friggin’ Wedding News
Scrubs Scrubs LEGEND: Bold indicates new or live programs High Definition Movie Ratings (from TMS) Excellent Good Fair Poor No stars: not rated
Forensic Files Forensic Files Roseanne Martin
Sports Talk Greta Van Susteren Diners, Drive Good Eats Wreck
SportsNet Post Live Colbert Wreck
Suite-Deck Han. Montana Han. Montana Suite-Deck Suite-Deck Soup
Chelsea
E! News Sport
Good Eats T e O’Reilly Factor Two Men Golden Girls American Experience
Jay Leno News
Nightline Letterman Noticiero
20.1 WDCA (MNTV) Meet, Browns House/Payne Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent T e Offi ce Name Is Earl Raymond Raymond 22.1 WMPT (PBS) Business
Connect.
Charlie Rose Asia News
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60