As a fan who grew up watching Chris Farley’s hilarious antics on Saturday Night Live and his iconic movie roles, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia mixed with a tinge of sadness when I hear about unseen gems like this sketch. It’s fascinating to delve into the creative process behind some of the most memorable moments from SNL, and this one sounds intriguing indeed.
Approximately two months before Chris Farley’s untimely demise, the renowned actor and comedian revisited the stage where his fame blossomed. Known as one of the youngest cast members on Saturday Night Live, Farley graced the show again in 1997 to serve as its host. Robert Smigel, best recognized for his animated works on SNL, was also a significant contributor to the show’s iconic sketches. Although not all of Smigel’s ideas made it onto television, we now get a glimpse into one potential sketch that Farley might have performed during his hosting stint.
Lately, Smigel featured on the “Inside Late Night” podcast. Although the writer expressed some reservations (“I may regret this”), he went ahead and recited an entire sketch featuring Chris Farley as talk show host Rosie O’Donnell – at least, this is where the sketch began. However, after a minute, the sketch shifted to a meta level, according to Smigel, when Farley…
In a flustered moment, Chris abruptly removes his wig, expressing frustration and exclaiming, “Gosh darn it! I can’t do Rosie O’Donnell! I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.” Lorne enters the room, confused. “What on earth is happening here, Chris?” asks Lorne. “I’m truly sorry, but I have no idea how to imitate Rosie,” Chris replies. “We invested a lot in this set and costume because you said you could do Rosie. Now, what are we going to do?” Lorne questions. Chris, overwhelmed, responds, “Oh, my goodness, oh my goodness… Let me think, who’s a plump character I can play instead?”
As I stepped onto the stage that night, sporting a brand-new wig, I found myself transformed into Marlon Brando – or so I claimed, with Rosie’s familiar face peeking out from beneath it. Yet, just as swiftly as the transformation took place, I’d pause, shaking my head and admitting I couldn’t recall how to channel Brando properly. Lorne Michaels and Tracy Morgan joined me then, their faces filled with amusement as they pondered aloud, trying to pick a plump celebrity for me to emulate next. The focus shifted back to me, and I began to croon…
“Chris often plays the role of the heavyset character. ‘Is it necessary for me to always be portrayed as the overweight performer?’ … ‘Why must I always dance the chubby dance? There’s a vast array of slim characters I could play, if only given a chance.'”
In Chris’ performance, he would croon songs featuring thin celebrities he could impersonate. Imagery of Farley dressed as these stars seemed to materialize on stage. The crowd adored this act, turning it into a success, which pleased Lorne Michaels immensely. Smigel clarified the purpose of the sketch by stating…
In simpler terms, I was clearly expressing my opinion that the show and comedy world are repeatedly using Chris for jokes based on his weight, which I believe is mocking him. However, it’s not intended to suggest that Chris can only play overweight characters; rather, it seems like an absurd joke about him playing roles such as Jennifer Aniston or Richard Gere, which he obviously cannot do.
Chris Farley, a highly acclaimed talent from Saturday Night Live (SNL), was often typecast as the overweight character in both SNL skits and movies. This observation has been made by his friend Bob Odenkirk, who also contributed to SNL during Farley’s initial period, particularly criticizing the Chippendale sketch he did with Patrick Swayze, a performance that is widely recognized as one of Farley’s most notable roles. However, the creator of the sketch, Conan O’Brien (Smigel), has defended it, stating that it wasn’t solely about a heavy man aspiring to be an exotic dancer, but rather it showcased Farley’s surprising agility, a trait many might not expect from him, which was the joke.
As someone who has been a fan of Saturday Night Live for many years, I can’t help but wonder what could have been if a certain sketch featuring Chris Farley had made it to air. Based on my understanding and appreciation of the show’s humor, I believe that while the sketch may not have explicitly focused on Chris’ size, it likely poked fun at that aspect of his persona. Given the sensitive nature of comedy, it is not surprising that such a sketch might not have been deemed appropriate for broadcast.
An upcoming movie focuses on the life of Chris Farley, ensuring that his weight and its role in comedy – whether effectively or excessively employed for humor – will be addressed. This may possibly include a specific skit as part of the narrative.
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2024-08-14 18:37