Russell Brand | Chris Brown SNL Review
The O’Reilly Factor
I’m not that familiar with Bill O’Reilly, but I know that Jason’s impression is just himself in O’Reilly makeup, he’s not trying to sound like O’Reilly at ALL.
Oh god, Fred’s Obama impression. I completely forgot this existed, and I’m honestly proud of myself for forgetting it. Fred kinda has the cadence, but the voice is JUST Fred’s regular voice.
Jason is giving a funny performance here so far. Fred is also a decent enough straight man, so I guess I can forgive the bad Obama impression.
A good moment with O’Reilly giving a culture quiz to Obama, and the questions being about Andy Griffith and Gunsmoke. Fred also having to hold up signs for his answer is a fun addition.
Jason yelling at Obama to sit down was HILARIOUS. The best moment so far.
The Viewer Mail was pretty meh, and felt unnecessary.
The final minute of this sketch in general, with Jason as O’Reilly advertising things on the show didn’t really add anything to the sketch, and was a poor way for an otherwise decent cold open to go out.
Rating: ***
Monologue
I know Russell has gotten into some controversy fairly recently, but I’ll go into this with an open mind. It also helps that I’ve seen this episode before, and enjoyed this monologue before the controversies started and can separate that from this.
Russell has some really fun energy so far.
Funny joke about Russell pointing out that he’s more famous in Britain than in America.
The whole bit about how Russell feels the need to wear tight pants is helped by Russell’s funny delivery, and energy.
Very funny ad-lib from Russell about how he likes the band laughing, and calls them a “musical accompaniment”. It also feels so surreal to see a host point out the band during the monologue.
I love how loose this monologue is, with Russell making tons of fun little ad-libs and asides to the jokes he’s making.
Russell’s Hep C joke could’ve been cringeworthy, but he made it work with his delivery.
Russell: Speaking of Hepatitis C, it is Valentine’s Day the day after tomorrow!
Interesting to hear Russell talking about being married to Katy Perry, considering the rough way their marriage ended. Needless to say, this bit hasn’t aged well.
The bit about how the man in a relationship has to go see what a noise was late at night did make me laugh, though. Also, the callblack to the Britain fame and tight pants was a good way to end this.
Overall, a very fun stand-up monologue.
Rating: ****
Gublin & Green
This seems to be a topical reference to a Spider-Man Broadway Play. Unfortunately I’m not familiar with this reference. But the concept of an attorney specializing in injuries at a Broadway play specifically is pretty funny.
Fred is giving a fun performance here.
The list of complaints is really funny.
Rating: ***
Ultimate Vacation Giveaway
This was an occasional recurring sketch throughout this era. It has a fairly negative reputation, but since I’ve never seen any of these sketches, I’ll go into this with an open mind.
Funny character from Russell, his open-mouthed stare is a great addition.
Kristen is doing WAY too much as this character, and it’s hurting this sketch for me. Russell is really funny here though, so it’s thankfully keeping this sketch alive.
The cut to Past Winners is pretty funny, Taran’s scene in particular. And the cut back to Russell’s blank face is pretty funny.
Russell being excited for a Pottery Barn catalogue was really funny, and a good ending.
Overall, this could’ve really been good, thanks to Russell’s very funny performance, but Kristen’s performance honestly got really annoying towards the end, and really hurt this for me.
Rating: **½
Don’ You Go Rounin’ Roun To Re Ro
OH YES. This is a pre-tape that I’ve always LOVED.
Bill Hader said on Conan in 2021 that the inspiration for this sketch was old British films where he couldn’t understand a word of what the characters were saying.
Great way to get this going with Bill yelling at Fred in COMPLETELY unintelligible British.
Russell’s brief moment of fake British was HILARIOUS.
The title of the movie is also very funny.
Very funny Time Magazine quote “Is there a way to turn on subtitles for a movie in English? If so, which button is it?”
The shootout with Bill, Fred, and Russell yelling at each other was a great ending.
Overall, I’ve always felt this was a fantastic, and very underappreciated pre-tape.
Rating: *****
Royal Taster
Right out the gate, I’m LOVING Russell’s performance as the King.
Bill as the chef is HILARIOUS in this so far, and him and the King yelling at each other is fantastic. Not even two minutes in, and this is ALREADY one of my new favorites.
I’ll also add that Taran is a really good straight man in this.
Bill bopping noses with Russell is HILARIOUS, and it seems to have been an ad-lib based on Russell memorably breaking because of it. But Russell impressively gets right back in character when Bill walks off.
Bill “salting” the food with poison with that cheeky smile on his face is HILARIOUS.
Overall, this is DEFINITELY one of my new favorites. Bill and Russell were simply fantastic here, and I loved everything about this.
Rating: ****½
Weekend Update
So far, Seth’s jokes here are VERY forgettable, and there isn’t a single noteworthy joke.
This Fred commentary is very one-note, and Fred’s performance is honestly annoying.
Seth’s AOL joke was pretty funny.
Seth’s Aquaman joke was so dumb that it made me laugh, and Seth’s ad-libs after were really funny.
Interesting seeing a duo commentary, with Taran and Jay.
Jay’s Lil Wayne impression is funny, but I can’t help myself from comparing this to Chris Redd’s impression. Taran sitting there silently as Eminem is pretty funny.
Jay’s verse in the song was decent enough.
Taran’s Eminem impression is HILARIOUS and dead-on. It also helps that this was during the Eminem era where he was just yelling and stuff, so it makes it even MORE uncanny.
The self-censoring from Taran and Jay is a really funny way to end the commentary.
GREAT Diego joke from Seth.
STEFON!!!
I have a bit of bias towards Stefon, since he was one of the first things I’ve seen from SNL when I was getting into the show in 2021. So I already know I’m gonna love this.
The first club’s name was pretty funny (Booooooooof, with Nine Os)
One thing I love about Stefon was the recurring story arc of him and Seth, and Stefon saying he’ll gladly take Seth was a very funny continuation of the arc.
Stefon: Built on a dare…
Stefon, listing the things in the club: FREEZING COLD AIR.
Jewish Cupids who just want you to meet nice and settle down is HILARIOUS, and was definitely a last minute addition from Mulaney.
Human Suitcase is GREAT, and Bill breaks hard during this.
Good ending to the commentary, with Seth saying he’ll be Stefon’s Valentine.
Overall, Seth’s jokes were very forgettable and Fred’s commentary wasn’t good, but the Jay/Taran and Stefon commentaries improved this Update quite a bit.
Rating: ***½
Livin’ Single
Nice to see Vanessa get a showcase.
Vanessa’s energy here is very fun so far.
A brief, but noticeable cue card cameo when Vanessa walks down to the audience.
Hi Abby Elliot! Bye Abby Elliot!
Russell’s flirting with Vanessa is very funny so far, and Russell is doing really good with this character so far.
Funny cutaway to an upset Taran, after we found out earlier in the sketch that he has a crush on Vanessa’s character.
Wow, Russell and Vanessa’s dancing is getting pretty crazy, and they are going ALL OUT with this.
Taran: JUST SHOW US THE CAKE.
OH MY GOD at Russell grabbing a stick of butter while going down with Vanessa under the table. A great ending to a solid Vanessa showcase.
Rating: ***½
A Spot of Tea
I hate to overanalyze things, but when this sketch starts, you can see Bill breathing heavily and sort of collecting himself before quickly getting in character when realizing the show is on the air. I wonder if this is a very rare on screen moment of Bill’s well-documented anxiety while working on the show. The only other time I could think of something like that happening was when he famously had a panic attack during a Julian Assange sketch earlier in this same season.
Very funny characterizations from Andy, Bill, and Russell as older British ladies.
The seismograph shaking the house is very funny, and the reactions from the ladies are great. This sketch (along with many others throughout the show) has a very silly vibe that I love.
The show’s sponsor being Tall Cabinets Full of Glass is very funny.
Russell manspreading after the earthquake HAD to have been an ad-lib, because it came so out of nowhere and the audience was DYING at the moment.
Overall, a very fun and silly sketch.
Rating: ***½
George Washington
Interesting premise so far.
Russell as George Washington beating everyone up was HILARIOUS.
Kristen’s worried “I killed George Washington!” was pretty funny.
Oh wow, that was VERY short, but very sweet. I wish the show nowadays would do more sketches like this, where they would establish the premise, do the main joke, and then they’re out.
Rating: ***½
Thoughts
A very solid episode, with a fun vibe throughout. There was only one sketch I didn’t care for (Ultimate Vacation Giveaway) and everything else in the show had a very consistent quality to it. The thing I loved about this episode were the very silly, British-styles sketches throughout the show. Considering that this episode took place during an era that many remember as creatively bankrupt, it must’ve been refreshing to see an episode like this, with very creative concepts on display. Russell Brand was a fantastic host, who was clearly having tons of fun, and had a looseness to his performances that I really enjoyed.
Segments ranked Best to Worst
Don’ You Go Rounin’ Roun To Re Ro
Royal Taster
Monologue
A Spot of Tea
George Washington
Livin’ Single
Weekend Update
The O’Reilly Factor
Gublin & Green
Ultimate Vacation Giveaway
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