SNL: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones hosted this season's third episode of Saturday Night Live.

The Good: Catherine Zeta-Jones in High Definition Widescreen.

The Bad: Everything else about this episode.

I laughed exactly once, during the opening sketch, when Kenan and Finesse switched places (Darrell Hammond does a great Brit Hume though). The premise of the dancers party sketch had potential but didn't use it. Everything else I've already forgotten.

Zeta-Jones is a very good performer. She was flawless in her sketches, very comfortable in front of a live audience, and can both sing and dance. Great. BUT THIS IS A COMEDY SHOW. I'm thrilled she was in Chicago and can do Broadway and all that... but she's not FUNNY.

Since Will Ferrell departed, no one has stepped up to be that one person who commands your attention whenever they are in a sketch. What we have now is a huge mix of generic white guys. I love Fred Armisen, but he's not an attention getter. He's similar to what Jon Lovitz was... a great "quirky" character type.

And next week?  Lance freaking Armstrong?  Are you kidding me?  This stunt casting needs to stop.  Hosting Saturday Night Live should not be an audition to see if you are funny. It should be a showcase for your comedic talents in a forum other that what people are accustomed to seeing you in. A good host can easily elevate a mediocre writing staff. A bad host only shows the weaknesses.

There are proven SNL hosts who should get a slot once every year or two: Tom Hanks, Steve Martin (who hasn't hosted since 1994!), John Goodman, Alec Baldwin, and Christopher Walken. Hell, I'd even throw Ben Affleck into that rotation. Slots should also be used for some former cast members, including Dan Aykroyd, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz.

I'll give SNL credit for being a class act though. Usually if you're a cast member during the non-Lorne Michaels years whose name isn't Eddie Murphy, you don't exist. But at the end of this week's Weekend Update they noted the recent passing of former WU anchor Charles Rocket. Nice job.