SNL 40 Special

Well, here ends our 19 day SNL love fest. Oh, the memories we'll have though- sleep deprived, sunglasses at work, laughter filled memories. The most amazing thing though is how SNL pulled out a Grand Finale-Firework Extraordinaire with the SNL40 Special. Here's my thoughts broken down into bite sized moments:

The Show had everything: Reunions we prayed for(Stefon and Seth Meyers), collaborations we didn't expect(Martin Short and Maya Rudolph), old friends that feel like family(Bill Murray, Steve Martin), and the original 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players'.

The crazy thing is that with so many cast members and guests that have been working on this show tirelessly not even a tiny morsel of the show was leaked- in fact, many were expecting another NSync Reunion or even the Back Street Boys to be on the show(didn't happen-at least not on TV).

The show started off with a punch- The classic duo, Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake with special appearances by Debbie Downer and Mary Katherine Gallagher. If you were like me, you were silently squealing to yourself with glee. These ladies killed it every time they were on air and to see them back reprising iconic characters was fabulous!

Then the Celebrity Jeopardy Sketch- can I just say you know it is a classic when everyone wants to be in it. It's a reoccurring sketch that doesn't seem to have aged a bit. It was flawless and as every line was spoken you could tell that this was going to be a sketch that might even top the originals.

I would have never realized how great Martin Short and Maya Rudolph were together until they were paired up in the Musical Moments sketch. Seeing Bill Murray's Nick the Lounge Singer and seeing that really after 40 years-the man's still got it. He can make you laugh without even trying and this is why he's a legend. Then they threw the Blues Brothers at us and expected us to stay in our seats(even at home).

 Jane Curtain, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehlar together behind one SNL Weekend Update desk was pretty historic. Three strong women and soon to follow- one Landshark was well thought out and completely necessary(by the way Jane's Line of "Don't open that door! It's always the Landshark" was everything). Then seeing some of the Weekend Update men together to announce the original Weekend Update Anchor, Chevy Chase, reprising a sketch with Garrett Morris-a cherry on top of  this moment. I didn't expect it and I have to say, I am thankful it happened(Chevy and Garrett are both hilarious gentlemen).  Also what I thought was beautifully done is seeing longtime fans like myself(the only difference is that they're wildly famous) re-enact SNL characters that were near and dear to them. Well done Edward Norton and 2 Stefons at the desk-crazy enough to work! Also to you- Emma Stone and Melissa McCarthy-thank you for filling shoes and representing legends that couldn't reprise their own classic characters.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/751674

While we are on the subject how amazing was the tribute to the cast and crew who have passed over the years. Beautifully put together and there's something about hearing the alums cheer and clap made it more real. These people were the friends and heroes that they had lost. It was impossible not to cry. Then throwing in Jon Lovitz at the end to bring us back to a place of laughter again and seeing his face after the memoriam picture of him was brilliant! 

The return of Eddie Murphy. A moment so many of us had waited for and hearing Chris Rock speak about someone that had inspired him was a great moment.

I can't give any harsh words to the wonderful team at SNL. With 40 years of amazing history, how could they squeeze it all in. That being said there were a couple of things I wished I had seen: 

-Chris Kattan's Mango
-Spartan Cheerleaders
-In fact, Chris Kattan AND Cheri Oteri
-Eddie Murphy relive one of his classic sketches
-More Bill Murray, but he's the equivalent of the cow bell to me
-Will Forte
-Bobby Moynihan, Beck Bennett, and Kyle Mooney
-a ticket in my mailbox to have seen that live(or at least an invite to the after party)-- I will however accept a ticket to any SNL show-That would be swell!

In closing, I just want to say, well played Mr. Lorne Michaels. This show was absolute perfection and as a life long fan- I thank you for making me laugh, cry, and get amped every Saturday Night for my entire life!