SNL Is Stuck in a Creative Rut in Its 50th Season — Can It Be Fixed?
As TVLine's resident Saturday Night Live correspondent, I cover the show each week and keep a running tally of the season's best sketches. But with just three episodes left in the show's landmark 50th season, I'm finding that my list of memorable sketches is shorter than usual.
SNL went all out to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a live three-hour special in February that featured lots of fun cameos and sketches — but the season surrounding that special has been a letdown by comparison. It's almost as if the 50th anniversary has overshadowed the show itself, with the current cast getting pushed aside each week for buzzy cameos from former cast members. And it's not just the cameos: With uninspired writing and a lack of breakout stars, Season 50 has been making more headlines for viral moments like musical guest Morgan Wallen's abrupt exit than for funny sketches.
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There's still plenty of talent in the main cast, with Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner in particular shining on a regular basis. I like Sarah Sherman's unique brand of weirdness, and Michael Longfellow has a dry wit that isn't utilized enough. But it does feel like SNL is missing a heavy hitter right now, a true breakout star. Bowen Yang and Marcello Hernandez seem to be getting the most screen time this season, but the results have been decidedly mixed. (Hernandez's seductive Domingo is one of the few recurring characters SNL is still attempting.) I usually enjoy Please Don't Destroy's video contributions, too, but they feel sealed off from the rest of the show. SNL's current cast just feels like a grab bag of different comedic styles that aren't meshing together well.
Then there's the Donald Trump problem. SNL trots out James Austin Johnson as Trump nearly every week without fail, but the political sketches feel obligatory at this point, and like preaching to the choir. Johnson's impression is spot-on, to be fair, but the writing just rehashes the same notes over and over. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it's boring to watch SNL beat a dead horse each week, and it eats up valuable real estate that could be dedicated to actually innovative sketch comedy.
Now of course, people have been declaring SNL dead almost as long as it's been on the air, and it always manages to find a way to bounce back, so I'm not counting it out entirely. But I can also clearly see that it's flailing right now, and Lorne Michaels isn't getting any younger. Could a fresh voice like Tina Fey (please?) come in and take the reins and guide SNL into a new golden era? I could see it… and I'm rooting for it. SNL's 50th anniversary special reminded us how essential this show has been to American comedy over the past half-century. But it also highlighted how far off the path the show is right now.
What do you think, fans? Grade the current season in our poll, and then hit the comments to share your take on Season 50.
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