Should Abe Vigoda Host 'SNL'? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-12-2010, 09:42 PM

Betty White's recent hosting duties on 'Saturday Night Live' didn't just score a coup for a bunch of Facebook friends with nothing better to do than poke random strangers in a completely platonic way. It was a huge for coup for White.

She's a celebrated actress with a long career that most modern TV stars won't even come close to having, even if her popularity re-surged because of a cameo in a Super Bowl commercial for Snickers. Her performance in that ad made for hilarious viewing, though it helped that every other ad stunk on ice worse than a 'Godfather'-themed ice skating show.

But another famous and equally-storied face had an equally big laugh in the same ad. Those of us who were sober enough to remember it might have recognized TV and film actor Abe Vigoda getting a muddy, full-body smackdown as the team's tired quarterback. His appearance didn't have as many lines, but it got just as big of a laugh.

It's hard to make lightning strike twice in the same bottle, but if anyone could do it, Fish could.

He has just as long of a celebrated career as the 'Golden Girl' that stretches to just about every corner of the pop culture landscape from shows like 'Barney Miller' to classic films like the original 'Godfather.' His career is ripe for parody in just about every direction.

He also seems pretty spry for a guy from his epoch. He might not be able to throat punch guys like he used to, but he still has an angry air of respect that surrounds him, an aura of "Don't mess with this old guy." If 'SNL' can't tap into that energy for a sketch, they should just put a bullet in the whole production by the end of the season.

And unlike Mrs. White, he's already got some serious street cred in the modern comedy universe from his punchline long appearances on shows like 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' and some of the early Comedy Central roasts.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/05/12/wh...ould-host-snl/

catlover79 · 05-12-2010, 11:42 PM

YES, YES, YES!!!!! Abe would be the PERFECT host.

Retro4Life · 05-12-2010, 11:55 PM

I'd say "yes", too. He's in good shape for a guy his age and his deadpan humor would be a welcome change from the more...err..."obvious" humor that seems to populate SNL lately.

darrin_h2000 · 05-13-2010, 12:04 AM

But Betty White has a new TV series...Abe Does not...frankly he is lucky to be alive...I thought he was 100 yo in the Seventies when he was on Barney Miller...he has got to be going for a record.

Zoneboy · 05-13-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrin_h2000

But Betty White has a new TV series...Abe Does not...frankly he is lucky to be alive...I thought he was 100 yo in the Seventies when he was on Barney Miller...he has got to be going for a record.

Lucky to be alive? That's a joke if I ever heard one and this just proves that an actor can fool the viewer into believing what they see on tv. While Abe Vigoda was playing poor-old broken-down worn-out detective Fish, He was jogging as much as 5 miles a day. My guess is that health wise, Abe was in better shape than most of the cast.

Marvo301 · 05-13-2010, 01:12 AM

I think Abe would be great on SNL. When Conan O'Brien was doing his 12:30 show based in New York he used to use Abe in comedy sketches occasionally and they were hilarious.

darrin_h2000 · 05-13-2010, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Lucky to be alive? That's a joke if I ever heard one and this just proves that an actor can fool the viewer into believing what they see on tv. While Abe Vigoda was playing poor-old broken-down worn-out detective Fish, He was jogging as much as 5 miles a day. My guess is that health wise, Abe was in better shape than most of the cast.

I heard that about Grady from Sanford and son...that he was only 40 something but looked 60 something when he did the show.

OH Nuts! · 05-13-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

YES, YES, YES!!!!! Abe would be the PERFECT host.

I think he would be fun too...but imho Betty White is gonna be a HARD ACT to follow. I so love her. I hope SNL has her back. I think it was the best SNL (or at least in top 3) I ever saw.

DJM77 · 05-13-2010, 05:19 PM

It would be really nice to see but I think the problem with it is that there are too many people who don't know who Abe Vigoda is.

MickeyMac · 05-13-2010, 06:44 PM

I say no.

The next host should be Larry Hagman.

catlover79 · 05-14-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Lucky to be alive? That's a joke if I ever heard one and this just proves that an actor can fool the viewer into believing what they see on tv. While Abe Vigoda was playing poor-old broken-down worn-out detective Fish, He was jogging as much as 5 miles a day. My guess is that health wise, Abe was in better shape than most of the cast.

Not only was he jogging how many miles a day, I also read he was an avid handball player. Besides, he's barely aged at all since he played Fish.

Zoneboy · 05-14-2010, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Not only was he jogging how many miles a day, I also read he was an avid handball player.

You're so right, I forgot all about that.

catlover79 · 05-14-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

You're so right, I forgot all about that.

Can you just imagine Fish trying to play handball???

Chocolate Moose · 05-14-2010, 10:20 AM

Nooooooooooooooo...I don't think it'd be funny. Anyway, SNL is done for the season.

Marvo301 · 05-14-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Can you just imagine Fish trying to play handball???

He'd probably have to play in the washroom since that's were he spends much of his time.

05-12-2010, 09:42 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Should Abe Vigoda Host 'SNL'? Betty White's recent hosting duties on 'Saturday Night Live' didn't just score a coup for a bunch of Facebook friends with nothing better to do than poke random strangers in a completely platonic way. It was a huge for coup for White. She's a celebrated actress with a long career that most modern TV stars won't even come close to having, even if her popularity re-surged because of a cameo in a Super Bowl commercial for Snickers. Her performance in that ad made for hilarious viewing, though it helped that every other ad stunk on ice worse than a 'Godfather'-themed ice skating show. But another famous and equally-storied face had an equally big laugh in the same ad. Those of us who were sober enough to remember it might have recognized TV and film actor Abe Vigoda getting a muddy, full-body smackdown as the team's tired quarterback. His appearance didn't have as many lines, but it got just as big of a laugh. It's hard to make lightning strike twice in the same bottle, but if anyone could do it, Fish could. He has just as long of a celebrated career as the 'Golden Girl' that stretches to just about every corner of the pop culture landscape from shows like 'Barney Miller' to classic films like the original 'Godfather.' His career is ripe for parody in just about every direction. He also seems pretty spry for a guy from his epoch. He might not be able to throat punch guys like he used to, but he still has an angry air of respect that surrounds him, an aura of "Don't mess with this old guy." If 'SNL' can't tap into that energy for a sketch, they should just put a bullet in the whole production by the end of the season. And unlike Mrs. White, he's already got some serious street cred in the modern comedy universe from his punchline long appearances on shows like 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' and some of the early Comedy Central roasts. http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/05/12/wh...ould-host-snl/ Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-12-2010, 11:42 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	YES, YES, YES!!!!! Abe would be the PERFECT host.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-12-2010, 11:55 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'd say "yes", too. He's in good shape for a guy his age and his deadpan humor would be a welcome change from the more...err..."obvious" humor that seems to populate SNL lately.
	__________________ 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."

05-13-2010, 01:12 AM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I think Abe would be great on SNL. When Conan O'Brien was doing his 12:30 show based in New York he used to use Abe in comedy sketches occasionally and they were hilarious.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-13-2010, 05:19 PM	#9
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	It would be really nice to see but I think the problem with it is that there are too many people who don't know who Abe Vigoda is.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

05-13-2010, 12:04 AM	#4
darrin_h2000 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 48	But Betty White has a new TV series...Abe Does not...frankly he is lucky to be alive...I thought he was 100 yo in the Seventies when he was on Barney Miller...he has got to be going for a record.

05-13-2010, 06:44 PM	#10
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	I say no. The next host should be Larry Hagman.

05-14-2010, 10:20 AM	#14
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	Nooooooooooooooo...I don't think it'd be funny. Anyway, SNL is done for the season.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.