"SNL" is stuck in the past — and too dependent on Kristin Wiig - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-20-2009, 03:32 AM

http://www.pbpulse.com/tv/2009/10/18...or-timeliness/

"Too many of the bits that are funny are either retreads of older bits or about subjects that were originally funny 20 years ago," complains Leslie Gray Streeter of Saturday's episode. "I don’t get it – a show that’s so deliciously pointed and timely during election season can’t rouse more than a couple of news and issues-related bits any other time? Even the cold open, featuring the president’s shirt-ripping mad alter ego 'The Rock Obama,' was funnier the first time. And there’s still entirely too much reliance on Kristin Wiig – what was the point of hiring two more female actors if they’re almost never seen or heard from?"

Chocolate Moose · 10-20-2009, 10:19 AM

Very true

robyrob · 10-20-2009, 11:15 AM

SNL is a mess these days - they never should've fired Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson

they are definitely reusing old sketches way too much, and I like Kristin Wiig, but they've got her doing the same stuff over and over again.

...and I'm pretty tired of Seth Meyers.

Retro4Life · 10-20-2009, 03:40 PM

^While I think that Wiig is talented, the vast majority of her characters are pretty much unwatchable after one sketch. I mean, I get it that she can do irritating characters, but the problem is they are just that; irritating, not funny except in a grotesque "finger pointing" sort of way, and even then, only for a very short while. Plus so many of them seem to be virtually the same; extremely nervous or awkward women who have some particular psychological quirk that makes them annoying or creepy to everyone around them.

I agree about Wilson; didn't care that much for Watkins, though.

The show has some good performers but more often than not they are still in the rut of extending a skit out way too far and hitting the same comic point again and again until you become numb to it.

I don't care much for Meyers on the news; he's too full of himself. I don't like anyone who laughs at their own jokes. That's my job.

Dr. Thong · 10-20-2009, 06:24 PM

SNL made no sense firing Watkins, but the firing of Casey Wilson was fine -- she wasn't very good and hadn't made much of an impact in two years on the bench as a "featured player."

SNL is just a moneymaking franchise now-- it's obvious that creator/producer Lorne Michaels doesn't care anymore and is going through the motions. If the ratings were bad, this would be anothe 1994-1995 season when fans and critics tore the show apart...and justifiably so.

The following season, most of the cast was let go, new cast (Will Ferrell among them) and writers were brought in and the show was revitalized for a few seasons. Of course, they beat their characters to death too (Cheerleaders, Mary Katherine Gallagher), but the show had a good five years following that revitalization.

I say, fire everyone (including Lorne) and bring in some young, hungry writers, producers and actors and reboot. SNL, at least artistically speaking, is dead in the water right now.

TMC · 10-25-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

^While I think that Wiig is talented, the vast majority of her characters are pretty much unwatchable after one sketch. I mean, I get it that she can do irritating characters, but the problem is they are just that; irritating, not funny except in a grotesque "finger pointing" sort of way, and even then, only for a very short while. Plus so many of them seem to be virtually the same; extremely nervous or awkward women who have some particular psychological quirk that makes them annoying or creepy to everyone around them.

I agree about Wilson; didn't care that much for Watkins, though.

The show has some good performers but more often than not they are still in the rut of extending a skit out way too far and hitting the same comic point again and again until you become numb to it.

I don't care much for Meyers on the news; he's too full of himself. I don't like anyone who laughs at their own jokes. That's my job.

I agree that Seth Meyers comes across as too much of a smug ********* on Weekend Update. I prefer anchors who give the somewhat of a appearance of WU being a legitimate newscast (like when Kevin Nealon was there). However, I think the whole self-congratulatory aura on WUhas been very present since Tina Fey started doing it.

TMC · 10-25-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

SNL is a mess these days - they never should've fired Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson

they are definitely reusing old sketches way too much, and I like Kristin Wiig, but they've got her doing the same stuff over and over again.

...and I'm pretty tired of Seth Meyers.

Honestly, I'm more mad that they dumped Michaela Watkins than Casey Wilson. Watkins had proven to be incredibly versatile and gifted. She should've been the second female cast member right now behind Kristin Wiig. The problem that I have with the two new girls is that I have a hard time telling them apart.

browneyes106 · 10-27-2009, 06:32 PM

I think Kristin Wiig is talented but she is used way too much on SNL. I'm also upset by the firing of Michaela Watkins. I'm glad that Abby Elliott is getting more sketch time on the show.

70s show watcher · 10-30-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

I agree that Seth Meyers comes across as too much of a smug ********* on Weekend Update. I prefer anchors who give the somewhat of a appearance of WU being a legitmate newscast (like when Kevin Nealon was there). However, I think the whole self-congratulatory aura on WUhas been very present since Tina Fey started doing it.

i personally wish that seth would stop screaming at the top of his lungs everytime he anchors update it is really giving me a headache i know that chevy did the same thing the first week the show was on the air but that was one week this thing with seth has been going on ever since he started doing update

browneyes106 · 11-11-2009, 01:23 AM

I also don't care for Seth Meyers on Weekeund Update. I think he's the worst one.

MrCleveland · 11-11-2009, 07:05 PM

I can make a few sketches for SNL.

I hope they could have another "Lawrence Welk" sketch with Junice from the Meryl Sisters finding roadkill, cooking, and eating it.

kissprof · 11-11-2009, 10:00 PM

The show has followed the same formula for most of the decade. Hope for some secondary press from the political openings, repeat characters that are easy to write for. This season, to me, is no different that the recent others. Michaela Watkins should have stayed, Casey was a good move. Abby has flourished this year. Nasim is good, Jenny Slate must be being punished. Her time will come.

Some of Kristin's charaters are massively annoying (Gilly, Penelope, the "just kidding" lady, Target lady), but she has given that show a ton the last few years. She is the most important member of the cast, and probably the most "leaned upon" female cast member in the history of the show.

TMC · 11-19-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I think Kristin Wiig is talented but she is used way too much on SNL. I'm also upset by the firing of Michaela Watkins. I'm glad that Abby Elliott is getting more sketch time on the show.

My guess is that Lorne Michaels & company wanted to go "younger" by adding those two new girls and keeping Abby Elliott around.

TMC · 11-19-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

I agree that Seth Meyers comes across as too much of a smug ********* on Weekend Update. I prefer anchors who give the somewhat of a appearance of WU being a legitimate newscast (like when Kevin Nealon was there). However, I think the whole self-congratulatory aura on WUhas been very present since Tina Fey started doing it.

Seth also speaks too quickly if you ask me. It makes the impact of the punchline less effective by rushing through his delivery.

10-20-2009, 03:32 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,366	"SNL" is stuck in the past — and too dependent on Kristin Wiig http://www.pbpulse.com/tv/2009/10/18...or-timeliness/ "Too many of the bits that are funny are either retreads of older bits or about subjects that were originally funny 20 years ago," complains Leslie Gray Streeter of Saturday's episode. "I don’t get it – a show that’s so deliciously pointed and timely during election season can’t rouse more than a couple of news and issues-related bits any other time? Even the cold open, featuring the president’s shirt-ripping mad alter ego 'The Rock Obama,' was funnier the first time. And there’s still entirely too much reliance on Kristin Wiig – what was the point of hiring two more female actors if they’re almost never seen or heard from?"

10-20-2009, 10:19 AM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,886	Very true
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10-20-2009, 11:15 AM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,176	SNL is a mess these days - they never should've fired Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson they are definitely reusing old sketches way too much, and I like Kristin Wiig, but they've got her doing the same stuff over and over again. ...and I'm pretty tired of Seth Meyers.
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10-20-2009, 03:40 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^While I think that Wiig is talented, the vast majority of her characters are pretty much unwatchable after one sketch. I mean, I get it that she can do irritating characters, but the problem is they are just that; irritating, not funny except in a grotesque "finger pointing" sort of way, and even then, only for a very short while. Plus so many of them seem to be virtually the same; extremely nervous or awkward women who have some particular psychological quirk that makes them annoying or creepy to everyone around them. I agree about Wilson; didn't care that much for Watkins, though. The show has some good performers but more often than not they are still in the rut of extending a skit out way too far and hitting the same comic point again and again until you become numb to it. I don't care much for Meyers on the news; he's too full of himself. I don't like anyone who laughs at their own jokes. That's my job.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

10-20-2009, 06:24 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	SNL made no sense firing Watkins, but the firing of Casey Wilson was fine -- she wasn't very good and hadn't made much of an impact in two years on the bench as a "featured player." SNL is just a moneymaking franchise now-- it's obvious that creator/producer Lorne Michaels doesn't care anymore and is going through the motions. If the ratings were bad, this would be anothe 1994-1995 season when fans and critics tore the show apart...and justifiably so. The following season, most of the cast was let go, new cast (Will Ferrell among them) and writers were brought in and the show was revitalized for a few seasons. Of course, they beat their characters to death too (Cheerleaders, Mary Katherine Gallagher), but the show had a good five years following that revitalization. I say, fire everyone (including Lorne) and bring in some young, hungry writers, producers and actors and reboot. SNL, at least artistically speaking, is dead in the water right now.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

10-27-2009, 06:32 PM	#8
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	I think Kristin Wiig is talented but she is used way too much on SNL. I'm also upset by the firing of Michaela Watkins. I'm glad that Abby Elliott is getting more sketch time on the show.

11-11-2009, 01:23 AM	#10
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	I also don't care for Seth Meyers on Weekeund Update. I think he's the worst one.

11-11-2009, 07:05 PM	#11
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	I can make a few sketches for SNL. I hope they could have another "Lawrence Welk" sketch with Junice from the Meryl Sisters finding roadkill, cooking, and eating it.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

11-11-2009, 10:00 PM	#12
kissprof Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 57	The show has followed the same formula for most of the decade. Hope for some secondary press from the political openings, repeat characters that are easy to write for. This season, to me, is no different that the recent others. Michaela Watkins should have stayed, Casey was a good move. Abby has flourished this year. Nasim is good, Jenny Slate must be being punished. Her time will come. Some of Kristin's charaters are massively annoying (Gilly, Penelope, the "just kidding" lady, Target lady), but she has given that show a ton the last few years. She is the most important member of the cast, and probably the most "leaned upon" female cast member in the history of the show.