NFL Recap - Week 12 (Pod)

A Steelers win and a QB change, the Ravens keep on rolling, and the 49ers stay on top. That and more in this week's NFL recap

SNL Recap: Will Ferrell

Party Song (short): This short starts off fairly mundane, but there's quickly a twist. During their party, high schoolers Mikey Day & Cecily Strong realize that their teacher Mr. B (Ferrell) is there. He's just awkwardly hanging out, and it goes on from there. It actually becomes humorously unsettled.


Pizza Ad: Another sketch that takes a bit of a turn, the turmoil of a mother (Kate McKinnon) derails a filmed pizza ad. What we see transpire is like a family therapy session where Will Ferrell as the father can't cope without her. For a basic premise at the start, this sketch really goes places.

Wizard Of Oz: This alternate ending of Wizard Of Oz gets to a crucial point....who were the muchkins that Dorothy (Mckinnon) envisioned? The mayor of "mucnhkin-land" turns out to be her doctor (Ferrell). The awkwardness goes on from there, with Dorothy not wanting to disclose the full details of her dream. Kate McKinnon's timing, along with Ferrell's outbursts really makes this piece work.

This episode saw a bit of a step back from the season thus far. The season to date has seen a few true bombs in terms of individual sketches, but this week saw some come close with a dire political cold open featuring Alec Baldwin and a truly bizarre "first thanksgiving" sketch. But there were still plenty of hits. (7.21)


David Harbour: 7.78

Phoebe Waller-Bridge: 7.52

Kristen Stewart: 7.45

Harry Styles: 7.38
Woody Harrelson: 7.34

Will Ferrell: 7.21

Chance The Rapper: 6.98

Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Norman F***ing Rockwell!" - Lana Del Rey

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

(All Rights to Polydor & Interscope Records)

1) "Norman F***ing Rockwell"

This starts off with a nice string intro, following a piano transition. Lana is dealing with an immature man who is dragging her down; "Your head in your hands, as you color me blue". A strong opening track.

2) "Mariners Apartment Complex"

Lana is trying to be a savior after bouncing back from her own troubles; "I'm no longer a candle in the wind". She's looking to bring her man back up; "You're lost at sea, then I'll command your boat back to me again". This track is very tranquil.

3) "Venice Bitch"

There's some interesting imagery here, like "ice cream, ice queen". But the refrain is a bit awkward, and cluttered at times. With that being said, Lana still does her thing lyrically.

4) "Fuck It, I Love You"

Here Lana is looking to change things up regarding her relationship. Lyrically, this track is exquisite, "I used to shoot up my veins in neon". She's also able to convey subtle differences in the chorus with how she changes her phrasing on "fuck it, I love you". Its well layered.

5) "Doin' Time"

This is a cover of Sublime's track, which in itself is a take on "Summertime" from Porgy & Bess. There's a nice backing beat that gives this cover some added energy. Like most Lana covers, her voice alone provides a new angle.

6) "Love Song"

This track is slowed down, and very poetic in nature. However, it does plod along a bit.

7) "Cinnamon Girl"

This track is dealing with an unhealthy relationship, with mentions of how her man is using drugs as a quick fix. Lana puts on display her history with prior relationships; "But if you hold me without hurting me, you'll be the first who ever did". The track closes very strongly.

8) "How To Disappear"

Despite Lana's usual lyrical prowess (going on about how guys are fighting to forget their fears), there isn't much to this track.

9) "California"

Overall this is a song of longing, but its held back with pacing issues.

10) "The Next Best American Record"

There's a particular interesting line; "He was '70s in spirit, '90s in his frame of mind". The 70s references the hippie culture, and the 90s as a grunge era. But once again, a slow paces holds this track back.

11) "The Greatest"

It starts off with a nice guitar intro. "The Greatest" is dealing with Lana feeling nostalgic; "The culture is lit, and if this is it, I had a ball. I guess that I'm burned out after all". There's an interesting reference towards the end on Lana missing Kanye "pre-trump", "Kanye West is blond and gone". 

12) "Bartender"

This track tends to meander.

13) "Happiness Is A Butterfly"

Like "The Greatest", we see Lana reflecting on her bad prior relationships in a powerful way; "If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst that can happen to a girl who's already hurt? I'm already hurt". That line just hits so hard. 

14) "Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have - but I Have It"

The track has a similar theme to "Wicked Game". There are some interesting references of Sylvia Plath. This is a deep and reflective track, that resolves with Lana saying that she does indeed have hope. 

Lana Del Rey is the kind of artist that isn't necessarily for everyone. I found myself somewhere in between. The album starts off strong, but I found myself getting a bit bogged down. The tracks that stand out really shine, with Lana's adept phrasing and lyricism. (64.3)

"Norman Fucking Rockwell" - Lana Del Rey (64.3)

NFL Recap : Week 11 (pod)

A miserable Steelers loss, The Ravens rise to the top and a look at the MVP race. All that and more in this week's NFL recap

SNL Recap: Harry Styles

Monologue: Its rare that I feature a monologue here, but Harry did something unique with his. It wasn't your usual cast-assisted one, or question & answer one. He did his own thing. He started off saying how he can do both music and comedy, and proceeded to do a sort of Norm McDonald weekend update riff while "playing" the piano. His comedic timing was spot on.


That's The Game (short): SNL has been utilizing Chris Redd really well when it comes to their filmed shorts. Here, Chis tries to take over a  gang led by Kenan, but quickly realizes he doesn't know how to run anything. From trying to literally screw in a bullet, to specifically asking Kenan's character how to sell the drugs, there are just so many parts of this that makes it work.

Funeral DJs: SNL is known for their bizarre "10 to 1" sketches. They tend to be hit or miss, and this one hit for me. It was just so out there. Harry and Chris play DJs presiding over a funeral of a grandmother, and it basically goes out there. From lines like "she's in heaven smoking blunts", to "rest in peace bitch", this just hit that special weird comedic spot for me. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it.

All in all, this was a fairly solid episode. There weren't as many highs as previous episodes this season, but nothing truly bombed. Its safe to say we'll be seeing Harry Styles host again someday, as he just seemed down to anything (any wig, any accent, etc.) (7.38)


David Harbour: 7.78

Phoebe Waller-Bridge: 7.52

Kristen Stewart: 7.45

Harry Styles: 7.38
Woody Harrelson: 7.34

Chance The Rapper: 6.98

NFL Recap - Week 10 (pod)

A strong Steelers defensive showing, a wild monday night game and packers-panthers gets as close as it could get. That and more in this week's NFL recap

NFL Recap (pod): Week 9

Steelers get back to .500, a surprising Packers loss, and the Ravens rise up, that and more on this week's NFL recap

SNL: Kristen Stewart

New Paint: This was one of those pristine odd-ball sketches that has so much depth to it. It starts off as a paint commercial, and then devolves as Aidy Bryant keeps saying "colour". Its hard to really summarize where it goes from there, but this is one of those sketches that could fit during any era. I would watch a limited series based off of "new paint".


Hero Dog Press Conference: When there's a live animal, anything can happen. Kellyanne Conway (Kate McKinnon) introduces 'Conan the dog' (involved in a military raid), along with his interpreter Cecily Strong. From the get-go, the German Shepherd starts licking Cecily's face. Overall, its just the dog's expression as he's being asked questions makes this work (and Cecily handles the dog well).

Weekend Update: Smokery Farms Responds to the Plant-Based Burger Boom: It was nice seeing this pair return. Kate and Aidy have been a top-notch sketch pair as of late. There very real reactions to the foul-smelling meat, along with their teasing of Colin Jost makes this segment works.


Kristen Stewart makes for a very capable host. She blends in with the cast. This episode played out similarly to Woody Harrelson, where it started out slow and then got rolling. Well into the season now, this year has been an improvement from last year, although there's still work to do with covering the 2020 election. (7.45)

David Harbour: 7.78

Phoebe Waller-Bridge: 7.52

Kristen Stewart: 7.45
Woody Harrelson: 7.34

Chance The Rapper: 6.98