SNL and Ferrell Finally Get Funny

Saturday Night Live has historically been disappointing to me. The show that I used to love has changed in so many ways. The most significant change over the years is the recruitment of cast members that just were not that talented and writing that was cheap and predictable.

Over the years there have been some great comedic performers to come off of the show even though the show itself has been horrible. There are several memorable characters that were created despite the fact that the sketch was weak or the rest of the show was really bad. A couple great characters that come to mind were Chris Farley's motivational speaker that lived down by the river and Will Ferrel's impersonation of a dead Harry Carey.

Usually you could count on one or two funny sketches but most of the time even the strong ones were weak and they went way too long. This weekend was a nice exception to the rule.

Will Ferrell revisited his old stomping grounds to reprise his impersonation of President Bush. He was hysterical. He gave a bumbling and severely flawed address to the nation and joked about how he didn't really care what happened anymore.

Ferrell was joined in the sketch by Tina Fey doing her spot on characterization of Sarah Palin. Ferrell as Bush explained how the office of the Vice President was most important and that all the big decisions are made by him and the President must do what the Vice President says because that's what Cheney explained to him when he first took office. It was a great joke and he had a few more.

The most memorable bit was when they chose to play on McCain's campaign promise to be completely different from Bush and to take the country in a whole new direction. Darrel Hammond came on as John McCain, Hammond is amazing by the way, appearing as though he really didn't want to be there. On several occasions he tried to break away from the shot, only to be dragged back in by Farrell. It was very funny. Farrell as Bush made statements reminding the country that a vote for McCain is a vote for George Bush and when they are voting to specifically think of Bush's face when they vote for McCain.

I have to say Farrell stole the show. It was the funniest sketch I had seen on SNL in ages. It was sharp, to the point and didn't go on too long. It was great to be reminded that with the right performer in there, the show can still do great things.

Hopefully they will realize what they did on Saturday and choose to do more of it more often.