Many SNL fanatics have been baffled by the fact that ever since 2001, each season of Saturday Night Live has featured exactly one host from the wide wide world of sports. On top of the usual complaints that the show isn't as funny as it used to be, they wonder why Lorne Michaels insist on booking someone without performing skills, let alone comedic ones. The answer is simple: to bundle all the most successful bits together into one 90 minute prime time compilation. Of course it should be noted that athletes have hosted SNL ever since the Seventies. And though O.J. is nowhere to be found in this collection, neither is 2003 host Jeff Gordon.
None of the sport stars are actually credited up front, but the credit sequence gives the impression that Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Michael Phelps will be the main attractions sharing the spotlight. And since Peyton's show was one of the more popular of the 2006/2007 season, the inclusion of several of his sketches was to be expected. However, as this program goes into the second half, the editors draw on some interesting clips from years gone by, including the ever popular 'Little Chocolate Donuts' and Will Ferrell as Harry Caray on Weekend Update. Even Garret Morris' almost forgotten character Chico Escuela appears. But still, the majority of sketches seem to include Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader as the sports anchors. Strangely enough, Hader's Greg the Alien does not appear (maybe they're saving him for the DVD release).
Also included are sport related skits from shows hosted by non sport hosts including Ray Romano and Jeremey Piven, all of which makes for a really well rounded, enjoyable and best of all unpredictable SNL compilation. Unfortunately, the show was still voted 'Worst TV Show of the Week' by the Parents Television Council. Not because of all the athletes being out of their element, but rather because of all the adult comedy bit shown much earlier than the original broadcasts: at 7.PM. You can never please everyone.
7 out of 10
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