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15. Inside the Actor's Studio (with Screech)
Date: 4/15/00 Host: Tobey Maguire
This was a bizarre sketch that gets funnier the more times I watch it. Will plays James Lipton,
host of the ass-kissing spectacular "Inside the Actors Studio". The real James Lipton does nothing but
show off his knowledge of films and suck up to his guest, so he was just begging to be parodied.
Sure enough, Will has played James Lipton not just once, but four times thus far. Every time, SNL picks a ridiculous
"actor" for Lipton to interview. My favorite of the bunch was the Tobey Maguire episode, where he interviewed
Screech (from Saved by the Bell.) Will Ferrell has always had a fascination with Screech, including one Spartan
Cheerleaders sketch where he and Cheri Oteri screamed Screech's name at a parade. As one of the odder and more
unfunny characters in 90's television, Screech is a great punchline to any joke, and to have him interviewed by
the smug James Lipton is a great premise.
What sets this sketch above a lot of others is the wonderful Screech impression by the normally serious Tobey Maguire.
I can't believe he had such a broad comedic performance in him, but it's a thing of beauty. Throughout the whole
sketch, he giggles, mugs to the camera, and makes stupid faces.
Will's performance is more subtle, but just as funny. His wide eyed stare, his drifting-off look towards the audience,
his smug questions, his... delayed... way of.... saying words, his exaggerated fake laugh, and his giant stack
of questions make me laugh every time. As I said, the more times I watch this one, the funnier it gets. Will and
Tobey are both perfect, Will putting in a much more subtle performance than usual.
Some sample quotes:
Will: In 1992, a made-for-television-film came out that changed the face of American cinema. That film, of course,
is Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and see the greatest film ever,
in the history of the world.
Will: In that picture, Kelly's grandfather invites the entire gang to Hawaii for summer holiday. They expect a
marvelous time at the beach, sans Mr. Belding. They arrive, and discover that Mr. Belding is there as well, don't
they?
Screech: Yes, yes he is! They didn't think he was going to be there, but he is! That's the TWIST part! Ha ha ha!
Will: You are a DELIGHT! (Big exaggerated laugh) HA HA HA HA!
Will: What turns you off?
Screech: When someone throws garbage or feces at you.
Will: What is your favorite curse word?
Screech: Um.... frosted nuts.
Will: (big exaggerated laugh) HA HA HA HA! Nicely done!
All in all, a really well done sketch that grows on you the more times you watch it. I can't believe they got through
it without cracking up. Will is a master at playing the straight man part, but infusing it with enough weirdness
to make it funny as well. This is one of the best examples of that. He is funny simply by looking around the room
at the audience.
Script Transcript: None