NBC
British Monologue
It’s week four and for this episode’s monologue, Maya and Marty talked about how many US shows are based on British shows including their own, treating viewers to a clip of “A Pram Full of Biscuits and Wally.” It was pretty funny as the pair donned dowdy sweaters and sipped tea (or booze) and did almost the same opening monologue. The over-the-top Brit accents and Short’s reactions to Maya’s comments were hilarious, so it looks like the show is off to a good start.
NBC
Submarine
A filmed piece featuring Maya, Kenan Thompson and Mikey Day was like a scene from a movie about a disabled nuclear submarine. Day’s character has a solution to get them to the surface before the missiles launch, but then realizes it won’t work. And that happens again. And again. Unfortunately, this bit ended up sitting on the bottom of the ocean with that sub (although the production values, and Kenan’s reactions were quite good).
NBC
Mañana Grande
A spoof of a Mexican morning show with Kenan and Maya as the hosts. Maya’s rapid fire speaking and accent made her hilariously unintelligible most of the time. The show’s guest, a vegan cook played by SNL‘s Cecily Strong, was not having much luck explaining her recipes, and unfortunately saying the word “wall” unleashed ¡Trumpo! (Short in a Trump wig and no pants) who danced maniacally across the stage and threw her ingredients everywhere. Twice! Saying the word “email” also unleashed ¡Hillarito! (Short in a pantsuit). The audience seemed to be having more laughs from Short’s off stage antics, and the actors were trying hard not to break. The home viewer did get a few laughs as well so we’re on the upswing again.
NBC
Sophia Loren
Maya took on the role of Sophia Loren hawking her new exercise video which including such things as over-emoting, slapping your lover and staying hydrated with champagne. This one also offered a few laughs, and gave Maya a chance to do another accent, but it ultimately ran out of steam.
NBC
I Hate Stacey
Cecile and Maya portray two air traffic control co-workers who spend all their time bitching about someone named Stacey. When their boss (Kenan) arrives, he tells them their intercom button is on and everyone can hear their conversation. And the boss is also Stacey. Some of the banter was funny, but again this one ran out of steam by the end.
NBC
Super Mario Bros.
Mikey and Marty portrayed Mario and Luigi who were summoned to help Princess Peach (Cecily, who has been the most prolific guest star yet this season), but there was a newly discovered Mario brother as well, Jemarcus (Kenan), who didn’t want to jump or go on a quest … until the princess seemed to show some interest in him. Oh, and unlimited gold coins. If you’ve ever played the game (and the costumes and graphics were top notch) you will probably find this hilarious. If not, it was just okay.
NBC
What the World Needs Now Is Love
This week’s highlight — and it seems to have bumped a pre-taped bit featuring Kevin Kline and Ana Gasteyer — was the first live performance of the Broadway all-stars singing the recently recorded “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” a tribute and fund-raising effort launched in the wake of the tragic Orlando shooting. Peppered with clips of support for Orlando from around the world, the all-star number was extremely moving. Familiar faces in the group included Chita Rivera, Joel Grey, Michael Cerveris, Charles Busch, Megan Hilty, Andrea Martin, Sean Hayes, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Victor Garber, BD Wong, Rosie Perez and Fran Drescher. The song can be purchased at BroadwayRecords.com to benefit the LGBT Center of Central Florida.
NBC
Jiminy Glick and Ricky Gervais [Extended Cut]
Jiminy Glick is back once again to interview the star of The Office, Steve Carrell. Except it’s Ricky Gervais. This was probably the best Glick segment yet with Gervais asking just as many questions as Jiminy, and comparing him to Humpty Dumpty. The funniest line came from Jiminy discussin an interview with Kim Kardashian where “she thought soy milk was Spanish for I am milk.” The guys had so much material that NBC has made the extended version of the interview available.
NBC
Skyscraper
The last sketch of the night got a bit tedious and predictable as a crew of workman constructing 30 Rockefeller Plaza were lined up on a steel beam to take an historic photo. Except one guy, played by Short, didn’t like where he was sitting and had to climb over several men to get situated. Then he had to keep going back and forth and his antics were making it hard for the actors to stay focused, giving them more laughs than the viewers got. There were some great camera angles and green screen work to make it really look like everyone was suspended high in the sky, so there was that.
NBC
Lullaby
Maya, Marty and Kenan sing lullabies to their children, with Short getting the biggest laughs for his verse since his children are all grown adults.
After the nearly consistently funny show last week, this one was more of a mixed bag, but Maya and Marty seemed to have more equal time this week. I just wish head writer and cast member Mikey Day, who has written for Robot Chicken and Saturday Night Live, and his team could some up with more consistently funny bits. Maya and Marty work hard to deliver the laughs but the show will ultimately live or die by the writing. Let’s take it up a few notches, shall we?!
Share this post
