I guess the million dollar question that's on everyone's minds of late, when not asking ourselves how we have been blessed with such a thoughtful, bright, and noble man as George W. Bush as president and the brilliant work his administration has done for our country, is what the fuck was Lorne Michaels thinking when he fired Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz from the cast of Saturday Night Live?
I should backtrack and tell you that I am a huge fan of SNL and a loyalist by nature (I still buy every R.E.M. record, and I anxiously await October 31st to purchase the new Who album, which I know will have songs that will send shivers of embarrassment down my spine.) I have stuck with SNL through the years for that one good sketch and always defended it from the trite barbs of 'the new ones suck.' (These morons were criticizing it during SNL's last glory years from '96 through '99.)
When it's awful, it's horrific and painful to watch, but when it's good, it truly is a wonder to behold. Even in this crazy mixed-up postmodern age there is nothing like live television when it really works.
But I submit to you that I am truly concerned with the state of SNL. Therefore, because you demanded it, I am going to review each and every SNL episode this season. Every sketch, every improvised moment, every host, and every band. I am going to scrutinize it as thoroughly as I would an open sore.
Because of the massive and daunting responsibility of this self-imposed task, or calling, if you will, my distant cousin M. Foley will be co-writing with me. Let's just say he likes to watch TV, and leave it at that.
D Day September 21st 2006
After nearly a month of speculation regarding the fates of several Saturday Night Live cast members, roundabout confirmation finally arrives from NBC: Regulars Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell won't be returning to the late night staple.
- Yahoo News
Dave: Finesse Mitchell wasn't funny on the show.
M: Agreed. I was embarrassed for him when they threw him a bone and gave him numerous spots on weekend update and he got no laughs. The flop sweat was visible.
Dave: Horatio Sanz, on the other hand, always made me laugh during the worst sketches. He's no Chris Farley, but his goofy demeanor worked for me.
M: Sanz just lost the best job he'll ever have. He slacked a lot and that showed up in a lot of his performances but he still delivered genuine laughs. That was reason enough to keep him around.
Dave: Parnell, Will Ferrell's protιgι, also delivered some genuine laughs and was an always effective utility player. Merv the Perv was pretty great too.
M: Parnell has a touch of genius in him and that cannot be said for any of the remaining cast members, sadly.
Seth Meyers Co-Head Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa'?
Along with the cast changes, Seth Meyers is now Head Co-Writer of the show, along with Andrew Steele and Paula Pell.
Dave: Meyers isn't funny. I can't think of one funny moment with him except for "You've been zinged," or whatever the hell that was a few years back.
M: He has a prissy comic sensibility, favoring word-play and absurdity over crude gross-out humor and angry sarcasm. I prefer the latter. That's how I roll.
Dave: What about that horrific sketch "Appalachian Emergency Room?" Hey, let's make fun of poor people using every stereotype in the book. But more than that, it's not funny or original.
M: Perhaps the most over-used, under-funny bunch of sketches ever.
Current repertory players
Darrell Hammond (1995)
M: Has a total lack of improv skills but no one can touch his impressions, which reek of a slavish devotion to detail.
Dave: He's okay if he's got a good script.
Maya Rudolph (1999)
M: Can be good but... meh.
Dave: I have a friend who thinks she's really hot.
Seth Meyers (2001)
M: He has failed upward.
Dave: Agreed.
Amy Poehler (2001)
M: I liked her better when she wasn't in every square foot of videotape. Hey Amy, take a few plays off. You look beat.
Dave: You sound angry.
M: That's what you think, f face.
Fred Armisen (2002)
M: Weird in a good way.
Dave: I think he's hilarious, and possibly a genius. I hope he's in every sketch this season.
Will Forte (2002)
M: Solid. He's still got a spark of the crazy in him. I can feel it.
Dave: Another one of my current favorites. He looks seriously emotionally disturbed and wounded in some way, and I like that.
M: He seemed a bit happier and more comfortable last season. He's gotta watch that. Don't go all Ferrell on us.
Kenan Thompson (2003)
M: Really? Way to set the bar, Lorne.
Dave: Weren't you the president of his fan club when he was on Nickelodian? He's never made me laugh on the show. Not once.
M: No, I liked Kenan. And you misspelled Nickelodeon, stupid.
Jason Sudeikis (2004)
M: I like his "a-hole" character.
Dave: Agreed.
Bill Hader (2005)
M: Vincent Price? What's next, Jimmy Cagney?
Dave: Yeah, right? The Price sketch is barely acceptable. His impression isn't even that good.
Andy Samberg (2005)
M: "Lazy Sunday" guaranteed him at least one more season.
Dave: Plus his 'that's cool' during the Jack Black/Alien with both sex organs sketch from last season was well played.
Kristen Wiig (2005)
M: I like her "a-hole" character and she's a pretty good impersonator.
Dave: I like her. She plays a good crazy lady.
Season Premiere Saturday September 30
Dave: I am deeply distraught that Dane Cook is hosting. It's not a good sign. His hair is funny, but he's not. He's not damaged enough. And look at this picture what a dildo.
M: "In retrospect, maybe the bottle of product in my hair and black wife-beater wasn't the strongest call."
Dave and M.Foley were repertory players during SNL's 1985-1986 season.
Next week: A Review of the Season Premiere.
an introduction