As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live (SNL) and someone who has witnessed its evolution over the years, I find it fascinating to see how the show addresses changing societal norms and humor. Will Ferrell’s recent comments about regretting playing Janet Reno on SNL have sparked a conversation that highlights the importance of understanding and evolving with the times.
Comedy is always changing with the times, which means something that may have been considered funny a few years ago, might not be anymore. In that vein, Will Ferrell recently opened up about regretting playing Janet Reno on Saturday Night Live. Now, SNL boss Lorne Michaels has responded to those comments.
What Will Ferrell Said About The Character He Regretted Playing On SNL
During an interview with the New York Times about their upcoming Netflix documentary, “Will & Harper”, which follows Will Ferrell and Harper Steele’s road trip as Steele navigated her life following her transition, they also reminisced about their time on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Notably, Ferrell is one of the most successful SNL alumni, and his friend was a writer there in the past. Consequently, they discussed how their comedy has evolved over time.
It was pointed out that some humor might lose its charm over time, and an instance cited as no longer fitting well today was the portrayal of Janet Reno. Ferrell had previously dressed in drag to depict the former attorney general, but both he and Steele indicated that such a representation is not something they would pursue now.
Ferrell: That’s something I wouldn’t choose to do now.
Steele: This kind of bums me out. I understand the laugh is a drag laugh. It’s, “Hey, look at this guy in a dress, and that’s funny.” It’s absolutely not funny. It’s absolutely a way that we should be able to live in the world.
Yet, Steele expressed concerns that we might restrict the delight of performance when we limit the scope that artists, particularly comedians, can express. She used Robin Williams’ portrayal of a gay man in “The Birdcage” as an illustration of this point.
Currently, the executive producer of SNL, Lorne Michaels, has voiced his thoughts in response to Ferrell’s remarks, offering his perspective on the evolution of comedy.
How Lorne Michaels Responded
As Saturday Night Live gets ready to debut its 50th season on television schedules in 2024, Lorne Michaels shared insights about the show’s past, notable personalities it has launched, and even expressed fondness for Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s documentary. He also discussed the feedback from his peers regarding the Janet Reno sketch, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
In response to the two comedians specific quotes, Michaels said:
I instinctively rely on the audience’s judgment. During rehearsals, you can sense when a joke doesn’t sit right. Even if it elicits laughter, it’s often an uncomfortable kind, and it usually doesn’t go far. However, a recent discussion about our cast member playing Janet Reno sparked something different. There was a sincerity to the portrayal that resonated with us. While I acknowledge why such casting might be inappropriate today, someone needs to address the inappropriateness, and that’s usually our role.
Given his long tenure as head of SNL spanning over five decades, it’s clear that he’s well-versed in how comedy adapts to changing times. His statement suggests an awareness of why Ferrell donning women’s clothing to portray Janet Reno might be seen as inappropriate today. Yet, he also pointed out that when they produced the show, they relied on the laughter they received, and at that time, the humor didn’t seem “offensive” to them.
Essentially, just as cultures adapt over time, so does humor. Jokes acceptable in the past may not resonate today, and it’s crucial to discuss the reasons behind these shifts, a topic we delved into here.
To catch Lorne Michaels’ plans for the upcoming historic season of Saturday Night Live, you can tune in on NBC or Peacock (with a subscription) at 11:30 p.m. ET on September 28th. On the other hand, if you want to watch Ferrell and Steele’s heartfelt documentary, Will & Harper, ensure your Netflix account is all set for streaming starting from September 27th.
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2024-09-19 23:07