SNL is not funny

In the last couple of years SNL has been getting record ratings, awards, and cultural relevance.

But I can't imagine why it is still on...

Its diverting, comforting, and there are some good gags. You're not supposed to really sit there and watch it. Put it on while you're cleaning your kitchen or something and look at it when it catches your attention.

I think the last iconic skit I really liked was Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, with an assist from Queen Latifah as Gwen Ifill.

They should've ended the show when the Hartman/Carvey cast all left.

Back in the day, I was either high or drunk when the show came on. Of course we thought everything was funny. I agree, that Mad TV and In Living Color had their funny moments. Mad TV had Stuart, the Lala Lady, and of course Miss Swan. The only skit from In Living Color that I remember is Men on Films. Over the years, SNL has had catch phrases that have become part of our daily speech, for at least for some of us. To be honest, since I don't stay up late on Saturdays like I used to, I watch clips of the show the day after or later in the week. Last week's cold opening was priceless, with Stormy Daniels making a cameo appearance. By the way, I had friends 40 years ago say that SNL would never last.

After the mention of Mad TV, I found this clip. Hysterical!

I'm fine with SNL. The question is - why does expensive ripoff NYU still exist!!!!

I haven't watched it since the first couple of seasons. Dear god that makes me old! I'm not sure anyone actually likes it or thinks it's funny; rather, it has managed to present itself as a cultural touchstone, a club that everyone wants membership of. People repeat unfunny lines from the show, howl with recognition when a name actor makes an unannounced cameo, all the while realizing that it really isn't funny; they laugh because they've been conditioned to, and they don't want to appear like they're not in the club that "gets it." That said, I would lick Mikey Day from cover to cover.

I can only imagine it's still on because it's popular with the college age crowd.

R4, agreed. I will never forgive the next terrible cast for hoisting Will Ferrell and Tracy Morgan upon us.

SNL is never funny. The humor is lame, and often times the so-called comedians have to grin or give a knowing look to the audience to get a laugh. Absolute fucking torture.

I love people like R8 who act superior and pretednd not to watch it, yet know the cast members' names

I also love the people who don't know how business works, and think shows should be cancelled based on their own personal likes and dislikes. It's ratings that determine what stays on the air. It's a late night show that gets better ratings than a lot of primetime shows -why would it be cancelled?

Sorry OP. The thread topic is complete bullpucky!!

Now this is funny, and she's not even trying.

I haven't watched SNL in years. It was one of the most homophobic show on TV for a long time - always making fun of gays. Not funny, just stupid and immature.

East coast humor.

He didn't learn much.

Gosh, OP. Maybe your English-to-Russian translators aren't very good.

Like we don't know you.

SNL went from being universally funny to being demographically funny.

I'm the guy who said he hasn't watched SNL since the first season, yet knows Mikey Day's name. His name, actually, is the only name I know, and that is because of a previous thread on here. Otherwise, I wouldn't know who he was. It's possible to know about things even if you don't watch them; some things enter the general consciousness.

I liked their Andy Cohen sketch.

Royal family doctor.

Null and void...

[quote]SNL hasn't been funny in decades.

It's a shame you're being forced to watch it. If only there was someway to unplug the TV or turn it off.

Why is it still on? To provide a job for Kenan Thompson who can't get a job elsewhere

In Living Color was good until the Wayans brothers left

OP Were you known as "Morris The Cat" on some music threads awhile back?

Not too many people on the DL post kitty photos.

There's a huge demographic that loves its cheesy Dad joke vibe.

I have a coworker like this and she watches religiously. Her idea for weekend evening plans is 1) prune the hedges and trees on Friday night 2) grocery shopping Saturday night to avoid the crowds and 3) going to bed early for Monday morning.

[QUOTE]You're not supposed to really sit there and watch it. Put it on while you're cleaning your kitchen or something and look at it when it catches your attention.

What a ringing endorsement. “It’s a great show so long as you don’t give it your full attention.” Be sure to hold off on vacuuming the floors until 11:30 at night when SNL starts, folks.

Lorne Michaels once made a good point: "The show is always funniest when you're in high school and college, and thereafter you always perceive it it's as hugely fallen in quality." He's pretty much right. Everyone's Golden Age of SNL (other than the original cast) is whatever it was when they were adolescents. One time someone was holding forth to me on the brilliance of Adam Sandler and Chris Farley and how it could never be met again, and I was pretty amused: to me that is the all-time LOW POINT of SNL (Chris Farley's Lori Davis hair care infomercial excepted).

I agree with r24, OP. If you hate it so much, why do you keep watching it?

I watch it because I WANT it to be good, great even; it's often not (Not R24 here)

I thought Anne Hathaway's impersonations of Claire Danes from Homeland and especially her Katie Holmes' were fantastic. But those moments are so rare.

[quote]Why is this shitty show still on when it's not funny?

Because America.

Disagree R30. The years with Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks and the others were the best. They had a top notch cast who were not just comedians, but actors as well. The quality of those episodes still hold up today. A textbook definition of well done sketch comedy. Even the late 90's years with Cheri Oteri, Molly Shannon were pretty funny as well.

Eddie Murphy was the best.

I agree R34; Hartman, Hooks and Carvey were my faves after Gilda and whoever was lucky enough to work with her.

I've made the point before, but being funny is secondary to SNL. Their main goal is remaining a Beloved National Institution. That means never changing the set, the kind of skits, even the timing of bits in the show, not by a minute. The point is being a sort of national televised comfort food. If they are funny, well, then that is all fine and good, but it's really not why the show is there. Once you realize this SNL makes a lot more sense.

Game show skit anyone?

If you think about it, it is probably effectively impossible to simultaneously be humorous and a friendly, comforting, Beloved National Institution. It can be perhaps amusing, or even witty, but true knee-slapping funniness will always at some point involve pushing boundaries, being rude, or offending some viewers. SNL is not able or willing to do these and risk its BNI status. From the show's perspective, what would be the point?

Nothing points out their special Beloved National Institution status so much as that it is the only show that is regularly criticized for not having a sufficiently diverse cast.