TV Thread - beware, [expletive] can get spoilery

[MrCrowesGarden]

Every year I would watch the first month or so of new SNL episodes to give it a chance, but I haven't enjoyed it in probably a decade. This year, I didn't even watch the first episode.

[Jocephus]

SNL thoughts:

I'm not sure why Lorne cares about keeping Aidy Bryant or Pete Davidson happy. Aidy is one of the worst regularly featured cast members on the show. Pete Davidson generally sucks in the SNL format. We get it - you have issues. He's bad in sketches, and he's not even that good with stand-up type material. He brings attention to the show because of his antics, but he doesn't bring any real laughs to the table.

I've come around on Aidy. I think she is ok though she still breaks and laughs too much. probably like her most when she is teamed up with Kate, just cause it does seem like friends having fun and i guess that is nice. Pete is terrible, never liked him and I agree he's only on the show 'cause he has a celebrity status to him, somehow. He is awful.

McKinnon, Strong, and Thompson are all quality mainstays. Beck is a pretty big loss - other than Keenan, he's the only male sketch regular I like in recent years. Chris Redd does alright and is better in the pre-recorded sketches. The others are generally lame.

I think the female cast members are as strong as ever. McKinnon is obviously the star. Strong has been a solid contributor for years. I'm a big fan of Heidi Gardner and Chloe Fineman. I think Melissa Villasenor and Ego Nwodim are really good. The rest are kinda meh, but that's a really good top 6. The only beef I have with the female cast is their attempts at Lonely Island style music videos are typically pretty bad. Concepts are usually OK, but in execution they just seem like they're trying too hard.

Don't have a lot to add but beck does seem to be a loss. I assume it was his decision to leave.

As mentioned earlier, the male cast is pretty weak right now. I do really like Jost and Che's version of Weekend Update, but for sketches the guys are just generally poor and there are no stars here. I did like the new guy (James Austin Johnson) who has taken over Biden - I think he has good potential.

Loathe is a strong word but i suppose most apt for me with jost and che. These guys absolutely love the smell of their own [expletive]. For some reason they're considered like the paragon of the show and I don't see it at all. they laugh at their own jokes and che loves to be edgy and then chastise the audience when they might groan or react in a way he doesn't think they should. very maher like. che also seems like a prick comedian too, based on his social media. he just has edge lord vibes to him. i do agree with jost on one thing, he (jost) does have a very punchable face.

I think where the show really suffers right now is the writing. Maybe that's just more difficult in the woke era, but especially now that they don't have Trump as a foil they just don't seem to have very good premises for sketches. They haven't been able to develop a good recurring character in a long time. Seems like they just save all of the good jokes for Weekend Update, and otherwise throw [expletive] at the wall to see what sticks (and virtually nothing does).

definitely a long time issue when a democrat is in office. they typically resort to caricatures as the joke instead of also including jokes on policy and stuff.

i'm fine with less recurring characters, 2 or 3 times if something lands but otherwise, think of new ideas. i'd much rather see some off the wall style sketch than the same thing just in a dental office instead of a restaurant, or whatever. people like routine so i get it.

i still like the show, or want to like the show. i like the idea of a live comedy sketch show. i don't watch it live anymore, just YT the next morning with my coffee. it certainly doesn't land like it used to but i think lorne's probably right when he says the best cast was the one when you were in high school/college.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I'll say the best SNL cast is the one when you're like 10 years old because it feels edgy to stay up that late and watch.

[Popeye_Card]

Joce, we're pretty much on the same page other than with Jost and Che. Normally I don't like people who laugh at their own stuff, but for some reason I'm OK with them. Maybe because they don't take the "fake news anchor" thing too seriously. I agree that recurring sketches can be run into the ground quick, but they've also been bright spots in the show's past. They haven't been able to come up with something even as good as the Californians in a while. I also enjoy the real oddball stuff, which is about the only reason I suffer through the really bad sketches post-Update because once in a while they have a gem for the last sketch of the night.

I think in general people like to remember SNL being better "years ago" because they simply forget all of the stinker sketches and only remember the gems. Go back on Hulu and watch some random episodes from the early 90's - there are a LOT of sketches that miss badly. A lot of Weekend Updates that were duds.

We still DVR SNL and watch every week. A lot of times there aren't many laughs, but it does help when they have hosts that are skilled at sketch comedy (former SNL folks like Wig or Hader, Jim Carrey, Melissa McCarthy) or stand-up comedians who clearly help the writers (Mulaney, Chappelle). They need to get back to basics with the musical guests. Jack White's impromptu performance last season was the best musical guest in years - just a stripped down live show. Quit with the big productions.

[BottenFieldofDreams]

I follow SNL kind of like I follow sports or the way people follow comic books.

I agree that Pete sucks. I'm kind of surprised to hear people don't care for Aidy.

It's just time to turn over. Well past time, really. Just need new and challenging visions for sketches. Like I've said, I like this core, I'd just like to move on. Come at me from somewhere else. It is really cool that they've built out a cast with a co-head writer that can do Black sketches, and there's opportunity there.

[MrCrowesGarden]

[Jocephus]

right, 'cause That 80's Show did so well

[MrCrowesGarden]

Only Murders in the Building update: still incredibly good! Next week is the season finale.

[CardsofSTL]

right, 'cause That 80's Show did so well

Goldbergs is my shildt

[Jocephus]