SNL

After a great start, with "Governor Palin" and "Senator Clinton" before the credits, this year's SNL premiere was disappointing. Phelps was game. But "Weekend Update" and some other skits were more unpleasant than they were funny. Two bits at the end were better: a sharp sequel to the "Five Hot Friends" commercial for T-Mobile, and an infomercial for the Michael Phelps diet.

(A rumor and promos that Obama would appear on the premiere proved unfounded; apparently Obama cancelled because of concerns it would be unseemly with all the news about devastation from hurricane Ike.)