Want Some Real Saturday Night Laughs? Talk To Spike Feresten.

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I’m still an SNL fan. But last week’s particularly unwatchable episode gave me second thoughts. A “Baby Got Back” parody? A terrible cold open? The Cougar Den?

Last week, I watched what should have been a great episode- with ALEC BALDWIN HOSTING- in absolute shock. It was nice to see that the Jonas Brothers had a sense of humor (in the only two decent skits of the night), Samberg’s digital shorts are consistently funny, and Seth Myers’ Weekend Update has been great, but otherwise, the once-promising season is really deteriorating in quality.

So what’s the point of this post, you ask? Just another blogger ranting about how god-awful SNL is? No- as I’ve already said, I’m a long-time SNL fan and defender. I’m just here to recommend you a better Saturday night show- that way, you could just watch SNL’s funny parts on Videogum the next day (besides, tonight’s  SNL is a rerun anyway). And what is this better, bolder, funnier show, you may ask? Did the picture above give it away? Click on for why you should be watching Spike Feresten’s Talkshow.

Talkshow with Spike Feresten has been extended to an hour, leaving more room for the show’s fearless skits, quirky guests, and funny interviews. Feresten is a great performer- a former writer for “Seinfeld,” he knows his comedy. He finds cool performers from YouTube and gets them on the show to perform. He brings fellow cast members on the streets to become “Idiot Paparazzi,” taking pictures of random people who look like celebrities. He and his writing staff create clever viral videos funnier than anything on SNL- like Lil’ Bill O’Reilly and The Lil’ View (kids impersonating the people from those two respective shows) and parody PSAs, fake movie trailers, etc. (the recent classic is The Curious Case of Forest Gump).

The show also makes sure to get hip, interesting guests in the building to interview. Rising star Craig Robinson (of Zach and Miri, and The Office), comedy duo Tim and Eric, and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane have all been on the show, only adding to Talkshow‘s already edgy humor.

It’s certainly worth a watch. Hopefully, FOX will have the sense to promote the show more and more heavily, eventually extending it to what could be a successful nightly late show. This fresh, innovative talk show deserves the hype. Check out the New York Times’ fall profile on the show here.

by Adam Offitzer on February 21, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions