"SNL" stuck in the past: More sketches skewered 1960s TV than the Internet - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-23-2012, 07:23 PM

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertain...e-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 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.

Retro4Life · 05-23-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertain...e-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 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.

Dr. Thong · 05-24-2012, 05:47 PM

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.

70s show watcher · 05-26-2012, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

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

ajgenard · 05-27-2012, 03:28 AM

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."

MrCleveland · 05-27-2012, 09:47 AM

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"!

UMFaninMD · 05-27-2012, 12:20 PM

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.

Dr. Thong · 05-27-2012, 04:00 PM

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.

EmoJoe · 05-29-2012, 03:02 AM

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.

Dr. Thong · 05-29-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

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.

visaman666 · 06-10-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

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.

visaman666 · 06-10-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

... 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.

celluloidsimple · 06-16-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

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.

installLSC · 06-23-2013, 06:02 PM

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?

king of comedy · 06-24-2013, 11:26 AM

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.

05-23-2012, 07:23 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,612	"SNL" stuck in the past: More sketches skewered 1960s TV than the Internet http://www.theatlantic.com/entertain...e-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 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.

05-24-2012, 05:47 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	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.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-27-2012, 09:47 AM	#6
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: 14,229	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"!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

05-29-2012, 03:02 AM	#9
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	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.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

05-27-2012, 03:28 AM	#5
ajgenard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 369	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."

05-27-2012, 12:20 PM	#7
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	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.

05-27-2012, 04:00 PM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	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.

06-23-2013, 06:02 PM	#14
installLSC Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 19, 2013 Location: United States Posts: 271	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?

06-24-2013, 11:26 AM	#15
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	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.