TV: Saturday Night Live 40 years live? and beyond -MOD 724

[silverfish]

Another factor to consider is how the comedy landscape has changed from the 80's and 90's. SNL isn't the only major way for a comedian to break through anymore. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart I would argue produced for successful stars post 2005 than SNL.

This is a huge piece that gets ignored or goes unnoticed.

With the (not so recent anymore) recent rise in cable/streaming, there are tons of shows that come out every year, so SNL doesn't need to launch careers.

Donald Glover would've been great for SNL, but he was able to start on 30 Rock.

The girls in Broad City would be great for SNL, but they already have their own show.

Aziz would've been great on SNL, did the stand up without it, then parks and rec.

You could do this for days.

 

[RockLobster]

Another factor to consider is how the comedy landscape has changed from the 80's and 90's. SNL isn't the only major way for a comedian to break through anymore. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart I would argue produced for successful stars post 2005 than SNL.

While the show isn't as good as the past, it still gets the job done as a late night sketch show.

This is on point, in my opinion.

 

[Kurtz]

Donald Glover would've been great for SNL, but he was able to start on 30 Rock.

You could do this for days.

You're thinking of Tracey Morgan.

 

[Superman33]

You're thinking of Tracey Morgan.

Donald was a writer on 30 Rock before moving on to Community. He also had some very minor scenes acting on 30 Rock. Just played random characters who came on screen for a few seconds and said a handful of words.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

Another factor to consider is how the comedy landscape has changed from the 80's and 90's. SNL isn't the only major way for a comedian to break through anymore. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart I would argue produced for successful stars post 2005 than SNL.

While the show isn't as good as the past, it still gets the job done as a late night sketch show.

I think the late 2000s/early 2010s will go down as one of the best eras ever. Proof that even with the current landscape a good set of writers and performers can elevate the show to the level it was back in the "good 'ol days."

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

New season starts up this Saturday. Ryan Gosling to host.

 

[Hadoop]

Last season was quite the 'comeback year' for SNL. Will be interesting to see if they can pick up where they left off.

Of the new featured players I'm most looking forward to Chris Redd. Saw him live at Second City Chicago a few years back and he was terrific.

 

[discostu]

Last season was quite the 'comeback year' for SNL. Will be interesting to see if they can pick up where they left off.

Of the new featured players I'm most looking forward to Chris Redd. Saw him live at Second City Chicago a few years back and he was terrific.

They've announced the next few hosts as well, and happy to see Kumail Nanjiani get selected. Had a great indie hit over the summer, but, still surprising, as he has a lower profile than most hosts.

It will be interesting to see what type of tone they take this season. Last season, the politics obviously dominated, and they received a ton of critical recognition for it, but, hard to maintain that level outside the election and early days. That said, current political environment isn't short of headlines, so, they can go heavy if they choose. The current NFL controversy seems like it's right up SNL alley.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Last season was quite the 'comeback year' for SNL. Will be interesting to see if they can pick up where they left off.

Of the new featured players I'm most looking forward to Chris Redd. Saw him live at Second City Chicago a few years back and he was terrific.

It's always tough to gauge how people will perform on SNL. It's a much more character-driven entity, so if you're a cast member capable of writing and pitching your own characters, you're much more likely to succeed.

Sasheer Zamata, for instance, was by all accounts a completely hilarious improvisor while at UCB, but never really hit her stride with SNL, and I'm guessing it was a lack of personally-created characters for writers to develop throughout shows.

One of the new cast members, Heidi Gardner, is a Groundlings alum, and they put a premium on developing characters there, so I'd expect her to be able to find her way this first season. That said, my only exposure to Chris Redd is from Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and his scene regarding the prank was probably the best in the movie.

 

[silverfish]

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/david-s-pumpkins-snl-animated-special-nbc-1202575758/

David Pumpkins is getting an animated special for Halloween. I did not love that sketch as much as everyone else seemed to.

 

[discostu]

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/david-s-pumpkins-snl-animated-special-nbc-1202575758/

David Pumpkins is getting an animated special for Halloween. I did not love that sketch as much as everyone else seemed to.

I liked the sketch, but not enough that I want to see a half hour special.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

I didn't think Pumpkins was funny at all.

But whatever funny it had to people was based on the WTF is going on factor. It's not going to work at all as a half hour animated special. Horrible idea.

 

[CallMeShaft]

I didn't think Pumpkins was funny at all.

But whatever funny it had to people was based on the WTF is going on factor. It's not going to work at all as a half hour animated special. Horrible idea.

WTF? You didn't find David S. Pumpkins funny? Boy are you not going to like my Hawks GDT for tomorrow...

 

[Teemu]

Alien sketch is always a winner

 

[Hurricane28]

Best sketch of the night

 

[Ozz]

Re: David Pumpkins animated special: 1) haha, 2) wtf?

Now the premise on its own sounds stupid, sure, BUT it could be good if the writing is solid. And why not? Used to be, anything created for TV could be good. Times are not much like that anymore, but I'll give it a shot. Now what's the over/under on whether it becomes a Halloween-themed Trump-bashing show

 

[Pilky01]

I turned that alien sketch off the second it came on. I can't stand that slobby, lady character.

Saying gross things isn't inherently funny.

Michael Che's Weekend Update on Trump was great though. Love seeing liberals on Twitter fawn over him though because I know his next 'problematic' joke is right around the corner.

 

[Jussi]

I turned that alien sketch off the second it came on. I can't stand that slobby, lady character.

Saying gross things isn't inherently funny.

Michael Che's Weekend Update on Trump was great though. Love seeing liberals on Twitter fawn over him though because I know his next 'problematic' joke is right around the corner.

I watched it on Youtube and you really should watch it to the end. Kate killed it and Gosling couldn't keep a straight face. Plus the AoS references.

 

[Pilky01]

Maybe ill give it a shot. I have never laughed at the character though.

 

[donghabs98]

I must say I enjoyed the pizza hut sketch. Partly because I hate commercials where people say they think it's one thing and then it turns out it's not. It's way overused

 

[donkshow]

Kate McKinnon is awesome. She's my favourite female on SNL since Kristin Wiig left.

 

[plank]

SNL from 1983

 

[Petrouth]

Havent watched SNL in a few years but just watched this one. God damn did that papyrus Avatar sketch kill me. Loved the whole show so I think ill be back this season

 

[John Price]

Jason Aldean moving tribute to Petty last night

 

[End on a Hinote]

I'm starting to think they are intentionally frequently making Leslie Jones the "angry black woman" just to annoy everyone