Michael Phelps: Recap as SNL Host
Athlete + acting typically = disaster but fortunately for Michael Phelps, he’s still a golden boy/hero for taking home the bacon in Beijing and that helped overshadow his lack of onstage skills.
The opening scene featured a much-anticipated Tina Fey as Sarah Palin which would have been hard to follow for anyone. His monologue was interrupted by Amy Poehler who played his mom and William Shatner who was randomly in the audience to talk about endorsements.
“Quiz Bowl”: It was the homeschoolers versus regular high schoolers with Phelps playing a homeschooler. He only has two lines to deliver and one is a little bit chuckle-worthy. It’s about the blood particles that carry oxygen. Hemoglobin? Nope, tiny gremlins. Ok, I’ll give you a courtesy laugh Michael. Mainly because you’re obvious nervousness is making me sweat over here.
“Jar Glove - Commercial”: Phelps wasn’t in this one but he wouldn’t have saved it anyways.
“Locker Room”: Will Forte plays the swim coach who sings, gets Phelps to dance and causes the rest of the team to quit. Phelps gives a line about being so scared that he thought he “fudged his Speedo.” Ew.
“We”: This skit was recycled from last year when Kristen Wiig and Seth Rogen played oversized awkward kids. Now Phelps plays her awkward cousin complete with head-gear. Phelps plays sax, Wiig dances….next.
“Lil’ Wayne - Performance”: Phelps listened to this guy and won his gold medals. Because it made him cringe and then swim as fast as possible to get away from the sound? I’m sorry, I don’t get how this guy sells so many albums.
“Weekend Update”: Anticipated political jokes but Andy Samberg stole it with his “Cathy” impression. (You know the weird cartoon character concerned about her weight and constantly saying “Aack!”) My favorite Weekend Update anchors ever are Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon so I feel like sketch is heading downhill. (Phelps was probably in the back eating or fudging his Speedos.)
“The Charles Barkley Show”: Barkley is forced to do the show because of gambling debts and of course the show is Olympic themed. Darryl Hammond is there to play gymnastics enthusiast Bela Karolyi and even though the host pointed out that he could never understand him, you could which kind of ruined it for me. Phelps played himself but still seemed awkward in his own skin. Luckily, he didn’t have to say much and the sketch was over before I could wish he just stuck to swimming.
“T-Mobile Favorite 5″: A decently funny take on the T-Mobile concept of having your “five” people you can talk to as much as you want. Starts with brother(Phelps) and sister having the same “five” because brother thinks his sisters friends are hot. Haha. Then dad has the same “five” for the same reason. Cue family fight and attention away from Phelps. I chuckled. Fine.
“SNL Digital Short: Space Olympics”: It was hard to get into this skit. I feel like they try really hard for these sometimes and the simplest concepts are the funniest. (That whole Narnia one was about them going to the movies for heaven’s sake.) Andy Samberg reminded me of that guy from the movie “Amadeus” and I didn’t really understand what was going on. Phelps flashes by a few times.
“Waiter”: Phelps is out to dinner with Poehler. The waiter has a weird accent and won’t get them anything. He keeps talking about the pepper smell in the room. The couple leaves so they don’t miss the movie that Phelps wants to see, “The Women.”
“Lil’ Wayne -Performance”: He sings “Lollipop” and plays a little bit on the guitar. The whole time he keeps messing with his pants. He’s wearing a belt but his pants are still far below his waist and his ass is hanging out. How is that comfortable?
“Michael Phelps Diet”: Phelps talks about his 12,000 calorie diet plan…..yeah it’s just not that funny man. If he really eats the kind of stuff he was listing, he’s going to have a heart attack before he’s 30. He stumbled his way through this skit and I’m sure was glad to be done for the evening.
Just go home to Baltimore and rest for a while Phelps. I don’t want to see you out of the pool again.
Thoughts on Phelps’ acting abilities?
Dude, i’d like to see ur loser ass on snl. He did a fine job.
well he’s a swimmer. cut him some slack for his first acting job. dont be so ruthless