I caught the season premier of the show (after not watching for a while) and as usual, was entertained through Weekend Update and it went downhill from there.

Some thoughts:

- Steve Carell (of 40 Year Old Virgin fame) hosted. For some reason, he played only bit parts in the skits and wasn't even in a few of them.
- The cast has a new member who does great impressions. He did an Al Pacino one on the show and it blew me away.
- Great moment between Kanye West and Mike Myers (playing on Kanye's "George Bush doesn't care about black people" moment)
- I'm becoming a bigger and bigger Amy Poehler fan

Are there other SNL fans out there?

It used to be good, even as little as five years ago... but by the time Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Colin Quinn, and Cheri Oteri left, it was already going downhill fast. Before that, it was fan-TAST-ic. The writing is really pathetic now too. Sometimes I watch it just to give it another chance, but nope, no cigar. The 80's and early 90's were the best years, I think.

I agree. The best periods of the show were the Not Ready For Primetime Players era during the 70's and up until the late 90's. Now it's crap.

I agree Zia.

They had a powerful cast during the Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Chris Rock, Phil Hartman and Chris Farley era.

Then it went through a lull period which were then followed by the Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Cheri O'Teri and Molly Shannon era.

I guess we're in a lull period right now.

Yeah, if there's a pattern, maybe there's hope. But for now, yes, it's definitely a lull period.

I haven't seen the show in months. I liked the 70's era and the Mike Meyers, dana Carvey Etc. era the best.

That's it and that's all.

At least its not as bad as MAD TV is now.
For the record, Mr. Bill is awesome.

SNL is about as funny as a root canal.

As a senior statesman of the board, I matured as an adult watching SNL. In recent years my ability to stay awake past 11pm has hindered my watching of SNL. But the show has been a roller coaster of quality comedy. How many folks remember Randy Quaid as a regular, or Billy Crystal?

Is Daryl Hammond still on? I've seen him on two crime shows (Law and Order??) I couldn't help but expect him to break into an impression of Bill Clinton.

As another older member I watched SNL all the time for the first few years in was on. It was so "different" and outspoken for it's time. I don't remember Randy Quaid being on though.

I was surprised to learn the Chevy Chase was only on the show for one (or was it two) years. He sure made an impression. I loved the entire cast. I also enjoyed in more recent years watching Will Ferrell. Haven't seen it since though.

TIS

As ANOTHER older member (but younger than both MaryCas and TIS) I remember the first show. My wife and I were going through TV Guide when we noticed a new show called "Saturday Night" that was going to be guest hosted by George Carlin. Reason enough for us to watch it, we tuned in and were blown away by the cast and how funny and talented they were. Their impressions, funny, quick wit and physical antics had us rolling for the rest of the season.

Chevy Chase became its first "star" with his pratfalls (especially when imitating Gerald Ford) followed by Belushi's samarai and Gilda Radner's hysterical Emily Latella and Roseann Roseannadanna.

The show was reminiscent of an early 60's political spoof - "That Was The Week That Was" (TW3) and IMO the best variety show of the decade.

Over the years I started losing interest in the show but I recognize its MANY talented cast members over its 3 decades.

Now that was a great show. Way before it's time.

Buck Henry did a lot of their writing before his stint on SNL, and they had the great songs by Tom Lehrer.

He put out an album called "That Was The Year That Was" that had his TW3 (remember, they called the show "TW3"?) songs on it. They were unbelieveably clever.

Reasons why SNL is in the Dumps:

*NON-OFFENSIVE - The last time I remember SNL actually airing a skit that actually was sorta dangerous was after 9/11 when Will Ferrell(in his last days before leaving the show) entered a workplace conference meeting, wearing only a patriotic bikini thong. Pretty humorous skit as well, for everyone trying to tell him to leave but without trying to act "un-patriotic".

Of course, SNL has quit being risque ever since that one Christmas episode where they thank Jews for killing Jesus so they could have Christmas and all its wonderful gifts. Pretty damn hilarious, but many people were offended, and it has been a "clean" ship since then...and not for the better. Besides, SOUTH PARK, Chappelle, Mencia, and others have taken over. Hell, even Conan O'Brien is more daring at times.

No wonder the only times that SNL is good is when Ferrell comes to host it, since at least they do JEOPARDY again. "JAP ANUS RELATIONS for 300!" "That's JAPAN U.S. Releations for 300!"

Other than that, SNL is about as daring and funny as my local campus radio comedy show...and the comparison isn't praise folks.

*LOUSY WRITING - When Tina Fey was named the Head Writer, she was the first woman to hold the job for the series. Because of this, the media generally is kinda to her...because if she was a man, she would have been fired quite earlier.

Really, anyone wanna come to the plate and tell me that I'm wrong, have at it. Thing is, I doubt anyone will come to disagree with me.

Maybe most reasons will be posted later.

TW3 - I never missed it, but I can't remember anyone who was in it .

I remember there being a bit of a buzz about SNL. One thing that was strange was that it was going to be on at 11:30pm! Sure you had Johnny Carson, but this just didn't seem normal. During the same time (or maybe a year earlier) was "All In The Family". Another ground-breaker.
Irreverent but it was relevant.

David Frost hosted. Buck Henry wrote and also appeared in some of the sketches. Nancy Ames was the singer.

Here's a link to Tom Leherer:

http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/

Scroll down to "That Was The Year That Was" (I've posted some of these lyrics before). You can sing along.

I also liked her BABAWAWA impression.

Trivia Quiz:

Emily Litella (Gilda Radner) used to do editorials where she responded to a letter. Who was the name of man who wrote the letters and where was he from?? :p

I know Rosanne Rosannadana use to respond to letters from
Mr. Richard Fader from Fort Lee New Jersey, was it the same guy?

Trivia Quiz: What were The Blues Brothers wearing when they first performed on the show?

Bee Outfits

Trivia- How much $$$ did Lorne Michaels offer to The Beatles to reunite and play three songs on SNL

I know Rosanne Rosannadana use to respond to letters from
Mr. Richard Fader from Fort Lee New Jersey, was it the same guy? [/b][/quote]Geez Daigo M, now you got me thinking .... no, it was Emily, and yes that was the guy....no, it was Roseanna...OK, it's time for my medicine. Good night Gracie.

Bee Outfits

Trivia- How much $$$ did Lorne Michaels offer to The Beatles to reunite and play three songs on SNL [/b][/quote]OOOOO that's a good one. It was something like $863. Close enough?

Emily Latella did not respond to letters. Roseannadanna did. DMF has it right.

Lorne Michaels originally offered $3,000 to the Beatles to reunite and perform on SNL. Remember the camera zooming-in on the oversized check? Later that same season, Michaels appeared on the show again, offering $3,200, "an extra $50 for each of you."

Paul McCartney has said that he was watching that particular episode with John Lennon at the Dakota, Lennon's New York City apartment, and they toyed with the idea of simply showing-up at the NBC studios, but ultimately elected not to do it.

...if only...

The following season, George Harrison appeared on SNL and talked to Lorne Michaels on the air about the offer. Michaels told Harrison it was $3,000 for all four of the Beatles together and Harrison would only receive $750 to perform by himself.

I remember that first season vividly. Belushi and Chase both logged time with the National Lampoon Radio Hour and I was familiar with some of their work before SNL aired so I was interested in seeing the faces that went with the voices.

The strength of the show might very well be its resiliency. Time and again, critics have said the show has run its course, and then another writer or one or more of the cast somehow distinguishes themselves and the show is rejuvenated for a period of time. In the history of television how many shows can boast the legacy established over its THIRTY YEARS like SNL?

tony b.

True, very good point about that. I mean, apparently the lowest points included when the original cast left finally by 1980, and 1994/5 when guys like Farley, Sandler, Myers, Rock, etc. were either fired or left the show.

Thing is, SNL needs a kick in the ass...and I just don't see a black boot anywhere.

I just thought I'd mention I have seen 40 year old virgin and I think it's rubbish

Totally irrelevant.

Wanted to revive this thread for a sec, Jack Black hosting and Neil Young performing tonight on SNL.