SNL in the Media

[DEL901]

https://people.com/tv/pete-davidson-leaving-saturday-night-live/

[vb68]

Not surprised about Pete. It was past time. I think he had trouble even working the show into his schedule.

[juno]

3 more cast members are leaving. ‘SNL’: Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant & Kyle Mooney To Exit Alongside Pete Davidson

https://deadline.com/2022/05/snl-kate-mckinnon-aidy-bryant-kyle-mooney-pete-davidson-exit-1235029349/

[Trini]

Not Kate AND Aidy!! 😭

[juno]

2 minutes ago, Trini said:

Not Kate AND Aidy!! 😭

Yeah, I am bummed about that. Kyle not so much.

[peeayebee]

I'm not sorry about Pete leaving. Except for Chad, I wasn't much of a fan. 

I've been getting a little tired of Kate lately. Her characters seemed too much alike.

Aidy... That's sad she's leaving, but I'm sure she has lots lined up.

I probably won't miss Kyle. I liked him more than a lot of people here, but, heck, there are so many cast members.

[Avabelle]

I’m not sad about any of the departures except maybe Pete. Hopefully some other cast members can get some more screentime. 

[SomeTameGazelle]

2 hours ago, juno said:

3 more cast members are leaving. ‘SNL’: Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant & Kyle Mooney To Exit Alongside Pete Davidson

https://deadline.com/2022/05/snl-kate-mckinnon-aidy-bryant-kyle-mooney-pete-davidson-exit-1235029349/

 I'm starting to think that Lorne didn't bribe everyone to stay until season 50.  Or else Pete leaving broke open the floodgates.

[DEL901]

26 minutes ago, SomeTameGazelle said:

 I'm starting to think that Lorne didn't bribe everyone to stay until season 50.  Or else Pete leaving broke open the floodgates.

I’m surprised they didn’t announce Michael Che’s departure as well. 

[vb68]

48 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

I’m surprised they didn’t announce Michael Che’s departure as well. 

There's still time.   If Che leaves, even money Jost does too.

It was time for all of them. The newer people deserve a chance. Heck maybe even Alex Moffat will get to do something.

I wouldn't rule out Kate and/or Pete hosting next year, though.

 

[Irlandesa]

I'm probably most sad about Aidy leaving.  She has had enough breaks and feels very plugged in when she comes back--like she has been on vacation and has come back refreshed.

Kate has felt checked out and probably overstayed her welcome.  I always think she's doing a bit when I see her elsewhere.  I'd love for them to create a show around their cop characters--Fats and Dyke was it? Horrible name but their chemistry really came through.

Pete feels like he has already been gone this year.  He's busy and when you add his own TV show onto it, he feels gone.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up as a "guest" next season and appear as much as he appeared this season.

I like Kyle more than others but I won't exactly miss him either.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Cecily is leaving too.  I suspect Che and Jost will take the leap together.

 

[cpcathy]

I’ll miss Aidy, she is hilarious, I hope she has something amazing lined up. As for Kate, it’s time.

[LADreamr]

Sad about Kate, but I hope she has great things coming up.  Kind of surprised not to see Aristotle Athari on that list.  I can't remember the last thing I saw him do.  

[possibilities]

Kate has been phoning it in for quite a while. I used to love her, but she was clearly burned out and past caring.

I would love to see a Fats and Dyke show.

[Pete Martell]

6 minutes ago, SomeTameGazelle said:

 I'm starting to think that Lorne didn't bribe everyone to stay until season 50.  Or else Pete leaving broke open the floodgates.

I think Lorne probably cajoled and cajoled, and my guess is he's still cajoling as we heard nothing about Che, Jost and Cecily (and Che has repeatedly talked about leaving only to awkwardly backtrack).. I have a feeling at least one of them is going to leave during the summer. I'm torn on Cecily, who has just done a lot of greatest hits camp this year, albeit with a few pieces I enjoyed.

Other than Pete, who didn't bother to show up half the year (our had no real reason not to do ), I think everyone involved is very talented and I will miss, but the show also needed the fresh blood several years ago.

33 minutes ago, LADreamr said:

Sad about Kate, but I hope she has great things coming up.  Kind of surprised not to see Aristotle Athari on that list.  I can't remember the last thing I saw him do.  

Firings  tend to be announced a few weeks before the new season, unless the performer announces it themselves (like Brooks Whelan did).

[Avabelle]

I’m excited for the revamp. I only started watching in the last few years so I probably missed Kate at her best. 
 

I really hope that some of the others get to stand out now.

[LADreamr]

6 hours ago, Pete Martell said:

Firings  tend to be announced a few weeks before the new season, unless the performer announces it themselves (like Brooks Whelan did).

I know.  But IIRC, he has said some things publicly about being unhappy, so I thought he might have left on his own.

[peeayebee]

4 hours ago, Avabelle said:

I’m excited for the revamp. ...
I really hope that some of the others get to stand out now.

Me too. I'm afraid the departing members will be replaced. I vote for a smaller cast so everyone can participate. It's just too bloated. I don't get the reasoning. 

But I hope Cecily doesn't leave any time soon. She always great.

[vb68]

I think it would be most interesting if Che and Jost depart.

Who gets Update? Those are highly prized and fought over slots. I remember that Sudeikis was reportedly miffed that he didn't get his shot at that. Also, Amy Poehler, who had been on the show for awhile before she started anchoring it, said that something changes once you start introducing yourself.

Who are the mostly likely candidates? Or do they bring on totally new people for it?  I have no idea. That would be exciting. I would like to see someone like Punkie get a shot at it.  

 

[Pete Martell]

3 hours ago, LADreamr said:

I know.  But IIRC, he has said some things publicly about being unhappy, so I thought he might have left on his own.

That's true. I think usually people in that position tend to wait for the show to decide because they'd probably have to get out of their contracts. I know some of the season 39 people, like Noel Wells, were miserable at SNL but waited until they were fired to say more. 

28 minutes ago, vb68 said:

I think it would be most interesting if Che and Jost depart.

Who gets Update? Those are highly prized and fought over slots. I remember that Sudeikis was reportedly miffed that he didn't get his shot at that. Also, Amy Poehler, who had been on the show for awhile before she started anchoring it, said that something changes once you start introducing yourself.

Who are the mostly likely candidates? Or do they bring on totally new people for it?  I have no idea. That would be exciting. I would like to see someone like Punkie get a shot at it.  

I'm going to reply to this in Current Cast Discussion.

Please Don't Destroy profile:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/saturday-night-live-please-dont-destory-sketches-1235146725/

[Kimmmmmm]

Hate to see Aidy go...the others, not really. They can take Sarah Sherman with them, as far as I'm concerned.

Edited May 21, 2022 by Kimmmmmm

[Ms Blue Jay]

I love Kate, but her star had become too big for this show.  She's leaving at the exact right time.  A lot of us still love her but she was kind of eclipsing everything.

Pete is barely on the show anyway.  Though I am surprised, I have to admit.

I actually like Kyle.  I hope he goes onto better things.

[Jody]

19 hours ago, vb68 said:

There's still time.   If Che leaves, even money Jost does too.

It was time for all of them. The newer people deserve a chance. Heck maybe even Alex Moffat will get to do something.

I wouldn't rule out Kate and/or Pete hosting next year, though.

        Alex Has Been On Quite A Bit Except For Last Week ! What About Melissa And What About The Man That Played Antonio Going To Sing The Song You Call Out And The Robot ! ! Is He Going To Stay And Try To Develop More Characters ? Hopefully, They WILL Use Punkie More ! 

19 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I'm probably most sad about Aidy leaving.  She has had enough breaks and feels very plugged in when she comes back--like she has been on vacation and has come back refreshed.

Kate has felt checked out and probably overstayed her welcome.  I always think she's doing a bit when I see her elsewhere.  I'd love for them to create a show around their cop characters--Fats and Dyke was it? Horrible name but their chemistry really came through.

Pete feels like he has already been gone this year.  He's busy and when you add his own TV show onto it, he feels gone.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up as a "guest" next season and appear as much as he appeared this season.

I like Kyle more than others but I won't exactly miss him either.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Cecily is leaving too.  I suspect Che and Jost will take the leap together.

         Kate Is On That Exotic Tiger OR What Ever IT Is Called ! I AM Concerned That Cecily Will Also Leave, But, I Hope That She Stays ! Cecily IS SO Good With The Political Impressions And She Loves To Sing ! 

17 hours ago, LADreamr said:

Sad about Kate, but I hope she has great things coming up.  Kind of surprised not to see Aristotle Athari on that list.  I can't remember the last thing I saw him do.  

         He Was On I Think TWO Weeks Ago ! Cecily Was With Mikey Day And Mikey Was Calling Songs And Finally Mikey Thought He Was Wonderful Too ! The Woman Musical Guest OR Possible Woman Host, But, Not Selena Was Singing With Him ! IT Is Possible That Was Lizzo, But, I Thought IT Was A White Woman ! 

6 hours ago, vb68 said:

I think it would be most interesting if Che and Jost depart.

Who gets Update? Those are highly prized and fought over slots. I remember that Sudeikis was reportedly miffed that he didn't get his shot at that. Also, Amy Poehler, who had been on the show for awhile before she started anchoring it, said that something changes once you start introducing yourself.

Who are the mostly likely candidates? Or do they bring on totally new people for it?  I have no idea. That would be exciting. I would like to see someone like Punkie get a shot at it.  

        I Think They Would Have Mikey Day And IF They Have Two People, Then, Mikey Day And Alex Moffat ! ! Ego Would Be Better I Think Than Punkie ! I Don't Know ! Maybe ,Punkie Would Be Great ! Cecily Was SO Great With Every Thing, But She Was NOT Good With Week End Update ! 

[Ms Blue Jay]

What did this joke mean?

 

[Wilbur Whateley]

5 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

What did this joke mean?

 

It's a Hary Potter reference.  If you give a house elf (who are slaves) an article of clothing they are automatically freed.  There's a famous scene where Potter tricks a bad guy into accidentally giving a sock to his elf.  

[Ms Blue Jay]

Thank you!  

[Pete Martell]

NPR continued their  annual ranking of the season's musical performances.

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/23/1100623311/snl-just-wrapped-its-47th-season-its-time-to-cruelly-rank-its-musical-guests

[Hanahope]

Well, one guy’s opinion.  That sucks.

[Pete Martell]

Emmy nominations. 

[LizDC]

[vb68]

I'm not sure how I feel about that. Mixed feelings. Kenan is never one just to throw something out there without support behind it. My gut is still someone like Tina takes over with Lorne's blessing. Just a few years ago, Lorne was saying he'd be upset if the show ended and how important it was for TV to still have one true variety show left on the air. 

Neither The Tonight Show nor Late Night ended when Johnny and Dave left. I know different situations, but still.  NBC is gonna want something in that timeslot. That would be a big loss for them. I don't know.  Maybe a compromise is just giving it a new name.

Edited July 31, 2022 by vb68

[LADreamr]

I understand their concern, that without Lorne there, the network will mess with the show, cut the budget and interfere in ways they wouldn't while he was in charge, but I hope they find a way to keep it going.  

[Milburn Stone]

Does Lorne own the "intellectual property" that is Saturday Night Live? So that when he leaves, the show ends? I wouldn't be surprised. I realize he didn't own it during that 5-year period in the 80s, because he was gone and they kept calling the resulting atrocity "Saturday Night Live," but maybe when he came back he negotiated a deal that made the show the sole property of his company/empire Broadway Video.

Of course this doesn't mean NBC couldn't cook up some half-baked "improv"-based show for the time slot, but whether they could call it by the same name is another question.

[LADreamr]

2 hours ago, Milburn Stone said:

Does Lorne own the "intellectual property" that is Saturday Night Live? So that when he leaves, the show ends?

I haven't heard him mention that as an issue.  It was just that he didn't want it to be destroyed by the network, when he wasn't there to protect it anymore.  (What he says publicly, anyway)

[Jody]

15 hours ago, vb68 said:

I'm not sure how I feel about that. Mixed feelings. Kenan is never one just to throw something out there without support behind it. My gut is still someone like Tina takes over with Lorne's blessing. Just a few years ago, Lorne was saying he'd be upset if the show ended and how important it was for TV to still have one true variety show left on the air. 

Neither The Tonight Show nor Late Night ended when Johnny and Dave left. I know different situations, but still.  NBC is gonna want something in that timeslot. That would be a big loss for them. I don't know.  Maybe a compromise is just giving it a new name.

       NO, I Do NOT Want A Different Name ! Nobody Will Know What IT Is ! You Can't Have Saturday Without Saturday Night Live ! 

[Milburn Stone]

6 hours ago, LADreamr said:

I haven't heard him mention that as an issue.  It was just that he didn't want it to be destroyed by the network, when he wasn't there to protect it anymore.  (What he says publicly, anyway)

Yeah, but what leverage does he have to prevent them from destroying it, if he doesn't actually own the show? (Which is why I think he must.)

[SomeTameGazelle]

20 hours ago, vb68 said:

Kenan is never one just to throw something out there without support behind it.

The last thing I remember Kenan shooting his mouth off about was how there just weren't any black female comedians ready to be hired as cast members. He seemed to be wrong then but he could very likely have been making a point that he and Lorne agreed on. If he's floating this idea is it because he can't conceive of a post-Lorne SNL, because he knows Lorne's heir apparent and doesn't approve, or because Lorne is privately moaning about not wanting anyone to run the show after him? Does Lorne even have a succession plan?

[vb68]

29 minutes ago, SomeTameGazelle said:

he last thing I remember Kenan shooting his mouth off about was how there just weren't any black female comedians ready to be hired as cast members. He seemed to be wrong then but he could very likely have been making a point that he and Lorne agreed on.

That's what I was referring to with Kenan. Whenever he talks about the show in public, I think he's basically a stalking horse for Lorne. I also remember him chastising Pete for the jokes about the republican congressman with the eye patch.  I thought they went overboard with that. (I think Pete would agree they did, too).  So I guess it's possible Lorne wanted this out there.

37 minutes ago, SomeTameGazelle said:

Does Lorne even have a succession plan?

You'd think.

[SomeTameGazelle]

1 hour ago, vb68 said:

You'd think.

Seth and Tina seem like obvious possibilities. Before John Mulaney went off the rails I thought he could also be a candidate. 

[Milburn Stone]

Tina could do it because she proved she could run a fake SNL on 30 Rock.

[Bruinsfan]

Yeah, Tina is clearly the most qualified candidate based on the successes she's had on her own. Which means Lorne will probably turn the reins over to Kristen Wiig instead.

[Kimmmmmm]

On 8/1/2022 at 3:59 PM, Bruinsfan said:

Yeah, Tina is clearly the most qualified candidate based on the successes she's had on her own. Which means Lorne will probably turn the reins over to Kristen Wiig instead.

Ugggghhhhh!!! If that happens,  I am out... for good!!!!

[ajsnaves]

Lorne has left the show before. It survived, after some rough times out of the gate.  But they also gave us Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, Harry Shears, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short. (As well as many more funny people.  Tim Kazurisnki is still one of the funniest people ever on the show in my opinion.) And Lorne has produced some horrid seasons too, such as his first season back.  Where he “killed” the entire cast at the end of the season, aside for Denis Miller and Jon Lovitz.  What I am saying is, Lorne is not the end all be all of late night comedy.  The show will survive without him, if people want it too.  It will be rough at first, but new fresh blood behind the scenes will probably be a good thing.  Again, only if people really want it too.

[Jody]

6 hours ago, ajsnaves said:

Lorne has left the show before. It survived, after some rough times out of the gate.  But they also gave us Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, Harry Shears, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short. (As well as many more funny people.  Tim Kazurisnki is still one of the funniest people ever on the show in my opinion.) And Lorne has produced some horrid seasons too, such as his first season back.  Where he “killed” the entire cast at the end of the season, aside for Denis Miller and Jon Lovitz.  What I am saying is, Lorne is not the end all be all of late night comedy.  The show will survive without him, if people want it too.  It will be rough at first, but new fresh blood behind the scenes will probably be a good thing.  Again, only if people really want it too.

       When You Said  Dennis Miller, Jon Lovitz, I Don't Think IT Was Dennis Miller, but, IT Was Another Man And Jon Lovitz And Nora Dunn ! ! ! I Can NOT Remember Who The Other Man Was ! Also, Larry David Was Involved With Saturday Night Live, But, Julia Louis Dreyfus Came On And Then Larry David introduced Her To His Friend Jerry Seinfeld And She Became Elaine On Seinfeld ! ( Gesture OF Shoving Some Body ) SHUT UP  ! That Was What She Did As Elaine ! YA Da YA DA YA DA ! ! ! 

[Pete Martell]

On 8/1/2022 at 3:59 PM, Bruinsfan said:

Yeah, Tina is clearly the most qualified candidate based on the successes she's had on her own. Which means Lorne will probably turn the reins over to Kristen Wiig instead.

I don't think either of them would be interested - if anyone takes over (although now I'm wondering if Lorne wants to shut it down and Kenan said that to prepare viewers) I'm guessing it is someone currently working at the show.

On 8/11/2022 at 1:21 PM, ajsnaves said:

Lorne has left the show before. It survived, after some rough times out of the gate.  But they also gave us Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, Harry Shears, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short. (As well as many more funny people.  Tim Kazurisnki is still one of the funniest people ever on the show in my opinion.) And Lorne has produced some horrid seasons too, such as his first season back.  Where he “killed” the entire cast at the end of the season, aside for Denis Miller and Jon Lovitz.  What I am saying is, Lorne is not the end all be all of late night comedy.  The show will survive without him, if people want it too.  It will be rough at first, but new fresh blood behind the scenes will probably be a good thing.  Again, only if people really want it too.

I agree. I'd like to see them try at least one season without Lorne. If it's about budget cuts, I think sometimes SNL would be fine with less anyway, especially if it meant they had to sharpen up the writing more and rely less on glossy pre-tapes.

[Milburn Stone]

12 hours ago, Pete Martell said:

I agree. I'd like to see them try at least one season without Lorne.

What is Jean Doumanian doing these days? Give her another shot!

[Jody]

19 hours ago, Pete Martell said:

I don't think either of them would be interested - if anyone takes over (although now I'm wondering if Lorne wants to shut it down and Kenan said that to prepare viewers) I'm guessing it is someone currently working at the show.

I agree. I'd like to see them try at least one season without Lorne. If it's about budget cuts, I think sometimes SNL would be fine with less anyway, especially if it meant they had to sharpen up the writing more and rely less on glossy pre-tapes.

       Do You Think Lorne Might Consider Having Kenan Thompson Be In Charge ? Kenan Has Been There I Think Around Twenty Five Years ! IF Not Kenan, Then, Who Would Take Over IF Tina Is NOT Interested And IT Was Some Body That Is Already There ? Would Colin Joist Take Over And Be In Charge ? Would John Mulaney Possibly Take Over And Be In Charge ? 

[Avabelle]

Would anyone want the show once Lorne leaves? I think it would be a poisoned chalice. It’s bound to have a rocky season or two at first and I think the network would end up just cutting it.

[possibilities]

I think it will all come down to ratings. If the ratings are still good, NBC will want to keep it. They will find someone who would take the job, if they are motivated enough.

[Pete Martell]

3 hours ago, Avabelle said:

Would anyone want the show once Lorne leaves? I think it would be a poisoned chalice. It’s bound to have a rocky season or two at first and I think the network would end up just cutting it.

It would be daunting but I could see someone wanting to take the risk.