SNL: Jon Heder / Ashlee Simpson

Tonight's Saturday Night Live featured Jon Heder (Napolean Dynamite) and the return of Ashlee Simpson.  Here are some sporatic thoughts:

* I've never seen Napolean Dynamite, as I'm still waiting for that "OMG! It's SO funny you HAVE to see it!" vibe to go away so I can take it in with a fresh perspective. My bet is this show won't help me there. And also that I won't get 97% of the jokes in the monologue.

* Why did the opening sketch look like community theater?  And also, why did it suck?

* Hey neat... in the middle of the commercial parody they cut to something else entirely. Remind me why this show HAS to be live again?

* There was no enthusiastic applause when Amy Poehler's little spastic kid sketch started. This is the sign that this recurring character has worn out its welcome. So be prepared to see it 12 more times this season.

* That werewolf sketch might have worked better on tape... everyone's timing was way off. Then again, nah, it probably sucks no matter what.

* Two live shows, time for a much needed break! Next week, The Best of David Spade. In two weeks they're back, and the host is Catherine Zeta-Jones. I don't think the show will be any better, but at least there'll be something to look at.

* 30 minutes in and I've yet to crack a smile.  Thelma & Louise references?  Christ!

* Hooray! Showbiz Grande Explosion! I know this bit just keeps recycling jokes, but it does make me laugh. It wasn't as good as the Colin Ferrell one, though I did laugh several times.

* I don't get bringing Ashlee Simpson back. There are so many bands out there who actually sing that deserve a shot on SNL. Who the hell likes Ashlee Simpson? She can't sing live and just proved it again. And was her second song about the joys of being a whore? Get off my TV.

* Dammit, they're not rotating cast members in Tina Fey's chair on Weekend Update. Will Forte's thing was amusing. Lorne's bit was good too. "They should get chemo." LOL.

* The less said about everything after WU, the better.

* The show had such a white guy overload that Seth Meyers was only in one sketch and Chris Parnell wasn't even there (a second glance revealed that he's not even in the opening credits anymore). Overall a below average effort.