SNL’s Most Bizarre Season: The ‘Weird Year’ That Almost Killed the Show

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Over the past several decades, there’s always been speculation about the future of Saturday Night Live. Despite some claiming they don’t watch or find it unfunny, it continues to be a topic of conversation and its sketches often go viral. Some believe the show has overstayed its welcome, the content needs improvement, or certain cast members should leave. However, these criticisms rarely lead to any significant changes because Saturday Night Live is such an integral part of late-night television that few ever anticipate it ending. Interestingly, there was a time when Saturday Night Live almost got canceled, and some argue it should have been. The show was on the brink of extinction, but instead of a complete cast overhaul saving the show, it resulted in a year that is now referred to as the “odd season.

1985 marked an unusual season, the eleventh one, which is given attention in the fourth episode of the Peacock docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. This episode, titled “Season 11: The Weird Year,” delves into the errors, hurdles, and lessons from this season that is frequently overlooked but has become notable for all the wrong reasons in historical context.

What Went Wrong With Season 11 of ‘Saturday Night Live’?

In 1975, Lorne Michaels launched Saturday Night Live, steering the popular sketch comedy series during its early seasons. However, in 1980, Michaels departed to pursue other ventures. Jean Doumanian and Dick Ebersol followed as producers, but the show began losing its spark. Ebersol decided to leave, and at that time, NBC president Brandon Tartikoff was concerned about the show’s potential cancellation. Consequently, Lorne Michaels came back to breathe new life into it.

For the 1985-1986 season, with Al Franken and Tom Davis back on board as writers and producers, Lorne Michaels made significant changes. Notably, he decided to replace the entire cast of established comedic talents such as Billy Crystal, Martin Short, and Christopher Guest. Instead of choosing comedians from comedy clubs or improv groups who were experienced in sketch comedy, he preferred to bring in known actors for a fresh, youthful cast.

Among those employed were Randy Quaid, a renowned Academy Award-winning actor, as well as Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey Jr., and Joan Cusack. These individuals were all up-and-coming young actors at that time, boasting impressive film resumes and adored by fans. However, they lacked the necessary experience in comedy to fit in with Saturday Night Live. Despite this, Michaels believed adding Jon Lovitz and Nora Dunn would enhance the show. He also aimed to make the show more inclusive by introducing Terry Sweeney, the first openly gay cast member, and Danitra Vance, the initial Black woman on the show.

Ineptitude in creating sketch comedy and a lack of unity among the cast members were further complicated by the difficulty the writers faced in tailoring sketches for a diverse group of actors. This combination led to harsh criticism and poor viewership ratings for the show, with actor Tom Hanks stating during an interview for the docuseries that the divide between successful and unsuccessful elements was painfully apparent. Despite this, Hanks continued to host the show multiple times, ultimately hosting nine times throughout its run, and is still considered one of the most beloved hosts by SNL.

Some Weird Sketches from the Weird Season

Mostly, the drawings didn’t resonate with people and some were quite puzzling. A spoof of “The Twilight Zone” was one such sketch, along with an episode featuring Ron Reagan, in which Sweeney dressed up as a woman to portray Nancy Reagan. At that time, Oprah Winfrey was already present, but she hadn’t yet begun her popular talk show.

The situation became more bizarre when Penn and Teller began making guest appearances on the program, performing magic tricks as unusual interludes amidst sketches. Later, Francis Ford Coppola joined the team to direct an episode, with Philip Glass providing the music. It was all rather illogical, but by that point in the series, it seemed like a desperate last-ditch effort to make the show slightly more appealing.

In the given season, it could be argued that Lovitz and Dunn were the main attractions, shining brightly among relatively fewer successful characters. The character of Tommy Flanagan, played by Lovitz, who was a pathological liar with intricate lies and the famous catchphrase “Yeah! That’s the ticket!” stood out as one of the few successful characters that season. On the other hand, Dunn excelled in his role as the controversial talk show host Pat Stevens. Miller, being the only other cast member with relevant experience for SNL, also delivered an impressive performance as the Weekend Update anchor. However, the rest of the performances were often challenging to endure.

The Controversies and Weird Decisions of the Season

From its outset, the show’s fate seemed grim, yet the performers persevered, despite acknowledging that it simply wasn’t of high quality. Several cast members openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the sketches. In a well-known incident, Damon Wayans Jr., feeling unheard and confined to stereotypical roles, decided to act out. During a live performance when he shouldn’t have been, he portrayed an over-the-top flamboyant police officer. As expected, his actions led to immediate dismissal by Michaels the moment he left the stage and the cameras stopped rolling.

Later on, he made an appearance as a guest in the finale, signifying that he and Michaels had moved past that particular moment. Given his rise to stardom on In Living Color and numerous comedy movies, it was evident his abilities were underutilized.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: In an amusingly self-deprecating move, Coppola plunged headfirst into the chaos of the struggling show, lampooning its woes in a cleverly meta manner. He orchestrated a series of sketches where he engaged with Michaels and Sweeney, brainstorming solutions to tackle the abysmal ratings crisis. Although Coppola’s brief tenure as director didn’t miraculously revitalize the show, producer Laila Nabulsi recounts in the docuseries that it was during this time that he managed to unite the entire cast for the first time that season – a moment that undeniably left its mark on the series.

Reflecting on my time during the show back then, I must admit it was nothing short of exhilarating – a rollercoaster ride for the full 90 minutes, regardless of your skills. Looking back, I picked up so many valuable lessons that year, primarily about what I wasn’t capable of. Sam Jones captured this sentiment in our 2019 interview.

The Bizarre and Epic Way It Ended

Michael has always been straightforward and didn’t hide his opinions. By the end of Season 11, he openly expressed his feelings. With the belief that Saturday Night Live might be canceled and not return for another season, Michael aimed to boost NBC executives’ confidence. He was prepared to refurbish it once more and had a superior plan this time. He desired one more opportunity.

The episode concluded with everyone in the cast getting stuck in a room due to host Billy Martin setting it ablaze in a fit of rage after being removed from the show prematurely. Just as the door was about to close, Michaels intervened and rescued Lovitz from the flames, instructing him to move elsewhere. This action suggested that Lovitz might be saved. As the credits began to roll, “who will make it?” appeared on screen – a mix of humor and uncertainty.

In the imaginative glow of the simulated fire, Michael interpreted it symbolically as all the actors being let go from the show. Regrettably, that was reality. He battled for an additional season to prove he could flip things around. Eventually, only Lovitz, Miller, and Brown remained. This significant cast shake-up hadn’t occurred since the sixth season, and it wouldn’t happen again until Season 20.

Michael returned to scouting for actors and comedians who had experience in sketch comedy and improvisation, resulting in one of the most legendary casts in the show’s run during Season 12. This illustrious group featured veterans like Dana Carvey, the late Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Victoria Jackson, and Kevin Nealon. In a fitting twist and a symbolic full-circle moment, Michael invited Madonna to kick off the season by hosting the premiere episode, just as she had in Season 11. With a witty jab, Madonna quipped that the entire previous season was “a terrible, terrifying nightmare.”

Stream SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock.

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2025-02-05 05:02