SNL: The Current Cast Discussion

[Irlandesa]

19 minutes ago, vb68 said:

Che has signed for a new sketch show with HBO Max.

I don't see a start date or even a title, so who knows what the schedule will be. But I bet he's not all that invested in the upcoming SNL season.

It's being produced by Lorne Michaels and is only six episodes.  It'll only impact SNL as far as Lorne Michaels/Che want it to affect his time on the show.

Aidy is doing Shrill for Hulu which has had seasons of six and eight episodes and it hasn't affected her being on SNL and I'd imagine that will take longer to film than a sketch show.

[vb68]

54 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

It's being produced by Lorne Michaels and is only six episodes.  It'll only impact SNL as far as Lorne Michaels/Che want it to affect his time on the show.

Aidy is doing Shrill for Hulu which has had seasons of six and eight episodes and it hasn't affected her being on SNL and I'd imagine that will take longer to film than a sketch show.

Very true. Kenan is also still waiting on his sitcom to come together.

Just this being announced over the summer break, and Colin previously signaling he was ready to exit, make me think Che isn't sticking around that much longer.

BTW since being stuck at home over the past few months, I finally got a Hulu account and binged Shrill.  I enjoyed it, and it was super fun watching Aidy as the lead of a show. She's fantastic. My one complaint was the boyfriend. Not only was he annoying, but I thought he was gross to look at. I wish Beck had played that part instead of the stalker. I know that would make it too much of an SNL show, but Aidy's and Beck's chemistry really shines through in their brief scenes together.

Edited July 15, 2020 by vb68

[Pete Martell]

1 hour ago, vb68 said:

Very true. Kenan is also still waiting on his sitcom to come together.

Just this being announced over the summer break, and Colin previously signaling he was ready to exit, make me think Che isn't sticking around that much longer.

BTW since being stuck at home over the past few months, I finally got a Hulu account and binged Shrill.  I enjoyed it, and it was super fun watching Aidy as the lead of a show. She's fantastic. My one complaint was the boyfriend. Not only was he annoying, but I thought he was gross to look at. I wish Beck had played that part instead of the stalker. I know that would make it too much of an SNL show, but Aidy's and Beck's chemistry really shines through in their brief scenes together.

Che first mentioned the sketch show back in early March, which was when the stories also began about Jost wanting to leave and Che saying he'd go when Jost went. I guess that's going to remain the case - Colin has since expressed some hesitancy about leaving but imagining him without Che would be odd and they've also never had an Update person go through that many different iterations (usually it's going from solo to co-anchor or going from having a co-anchor to going solo). I keep thinking they both might do one last season and then leave. 

[possibilities]

The show really changes a lot when the head writers change, so I'll be curious to see who replaces them whenever they do leave. I kind of want it to be Amber Ruffin in charge, but I am not sure Lorne is ready for a show I'd personally find truly brilliant and consistently hilarious.

[wknt3]

3 hours ago, vb68 said:

Che has signed for a new sketch show with HBO Max.

I don't see a start date or even a title, so who knows what the schedule will be. But I bet he's not all that invested in the upcoming SNL season.

So  what you're saying is you don't foresee any change...

[Pete Martell]

Chris Redd will be on Conan tonight. 

Andy Samberg has been doing the rounds with the Lonely Island to promote his new film, Palm Springs. 

https://collider.com/lonely-island-interview-andy-samberg-akiva-schaffer-jorma-taccone-hot-rod-palm-springs-popstar/

https://uproxx.com/movies/andy-samberg-interview-palm-springs-popstar-one-take-tony-snl/

He also had a fun interview with Seth Meyers a few days ago (there are several clips). 

 

17 minutes ago, possibilities said:

The show really changes a lot when the head writers change, so I'll be curious to see who replaces them whenever they do leave. I kind of want it to be Amber Ruffin in charge, but I am not sure Lorne is ready for a show I'd personally find truly brilliant and consistently hilarious.

I think Amber's getting her own show but I'd love to see her involved with SNL. Such a talented writer and performer. She was probably better off being able to flourish away from a show like SNL but she's the type of voice they need. 

[vb68]

I remember reading at the time that Amber was in the big group of African American women who were considered when SNL got all the horrible press for not having any women of color in the cast  several years ago now. The group included Leslie Jones and Sasheer Zamata.

I've always thought they should have hired her. Amber is a Star! Their loss was Seth Meyers' gain, obviously.

Edited July 16, 2020 by vb68

[possibilities]

Amber's new show is supposed to air on Peacock, but I don't see any reason why they can't move her to broadcast if they want to.

[Jody]

On 7/15/2020 at 2:10 PM, wknt3 said:

So  what you're saying is you don't foresee any change...

 

         IF what you are saying is the other cast members will have no change, then maybe so. How Ever, if what you are saying is that about Michael Che, then I think VB68 sounded like she was saying that she thought Michael Che WILL Leave Saturday Night Live !

[vb68]

19 hours ago, Jody said:

IF what you are saying is the other cast members will have no change, then maybe so. How Ever, if what you are saying is that about Michael Che, then I think VB68 sounded like she was saying that she thought Michael Che WILL Leave Saturday Night Live !

I would just feel weird if I didn't correct this, but it's he. 😉

And I believe wknt3 was making a snarky, or sarcastic, joke/comment about Michael Che. 

[Pete Martell]

Martin Short on Seth (there's another clip where he also talks about SNL).

Chris Redd and Will Ferrell on Conan.

Jenny Slate on Jimmy.

Colin Jost on Stern (there are various other clips - he was also on Jimmy's show)

Colin Jost interviewed by Natalie Portman.

https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/colin-jost-tells-natalie-portman-about-his-new-book-and-snls-uncertain-future

[VCRTracking]

 

 

[Pete Martell]

Kenan interview with AFTRA. (there are a few other Kenan interviews recently as well)

Cecily podcast interview.

https://pca.st/heyy0z3e

Jason (there is another clip on Seth's channel).

Melissa talks about adopting a dog.

https://www.nbcboston.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/snls-melissa-villasenor-says-cecily-strong-convinced-her-to-adopt-a-dog/2181023/

Jim Belushi on Seth.

Chloe recently did a Drew Barrymore imitation which went viral (reposted by Drew herself).

https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/news/snl-star-chloe-fineman-spoofs-drew-barrymores-beauty-junkie-videos/

Edited August 22, 2020 by Pete Martell

[Pete Martell]

Very nice interview with Cecily Strong and Catherine O'Hara (who was briefly an SNL cast member herself).

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/arts/television/emmys-catherine-ohara-cecily-strong.html

[ebk57]

Cecily is on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me this weekend.  The clip isn't up yet, but keep checking.

 

https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/

[Pete Martell]

Seth and Colin Jost recently had a conversation (most of it is behind a paywall) where Colin talked about the depression he struggled with in his early years at Update. 

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/colin-jost-i-was-depressed-when-i-started-weekend-update-on-snl/

Ego Nwodim beauty secrets.

https://www.essence.com/beauty/ego-nwodim-essence-beauty/

Heidi appears on Pete Holmes' podcast.

Steven Castillo recently had a spoof of the MTV Movie Awards, featuring bits with many, including Melissa Villasenor, Ego, Alex Moffat, Chloe Fineman, Chris Redd, and SNL writer Dan Licata. 

(there is profanity and such) 

Kenan:

https://ew.com/the-awardist-podcast/kenan-thompson-snl-at-home-instagram-friendship-david-ortiz/

Maya:

https://www.goldderby.com/article/2020/maya-rudolph-kamala-harris-judge-gen-connie-emmy-video-interview-transcript/

Edited September 1, 2020 by Pete Martell

[formerlyfreedom]

Let's please use this topic for current cast discussion only. If you want to discuss or post about past cast members, please use the SNL Classic topic. Thank you!

[Pete Martell]

2 hours ago, saoirse said:

Let's please use this topic for current cast discussion only. If you want to discuss or post about past cast members, please use the SNL Classic topic. Thank you!

Would people who do a lot of cameos (let's say if Maya or Jason return) go in here, or would they only go in here if they are talking about current material?

[formerlyfreedom]

19 hours ago, Pete Martell said:

Would people who do a lot of cameos (let's say if Maya or Jason return) go in here, or would they only go in here if they are talking about current material?

It's for cast discussion, and cameos would not count as cast. If it's directly related to SNL, it can go in the media topic. If it's about a past cast member, that would go in the Classics topic. As always, if it's not about SNL, it goes in the Small Talk topic.

Please PM me, @saoirse, with further questions or clarifications. Thank you!

[Pete Martell]

Chris:

https://tv.avclub.com/snl-s-chris-redd-believes-aliens-are-trolling-us-with-c-1845180477

Bowen was on several podcasts this past week (Marti Talks, May Lee). The link to his NPR podcast/interview.

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/24/916498255/bowen-yang-on-snl-and-diversity

Melissa on Conan's show:

Chloe:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/how-snls-chloe-fineman-became-the-comedian-we-need-right-now/

Cecily on Marc Maron's podcast.

Alex on his new film and returning to SNL:

https://uproxx.com/tv/alex-moffat-interview-snl-the-opening-act/

Kenan.

https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-kenan-thompson-what-it-would-take-to-leave-snl/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/snl-s-kenan-thompson-performs-random-act-of-kindness/ar-BB19whfD?li=BBnb2gh

[Pete Martell]

(there are several other videos)

 

[possibilities]

I think Che won every round of that joke off!

[Jody]

On 7/15/2020 at 11:02 AM, Irlandesa said:

It's being produced by Lorne Michaels and is only six episodes.  It'll only impact SNL as far as Lorne Michaels/Che want it to affect his time on the show.

Aidy is doing Shrill for Hulu which has had seasons of six and eight episodes and it hasn't affected her being on SNL and I'd imagine that will take longer to film than a sketch show.

 

      Michael Che DID Do Week End Update And I Think He Enjoyed Being AT The Studio More Than Being AT Home !

[izabella]

What's up with Cecily?  There were a few mentions in the current episode thread that made it sound like she is leaving.

[vb68]

1 hour ago, izabella said:

What's up with Cecily?  There were a few mentions in the current episode thread that made it sound like she is leaving.

She's working on a new show, I think in Canada. She might show up in the studio eventually. I'm not really sure. Similarly, Aidy will be in and out as she films the new season of Shrill.   The pandemic pushed filming schedules back.

[Jody]

7 hours ago, vb68 said:

She's working on a new show, I think in Canada. She might show up in the studio eventually. I'm not really sure. Similarly, Aidy will be in and out as she films the new season of Shrill.   The pandemic pushed filming schedules back.

 

           Both Cecily AND Aidy WERE ON Saturday Night Live Last Saturday October 3 ! ! Cecily Was That Crazy Woman Who Talked In A High Voice AT The End OF What She Was Saying About Being For Donald Trump ! Aidy Was That Kid On Week End Update With Michael Che !

[Pete Martell]

Chris and Heidi.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/entertainment-news/snl-cast-interview-season-46/281-c9e26805-f012-4f8b-90ef-3f78f55f8f06

Chris (there are a few other Chris interviews out this week).

 

[Pete Martell]

Beck and Kyle read thirst tweets.

(NSFW)

 

[Pete Martell]

Chloe on Drew Barrymore's talk show.

Che and Jost were each on Ellen.

Punkie was recently on Jeff Richards' podcast.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1K8pzb8L8n0XK7Lw6ppsRL?si=EZgMTUQaR8qPPBWkDpLOnQ

[VCRTracking]

Wow Cecily looked and sounded like her adult self at 16!

 

 

[Pete Martell]

Ego on Seth's show.

 

[JZL]

On 10/21/2020 at 10:52 PM, VCRTracking said:

Wow Cecily looked and sounded like her adult self at 16!

 

 

Apologize if I mentioned this elsewhere, but when she recently did Marc Maron's podcast, she said she got caught at high school with the first bag of weed she ever bought, was suspended, and transferred to a Catholic school for the rest of the year. 

[VCRTracking]

50 minutes ago, JZL said:

Apologize if I mentioned this elsewhere, but when she recently did Marc Maron's podcast, she said she got caught at high school with the first bag of weed she ever bought, was suspended, and transferred to a Catholic school for the rest of the year. 

Here's the full interview where we find out where she's been and that the cast went to a haunted festival in New Jersey for Pete's birthday a few years ago.

 

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by VCRTracking

[helenamonster]

Not sure if anybody saw, but Melissa was a little, uh, displeased with the crowd reaction at her Update bit this week. She had posted an Instagram story and a Tweet about how "the crowd sucked", and also responded to a negative comment that somebody made on SNL's Insta post of the video with a similar sentiment. All are gone now (even the comment on Instagram that prompted Melissa's response, which means whoever runs that account deleted it, not Melissa). All I can find left of it is this post in the SNL subreddit that used to link to the tweet: 

 

Damn girl, sometimes bits fall flat. Take the L and move on!

I wonder if 4+ seasons of not breaking through--with Heidi, Ego, and Chloe leapfrogging over her--is starting to get to her.

[Fostersmom]

I don't find Melissa funny at all and I rarely enjoy her impressions, so it might not just be the audience sucking. 

[Pete Martell]

Melissa tends to speak openly about her mental health struggles as well as her struggles with finding comedy right now...but, much as I do think the audience is a bit lackluster at present (I know I could say "It's because the material isn't funny," but there have been guffaws at much worse material over the years so I can see why the performers might be frustrated), being quite that blunt isn't the best idea. 

I do like Melissa as a performer, but for someone who was cast for her impressions, I think that they have consistently let her down because there is nothing underneath them. It's not enough to just do impressions. Cecily may not be as technically good as Melissa but she is able to create characters with her impressions and make them seem real. Melissa tends to just sort of do the voice. That is also what helps Chloe.

Almost everything that I have enjoyed with Melissa was her work in sketches where she was reacting to something (or that sketch where she rapped about her hobbies or the one where she went out on a date). Her Update appearances I've liked have also been when she is playing a character (like the teenage girl in a cop show). Even in this episode, she was much better in that political ad where she talked about how she isn't going to go back to caring about her kids. I don't see her staying on the show past this season, one way or the other, but if she wants to stand out more, the character roles, and finding a strong writer to help her, are the way to do it.

 

[vb68]

1 hour ago, Pete Martell said:

Cecily may not be as technically good as Melissa

Strongly disagree there. Look at her Susan Collins, where she completely nails the body language not to mention the quivering voice. It's a Marvel. Cecily is technically as good as anyone if not better. In fact,  I think she's really underrated in that capacity.

1 hour ago, Pete Martell said:

but if she wants to stand out more, the character roles, and finding a strong writer to help her, are the way to do it.

I do agree that Melissa not finding a strong connection with a writer to team up with is one of her biggest problems. You have to figure out how to navigate the process.

But OOF on criticizing the audience. It looks even worse and more awkward since they have been very clear that they are giving the choice seats to front line workers. I don't see how that helps Melissa's cause at all. Very bad look.     

[Pete Martell]

1 hour ago, vb68 said:

Strongly disagree there. Look at her Susan Collins, where she completely nails the body language not to mention the quivering voice. It's a Marvel. Cecily is technically as good as anyone if not better. In fact,  I think she's really underrated in that capacity.

I think Cecily is excellent. I mostly just meant that it isn't really how she markets herself, whereas Melissa was known for impressions pre-SNL and hired for that reason. That is Melissa's main expertise, whereas Cecily is more rounded.

[gingerella]

Uch. I pretty much loathe all the newbies, most of them just are not funny at all. And the writing is just so weak this season. It's a drag because we all could use a big laugh once a week, but it's just so bad I'm not even bothering to watch it.

[Pete Martell]

Heidi.

Bowen.

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/mile-high-mornings/saturday-night-live-bowen-yang/73-3571c3fa-0699-433e-85d5-3ab732a22517

[Pete Martell]

Chloe Q&A:

Kenan:

 

[Brn2bwild]

Has anyone ready anything about whether a regular cast member will eventually take over the Biden role from Jim Carey?

[Pete Martell]

4 hours ago, Brn2bwild said:

Has anyone ready anything about whether a regular cast member will eventually take over the Biden role from Jim Carey?

Not as of yet.

[gingerella]

5 hours ago, Brn2bwild said:

Has anyone ready anything about whether a regular cast member will eventually take over the Biden role from Jim Carey?

Please let it be soon because his 'impression' is just his usual Jim Carrey crazy, it's not Biden at all. I hated Baldwin's Trump too, these guys just don't have the impression thing down very well.

[Pete Martell]

Short Kenan interview.

https://ew.com/celebrity/kenan-thompson-must-list/

[Pete Martell]

Heidi on Today.

Chloe in Vanity Fair.

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/12/chloe-fineman-is-stealing-the-show

[Pete Martell]

Chloe on Fallon (one of several clips).

Kyle:

 

[vb68]

Chloe was absolutely adorable on The Tonight Show. It's crazy she got to be on Letterman when she was in high school, too.

[vb68]

Putting this review of the latest episode  here because I want to highlight this quote-

 

Quote

And here comes some tough love. This cast is not confident enough to make sketches pop the way they need to. With heavy-hitter Aidy Bryant still off shooting Shrill and fellow scene-stealers Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong pulling back this season, there’s finally some room for the rest of the cast to assert themselves. But, while new kids Lauren Holt, Andrew Dismukes, and Punkie Johnson all had more airtime this week than in the rest of their shows combined (don’t check the math on that), they, along with vets like Ego Nwodim, Alex Moffatt, Mikey Day, and Melissa Villaseñor, just aren’t seizing the moment. In several sketches, laugh lines were delivered to silence... [/snip]  this is the big leagues as far as sketch comedy goes, and this cast has largely settled into the role of bench players who seem just happy to be there. There are exceptions apart from the aforementioned McKinnon, Strong, and Bryant. Kenan, obviously, although he appeared to have the night off. Gardner and Bennett, as we see here, match up well, and can carry a sketch on their own. Kyle Mooney is in his singular, weird little world, which I generally appreciate. Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and Chris Redd continue to shine when they’re given the opportunity. And Pete is Pete. But, man, this cast is huge, and, if, as tonight, some of the lesser-deployed cast members get to pick up a bat, they’ve got to make more use of their limited time at the plate.

 

I'm about 50/50 on this. In some ways it's accurate, but it's also harsh, especially for the first year players. I agree that Melissa has yet to really step up, and I have never understood why Alex seems to have such a hard time. I've mentioned before lately that I feel like I've seen everything Mikey has to offer.   I will say I'm not sure at all if this is the right season to read so much into audience reaction. 

Edited December 14, 2020 by vb68

[peeayebee]

I do think the cast is too big. Maybe at this point it would be hard to pare it down, but I think the show would benefit from having fewer cast members.