SNL's Continued Downward Spiral Thread

SNL always loves some stunt hosting - See Paris Hilton, Trump, Michael Phelps, etc. I'm kind of surprised she hasn't been the host before. Also surprised that Owen Wilson is in the lead-off spot, but I think he'll be really good. Wilson, Malek and Sudeikis are good to great at three of the four spots, and KKW's actual skit time will probably be minimized anyway.

 

Owen Wilson will be Melissa Villasenor's impression.

 

Ed Norton does a great Owen Wilson.

 

The real question is....which members of the cast will be back. I've always found it odd that they'll cut people loose right before the season. Cast members are sitting around passing up offers for Oct. and Nov. thinking they'll be working then they get a call - oh, ok - thanks for telling me right after I passed up two movie shoots.

 

Lorne Michaels makes money every year for NBC, SNL, Tonight Show, Late Night and series, movies and specials. He can do what he wants.

 

Three new featured players, and everybody back except Beck Bennett and Lauren Holt.

 

Christ, that's just not enough air time for such a huge ensemble. Holt leaving makes sense with Aidy Bryant back - they seem to fill many of the same roles. I liked Bennett on the show, but again, I can imagine that his profile is high enough that he doesn't want to fight for air time against literally 21 other people. The only way this makes sense is if some of the older performers (Strong, Thompson, MacKinnon) are actually part-time because of their outside commitments.

 

I think you’re right, @sgreenwell, we are only going to see some of these folks on 75-percent or even half the episodes.

But it’s odd some are back after the high-profile tribute they got last season in the finale.

 

until you mentioned the Holt-Bryant redundancy I honestly could not have told you anything about Lauren Holt. When I saw the announcement I was like, who?

 

I'm almost certain that I saw her in a couple sketches as basically the "Aidy Bryant type," when she was gone while filming "Shrill." But, that was it. Ego and Chloe Fineman seemed to get or to take most of the opportunities, but again with the cast size, I've got no clue if Holt is funny or not, because she was in so little stuff.

 

Thought Bennett was very solid. A bit surprised by that. But more surprised at all those I expected to be gone coming back. Not complaining. Especially about Cecily Strong.

 

I think it's pretty obvious Lorne made them an offer they couldn't refuse about being allowed time off during the season for their other projects.