SNL skit may feature subtle shout-out to the Michigan Wolverines
Justin Timberlake was initiated into the Five Timers' club on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" when he hosted the show this past weekend—but locals may have missed what might have been a little shout-out to the University of Michigan football team during the episode.
In the last seconds of a sketch that featured Timberlake as a dancing, singing block of tofu, who's trying to draw potential customers to a restaurant called Veganville, the host and various cast members presented a version of the Harlem Shake. One of the dancers, on the left side of the screen, is wearing what looks to be a Wolverines helmet. Check it out the full sketch below.
Justin Timberlake - Bring It On Down 2... by IdolxMuzic
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
Blue Marker
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Along this same line, Adam Schefter is a UM grad who covers the NFL for ESPN. Even though he's coving the NFL when they cut to his segment you can clearly see the winged helmet on the shelf behind him. I'm sure it drives all the buckeye fans crazy, and I love that.
Jack Gladney
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
Thanks to Pete Baker, we at least now have a name to go after for the writing on SNL over that last 20 years. I'm looking at you, Mr. O'Brien. (O.K... Weekend Update and the Cold Opens are usually alright; but the rest? Bleh!)
Peter Baker
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 8:28 p.m.
He's been there for three years, so you can only blame him for that much.
Tom Teague
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.
On two other shows: I'm very sure that I saw a maize-colored technical poster with a prominent block M on the cafeteria wall in a rerun of The Big Bang Theory, and somewhat sure that a Zingerman's gelato carton fell out of the Dunphy's freezer in a Modern Family episode this season. Since you featured U of M graduates in television about a month ago, it might be an interesting follow up story to find out how/why/whether those grads sneak local shout outs (shouts out?) into the shows.
Jenn McKee
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.
A great idea, albeit tough to execute. (Despite the local ties, it's usually hard to gain access to TV stars.) Even so, I'll keep my eyes peeled, since I also watch the other shows you mention. Also, interestingly, my guess is that writers and other behind-the-scenes folks are more often the ones sneaking U-M/Ann Arbor items or references into shows, per Javier Grillo-Marxuach's insertion of Ann Arbor into "Lost." http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/lost-former-writer/
operabethie
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.
I am utterly mystified by the comments on this thread. We had a winged helmet on SNL, this is cool! What's everyone's deal?
bamboozled
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:08 p.m.
...and I'm bamboozled. I called flummoxed and he'll be here soon.
say it plain
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.
Um, yeah, huh. maize. *and* blue, woot! keep glued now y'all, lol!
Ignatz
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
That was great. Thanks!
zeeba
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
So what they're saying is that A2 is Tofuville. I don't think I'd be tooting that horn too loud...
Jenn McKee
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
I didn't get that sense at all. The Harlem Shake segment just seems a goofy add-on to the sketch, with a bunch of random, odd stuff (U-M helmet included) as backdrop.
MatthewKrause
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Yeah, remember Michael O'Brien too we we're BEST friends, actually he raised me, by himself, it was us against the world...he was all I had...he was amazing!! I MISS YOU O'BRIEN I'M LOST WITHOUT YOU!
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.
Personally, I never forgave O'Brien for the soap incident after Cora's bath.
Peter Baker
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Was that directed at me?
Jenn McKee
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
We were watching the show when the winged helmet caught my eye. So glad DVRs allow you to go back and re-watch when you think, "Is that what I think it was?"
Jessica Webster
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.
This was my favorite skit of the night, and perhaps of the season. I didn't even notice the Michigan helmet until you pointed it out.
Peter Baker
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
I believe that came from Michael O'Brien, U of M alum and current write for SNL. He's also from Blissfield in Lenawee County (we grew up together), and there have been a lot of Michigan references as a result.
Peter Baker
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
Michael was also in the opening skit, putting the 5-Timer jacket on Justin Timberlake; http://newshook.tumblr.com/post/45084996705/weird-connection-some-of-you-may-not-know-last
lmandrake
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 3:05 p.m.
Cast member Tim Robinson is from Clarkston, and started his career at The Second City in Detroit. I've noticed him wearing a Tigers cap, and a Red Wings shirt during the end of the show.
Ryan J. Stanton
Tue, Mar 12, 2013 : 2:34 p.m.
Interesting! I had no idea. I'll start watching out for more Michigan references. Loved this whole skit, by the way. Ha.