“Saturday Day Night Live” might be on the ropes.
Another lackluster season led to a massive overhaul of the cast as seven members departed at the end of its’ recent 47th season. The long-running show has only announced three episodes for the fall schedule, and has yet to announce new cast members, hosts, or musical guests. This has all led many people to think that “SNL” might be on its’ last legs.
SEASON 48 pic.twitter.com/Nclu3uluGk
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) September 12, 2022
Major Stars Leave – Who Will Be Next?
Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Melissa Villaseñor, and Alex Moffatt all left the show this year, and they were all heavy hitters. The cast now balances the ultra-experienced such as Kenan Thompson and Cecily Strong with newer, less established actors such as James Austin Johnson and Sarah Squirm.
Lorne Michaels, the long-time showrunner, announced during the Emmys last night that there will be four new cast members.
Lorne Michaels shares that there are “four new people, at least for now” on the SNL Season 48 cast #Emmys2022 pic.twitter.com/nEf6quhrlb
— The SNL Network (@thesnlnetwork) September 13, 2022
But even some of “SNL’s” most faithful think the show is nearing its end. Longest tenured cast member Kenan Thompson has said that the 50th season should be “SNL’s” last.
Kenan Thompson Suggests ‘SNL’ Should End After Season 50: ‘A Good Number to Stop At’ https://t.co/awCiyHSNHp pic.twitter.com/gIQa3vPtBH
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) July 30, 2022
Rob Schneider, who was a cast member on “SNL” from 1990-1994, claims that the show “ended” after the post-2016 election episode. The show opened with Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, singing and playing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Not only was it incredibly tone deaf, but it put to bed any idea that SNL was truly interested in speaking truth to power or lampooning politicians. The stunt was an admission that Hillary would get an easy ride, much like President Obama had.
My Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Memories
So if this really is the end, let’s look back at some of the best moments and cast members of “Saturday Night Live.”
Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford.
The 1970’s Cast and Crew would’ve had fun with Joe Biden …
Reminiscing and laughing ..
SNL 1970’s Chevy Chase skits on Pres Ford
pic.twitter.com/X3ulhdGIzN— Lawyerforlaws (@lawyer4laws) June 18, 2022
Chris Farley a brilliant physical actor who gave every inch he had in every sketch.
Chris Farley still has one of the best Saturday Night Live sketches in History.
Matt Foley, The Motivational Speaker:
pic.twitter.com/Jc1OMr5QmH— In My Mind (@MeAloneInMyMind) June 22, 2021
Hard to think of a better comedic writer than Tina Fey. This was one of her first “SNL” sketches.
#OnThisDay, Feb. 28, 1998, Garth Brooks hosts #SNL for the first of, sadly, only two times. A sketch that probably best illustrates his shocking ease at sketch comedy is “Old French Whore”, written by a fresh new writing room hire named Tina Fey. pic.twitter.com/ysyXoj1y57
— That Week In SNL (@ThatWeekInSNL) February 28, 2022
Norm MacDonald was the best to ever do Weekend Update. One of the funniest people who has ever graced this Earth.
My all time favorite Norm Macdonald joke on Weekend Update. Goodbye funny man. pic.twitter.com/ENgKoSh2fE
— Michael Kurinsky (@MKurinsky) September 15, 2021
We are saddened by the news of Norm Macdonald. He was a hilarious man and an absolute legend. Thankful to have been the inspiration behind one of the “Best Weekend Update Jokes of All Time,” according to the internet. Rest In Peace Norm, and may your jokes live on forever. pic.twitter.com/hNwId2Zc6y
— Better Than Ezra (@betterthanezra) September 14, 2021
Norm Macdonald was warned to lay off O.J. on SNL Weekend Update cuz he was golf buddies with the president of NBC. Norm kept slamming Simpson anyway. Every. Damn. Week. And got fired for it. A year later, he was invited back to host and did the most brilliant monologue ever. #RIP pic.twitter.com/3M6wI4uI0D
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) September 14, 2021
Tracy Morgan was best when “SNL” let him be himself…or as Starr Jones.
Tracy Morgan really was just so perfect as Star Jones on SNL … allegedly pic.twitter.com/hQrxmDKVOf
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) October 22, 2019
Or Brian Fellows!
“Rabbits can’t cut their own hair.” #tbt to @TracyMorgan’s wisdom on Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet with @britneyspears ?? pic.twitter.com/MlNLZEGWQj
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 17, 2019
Kate McKinnon was easily the best cast member of the last decade. She could play anyone in any role. Did she also participate in the worst thing “SNL” ever did? Yea sure. But she’s also obscenely talented.
This thread is filled w hilarity. My fav one of recent memory has to be the SNL alien abduction skit w Ryan Gosling where Kate McKinnon does her best to destroy her costars (Cecily Strong’s willpower is beyond comprehension) https://t.co/kGibOFwBnH pic.twitter.com/jyLP1mPK5N
— Kaleena (@KaleenaRivera) January 2, 2022
There were so many great fake commercials, but Dissing Your Dog is my favorite.
So your dog is misbehaving and you don’t know what to do. It’s time to try Dissing Your Dog. pic.twitter.com/KJ7fqMrJRq
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 21, 2019
I’ll miss you, “SNL.” This is a hard decision, but really it is time for you to ride off into the sunset. You aren’t relevant, you aren’t disruptive, and it is sad to see you succumb to the numbness that is mainstream network television corporate comedy.
Share your thoughts on the death of SNL in the comment section below.
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