Saturday Night Live - Best of Alec Baldwin

May 062011

Whether he’s playing a Scout Master seducing “Canteen Boy”, a French teacher annoying his students, a Tough Guy or just talking about his famous “Schwetty Balls”, Alec Baldwin is undoubtedly one of the funniest SNL hosts of all time. He’s become a regular, playing in sketches throughout the years with some of the SNL greats including Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Mike Meyers, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell. You’re sure to enjoy some of Alec’s hilarious celebrity impressions, such as Tony Bennett and Charles Nelson Reilly. And if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to actually host SNL, you’ll want to check out the DVD extras and bonus features, such as the audio commentary from Alec Baldwin himself as he comments on various sketches, as well as never-before-seen footage from dress rehearsals that never made it to television!There’s a reason Lorne Michaels keeps asking Alec Baldwin back to host Saturday Night Live: He’s really good at it. Baldwin may have made his name in hard-hitting dramas like Glengarry Glen Ross and The Cooler, but SNL has long allowed him to flaunt his skills in stage acting and mimicry. In other words, he never gets flustered or seems at all concerned about making a complete ass of himself–the essence of good sketch comedy. As with such versatile performers as Christopher Walken and John Goodman (who appears in the boozy Bill Brasky skit), these qualities have made him one of the show’s most popular hosts. Granted, some may fault the man for a few too many sketches built around the double entendre, like pastry chef Pete Schwetty and his tasty balls, but there’s no doubt the guy can sell even the silliest of lines with the straightest of faces. As for his impressions, Baldwin’s Tony Bennett–by way of John Travolta–doesn’t just capture the legendary crooner’s voice and mannerisms, but his unstoppable optimism, as well (“I love things that are great!” ). His squinty-eyed, stiff-necked Robert De Niro is another treat. (His fidgety Charles Nelson Reilly doesn’t hit the same heights.) Aside from more than a decade’s worth of Not Ready for Prime Time Players, including Mike Meyers, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell, The Best of Alec Baldwin includes two deleted dress rehearsal sketches and dishy, occasionally profane commentary from Baldwin and producer Marci Klein. –Kathleen C. Fennessy