SNL's Continued Downward Spiral Thread

Even though they were obviously cast voices, it made me wonder, did they actually get real Muppets? Kermit looked perfect, though maybe not as much Statler & Waldorf.

 

Sesame Street is obviously HQ'ed in NYC, so I'd think that they would have a stash of Muppets in the city, along with some in L.A. as well.

 

And for a history lesson, the Muppets were pretty much featured players in the first season of SNL:

Saturday Night Live

Plus, a pretty good rundown of Muppet guest shots over the years.

 

I thought the cold open was really good too

 

Looks like Cicely Strong is bidding farewell, because that "My Way" as Judge Pirro sure alluded to it.

Same with Pete for thanking the crowd for watching him grow up.

 

I would say Aidy's out, having done back to back sketches with ATJ.

And I sincerely hope Lil Nas X fanboi Rick Santorum is watching tonight.

 

This episode makes it seem like several aren't returning.

 

Che torturing Jost is always one of my favorite bits.

 

Thought it was a strong close. Really love McKinnon and Strong. Pretty clear this is it for them. Keenan, Pete and Aidy too.

Many would have left if not for the pandemic. It’ll be a bit change next season.

 

I would hope that after nearly two decades, Kenan would have gotten a bigger sendoff. It seems clear that Cecily, Aidy and Pete are gone. Kate getting choked up in the open looks like a sign, although I would have expected a bigger farewell for her as well. Beck has been around for a while and he got the final sketch so perhaps he’s out too.

 

Melissa Villasenor was pretty invisible this season. Did she lead even one sketch? I wonder if she will be back.

 

She's always seemed chronically underused to me.

Deadline has an article today suggesting that five or more cast members are gone, and it's the ones already mentioned in this thread - Kenan, Aidy, Cecily, Kate and Pete Davidson. It was shocking to me though that Kenan has been on the show for 18 years, and the others are all at 10+ years as well. Kind of illustrates how the mid-budget, comedic movie is no longer a thing, and if that's the case, why would you jump for a mid-tier sitcom? Kenan's show somehow got a second season - I'm guessing NBC doesn't have much in the pipeline, because it's pretty bad - and the recent peak for former SNL member has been like, "Chad" on TBS, or part of the ensemble on "Archer" or "Happy Endings." Really good shows, but kind of lateral to lower moves.