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[SNL] Where, like the Simpsons, everything was better a long time ago

PailryderPailryder Registered User regular
Thought it might be nice to have a thread where we post skits, argue about things, and complain about the kids on our lawn (no wait, that's another show).
Season Finale of the Colin and Michael joke swap
https://youtu.be/HPH0HgotIE4

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  • zagdrobzagdrob Registered User regular
    Zavian wrote: »
    HOT TAKE: there was never a golden age of SNL, people cherry pick their nostalgia and the show has always been hit or miss, with more misses than hits every season

    SNL is vastly improved on when it's in syndication and the worst 3 or 4 filler skits are trimmed out of each episode.

    There are some genuinely great skits and moments out there and some seasons were significantly better than others. But even a lot of the fondly remembered bits went on too long or ended up getting run into the ground if you sit and watch the whole skit now.

  • RaynagaRaynaga Registered User regular
    Its always been hit or miss. Even the folks who make it say that. Its what happens with that volume of content and a big, varied, always changing cast.

    Its also pretty much standalone unique.

    No, MadTV doesn't count. You don't count garbage, you throw it out.

  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    The current cast is pretty solid, I still watch live on occasion otherwise I just watch the clips off YouTube.

  • amateurhouramateurhour One day I'll be professionalhour The woods somewhere in TennesseeRegistered User regular
    My thread hot take is that In Living Color should have never been cancelled.

    Also SNL is still great (overall)

    are YOU on the beer list?
  • Hahnsoo1Hahnsoo1 Make Ready. We Hunt.Registered User, Moderator, Administrator admin
    My thread hot take is that In Living Color should have never been cancelled.

    Also SNL is still great (overall)
    I dunno. In Living Color was riding on the talent pool of a once-in-a-generation roster of BIPOC comedians, along with other people like Jim Carrey. They went on to do other, bigger things from the success of In Living Color, but they never got to do the thing like SNL with a rotating cast. I'm not sure that specific show could have lasted beyond a normal TV show lifespan without ways to make it an institution like SNL.

    It was fantastic when it was on, though.

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  • PailryderPailryder Registered User regular
    I watch a lot of SNL skits on youtube but haven't turned on the actual show in a long time. I'm older though so its more, i don't like staying up late and also, i can be way more selective on the internet. Who is the target audience for the actual show at this point?

  • Raiden333Raiden333 Registered User regular
    There are 2 SNL skits that will live rent free in my head forever. Taco Town, and

    "Tragedy today, as former President Gerald Ford was eaten by wolves. He was delicious."

  • nexuscrawlernexuscrawler Registered User regular
    edited May 19
    SNL also operates more like a improv setup than other sketch shows. If you read up on their production schedule they literally write , rehearse, and perform a sketch within a few days. The prefilmed bits are usually put together start to finish in the a day or two. When you think about costuming. set design,performance and editing that's insanity.

    Its a bit unfair to compare it to a typical sketch show where they can write and massage scripts for weeks. A sketch that doesn't work at all might get scrapped completely whereas SNL they might not find a sketch doesn't work until Friday rehearsals

    nexuscrawler on
  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    edited May 19
    Sabrina Carpenter was the musical guest this week and I’m not familiar with her

    Her songs sounded like elevator music you’d hear at a casino but I liked her very soft and girly costumes



    Anyway, here’s my Season 49 playlist

    Atomika on
  • MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    I'll venmo someone $2 USD if they can find the complete clip of Bill Murray in the 'Swill' fake commercial.

    I am in the business of saving lives.
  • GyralGyral Registered User regular
  • MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    Gyral wrote: »

    Oh my god it is, I've never looked at TikTok, PM me your venmo for the bounty

    I am in the business of saving lives.
  • GyralGyral Registered User regular
    MegaMan001 wrote: »
    Gyral wrote: »

    Oh my god it is, I've never looked at TikTok, PM me your venmo for the bounty

    Ah, I'm good. Just happy to help out. I know from personal experience, SNL clips are a PITA to find online.

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  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    SNL puts a ton of its classic sketches behind the Peacock paywall because Comcast is a key player in the enshittification of our way of life

  • -Loki--Loki- Don't pee in my mouth and tell me it's raining. Registered User regular
    Oohh I love SNL threads do I get to see endless ‘video is unavailable in your country’ embeds.

  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited May 21
    Internet Archive are being shits again, they used to have full recorded episodes off the TV of the show, from the first season to the most recent. Good thing I downloaded the late 80's/early 90's era when I could and I will provide links when I find the old VHS recordings somewhere.

    One thing I think gets overlooked often is modern members don't have confidence. Phil Hartman is the GOAT, this is not up for debate. But he was confident enough in his skills that he didn't mind not being the center of attention in a sketch, he wasn't constantly being a Bobby Moyhnahan in overacting whenever it was his turn to speak or Kenan Thompson doing a lame smirk. If he acted well he made it easier on the other members getting their time to maybe shine, and that comes from the Groundlings actually being good back in the day and not "break character in case of a bad sketch." There's an old sketch he did in '88 or '89 when Nora Dunn was still there, where he ran a "sentimentality pawn shop" and it's one of those pleasant chuckle skits in the second half of the show that I don't think modern writers can even fathom anymore. Oh my God they actually put it up, excellent:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTfDh2LlOHo

    Will Ferrell's had this similar confidence when he was on the show, and that's really the last person to do so after Daryl Hammond was sort of sidelined into being "the politics pinch hitter." Nowadays the members are too worried to go against the audience, or make them buy into the sketch. It would help if modern members could learn the basics of acting.

    TexiKen on
  • Captain InertiaCaptain Inertia Central OhioRegistered User regular
    “I can give you a deal, this kid was adopted” holy shit

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  • AlphaRomeroAlphaRomero Registered User regular
    edited May 20
    That's a good one, too long, but good. I have to think part of it is "We've paid to build these sets, we're gonna use them" since it's the same joke over and over until the turn with the adopted kid.

    AlphaRomero on
  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    I agree with Ken that the reason SNL has been so mediocre since the John Mulaney-led cast left is because there is none of that confidence of ability and appreciation for straight comedy in much of the cast that’s joined since Hader/Wiig/Sudeikis/Forte/Armisen left. Cicely Strong was the last great cast member in that vein and she’s sorely missed.

    Since then it’s been nothing but timid waffling and insecure mugging, and it’s painful. I really do feel like the last two years were some of the show’s worst.

  • Dark_SideDark_Side Registered User regular
    edited May 20
    I agree, the last two seasons have precipitously dipped in quality. But when they gutted the cast and a bunch of heavy hitters left, it seems like it was inevitable. I would argue the stretch from Jason Sudekeis becoming a featured player and up to Cecily finally leaving might be one of the strongest runs of quality the show has had since I've been watching.

    The last two years have been mired in sketches that actually remind me of the really terrible stuff in the 80's where the cast digs into a single, basic joke for an entire, insufferable sketch - "you put your weed in it!" being a classic example. Thankfully with a strong showing at the end of this season and at least 2 or 3 all time classic sketches rolling in by the season end, I'm hoping the show is back on solid footing.

    Dark_Side on
  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    I actually like the current cast. They lack a clear shining star, but instead they have several strong performers who contribute week to week.

  • DisrupterDisrupter Registered User regular
    edited May 20
    I get the love for in living color… but man if that show doesn’t highlight how terrible 90s sense of humor was

    Half the sketches are just “this person is different in a way actual real people are different and we are gunna fricken roast um for it!”

    Disrupter on
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  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    Marathon wrote: »
    I actually like the current cast. They lack a clear shining star, but instead they have several strong performers who contribute week to week.

    I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying I’m not seeing what you’re seeing.

    Other than Bowen, I wouldn’t lose sleep if they sacked the entire cast. There’s not a single breakout star among them. I had high hopes for Sarah, but she’s floundered and hasn’t been able to break out of her one-note wheelhouse.

  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    Atomika wrote: »
    Marathon wrote: »
    I actually like the current cast. They lack a clear shining star, but instead they have several strong performers who contribute week to week.

    I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying I’m not seeing what you’re seeing.

    Other than Bowen, I wouldn’t lose sleep if they sacked the entire cast. There’s not a single breakout star among them. I had high hopes for Sarah, but she’s floundered and hasn’t been able to break out of her one-note wheelhouse.

    I can see where you’re coming from. I agree they currently don’t have a breakout star, I more or less said as much, but I think they have a few good contributors. Most of the previous cast have left at this point with Cecily leaving last year (Kenan may stay on the cast until he dies), and it usually takes a couple seasons for new cast members to rise to prominence.

    Of the current cast Bowen is probably the biggest star, but I think Marcelo Hernández has some real talent. James Austin Johnson is good and has a good Trump impression, Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner are consistently funny too.

    Please Don’t Destroy do a pretty good job with the digital shorts.

    It wouldn’t be the end of the world if any of them left, but at the same time I enjoy the show currently.

  • AlphaRomeroAlphaRomero Registered User regular
    Kenan will go nowhere by choice, he knows he has nothing going on outside of SNL. If the actually talented ones can't make it, he's doomed.

  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    I mean, he probably won’t leave because he’s likely welcome to stay as long as he likes. His other projects haven’t taken off, but I have a hard time believing he isn’t talented considering he’s been a working actor/comedian for 30 years.

  • FencingsaxFencingsax It is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understanding GNU Terry PratchettRegistered User regular
    Who has had a longer tenure so far, Moynihan or Kenan?

  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    SNL pay scales increase every year with seniority, so Keenan is effectively the union lifer that’s gonna die on the job

  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    Fencingsax wrote: »
    Who has had a longer tenure so far, Moynihan or Kenan?

    Keenan has had a longer tenure than anyone. Nearly 20 years.

  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    I 'member when Tim Meadows used to joke about being the longest running member on the cast.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnAKK0FPFB0

    Underappreciated skit, Dog Show, because the dogs they cast were perfect (Rocky Balboa would sit on two legs and the audience would "awwwww" ) and the last one they did had Tom Green on with a pig who squeeled and almost killed the skit but it was tears in your eyes hilarious because Green was trying to be serious and not break. Change your VPN to Sweden and you can watch it below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im-u04CtltE

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    That whole episode was great, Rap Street was a criminally underrated sketch.

  • AlphaRomeroAlphaRomero Registered User regular
    edited May 20
    This is a funny one, older one with Samberg and Sudeikis who are solid together and a good premise that escalates in a funny way although I think the implications of Magic Johnson being her ex went right over the audience's heads. Terrible contributions by Moynihan and Keenan, no idea what Moynihan was going for.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0TCYu1FiQc

    This is another great one because of Hader and Anna Faris, dark but hilarious
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctPt74CNBA4

    And an even older one with an even greater cast
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EceHIbRkI08

    AlphaRomero on
  • amateurhouramateurhour One day I'll be professionalhour The woods somewhere in TennesseeRegistered User regular
    All casts are equally great and terrible. The Show Itself is the living being. The question is, what's gonna happen when Lorne dies?

    are YOU on the beer list?
  • MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    All casts are equally great and terrible. The Show Itself is the living being. The question is, what's gonna happen when Lorne dies?

    There’s been more and more discussion about that as the 50th season gets closer. I’ve seen some speculation that when someone takes over for Lorne it will be someone who was a writer/on the cast. Some rumblings about Tina Fey or Seth Meyers, but I don’t think anything serious has come out.

  • AtomikaAtomika Live fast and get fucked or whatever Registered User regular
    Marathon wrote: »
    All casts are equally great and terrible. The Show Itself is the living being. The question is, what's gonna happen when Lorne dies?

    There’s been more and more discussion about that as the 50th season gets closer. I’ve seen some speculation that when someone takes over for Lorne it will be someone who was a writer/on the cast. Some rumblings about Tina Fey or Seth Meyers, but I don’t think anything serious has come out.

    Seth just reupped his contract this week for four more years, though that doesn’t really mean anything

    Tina Fey or John Mulaney would be the ideal choices to replace him

    Two years ago I would have said Mulaney wouldn’t have been interested, but a lot has changed for him in those two years

    I do think it’s Tina’s job to lose at this point, though, and based on Lorne’s dwindling acumen over the last 15 years, I think it’s time. 50 years is a long time to do anything.

  • FencingsaxFencingsax It is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understanding GNU Terry PratchettRegistered User regular
    Moynihan was doing a Doctor Evil thing. It was more topical at the time, presumably

  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited May 20
    Late Adam Mckay/early Tina Fey was the good rebound era, S24-28. Seth Meyers run is when I tapped out pretty much completely, it just wasn't funny anymore.

    I would like it to be Tina because it would at least feel like a chance to rebound like 20 years ago, but I think a dark horse like Sandler would work but there's no way it would every happen. Conan would make a lot of sense, but he's 61 (ffffff-) and doesn't have to worry about putting that weight of saving an icon on his shoulders. A super darkhorse, out of the blue choice for me would be Kyle Newachek but doing so would acknowledge the SNL brand is completely empty on the inside.

    edit: I do want to say for as bad as Season 20 was, and it was, especially the last few episodes, Season 21 was just as bad save the Phil Hartman and Jim Carrey episodes.

    TexiKen on
  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    This is my favorite moment in SNL:

    https://youtu.be/V_cnK8Cd6Ag?feature=shared

  • RazielMortemRazielMortem Registered User regular
    Tina doing 30 Rock for real? That might be a bit too close to self parody.

  • MazzyxMazzyx Comedy Gold Registered User regular
    Not the best season this year but not the worst. I am not in love with a lot of cast outside of Bowen and James Austin Johnson.

    I am curious if Lorne is gone after next year. I agree Tina Faye is the best choice. She knows the show. Does well with comedy in short order. Has a good place to bring in new young talent and train them up as well.

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