14 DAY TRIAL // The Queen of Pop and the current chart favorite, poised to someday take her crown, Lady Gaga, were the highlights of the latest edition of Saturday Night Live. The two singers mock-fought, wrestled, kicked, pulled hair and punched for a few minutes, as part of a skit that was meant to show the rivalry between the two as to which one was the coolest. They eventually made up with a kiss that was interrupted by host Kenan Thompson.
Gaga and Madonna took to the stage in similar outfits, all knee-long, leather boots and tight, hot pants. What with their almost matching hairstyle and the fact that both had made a name for themselves by being controversial and boundary-breaking, it’s not hard to see why producers at SNL chose to have them fight over which one was the ultimate pop icon. Not that they didn’t do their part well, for that matter: both seemed equally convinced (and convincing) that they deserved the title. Eventually, they called a truce.
“The artist formerly known as the Material Girl popped up in an early skit for a brief exchange of put-downs with the current pop fave. Perhaps a symbol of passing of the pop diva torch, or perhaps some sort of mocking her 2003 MTV Video Music Awards pairing with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, which was then meant to serve as some sort of passing of the pop diva torch, Madonna looked uncomfortable, and not quite sure of why she was tussling with Lady Gaga. It all felt a bit hastily thrown together, and little more than an excuse to show two pop stars in a cat fight.” the Los Angeles Times says of the skit.
Of course, not all critics saw the pairing of the two singers in a good light, the aforementioned publication included to some extent. E! Online, for instance, considered it one of the lowest and lamest moments on SNL for bad scripting, even worse acting and lack of originality on behalf of the producers for doing the obvious. Similar reviews are coming in as regards Gaga’s previous performance, with many a media outlet mocking the singer for choosing to perform while wearing a contraption of spinning globes – one of which eventually hit her across the forehead as she tried to spin them.
Still, credit must be given where credit is due, the LA Times says, adding that Gaga’s medley of hits was one of the best moments of the show. “Pulling off a medley is no small feat itself, as they reek of award-show self-aggrandizing. But Gaga looked free and unrehearsed, and tossed off a rare medley worth watching. While it would have been nice to hear a bit more of forthcoming single ‘Bad Romance,’ what audiences received was even better. Free from the tired retro ‘80s synth pop of ‘LoveGame,’ Gaga flashed her nightclub-ready pipes when she went solo at the piano, and also showed off a bit of improvisation.” the publication says.
Below are the two videos in question. Watch and judge for yourselves.