SNL Is Dying but One Character Can Save It

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Summary

  • Maya Rudolph’s return to
    SNL
    could be the revamp the show needs, with viewers demanding more political satire and fresh humor.
  • SNL
    ‘s struggle to appeal to younger audiences could threaten its longevity, showing a need for moves to resonate with Gen Z.
  • Rudolph’s trending status on social media after Biden’s news and the virality of her sketches hint at her potential to help revive
    SNL
    .

As a lifelong SNL enthusiast who grew up with the likes of Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Maya Rudolph gracing my screens every Saturday night, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the news of her return to the show. From the days of “Schweddy Balls” and “Astronaut Jones” to her unforgettable portrayal of Kamala Harris, Maya has always been a comedic powerhouse that knows how to deliver the goods.

When President Joe Biden opted out of the 2024 presidential race and backed Vice President Kamala Harris instead, people responded in a contemporary, delightful manner: they rushed to Saturday Night Live’s official YouTube channel to remark that Maya Rudolph was on the verge of being extremely occupied. It seems that either we all possess a certain level of foresight or the social media intern who manages their accounts leaked the information, because not much time had passed before Deadline confirmed that Rudolph would be coming back to reprise her role.

As a dedicated gamer, I can relate this situation to my favorite Saturday Night Live (SNL). It’s not just me, lots of people are using media, including shows like SNL and Veep, to process significant political events. After the recent news, the viewership of Veep skyrocketed by an astonishing 350%! In its second season, Veep’s storyline revolves around Vice President Selina Meyer learning her POTUS wouldn’t run for another term. Armando Iannucci, the creator of Veep, found comparisons between real life and his show to be “inevitable.” The surge in Veep’s popularity could bode well for SNL too. During the Actors and Writers’ Strikes in 2023, when SNL was absent from our screens, a surprising 50% of viewers reported they didn’t miss it one bit, according to News Week. With such overwhelming support for Rudolph’s return, SNL might just get the reboot it needs!

How Is SNL Struggling, Exactly?

It seems as though the idea that Saturday Night Live (SNL) “doesn’t have the same spark anymore” has been circulating for nearly as long as the show itself. Each generation tends to view the period they watched during their youth as the best one. A quick online search reveals an abundance of articles and social media posts ranking the casts. In a blog post from Considering Outloud, the author insightfully notes that this common observation is due to our teenage years being a time when we are forming our preferences for what is entertaining and funny. If you were exposed to SNL during your teens, it can significantly impact your sense of humor throughout adulthood.

As an ardent fan, it’s fascinating to delve into the demographic breakdown of the show’s audience according to Parrot Analytics. It appears that a significant chunk of viewers are from Gen X, who grew up watching the show on television in their youth. The numbers drop as we move to younger generations, with only about 19% being from Gen Z. To put it in perspective, SNL might be considered a more mature version of what Gen Z and younger crowds usually consume on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Consequently, the share of the audience pie that traditional TV, including SNL, receives appears to shrink compared to these dynamic digital platforms. However, this data serves as a wake-up call. If SNL doesn’t adapt and make an effort to connect with younger generations, they might find their long-term success uncertain.

Will Maya Rudolph Alone Be Able to Revive SNL?

As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I must say that the recent Kamala Harris sketches have truly taken the comedy world by storm. With over 16 million views on YouTube, these clips have outperformed even Season 49’s average viewership of 7.2 million viewers per episode. This is particularly impressive considering that the season prior already saw an increase in viewership. SNL’s YouTube channel has always been a hotbed for viral content, but what sets the Kamala Harris sketches apart is their freshness – they are significantly more recent than most of the older videos on the channel.

In addition, Maya Rudolph’s comeback has sparked quite a buzz. After it was announced that Biden was stepping down, she immediately trended on the social media platform, previously known as Twitter. TikTok users also joined in the excitement. User simplysimone created an intriguing TikTok video suggesting that since Rudolph had previously portrayed Beyoncé and Beyoncé recently allowed Harris to use her song “Freedom” during her campaign, there could be some incredibly funny connections arising from this.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always felt that the late-night comedy scene, whether it’s talk shows or shows like SNL, needs a refresh to keep up with the times. An article in Salon suggests that they could do this by incorporating more edgy and thought-provoking content, similar to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Furthermore, I believe it’s crucial for these shows to diversify not only their on-screen hosts and cast members but also their writers and production teams. After all, a diverse team leads to a wider range of perspectives, which can only enrich the content we watch.

For Saturday Night Live (SNL), it might be beneficial, in a witty manner, to reconnect with the elements that initially made the show exceptional. Reviving a powerhouse talent like Maya Rudolph for political satire could serve as an excellent stepping stone. By the way, SNL airs on Saturdays at 11:30/10:30 p.m. central time on NBC, and you can stream it the following day on Peacock.

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2024-08-04 03:04