It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 585--Saturday Night Live Season 20

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https://www.itwasathingontv.com/e/ep...ive-season-20/

The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live's premiere is happening tomorrow night, October 4. We decided to look at another disastrous SNL season, having covered Season 6 (episode 97) and Season 11 (episode 265) previously. SNL was at a time of weakness, having lost key contributors in the previous year. The show lost even more contributors in S20. To add insult to injury, there would be a new kid on the block on another network.

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What were the biggest creative mistakes that were made during the production of Season 20 of Saturday Night Live (1994-95)?

The biggest creative mistakes during the production of Saturday Night Live Season 20 (1994-95) stemmed from the departure of key veteran talent, an over-reliance on a small group of performers, and a toxic, dysfunctional workplace environment that led to a decline in writing quality and a reliance on juvenile and offensive humor.

Key mistakes and issues include:

• Loss of Veteran Anchors: The show lost stabilizing forces and versatile performers like Phil Hartman and Dana Carvey, leaving a significant void that the remaining cast struggled to fill.
• Over-reliance on the "Bad Boys": Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and David Spade became the main focus, but critics found their schtick (yelling, pratfalls, "man-child" voices) repetitive and one-note when used heavily. This trio was also reportedly more focused on their burgeoning movie careers and breaking character than on the quality of the live show.
• Juvenile and Offensive Writing: The writing was widely criticized for being sophomoric, mean-spirited, and often resorting to shock value with sketches involving explicit, homophobic, misogynistic, or racist themes (e.g., a "WNBA isn't a real sport" sketch, or Mike Myers portraying Asian characters with retro stereotypes).
• Dysfunctional Cast and Writing Environment: The workplace was described as having low morale and a "sink-or-swim" atmosphere with little guidance. This led to dysfunction, including Janeane Garofalo quitting mid-season due to the "juvenile" and "sexist" environment.
• Underutilization of Talent and Large Cast Size: The large cast size, a result of bringing in established comedians like Chris Elliott, Michael McKean, and Mark McKinney who didn't mesh with the existing dynamic, meant that many performers were underused. Tim Meadows and Ellen Cleghorne, for example, were often relegated to "token" characters.
• Lack of Creative Direction: Lorne Michaels was criticized for vetoing edgier, better-written content (like some of Norm Macdonald's Weekend Update material) in favor of safer, "pedestrian" sketches. This lack of strong creative control over the "Bad Boys" era contributed to the season's low energy and critical failure.

These widely publicized issues led to declining ratings and critical drubbing, culminating in a significant cast and writing staff overhaul for the following season.

The biggest creative mistakes made during the production of Season 20 of Saturday Night Live (1994-95) involved an overstuffed cast, weak writing, misguided casting choices, and a notable lack of creative direction and cohesion, leading to some of the series' worst-received sketches and a near-cancellation of the show.​

Bloated and Uncoordinated Cast

Season 20 featured a very large cast, which contributed to a lack of chemistry and competition for screen time among performers. Many talented cast members were underused or relegated to minor roles, causing frustration and stunted performances. This diluted group dynamic led to flat sketches and characters that failed to connect with viewers.​

Writing and Tonal Shifts

The writing was widely criticized for its juvenile and repetitive humor, a byproduct of the so-called "Bad Boy" era where cast members like Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and David Spade were allowed free rein. Critics noted that the humor skewed towards younger, male audiences and lost the political and satirical edge that had been a hallmark of previous seasons. The writing staff had also seen the departure of veterans like Robert Smigel, Jack Handey, and Conan O'Brien, further affecting the quality.​

Misuse and Exit of Cast Members

Several cast additions—Chris Elliott, Michael McKean, and Mark McKinney—were considered misfires, as their comedic sensibilities didn't mesh with the rest of the ensemble or with SNL's style at the time. The women in the cast were especially underutilized, and cast member Janeane Garofalo quit midseason, citing "juvenile and homophobic" sketches and a toxic, sexist environment. Other experienced cast members, like Tim Meadows and Ellen Cleghorne, were relegated to stereotypical or one-dimensional roles.​

Poorly Executed Sketches and Production Issues

Season 20 saw "some of SNL's worst all-time sketches," with many elaborate sets or concepts wasted on unfunny premises and some sketches feeling rushed or unfinished on air. Inconsistent production values, such as visible incomplete sets, further signaled creative and logistical problems behind the scenes.​

Loss of Direction and Morale

With ratings and morale at an all-time low, Lorne Michaels himself described this as the closest he ever came to being fired, with NBC executives pressuring major changes or outright cancellation. The season ended with a major shake-up, seeing many core cast members such as Farley and Sandler fired so that the show could survive and retool.​

Overall, a combination of an oversized, poorly utilized cast, a tired writing room, misdirected comedic focus, and lackluster leadership culminated in one of the lowest points in SNL’s history.​

Season 20 of Saturday Night Live (1994–95) is widely considered one of the most troubled in the show’s long history. Even SNL creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels has publicly acknowledged it as a low point. Several creative mistakes contributed to this season’s critical and popular struggles. Here's a breakdown of the biggest missteps:

1. Bloated, Mismatched Cast

Problem: The cast was too large (over a dozen members at one point), and the mix of performers didn't gel.

Mismatch of styles: You had veteran cast members (like Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, David Spade) overlapping with newer, younger or less experienced comedians who hadn’t found their voices yet.

Lack of cohesion: Newer performers like Chris Elliott and Janeane Garofalo were acclaimed in other comedy settings but didn't mesh well with SNL’s fast-paced, broad sketch style.

2. Poor Use of Talent

• Chris Elliott (of Get a Life fame) was brought in as a featured player but was awkwardly used, often not playing to his strengths.
  
• Janeane Garofalo, a rising alt-comedy star, clashed with the show’s creative direction and eventually left mid-season.
  
• Michael McKean, a seasoned actor and comedy writer, joined the cast late in his career but wasn’t integrated well, and critics questioned the casting of someone so established as a “new” cast member.

3. Unfocused Writing and Recycled Material

• Many sketches felt lazy, uninspired, or recycled from earlier seasons.
  
• Some recurring characters and bits were run into the ground, leading to stagnation (e.g., too much reliance on “Weekend Update” with tired jokes).
  
• There was a lack of memorable, fresh characters or breakout sketches from the newer cast members.

4. Tone-Deaf Humor and Edginess for Its Own Sake

• The show was trying to be “edgy” but often came off as mean-spirited or offensive without purpose.
  
• Certain sketches pushed boundaries without being funny or insightful, alienating both audiences and critics.
  
• Even in the mid-90s, some jokes were seen as out of touch or dated.

5. Creative Burnout and Leadership Issues

• Lorne Michaels had been back at the helm for 10 years by this point (after returning in 1985), and there were signs of creative fatigue.
  
• Internally, the show was reportedly plagued by low morale, tension between cast and writers, and a lack of clear creative direction.
  
• Head writer Jim Downey (a longtime SNL veteran) was fired mid-season, and this further reflected the turmoil behind the scenes.

6. Declining Ratings and Cultural Relevance

• Audiences were tuning out. Ratings dipped significantly compared to previous years.
  
• SNL felt increasingly out of step with the times, especially compared to rising comedy on cable (like The Larry Sanders Show or The Simpsons), or alt-comedy scenes that valued irony and self-awareness over the broad shtick SNL was relying on.

The Aftermath: A Massive Overhaul

NBC and Lorne Michaels cleaned house at the end of the season:

• Most of the cast was fired or left voluntarily, including veterans like Adam Sandler and Chris Farley.
  
• Season 21 debuted with a refreshed cast (including Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Darrell Hammond) and a new energy, which eventually helped restore the show's reputation.

Summary: Key Creative Mistakes

| Mistake | Consequence |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| Mismatched, bloated cast | Lack of chemistry, poor dynamics |
| Misused talent | Potential wasted, viewer disappointment |
| Weak, derivative writing | Few standout sketches, no cultural impact |
| Edginess without clarity | Audience alienation, critical backlash |
| Creative fatigue | Unfocused leadership and low morale |

If you’re curious, many fans and critics rank Season 20 as one of the worst in the show’s history—if not the worst. But it also served as a wake-up call that led to the rebirth of the show later in the '90s.