http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/05/snl-is-hopelessly-stuck-in-the-past/257472/

In fact, 58% of sketches this season were some form of TV parody, from debates to talk shows to game shows, as Luke Epplin notes. He also points out that "SNL" seems to care more about shows from the past like Lawrence Welk (http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/lawrence-welk-cold-open/1402515) than the modern all-consuming Internet. "By and large, 'SNL' sketches continue to exist in a pre-wireless world where network television is still king," he says.

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/05/snl-is-hopelessly-stuck-in-the-past/257472/

In fact, 58% of sketches this season were some form of TV parody, from debates to talk shows to game shows, as Luke Epplin notes. He also points out that "SNL" seems to care more about shows from the past like Lawrence Welk (http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/lawrence-welk-cold-open/1402515) than the modern all-consuming Internet. "By and large, 'SNL' sketches continue to exist in a pre-wireless world where network television is still king," he says.

Interesting point. They DO miss a LOT of opportunities to mock modern pop culture (they almost never do movie parodies anymore), etc.

I'd say if they would take off the kid gloves when it comes to parodying pet politicians, like President Obama, they'd have much more fodder for timely sketches. They do well with Republicans, i.e. Romney, but they still stubbornly refuse to go after liberal targets. This wasn't always the case; witness the skewering past casts have given Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

I can't stand the "Secret Word" sketch that's supposed to be about a game show from the sixties. It's a one-joke skit that wasn't that funny the first time, yet they trot it out quite a bit.

I can't stand the "Secret Word" sketch that's supposed to be about a game show from the sixties. It's a one-joke skit that wasn't that funny the first time, yet they trot it out quite a bit.well kristen whig did her last snl this past saturday so unless she comes back to host the season after next we won be seeing secret word again thank goodness i disn care for it ether

What a half-witted observation that SNL likes to parody TV. It's always been their bread and butter. They are TV for cryin' out loud. HEAVEN FORBID a show doesn't constantly make reference to the narcissistic world of throwaway internet media. If anything, I actually applaud them for not bowing to societal pressures and sticking to their guns.

We can all sit here and argue how "SNL hasn't been funny for years" but the fact is it's basically the same show that went on the air nearly 40 years ago. It hasn't wandered too far away from it's original concept, which is where a lot of shows get into trouble. I simply can't believe that with SNL's ever-changing list of faults, which any bum off the street can rattle off, that this is what they have decided to complain about now. This show can't seem to please anybody nowadays. Jesus Christ himself could be resurrected, host SNL, and every writer with an outlet would be crying (a) it wasn't funny at all or (b) some other asinine complaint concocted simply because said writer is tired of writing "it's not funny anymore."

I'm surprised SNL didn't do a Walt Disney Sketch (I think Fred Armisen would play a good satire of Disney), or even Ed Sullivan.

But since Kristen Wiig has left, there's a big gap to fill...I just hope there isn't a "Gilly" Movie...It'll be as good as "It's Pat"!

It's easier for the writers to parody television than it is the Internet. You have tons of inspiration from which to draw from---talk shows, news, game shows, soap operas, variety shows, sitcoms, commercials, etc. from different decades. Television has a much greater goldmine to build sketches around than the Internet. And as for doing more political and controversial sketches, I think because of the fast reaction that comes from social media (and all the flak they took from Sinead O'Connor's appearance back in the 90's) they're probably playing it a lot safer these days. Sure, there are a lot of things that SNL could improve on, but I don't see them changing to suit a few critics.

I don't think SNL cares what anyone thinks, anymore. The show still garners enough of a rating to stay on the air after 37 years and it's obvious that Lorne Michaels doesn't care anymore -- he's just in it to support his lavish lifestyle and milk the show for all its' worth.

Creatively, it has been running on fumes for a few years now. It should be put to rest.

SNL is and always has been a show that goes through different periods. It's not a show that a steady decline can be attributed to. It is not going to be "put to rest" because it continues to be a great training ground for future comedy writers/actors, whether or not you personally enjoy it.

SNL is and always has been a show that goes through different periods. It's not a show that a steady decline can be attributed to. It is not going to be "put to rest" because it continues to be a great training ground for future comedy writers/actors, whether or not you personally enjoy it.

You're walking on thin ice, here.

The next thing you're going to tell me is that the world doesn't revolve around me.

I can't stand the "Secret Word" sketch that's supposed to be about a game show from the sixties. It's a one-joke skit that wasn't that funny the first time, yet they trot it out quite a bit.

Password with Allen Ludden, one of the best quiz shows ever produced.

... or even Ed Sullivan.



Toast of the Town (Ed Sullivan show) went off the air 4 years before SNL went on the air, while Lawrence Welk is still shown to this day on PBS.

SNL is and always has been a show that goes through different periods. It's not a show that a steady decline can be attributed to. It is not going to be "put to rest" because it continues to be a great training ground for future comedy writers/actors, whether or not you personally enjoy it.


Well, you're right about that. I'm glad it's there for people to grow. There aren't many places like that available.

The reasons I think this is:
By the time SNL gets word of an internet sensation, it's probably already dead to its core audience. In contrast even people who were never alive during Lawrence Welk's lifetime will get jokes about his accent and squareness.
Secondly, SNL's target audience is the 25-54 audience. Most internet fads are pretty much contained to the teenage demo. Why bother parodying something most of your audience hasn't even heard of?

I stopped watching SNL in the mid 80s and haven't watched it since. The show itself had become unwatchable and mean spirited. But there was the occasion back then I watch who was on. Some where funny like Phil Hartman, Chris Rock and Mike Meyers and then there are those I really hated. Adam Sandler. SNL just doesn't want to keep up with the times and there were other shows like In Livin Color, MADTv etc. that gave more upcoming comics choices. It just doesn't have the impact anymore that it used to have.

I don't know if I agree with that. It's impact is pretty huge still. It's launched some of the biggest careers. Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Conan O'brien and Jimmy Fallon just to name a few. Fallon is the newest of the bunch and he brings in solid numbers.

I haven't watched SNL since the early 90's. I'm surprised it's still going on. lol