#snl2016

Solange doing her damn thing at SNL. 

I recently had the super cool experience of viewing the SNL dress rehearsal for their first episode of 42nd season on air. I got my hands on a free stand by ticket after having visited the gift shop at the end of the NBC tour. (If you’re ever in town and want to see if you get lucky, that’s where you should go.) The host was Margot Robbie (known for her recent role as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad), and the music al guest was The Weeknd. And all I had to do was stand in line for about an hour and a half (surrounded by some lovely people might I add).

I went with 2 friends, and once we got to the front of the line, they told us they could only let 2 of the 3 of us in. Heart-wrenching, I know. (Honestly I still feel pretty guilty about going in.) But alas, I sat down in an individual seat second row center of the upper level. Arguably the best spot in the house. 

My first thought was that the space was tiny compared to what I saw on TV. The double doors and steps down through the band were tiny! And that was one of about 5 or 6 sets that were set up. During commercial breaks they would quickly set up and tear down entire backdrops and props, fix the lighting, change the actors’ costumes, etc. It was exciting to see in real time, but I can only imagine how stressful it must be for the entire cast and crew. 

Most of the sketches were hilarious. It was great to see some of the personalities of the actors poke through their characters, especially during Weekend Update. It’s always been my favorite segment on SNL, and it was awesome to hear them making suggestions and riffing off the script. Mind you I was legitimately falling out of my chair laughing at “Big Papi.” (Update: I heard the n-word was spoken on camera... that didn’t happen during the dress, but in any case the sketch is hilarious. Find it here.) 

I thought Margot Robbie did a solid job as host. (Update: I found out she missed her cue for the final scene... so close to the finish line, yet so far...) I don’t know enough (or anything, really) about acting, so I’m not sure of how different it is to do sketch comedy live in comparison to a film. All in all though, I thought she did great under pressure. 

I do have some thoughts about the content chosen (by or for her?) to play. It was clear that the vast majority of the sketches that she played in only used her beauty as a means of setting up the comedic scene. While at the beginning I found it funny, by the end I was downright over it. Clearly she’s talented enough to get the gig as host, why not show more range? What really didn’t sit well with me was the sketch as the librarian. The stereotypical boys stare at the stereotypical sexy librarian, who then ends up being stereotypically ugly, but then because they're stereotypical boys, all’s well that end’s well as long as you show your tits. Really? 

Why does she have to be so hyper-sexualized again? Why is this her only function? Why does SNL continue to uphold one standard of beauty?

Are men really that gross that all they care about is seeing female breasts? Why is this something that we are laughing at and condoning as acceptable behavior? We’re perpetuating the idea that women’s breasts are only for sexual purposes, and that “boys will be boys” and not be able to control their “urges.” 

LET’S GROW UP PEOPLE. WOMEN ARE MORE THAN THEIR BOOBS. MEN ARE MORE THAN THEIR DICKS. LET’S STOP BEING DUMB.

Anywho, Rolling Stone has what they deem the top 3 sketches up here. 

I quite enjoyed the Weeknd’s performance. It’s incredible to see him live, because his vocals are never ever inaccurate. (Watch it here.) I thought his performance of “False Alarm” was energetic and engaging and all around awesome. It seems like Abel is shifting gears in this new album, with a fresh sound mirroring his fresh hair cut. The 2 singles released take a departure from the minimal sensual vibe that permeated his previous music into a more upbeat and colorful plane. Daft Punk’s influence on “Starboy” is undeniable, while leaving clear spaces for The Weeknd’s impeccable vocals to best display themselves. An interview with WMAN revealed The Weeknd’s new influences: Prince, The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, etc. But while heading in a direction with more calculated and layered production, I’m sure it’ll still have the same sexiness we all attribute to his records.

--Skip this if you don’t want to hear my Weeknd digression--

What I take particular interest in is his new music video for The Weeknd’s third album title track “Starboy.” In some ways, it’s a quite literal representation of his new musical direction, as he suffocates his old self to give way to his new persona: Starboy. He smashes all of his awards and rides away on a sleek futuristic vehicle--the whole video in fact having a twinge of Daft Punk characteristic chrome and neon. In case you didn’t realize by now, The Weeknd is born anew, and Abel wants you to respect that. {RIP ABELXO}

Another layer to this new identity is a departure from traditional forms of recognition (awards from organizations, sales, etc.)... a sentiment that I wonder if it will be expounded upon formally at any point. All that I’ve seen (not that I’ve been keeping up that closely) is that apart from an obvious frustration with stardom, there is an idea that having tons of fans devalues the art created. Using a strong symbol like a cross as a means of destroying awards shows that there’s creative and commercial forces at play, a conflict between the concrete and the intellectual. Combined with angsty Instagram captions like “fans are killing the art,” and lyrics like “look what you’ve done,” I wonder where, how, and in what direction this idea will continue, if at all. It also seems to be at odds with him taking on giant slots like SNL and pushing merchandise all over his social media. I wonder if he is able, and if so how, to keep his relationship with his massive fanbase balanced in his mind. Regardless, I’m excited for the new stuff.

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It was absolutely an experience of a lifetime. Second month in the big city and I get this wild once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

I feel like I might sign off formally on this one... HAVE A GREAT WEEK GUYS! 

Love and hugs and good things -- Camila <3

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nQGBZQrtT0)