Larry David and Bernie Sanders got all the attention on the weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, but it wasn’t complete without a Barbie from Baltimore. On Weekend Update, Kate McKinnon played “Sturdy Barbie,” who didn’t quite make the cut when Mattel rebooted the age-old doll collection.
As the Baltimore Sun pointed out, there was some initial confusion about whether the accent was imported from Baltimore, but Sturdy Barbie’s occupation at “Baltimore International Airport” gave it away. In terms of authenticity, this rendition of “back-vowel fronting” falls somewhere between Kathy Bates and Tom Hardy.
The reviews showed that McKinnon and the script itself were more convincing. AV Club’s Dennis Perkins wrote that the character’s “broad Baltimore accent and low but sustainable dreams, in McKinnon’s earthy delivery, is a role model little girls could do a lot worse than aspire to.” Plus she can move a couch.
she nailed it. I knew it was Baltimore as soon as she said her first sentence
That might be one of the funniest things I have ever seen — I’m so PROUD!! Who knew there could have been a “trying my best Barbie” and a “been through a lot Barbie” — I want one!!! And I want an Incarcerated-Vice-Principal-Allen-who-was-in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time doll too!! Thanks for the laugh, FB!
Nope, Midwestern slips in.
Nary a single “Hon” in the whole skit, hon.
music to my ears!
As a native Balmorean, I give it three thumbs. Up, that is. She could have lived in my neighborhood in Hamilton.