SNL: The Current Cast Discussion

[pythonite]

Ms Jones will set her straight.

[helenamonster]

10 hours ago, pythonite said:

Ms Jones will set her straight.

That's what I was thinking. Wasn't confronting Kenan about his rather tone-deaf comment regarding black female cast members one of the first things she did when she joined the show? Leslie definitely seems like the kind of person who has no patience for elephants in the room.

[topanga]

On 8/16/2016 at 10:53 AM, Princess Sparkle said:

I think locks to come back other than Keenan & Kate are:
Leslie - she's not going anywhere, especially not after the summer she's had.  NBC inviting her to Rio is just the cherry on the sundae.  I actually wouldn't be surprised to see her promoted to the main cast early.
Bobby - I truly think he's one of Lorne's favorites, and is a pretty vocal support of Lorne
Colin & Michael - you don't do election specials over the summer with your two WU anchors if you're going to fire them.

Though at this point, I'd be surprised if we see any other major firings - it would give the sense that last season was a dumpster fire, when I think on the whole it was pretty strong (and was an improvement over season 41).  The only person that I could maaaaybe see getting the boot is Sasheer, just because she has been such a non-entity in sketches - however, and I fully recognize how cynical this sounds, but since they went through an emergency casting in order to get a black female comedian, I don't think Sasheer will get fired unless they have another black female ready to replace her.  

I must say that I'm disappointed by Sasheer's invisibility. Is it that the actress is limited, or are the writers just not producing sketches for her? Chris Rock said about his days at SNL that he had to be very aggressive about pitching (and sometimes writing) sketches that included him. My Sasheer isn't very assertive or doesn't write much? She has an improv background and not a stand-up background (where she'd be more used to writing her own material). 

I'll certainly miss Jay's impressions. In reading about Lorne Michaels' history of cast shake-ups, I was surprised to learn that he'd fired Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Nealon. I thought the three of them left on their own. 

[wknt3]

3 hours ago, topanga said:

I'll certainly miss Jay's impressions. In reading about Lorne Michaels' history of cast shake-ups, I was surprised to learn that he'd fired Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Nealon. I thought the three of them left on their own. 

Ir's not always clear cut in show business, especially SNL, and even when it is they will often let you announce it as your choice if you've had some success and they think they might want to work with you again. I wouldn't be surprised if they explicitly cut Farley lose given his behind the scenes issues. The rest was probably a routine retooling since ratings were down and the critics were really killing them at the time.

[vb68]

Farley and Sandler were definitely fired.  Supposedly Sandler still holds a grudge over it.  He has never come back to host although he did appear once to promote "Eight Crazy Nights" and he was at the 40th Anniversary.

Speaking of Jay, they could have definitely used him this week to play Lester Holt.  So I guess that will be Kenan?  Memories of Kenan playing ( or trying to, rather) Tiger Woods come flashing back.  It was not good.

[helenamonster]

16 hours ago, vb68 said:

Speaking of Jay, they could have definitely used him this week to play Lester Holt.  So I guess that will be Kenan?  Memories of Kenan playing ( or trying to, rather) Tiger Woods come flashing back.  It was not good.

Yeah, last night I was thinking "So help me if I have to watch Kenan use the same voice he uses for every impression to play Lester fucking Holt this week" but they don't really have any other options, unless they bring in a cameo.

[BoogieBurns]

8 hours ago, helenamonster said:

Yeah, last night I was thinking "So help me if I have to watch Kenan use the same voice he uses for every impression to play Lester fucking Holt this week" but they don't really have any other options, unless they bring in a cameo.

Man, I was really hoping we'd hear Chris Redd was back in the cast. What a weird announcement, then takeback. He could help with some of these impressions.

Pete looks more like Lester than Keenan does. I look more like Lester than Keenan, but that's just due to my large head ;-)

[vb68]

I wonder if they would use Che? It might be a one time thing, so maybe?

[Princess Sparkle]

I hope Che is willing to be in a few sketches this season. He's obviously not the impressionist that Jay is, but in the couple sketches he has been in, he's been quite competent. I'd much rather see him as Lester Holt than Kenan. 

[ruby24]

I was actually thinking it'd probably be Che as well for Lester, not Kenan. I'm not totally sure how they can caricature him anyway, he was pretty sober and straightforward, and doesn't have any specific tics that other newscasters have.

I actually think the show has pretty much failed in lampooning Trump for the entire past year, oddly enough. They were better with the Democrats, Bernie and Hillary. Some of the early Republican debate sketches were kinda funny, but I think the problem is that Darrell's Trump, as good as it used to be, feels dated now. He still plays him like the fairly passive and casually bigheaded Celebrity Apprentice host instead of the raving, racist lunatic and pathological liar he's revealed himself to be now. He never modified the old impression to reflect any of that.

And obviously Taran's was MUCH worse, so they had to go back to Darrell, but there's something about it that doesn't feel as true anymore. I mean, with Trump's behavior at this debate, they've got TONS of material to draw on, but I wonder if Darrell can mimic everything he was doing/saying accurately.

Edited September 28, 2016 by ruby24

[vb68]

They could also use someone right now who could impersonate Colin Kaepernick.  It wasn't a good time to let Jay go.

[hendersonrocks]

Alec Baldwin is in for the season as Donald Trump. 

I feel like the only 2016 Republican presidential candidate that really worked was Jay as Ben Carson. Mayyyyyybe Bobby as Chris Christie, too. It's wild to see them struggle so much with Trump & co., while they've done such a good job with Clinton/McKinnon and Sanders/David. 

[ruby24]

1 hour ago, hendersonrocks said:

Alec Baldwin is in for the season as Donald Trump. 

I feel like the only 2016 Republican presidential candidate that really worked was Jay as Ben Carson. Mayyyyyybe Bobby as Chris Christie, too. It's wild to see them struggle so much with Trump & co., while they've done such a good job with Clinton/McKinnon and Sanders/David. 

Exactly. My opinion is that Darrell's Trump works for a Trump that no longer exists. His image is totally different now. I think Baldwin can bring the nastiness and frankly the threatening nature of his presence that's been missing from the impression.

Edited September 28, 2016 by ruby24

[nowandlater]

11 hours ago, ruby24 said:

I was actually thinking it'd probably be Che as well for Lester, not Kenan. I'm not totally sure how they can caricature him anyway, he was pretty sober and straightforward, and doesn't have any specific tics that other newscasters have.

 

I read that CNN didn't show Lester Holt for almost the entire debate because they didn't want to promote a rival anchor, so he was just a disembodied voice.

Perhaps SNL will do the same...

[ajsnaves]

Part of me wishes they didn't announce Baldwin as Trump before hand.  The best part of Larry David's first appearance as Bernie, for me at least,  was the first few seconds when you think "Wait, is that Larry David? That's perfect casting!"

[nowandlater]

Just now, ajsnaves said:

Part of me wishes they didn't announce Baldwin as Trump before hand.  The best part of Larry David's first appearance as Bernie, for me at least,  was the first few seconds when you think "Wait, is that Larry David? That's perfect casting!"

A few years back, when I was an SNL diehard, I would try to watch the crappy illegal streaming East Coast live feed,so I wouldn't be spoiled for the West Coast broadcast. The stream was so horrible (cutting out every 5 minutes) that I evolved into just avoiding all possibly spoilery websites before the tape-delayed broadcast.

On the Larry David night, I was doing my best at avoiding the internet, but I decided to check out a sports website because, I thought, no way would they spoil SNL for me. They did spoil it.

 

Speaking of which, is Alec Baldwin committed to playing Trump for the entire 12 years of his presidency?

[vb68]

Quote

Part of me wishes they didn't announce Baldwin as Trump before hand.

They are probably trying to goose the ratings.  Understandable, I guess.

[SpikeGal]

2 hours ago, nowandlater said:

A few years back, when I was an SNL diehard, I would try to watch the crappy illegal streaming East Coast live feed,so I wouldn't be spoiled for the West Coast broadcast. The stream was so horrible (cutting out every 5 minutes) that I evolved into just avoiding all possibly spoilery websites before the tape-delayed broadcast.

On the Larry David night, I was doing my best at avoiding the internet, but I decided to check out a sports website because, I thought, no way would they spoil SNL for me. They did spoil it.

 

Speaking of which, is Alec Baldwin committed to playing Trump for the entire 12 years of his presidency?

Good question! :) You'd have to admit, it would be entertaining. So...will Alec become a full time cast member? Hey, with a new baby on the way he needs all the money he can get for baby food and diapers! LOL!

I forget who was playing Trump before, but he was not good.

Edited September 28, 2016 by SpikeGal

[BoogieBurns]

We only need Alec to play Trump until November guys! That's when we all wake up from this 19 month nightmare.

[SpikeGal]

1 hour ago, BoogieBurns said:

We only need Alec to play Trump until November guys! That's when we all wake up from this 19 month nightmare.

WRONG! Kate McKinnon only has to play HILLARY until November, and THEN the nightmare ends!

Oh, who are we kidding?! The Clintons will NEVER leave!

But IF the nightmare continues and...(can barely say these words) Hillary becomes President, does that mean Darrel will step away from the mike and be ol Billy Boy again?

[nowandlater]

Does Baldwin become a cast member? Will he be part of the opening credits? Will he be a featured player? Or will he get no credit like Larry David (but Bernie wasn't on that many times)?

[vb68]

Quote

Does Baldwin become a cast member? Will he be part of the opening credits? Will he be a featured player? Or will he get no credit like Larry David 

The Hollywood Reporter article said it was a deal for this season, so I think it's probably safe to assume it will be like Larry David.  No way is he going to be to a full fledged cast member.  Very possible he hosts, though.

[Maverick]

 Agreed he probably won't be a cast member...but he did host Match Game, so being a regular on SNL isn't exactly a step down.

[formerlyfreedom]

Just a reminder - this is a place to talk about the cast, NOT personal politics. Posts have not been removed, but will be going forward if they become too political in nature.

Thanks!

[SpikeGal]

4 hours ago, nowandlater said:

Does Baldwin become a cast member? Will he be part of the opening credits? Will he be a featured player? Or will he get no credit like Larry David (but Bernie wasn't on that many times)?

Weird to see Alec Baldwin with dark hair...but there is a similarity there.

Yeah...if Bernie Sanders by some miracle DID manage to win the Democratic nod over Hillary, WOULD Larry David have graduated for full on cast member?

Will Alec eventually? Only time will tell, but either way it's gonna be interesting this year. Has this ever happened before? Someone already famous making it to full on SNL Cast member?

[Uncle Benzene]

7 hours ago, SpikeGal said:

Has this ever happened before? Someone already famous making it to full on SNL Cast member?

Michael McKean, 1994-95, is the only one I think would fit that description.

[topanga]

4 minutes ago, Uncle Benzene said:

Michael McKean, 1994-95, is the only one I think would fit that description.

I didn't know who that was, so I was ready to say, "Famous? In what life?" But then I imbd'd his name. It's Lenny from 'Laverne and Shirley'! (along with dozens of other film and TV projects). 

[vb68]

Quote

but he did host Match Game, so being a regular on SNL isn't exactly a step down.

Well the thing there is the schedule.  I assume the whole season of Match Game can be filmed over a weekend or thereabouts.  The schedule for SNL is notorious rough.  He can probably come in on Thursday or Friday or heck even early Saturday and be good to go with one sketch.  I seriously doubt he wants to put in more time than that on weekly basis.

[Princess Sparkle]

Yeah, Alec is absolutely not going to be a cast member.  I see this like Larry David as Bernie, or Tina in 2008 as Sarah Palin - long term guest spots, but certainly not cast members. 

[SpikeGal]

1 hour ago, vb68 said:

Well the thing there is the schedule.  I assume the whole season of Match Game can be filmed over a weekend or thereabouts.  The schedule for SNL is notorious rough.  He can probably come in on Thursday or Friday or heck even early Saturday and be good to go with one sketch.  I seriously doubt he wants to put in more time than that on weekly basis.

I think Match Game was a summer show, so that's finished for now.  Besides, with a new baby on the way, he needs all the spare money he can get for baby food, clothes, and diapers! LOL!

[SpikeGal]

1 hour ago, Uncle Benzene said:

Michael McKean, 1994-95, is the only one I think would fit that description.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. He was only on for one year, though, right?

Isn't Alec already a member of the 5 Timers Club? :) I think he'll be able to handle it.

[SpikeGal]

On ‎9‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 5:12 PM, nowandlater said:

 

Speaking of which, is Alec Baldwin committed to playing Trump for the entire 12 years of his presidency?

Uh...8 years. A President is only allowed 2 terms, 4 years each.

[LizDC]

From USA Today...

Quote

SNL's executive producer Lorne Michaels was talking to Fey (an alum of SNL) over the summer, and "She said, 'You know who would be a great Trump is Alec!' " he recalls. "I talked to Alec, who was finishing a movie, he was getting ready to have a baby — it couldn't have been worse timing. But, slowly, the idea grew on me. People on the show liked it, and I thought he'd be great with Kate" McKinnon, who plays Hillary Clinton.

Lorne Michaels: Tina Fey suggested Alec Baldwin to play SNL's Trump

[helenamonster]

On 9/28/2016 at 5:12 PM, nowandlater said:

Speaking of which, is Alec Baldwin committed to playing Trump for the entire 12 years of his presidency?

I had a similar thought. SNL must be very confident that Trump is going to lose the election that they've brought on a non-cast member to do the role. I am excited to see what Alec brings to it, and I think he and Kate together will be fantastic.

Although it should be noted that if Trump loses, we're still not going to be rid of him right on November 9. I'm sure he'll stick around for a while.

On 9/28/2016 at 8:26 PM, BoogieBurns said:

We only need Alec to play Trump until November guys! That's when we all wake up from this 19 month nightmare.

From your lips to God's ears!

[JZL]

Is it possible Lorne figured he could use Beck Bennett to play most of roles Taran had been playing (plus get the vids he makes with Mooney)? 

[SpikeGal]

On ‎9‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 0:49 AM, helenamonster said:

I had a similar thought. SNL must be very confident that Trump is going to lose the election that they've brought on a non-cast member to do the role. I am excited to see what Alec brings to it, and I think he and Kate together will be fantastic.

 

It'll be funny for them if he wins! But I'm sure with a new baby on the way Alec would be grateful for the extra money, and having a steady job for a while! Add to the fact that Match Game has been renewed for next summer and he'll have a stellar year!

[cpcathy]

I think Alec just had his third baby, I don't think his wife is expecting another one just yet.

[VCRTracking]

I assumed the nerdy voice Melissa Villaseñor used in the substitute teacher sketch was fake. Looked up her video of doing some impressions and was surprised it was her real voice! Love her Maria Bamford impression. And her Natalie Portman one... oh my god! So much shade:

 

Now hearing her Winona Ryder impression, I want to see Melissa reenact the Ryder and Portman scene from Black Swan by herself. Or if Chris Hemsworth hosts again she could play Jane Foster to his Thor.

Edited October 14, 2016 by VCRTracking

[peeayebee]

Her Maria Bamford is great! I really enjoyed a bunch of them -- Bjork, Ash & Pikachu, Bilbo Baggins (but really Martin Freeman). Wynona Ryder and Natalie Portman didn't do much for me. 

[possibilities]

I liked her Maria Bamford and Owen Wilson impressions.

[helenamonster]

On 10/14/2016 at 7:10 PM, VCRTracking said:

I assumed the nerdy voice Melissa Villaseñor used in the substitute teacher sketch was fake. Looked up her video of doing some impressions and was surprised it was her real voice! Love her Maria Bamford impression. And her Natalie Portman one... oh my god! So much shade:

 

 

Now hearing her Winona Ryder impression, I want to see Melissa reenact the Ryder and Portman scene from Black Swan by herself. Or if Chris Hemsworth hosts again she could play Jane Foster to his Thor.

It's sort of like when Kate was first on the show and I would think to myself, "I love that weird 1950s housewife voice she puts on for some of her characters" only to later watch interviews and find out that was her actual voice.

[justjen]

On ‎10‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 7:10 PM, VCRTracking said:

I assumed the nerdy voice Melissa Villaseñor used in the substitute teacher sketch was fake. Looked up her video of doing some impressions and was surprised it was her real voice! Love her Maria Bamford impression. And her Natalie Portman one... oh my god! So much shade:

 

 

Now hearing her Winona Ryder impression, I want to see Melissa reenact the Ryder and Portman scene from Black Swan by herself. Or if Chris Hemsworth hosts again she could play Jane Foster to his Thor.

I was going to comment something similar. It's just such a...different...voice that it is just....different. Not bad, it just sounds like someone putting on a fake voice. I don't know how to describe it but I knew if I poked around on here enough someone else would have noticed and commented on it. It isn't bad, just so unusual. Does any of this make sense?

[VCRTracking]

It was very distracting in the sketch where she's the daughter of Tom Hanks and Cecily Strong and supposed to be a normal college student forced into her parents' lunacy. One person on Reddit: made this comment that I have to agree with:
 

Quote

 

Anytime Melissa says anything with her real voice:

"mhrr mhr meeehrr mhr mhr?"

 

She sounds like something stuck in her throat, but then she sings and it's fine and clear. Someone else on Reddit, said she should use one of her imitation voices for when she plays a normal character and I think that's a good idea.

 

Quote

It's sort of like when Kate was first on the show and I would think to myself, "I love that weird 1950s housewife voice she puts on for some of her characters" only to later watch interviews and find out that was her actual voice.

Kate did a series of sketches online called the "20 Year old 40 year old" and I'm convinced it came from the fact that she sounds like someone from an older generation. She's the same age as Cecily but Cecily sounds like women younger than 40 who have that "California" inflection, and the vocal fry. Kate even sounds older than 40 something Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. It's so strange but it's perfect when she plays older women like Ann Romney and Hillary Clinton.

Edited October 27, 2016 by VCRTracking

[VCRTracking]

On the one one hand given the show's history of animosity and competition between cast members I like the genuine friendship that still exists between the cast members who first appeared in the 2000s: Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Armisen, Seth Meyers, Hader, Samburg, Forte, Sudeikis. Even Kenan even though he's still on the show.

Edited November 17, 2016 by VCRTracking

[cpcathy]

I enjoy the close friendships, and I love that they often work together. I know Seth Meyers and Andy Samburg are very, very close, and Sudeikis and Forte are like brothers. Hader and Armisen seem tight, even if it's only a tight working relationship. I've never seen Kristin keep company with anyone like that, and certainly not with Amy and Tina.

[BatmanBeatles]

I get the feeling SNL don't know what to do with Melissa. She's not in many skits.

[VCRTracking]

She did great impressions of Sarah Silverman in the Family Feud sketch and Winona Ryder in the Stranger Things parody. I'm hoping since Natalie Portman is getting Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Jackie Kennedy in Jackie, Melissa will do her impersonation of her. It made me LOL when I first saw it in one of her videos on YouTube.

Edited November 17, 2016 by VCRTracking

[vb68]

Quote

Hader and Armisen seem tight, even if it's only a tight working relationship. I've never seen Kristin keep company with anyone like that, and certainly not with Amy and Tina.

Kristin seems like she has great working relationships with Hader and Armisen.  She and Bill have worked on a few movies together and always seem super supportive of each other.

In addition to Tina, Amy's bond with Seth seems very real (as is Tina's with Jimmy).  Seth has said they talk all the time.

Bobby and Taran are also best friends.  I've been wondering if that's one reason Bobby seems more subdued this season.

Edited November 18, 2016 by vb68

[VCRTracking]

They're both big comic book nerds and I'll always love both of them geeking out over Michael Keaton or doing the Kylo Ren sketch with Adam Driver. Here they are two months ago after Taran was fired. Taran's impression of Seth is on point and I wish he had done that when he was a cast member:

[Princess Sparkle]

18 hours ago, vb68 said:

Bobby and Taran are also best friends.  I've been wondering if that's one reason Bobby seems more subdued this season.

And jumping off of that, while he's a new cast member (but a longtime writer), I think Bobby and Mikey Day are quite close as well. I know before he was an actual cast member, Mikey was writing partners with Bobby and Taran. 

I do think what helps the cast gel very well these past two years, especially this year, is that they do all seem to be very good friends.

ETA - Just had a thought.  Depending on what route SNL goes with portraying Trump going forward (and how much of a role his sons will play), I wonder if Mikey Day and Alex Moffett have basically bought themselves four years of being on the show by playing Eric and Don Jr.   

Edited November 18, 2016 by Princess Sparkle