Published On: Sun, Nov 22nd, 2009

Joseph Gordon-Levitt energizes ‘Saturday Night Live’

High energy and a 1,000-watt smile went a long way for Joseph Gordon-Levitt as he hosted “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.

His enthusiasm was obvious from his opening monologue in which the actor was literally bouncing off the walls. It wasn’t necessarily funny, but his energy sold it. The actor, who as far as I know has sung and danced in just one film, “(500) Days of Summer,” performed “Make ‘Em Laugh” while being slapped and punched by Bobby Moynihan. He also did some fabulous back flips off the walls, then crashed through a prop wall before falling to the stage floor to end the number.

JGL sang in at least three other skits, including a very funny skit in which Andy Samberg played Jack Johnson, host of “The Mellow Show.”

A barefoot Jack welcomed guests Dave Matthews (played by Bill Hader), Jason Mraz (played by JGL) and Ozzy Osborne (played by musical guest and the real Dave Matthews).

“Jason” and “Dave” did a foot-five, and all three guests sang. “Dave” sang a song called “Chicken Panini;” “Jason” performed a song about his hat, and “Ozzy” sang “I Am Tired.”

After the performance, “Jack” said, “That was not so mellow. In fact, I’m pretty sure you scared Dave Matthews.” It was the funniest skit of the night with great writing and great delivery. All the imitations were dead on.

“Bizarre” can describe my two other favorites parts of the episode: A digital short called “Two Worlds Collide” and “What Up with That?” which is becoming my favorite recurring sketch.

This time around, Kenan Thompson’s Deondre Cole welcomed guests Al Gore (the real former VP), Mindy Kaling from “The Office” and Lindsay Buckingham (played by Hader). If you’ve seen the skit before, Deondre sings “What Up with That?” with back-up singers, a choir (this time), and Jason Sudeikis in a track suit dancing strangely.

He then asks a guest a question, interrupting almost immediately to sing his song again. Tonight, he cut off Gore, who wanted to talk about the environment. JGL joined the fun tonight as Klaus Blucher (I think) playing a keytar and singing. Andy Samberg came on in clown hat and wig to dance, and Jack the Snake Roberts (played by Moynihan) soft-shoed across the stage.

“What Up with That?” is totally random and totally hilarious.

The latest digital short didn’t reach the heights of “Motherlover,” “[Bleep] in a Box” or “[Bleep] in My Pants,” but it was pretty awesome. Thompson scored again as Reba McEntire, sort of, who hooks up with Andy both in bed and to perform the song. It’s just good dirty fun. Watch “Two Worlds Collide” here and let me know what you think. (My Top 10 musical digital shorts.)

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