As a long-time SNL fan who’s watched every episode since the Lorne Michaels era, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and concern over the show’s current approach to election coverage. On one hand, it’s fantastic to see such stellar impressions from big names like Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Dana Carvey, and Andy Samberg. The humor they bring is undeniably top-notch, and it’s a treat to have them back on the show.
Last night, Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicked off their show by focusing on the Vice Presidential Debate, a topic that has since become the most buzzed-about part of the entire program. The YouTube views for this segment alone have almost reached one million, and the numbers for smaller clips on X are even higher. The audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, just like last week, but despite all the praise, it’s challenging not to notice a potential risk associated with SNL’s approach to election coverage this year.
Let’s go over some notable SNL performers in this election season so far. They include Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Bowen Yang as JD Vance, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, and Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff. The impersonations have received widespread acclaim, but it’s worth noting that four out of six of these performers are not currently part of the SNL cast, which could potentially impact the future direction of the show.
Without a doubt, Saturday Night Live (SNL) has a history of inviting people for specific political impersonations. One of the most talked-about was Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Donald Trump, and Tina Fey continued to play Sarah Palin even after her other SNL duties ended. This year stands out because there are numerous non-cast member impressions happening simultaneously, which is not unusual for SNL, but it’s particularly notable this time around.
From one perspective, it’s understandable that Lorne Michaels might choose this approach. After all, comedy is the objective, and these impressions are hitting the mark perfectly. Furthermore, featuring a well-known celebrity each week attracts more viewers and lends a touch of contemporary relevance. Moreover, given that this year marks the 50th season of the show, there’s a strong desire to make it memorable by inviting back past cast members and incorporating exciting celebrity cameos to add a unique twist.
On a different note, it’s worth mentioning that political sketches are often the most popular during the entire season. These can serve as excellent platforms for the cast members to gain visibility. Iconic performers like Will Ferrell, Darrell Hammond, Dana Carvey, and Phil Hartman significantly boosted their fame through powerful political impressions. There’s a risk in not providing more opportunities for the up-and-coming talent to showcase their skills in this area. It’s crucial to always look forward and while Bowen Yang and James Austin Johnson are doing so, other impressions aren’t contributing to the future.
You can check out last night’s VP Debate sketch below…
In simpler terms, I’m expressing that everything they’re doing is going well, and I don’t want to give the impression that I’m complaining. I enjoy seeing celebrities on SNL, but there’s only a certain amount of time available each week. If that time goes to returning celebrities, it means less time for the current cast members. This is acceptable in moderation, especially during special years like Season 50. However, everyone involved should aim for balance because the increased audience this season could also be an opportunity to develop new talents.
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2024-10-06 17:07