SNL in the Media

[Princess Sparkle]

This popped up in my facebook feed: it's a cute article with the cast interviewing each other before the 40th anniversary.

http://gotham-magazine.com/personalities/articles/saturday-night-live-current-cast-reflects-on-40-years-of-snl

[Traveller519]

This popped up in my facebook feed: it's a cute article with the cast interviewing each other before the 40th anniversary.

http://gotham-magazine.com/personalities/articles/saturday-night-live-current-cast-reflects-on-40-years-of-snl

Oh man the video attached to that article. So much good stuff. Taran's voices and quips, Kyle being Kyle, Kate's cooky-ness, and Cecily's Dress!

 

And Colin Jost is still sucking the energy out of the whole thing. Who stole his Charisma. At least Michael appears comfortable and the usual comfortable guy we see in his stand-up and on TDS.

[VCRTracking]

Bill Hader talks about where the idea for "The Californians" came from.

 

 

When they talked about them impersonating Dana Carvey's son I was like "Isn't he a little kid?" Then I looked it up and both Dana's sons are in their early 20s! Time flies since I heard Dana talk about them in his stand up special from the 90s!

Edited February 6, 2015 by VCRTracking

[peeayebee]

I love that story. I never hated The Californians like many other viewers.

[VCRTracking]

Also I've heard Dana's Paul McCartney impression before but never heard him do a John Lennon impression. Love Hader just losing it:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0fIlWwxpI#t=33

Edited February 12, 2015 by VCRTracking

[cpcathy]

Hader seems like he is a very joyful person.

[Kromm]

Also I've heard Dana's Paul McCartney impression before but never heard him do a John Lennon impression. Love Hader just losing it:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0fIlWwxpI#t=33

Carvey's been in the media and in appearances a lot the past year or so, and it's helped me come to the conclusion that his talent has aged well, unlike, lets say Martin Short's.  

[Inquisitionist]

I saw Dana Carvey perform at a small comedy club in the SF Bay area in December, 1982.  I remember being so excited when he joined the SNL cast a few years later.

[VCRTracking]

 

Carvey's been in the media and in appearances a lot the past year or so, and it's helped me come to the conclusion that his talent has aged well, unlike, lets say Martin Short's.

I wouldn't say that. I loved when he hosted two years ago. I also love Jiminy Glick(him asking Mel Brooks "What's your beef with the Nazis?" always makes me laugh. He also does a great David Lynch impression.

 

Alan Sepinwall from HitFix.com wrote a great article looking through the 40 year history:

 

'Saturday Night Live' at 40: The 'SNL' story told through its sketches.

 

Excerpt about the 'word association' sketch with Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor:

 

This is arguably the edgiest the show would ever intentionally get (as opposed to something like Sinead O'Connor surprising everyone by ripping up a picture of the Pope). The series would skirt various boundaries of language and sexuality in later years — a  late '80s sketch where the word "penis" was said or sung over 40 times, or the '00s sketch revealing that the name "Colonel Angus" sounds like a sex act when recited (over and over) with a Southern drawl — but rarely in a fashion intended to provoke and shock to this degree. A cynic might suggest that it's been all downhill for "SNL" since its seventh episode ever, but the fact is, the broadcast networks were somehow more permissive 40 years ago than they are today. This sketch would never be allowed to air as a new piece on NBC this year, and it felt shocking that it aired unedited in a rerun earlier this season, grandfathered in from an earlier, bolder era. But nor would characters like Archie Bunker or Maude be allowed to front network sitcoms in 2015. The '70s were a strange and glorious time, and while there were certainly "SNL" writers back then pushing the boundaries of good taste — see also the first season's "Claudine Longet Invitational," where Chase and Jane Curtin made great light of a celebrity murder defense, or frequent host Buck Henry's recurring child molester character Uncle Roy — there was also an environment where much more was allowed.

 

[opus]

New app:

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/02/12/nbc-entertainment-releases-snl-app-sketches-every-episode

[Galileo908]

I love that story. I never hated The Californians like many other viewers.

It was the same sketch every time, but dammit those voices never failed to make me laugh.

[Katmai]

Thanks for that app link, GaryE. I just downloaded and trying it out.

[opus]

Thanks for that app link, GaryE. I just downloaded and trying it out.

I'm Android, which is "coming soon", so post us a review some time.

[helenamonster]

I downloaded the app purely for the emojis. The Stefon and Debbie Downer ones are already getting a lot of use, but I'm anticipating the Dick in a Box and Twin Bed ones to make a resurgence during the holidays.

[opus]

I downloaded the app purely for the emojis. The Stefon and Debbie Downer ones are already getting a lot of use, but I'm anticipating the Dick in a Box and Twin Bed ones to make a resurgence during the holidays.

Nothing says holidays like dick in a box.

[helenamonster]

Nothing says holidays like dick in a box.

 

"Eeeevery single holiday, a dick in a box!"

[WendyCR72]

Rolling Stone takes on the ambitious task of rating all 141 SNL players from the last 40 years! (Of note, Steve Martin, while memorable as a recurring host over the years, was NOT a regular cast member and is not included, in case some wonder why he is missing.) Here is the list - with much disagreement in the comments. (Click the comment bubble on the side of the article, and there will be a pop-up window with them.)

[VCRTracking]

Oh yeah I dispute the hell out of that list. Norm MacDonald should be higher and he wasn't just a "Dennis Miller clone". His Bob Dole impression alone puts him above other cast members. Also Jim Breuer should get more respect: Joe Pesci, Mickey from Rocky.

Edited February 13, 2015 by VCRTracking

[peeayebee]

Oh yeah I dispute the hell out of that list. Norm MacDonald should be higher and he wasn't just a "Dennis Miller clone". His Bob Dole impression alone puts him above other cast members.

Not to mention his Burt Reynolds.

[Kromm]

Oh yeah I dispute the hell out of that list. Norm MacDonald should be higher and he wasn't just a "Dennis Miller clone". His Bob Dole impression alone puts him above other cast members. Also Jim Breuer should get more respect: Joe Pesci, Mickey from Rocky.

Biggest thumbs up ever.

 

Norm is the comedian's comedian even still.  He's the guy the public largely doesn't get, but they all do.  While overall there's a rule that if the public doesn't get a joke, the joke needs repairing--that comedy has to have an audience react or it's just self-indulgence--there are exceptions to every rule and Norm is one of the ones for comedy.  His comedy is so droll and deadpan, it's not really like he has a choice anyway (at least with the American public's handicaps with even being able to process dry humor, compared to let's say, the British).

 

Miller, even before he got old and turned into a political weirdo, was a very different character.  I happen to think the old school Miller was actually pretty funny, before he got weird and self-righteous in his later years, but other than some superficial stuff, he's not much like Norm. Or rather, Miller was very highly telegraphed sarcasm, via his tone, facial expressions and mannerisms, whereas Norm was (and still is) deadpan.  Both sarcasm, but with very different deliveries. But interesting, when they were at their best.  But hardly the same.

 

Norm's best on air SNL bit is for me one of the great moments of the show.  Oh there's the hilarious Burt Reynolds stuff he did for the Celebrity Jeopardy skits, but personally it's the newsdesk where he aced it... if you understood him humor.

 

http://youtu.be/wCPBwuQKJx4

[M. Darcy]

 

Not to mention his Burt Reynolds.

I think you mean Turd Ferguson.

[Kromm]

I think you mean Turd Ferguson.

M. Darcy wins the Internet today.

[Galileo908]

 40 Less Iconic SNL Sketches That We Love Anyway. Granted, about half of the list was from the last decade and it's missing Massive Headwound Harry but it's an otherwise solid list.

[peeayebee]

Thank you for that link, Galileo. I'm still going thru those clips and loving them. I hadn't seen most of them. The Falconer is hilarious.

[cpcathy]

The Falconer on one of the Kevin Spacey episodes was one of the funniest sketches I'ver ever seen, where every single cast member plays The Falconer--all at once. Hilarious.

 

Edited--just clicked the link, and there it is!

Edited February 14, 2015 by cpcathy

[cpcathy]

Wow, what a fun list. The spelling bee, the dancing gang members, and the Michael Caine-Peter O'Toole sketch just tickled me.

[VCRTracking]

Mike Shoemaker @shoemakermike was a producer on SNL from 1986-2008. He went on to become producer on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and now produces Late Night with Seth Meyers. He's been tweeting behind the scenes pics of his time on SNL at hashtag #mySNLdays:

 

 

 

[vb68]

Is that Colin Jost behind Andy in the second picture next to Forte?

[helenamonster]

Hah, some of those sketches are awesome, especially "Maya Angelou Prank Show" and "Darrell's House," the latter of which was just pure genius on every level.

[VCRTracking]

The Onion AV Club asks:

 

What makes a good Saturday Night Live host?
The honor of hosting SNL is something only a few have done really well

[BoogieBurns]

Is that Colin Jost behind Andy in the second picture next to Forte?

Sure is!

[opus]

More debate fodder:

http://www.ew.com/gallery/2015/02/13/snl-all-time-best-characters

[absnow54]

I don't agree with the list, but I'm extremely grateful that Jarret's Room didn't make the cut.

[peeayebee]

Is that Colin Jost behind Andy in the second picture next to Forte?

That doesn't look like him to me, but then I've never seen Jost make such a face. I did notice him in the Rainn Wilson skit from that link above.

[ebk57]

Last night, I discovered that 1st Look - which comes on right after SNL, and usually stays on in my house because I'm too lazy to look for something else to watch and it's mostly benign - is actually an official NBC production.  I always figured it was one of those syndicated shows that local stations put on in the middle of the night.  Anyway, last night the show was all about SNL with a bunch of cast interviews.

 

https://twitter.com/1stlooktv

 

A few different folks than I've seen talking about it, plus some sweet interviews with the current cast.  Could have done without Paris Hilton though.

[M. Darcy]

I watched it also. I thought Paris Hilton being included was strange because I always got the idea that the cast hated her when she hosted the show.

[helenamonster]

Tina had a hilarious interview on Howard Stern years ago where she did not speak kindly of her. Apparently they had a bet going of who would be the first person she'd actually ask a personal question of (i.e. "How are you?" or "Where are you from?"). Tina said she thinks Seth won when Paris asked him, "Is Maya Rudolph Italian?"

 

Tina also said that Paris was one of those hosts that just did not want to look stupid, and apparently wanted to use the show to air all her personal grievances against other celebrities (like playing female celebrities she didn't like, but they were fat, etc).

[cpcathy]

I believe that. I just watched some interview from 2010 that Youtue randomly chose for me, and the cast was asked what kind of celebs they like to have as hosts, they said anyone who's game and professional, and Paris got brought up and the opposite, and they all started to laugh.

[VCRTracking]

I did love the sketch in her show where they had a phone sex line for nerds. Just to see Tina as Princess Leia having phone sex.

[Inquisitionist]

Robin Duke reminisces in Slate about working with Eddie Murphy.

 

Write for Eddie Murphy? Who wouldn’t want to write for Eddie, if only to hear his distinctive laugh? If Eddie laughed at something I wrote or said, I knew it was funny. He wasn't a fake laugher. And, of course, at Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, if I wrote a sketch for him, it would have a much better chance at getting on the air. I have met a lot of people in comedy who are very skilled at getting a response from an audience, but few who are so naturally funny that they can make fellow comics and writers double up until they’re screaming and crying “Sssssssstop!” Eddie is one.

 

[mtlchick]

For those looking for SNL 40 gear, Roots (a Canadian brand but has a long history with the show) has a special collection: http://canada.roots.com/shops/SNL-40/womens-SNL-40,default,sc.html

[helenamonster]

I was seriously considering buying that sweatshirt for half a second then saw that it was $88. Fuck that noise.

[ebk57]

I was seriously considering buying that sweatshirt for half a second then saw that it was $88. Fuck that noise.

 

Thank you for clicking on that link so I don't have to.

[Kromm]

I think you mean Turd Ferguson.

I shed a tear when good old Turd actually showed up on the special.  Good for you show.  Good for you.

[nowandlater]

Tina had a hilarious interview on Howard Stern years ago where she did not speak kindly of her. Apparently they had a bet going of who would be the first person she'd actually ask a personal question of (i.e. "How are you?" or "Where are you from?"). Tina said she thinks Seth won when Paris asked him, "Is Maya Rudolph Italian?"

 

Tina also said that Paris was one of those hosts that just did not want to look stupid, and apparently wanted to use the show to air all her personal grievances against other celebrities (like playing female celebrities she didn't like, but they were fat, etc).

 

Here's that interview. From around the time 30 Rock premiered in 2006. I recall reading somewhere (in Fey's book) that her mom scolded her for trashing Paris, and I think that's why she's never been back on Stern.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3x97gcXtmU

[vb68]

The musical guest for the Dakota Johnson episode is Alabama Shakes .

 

I remember really liking them when they were on a few years ago.

[Irlandesa]

Taraji P Henson was on Late Night With Seth Meyers and mentioned something about doing SNL.  I couldn't tell if she was semi-announcing that she was going to be on or if she was indicating she wanted to be on.  Seth essentially said she'd be on if "they know what's good for them." 

 

I do hope they tap her to host.  She has a lot of energy and I think she'd be great. 

[formerlyfreedom]

Just wanted to let you all know, there's a new topic I moved some posts regarding Ghostbusters to - It's SNL Outside Projects: From Animal House to Wayne's World. It seemed like it might be good to have a place to discuss all the various projects through the last 40 years that have been influenced in some way by SNL, and since the discussion of the Ghostbusters 'reboot' was starting to stray from the topic of SNL in the Media, it seemed like a good place to start.

 

Resume your regular posting!

[nowandlater]

For those of you who didn't watch the Film Independent Spirit Awards on IFC, co-hosted by Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, there was some SNL fun.

 

In case you missed seeing more SNL fun between Kristen Wiig and Fred...

[vb68]

I wonder how Chris Hemsworth will do as a host.  He seams likable enough, but I've never seen him a comedy.