Well, everyone is going to have a different opinion. here’s mine: Her Opening Monologue– A bit forced and purposefully over-the-top – but she sure knows how to sell a musical number.Waking Up With Kimye– Kim and Kanye interview a Genius bar employee of the Apple store, a nerdy Gaga. Most of the funny is from the Kimye lines, the nerdy employee noted at one point that “people who try too hard with their outfits are maybe hiding something.” Freeze on a smirking Gaga. Worst Covers Ever– Adam Duritz from Counting Crows pitching an album called “WHAAAT.” Gaga covers Madonna’s “Express Yourself”, making fun of the similarities always drawn between her and Madge. This was the funniest moment of the night, I thought. First musical performance– Wearing an ill-fitting silver sparkly pantsuit Gaga performs “Do What U Want” with R. Kelly, who to me was at first unrecognizable. This seemed again, awkward. OK, if it was a rehearsal but not a great performance. Co-Op Interview– Gaga plays a tough tenant who claims the Marissa Tomei character in My Cousin Vinny was based on her. Not the best use of a supposed superstar though, kids. Spotlights Acting Camp– Gaga plays several campers who over-exaggerate their roles. Funniest as Forest Gump’s mother. Blockbuster– Blockbuster employees sad at the closing of the chain and enter a dream sequence that includes Queen Gaga whipping them with licorice. Bizarre but excellent use of the Queen. Second musical performance– “Gypsy.” She sells this song, but the overall effect is kind of discombobulated. Shirtless guy in purple sparkle tights and the odd mix of band and costumes makes it seem like sketch that is going to veer off into parody. Talent Pageant– Gaga is a stage mother and along with the Dad they encourage their fourth grade daughter. We never see the daughter. Funny and great use of the stage mother Gaga probably didn’t have. Old Lady Gaga– Fast forward to 2063, where Gaga is a washed up old lady trying to get a maintenance worker to realize who she is, by performing some of her hits. He apologizes for not recognizing her but explains that he’s more into classic rock “like One Direction”. This is her best of the night more sad than LOL funny, but she is the whole scene. Surely will be dredged up countless times over the next 50 years.
So, did you watch? What did you think? Overall, it was entertaining and the writers made pretty good use of her but it was not a home run to me. She doesn’t have Justin Timberlake’s seamless easy flair, or for that matter even Miley Cyrus’s on-camera charm, but projects like-ability. She seems to expose herself as a nerd (ie, she knows her references and is smart) The night veered from weird to funny to awkward and back again, but it wasn’t a disaster. But having said that, how many people on the planet can host a live TV show AND be the musical act too? OK, more than a few but it’s a pretty short list.