SNL Review: Mick Jagger

Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger closed out the 2011-2012 season tonight bittersweetly.  While he was ready to go all out, the writers failed to capitalize on his presence and the comedy wasn't there in full force.  As the musical guest, however, Jagger had it going on in an electric performance of "The Last Time" with Arcade Fire.  Jagger shook his geriatric hips like no other for "19th Nervous Breakdown," but there was something kind of off between him and his backup band The Foo Fighters.  Perhaps that explains why half-way, they gave up on seeing the song through and switched over to "It's Only Rock 'N Roll."  For an unusual third act, Jeff Beck backed him up as he sang an original blues number about politics called "Tea Party" and actually "goes there" with the Mitt Romney high-school hair-cutting hazing incident.

As it's Kristen Wiig's last episode, we get one last jaunt in PBS' The Lawrence Welk Show Cold Open.  Jon Hamm cameod as an Italian who romances Shirley, Nancy, Toni, and steers clear of Dooneese (Wiig).  It was pretty stale, but there was a humorous bit involving Wiig and a stone statue waterfall with the water coming out of its penis.  Host Mick Jagger confidently delivers an Opening Monologue detailing various questions he has been asked over the years.

Host Lyle Rounds' Secret Word makes a final bow with perpetual special guest Mindy Elise Grayson (Wiig).  The voice-over announces: "The secret word is canal."  Grayson proceeds: "This hurts like hellfire ... do this to get the part ... oh, wait, sorry, there was a smudge covering the "c," it's canal, not anal."  When the voice-over announces, "The secret word is jelly," you might think Grayson will actually do her part: "Jammm ... "  Her partner responds: "Uh, jam? ... "  Grayson: "I don't know, is it Jelly?"  She then references one of her old roles, quoting one the reviews: "The New York Post said the only way it could become a hit is if you put an "s" in front of the "h."

Life insurance representatives at a conference in Holiday Inn watch really bad impersonations of Mick Jagger during Karaokeing while some women comment on their authenticity and the actual Jagger plays a shy agent sitting there in disbelief.  In SNL Digital Short Lazy Sunday 2, Andy Samberg and special cameo Chris Parnell rap about seeing Sister Act the musical.  MSNBC Politics Nation - Wall Street had Al Sharpton (Kenan Thompson) discussing the state of the economy and featured an appearance from New York mayor Michael Bloomberg (Fred Armisen).  Weekend Update with Seth Meyers got another visit from City Correspondent Stefon (Bill Hader).  At this point, the whole point of this bit is to see how many times Hader will break while reading his ludicrous lines describing the fake nightlife in the underbelly of New York City.  So You Think You Can Dance at an Outdoor Music Festival has Hader as host David Matthews with Carlos Santana, Jewel, and Stephen Tyler.

Soap.net The Californians is back for another round.  This is where the gang dresses up in bronzer and blond wigs, saying things in surfer accents like, "Whaduhyadoinhere?" and giving specific directions using major LA roadways, before staring in a mirror.  Steve Martin cameod.  I know that many find this skit funny.  I just don't.  And, I'm pretty certain I never will.  So, let's just agree to disagree, shall we?

I really loved the way they ended the season with a graduation skit featuring Wiig.  All of the cast wear black cap and gowns.  Jagger begins with a short speech and then starts dancing with Wiig to "She's a Rainbow" and hands her off to the rest of the cast who all share a moment with her.  Departing Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg were the last until Lorne Michaels came on stage.  The cast then goes into a rendition of "Ruby Tuesday," joined also by SNL vets Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, and, surprisingly, Chris Kattan (and just as curiously, Jay Pharoah was absent).  I cried, I'm not going to lie, especially when her and Bill Hader danced.  The chemistry they had was amazing.  Such a talented woman.  I look forward to the many great things she has in store in the future.