'Wasn't That Special' Season 29 Clips Package
As always, for those who have signed up for the podcast at the Executive Producer level, we send out notable video and newspaper clips that aided us in preparing for the episode. Below are some of the Saturday Night Live sketches and media clips we reference throughout the episode, to enhance the listening process.
Please help keep the podcast advertisement-free and upgrade to the Executive Producer level, which will keep these emails coming in the future!
(Although if you want to support us at a lower level and want to just hear the shows, you can do that, too!)
Here are some of the materials we discuss throughout the Season Twenty-Nine episode:
Debbie Downer
Hands-down the best sketch of the season. An example of how cast members breaking is warranted when the material supports it.
Cork Soakers
A high-wire act that basically challenges Horatio Sanz and Jimmy Fallon to play it straight without screwing it up. Because the consequences would be high if they stumbled.
Scheinwald Studios
Probably Rachel Dratch’s best recurring character. Why is she (he) constantly eating cole slaw?
The Barry Gibb Talk Show
This one sketch gave them the clearance to bring this back for the next 20 years.
Turlington’s Lower Back Tattoo Remover
The Falconer: Vegas
Firing Sandy
An example of the weirdness gear Will Forte has that no other cast member possesses.
Z105: The Morning Madhouse
Podcast co-host Scot enjoys these a lot more than co-host Christian. Make up your own mind.
He’s Cuter in Person
This bit is all Amy Poehler - a glimpse at the greatness we would see in the future.
Saddam and Osama
We don’t just bring you the best sketches. This one, of Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz talking on the phone as Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, is eight endless minutes of dorm room-level giggling and winking.
Oprah’s Birthday Things
Hermione’s Growth Spurt
An example of sketches that likely couldn’t run today. Lindsay Lohan was 17 years old when she hosted and this is pretty much a full sketch of men leering at her chest.
The Full Moon Killer
A pretty good sketch, but the premise of coworkers actually knowing someone’s true identity is something we have seen in past seasons.
The biggest off-screen news of the year was the release of Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls,” which received strong reviews. This piece about Fey appeared nationwide, referring to her as a “beauty with a wicked sense of humor.”
News outlets also began to take note of Maya Rudolph, referred to here as an “unconventional beauty.” Show creator Lorne Michaels called Season 29 “Maya’s Season,” noting she can elevate “less-than-solid material.”
There was also a notable new cast member this year:
But perhaps the most noteworthy episode of the season came when real estate tycoon and host of The Apprentice Donald Trump came to host the show. The show received good reviews, noting Trump was willing to make fun of himself. (What ever happened to that guy?)
At that point, Trump was not yet a politician (although he did briefly run for president as a Reform Party candidate in 2000.) The show did, however, welcome a number of actual politicians to host:
