SNL's Continued Downward Spiral Thread

[DanOregon]

I would say about cutting down sketches, do you just replace them with videos? Compilations of sketches past? Audience bits? 8H only has so much space for sets, and props etc.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

If they did a best-of sketches, they could have filled 3 hours easily. Add in some music, the best-of Weekend Update, commercials, and it would have been so good.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I would say about cutting down sketches, do you just replace them with videos? Compilations of sketches past? Audience bits? 8H only has so much space for sets, and props etc.

A minute out of each skit, eliminate Hanks in Black Jeopardy and then you don't run over the 3-hour window.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

I'd have been all-in for that, and probably why I enjoyed the commercials montage and "in memoriam" more than anything.

But then again, history might look back at the SNL 50th show as the last great flex for network television. Outside of award shows, what else could get that kind of star power in one room?

Thats a great call. Goodness knows what the landscape will look like in five or 10 years for the next round-numbered anniversary, or if there'll even be a landscape. #DebbieDowner All that star power in one room is also a reminder of Jost's great line about getting a bunch of senior citizens in a small room during the quademic.

 

[sgreenwell]

Speaking of The Lawrence Welk Show skit ... Kim Kardashian? Really!?!

I thought she was fine in the sketch, and I remember the episode she hosted as being strangely good. Like, she has the shameless "I'll do anything" attitude that works for the show. The show can handle hammy, low skill acting, it's the wooden hosts (Michael Phelps) that produce the worst episodes.

 

[dixiehack]

After all my bellyaching, the thought does occur that they had a double-sized show and a super-sized ensemble but probably not any extra firepower in the writers' room. We of all people should appreciate it is sometimes harder to write short than write long on deadline.

 

[Della9250]

15 million say the ratings

 

[Lt.Drebin]

Where the heck was the love for Bill Hader during that SNL anniversary show?! He's an SNL hall-of-famer in my book, and the only recognition they give him was a quick pic of his Stefon character during a montage. That's during a 3, hour, 30-minute show, too. Disappointing. …

 

[Lt.Drebin]

Lawrence Welk basically ruined it for me from the start. The Weekend Update stuff was great, but overall I was pretty disappointed in the 3-plus hour investment. Would have much rather seen a "best of the last 50 years" montage.

I thought the Eddie Murphy prison sketch was very funny. I agree with the comments on the Lawrence Welk skit; I've never found that one funny…

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

After all my bellyaching, the thought does occur that they had a double-sized show and a super-sized ensemble but probably not any extra firepower in the writers' room. We of all people should appreciate it is sometimes harder to write short than write long on deadline.

We should also appreciate how they tried doing more with less.

 

[sgreenwell]

By the way, Horatio "groomed a 15 year old when he was 31" Sanz was there.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

Where the heck was the love for Bill Hader during that SNL anniversary show?! He's an SNL hall-of-famer in my book, and the only recognition they give him was a quick pic of his Stefon character during a montage. That's during a 3, hour, 30-minute show, too. Disappointing. …

That feels like a case of strained relations between Lorne and Hader. As much as we look to SNL to skewer dickweed tyrant Trump, it's pretty clear Lorne has some of the same tendencies. And once Lorne feels you are no longer properly appreciative, you're frozen out.