r/SNL

Make sure everyone watch this one.

There were two courtesans, and one would say something provocative to the King, while the other would, in a wonderfully fawning way, explain it away as something nice. I loved how those two did this, but I can't find it anywhere. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Is it on Youtube anywhere?

SEASON 1
~ George Carlin - first episode that's pretty damn interesting and everyone should check out
~ Richard Pryor - a very important episode
~ Peter Cook & Dudley Moore - I'm a fan of those two so I liked them in this environment

SEASON 2
~ Eric Idle - both times he was great. The first time he hosted was the first episode I loved
~ Candice Bergen - watch for Gilda and Zappa
~ Fran Tarkenton - a very cool sports themed episode where the whole cast was a great team. Check out the Alsatian Restaurant sketch!

SEASON 3
~ Charles Grodin - this was once considered so bad that it was banned, but I think that's apocryphal because it's so clearly staged and well executed.
~ Ray Charles
~ Miskel Spillman - an 80 year old woman hosts the show and, whether you enjoy it or not, it's fascinating to see
~ Robert Klein
~ Christopher Lee
~ Steve Martin & The Blues Brothers - Steve hosted 3 times this year so you can check out the others but this one was my favorite

SEASON 4
~ Carrie Fisher
~ Walter Matthau
~ Eric Idle
~ Michael Palin
~ Margot Kidder

SEASON 5
~ Bea Arthur - great episode for Bill Murray, decent episode for Harry Shearer, Paul Shaffer tries to pretend he's an actor.
~ Martin Sheen - not a classic by any means, but MS held his own really well, and of course, David Bowie's here too.
~ Kirk Douglas
~ The 100th episode
~ Strother Martin - not a great episode, maybe it's just cause The Specials blew the roof off 8H
~ Buck Henry - his first episode has a great running bit about no one liking him, and his second episode is the end of an era and has Lord And Lady Douchebag

SEASON 21
~ Mariel Hemingway - beginning of a new era
~ Christopher Walken - every time he hosts is a classic
~ David Alan Grier - this guy should've been in the cast
~ Phil Hartman - this gave me a better understanding and respect for him
~ Jim Carrey - a slightly overrated episode if you ask me but still worth the watch knowing you won't have to see another Spade in America

SEASON 31
~ Steve Carell
~ Jack Black - stone cold classic
~ Julia Louis-Dreyfus

SEASON 32
~ Dane Cook - one of the best season premieres
~ Hugh Laurie
~ Rainn Wilson

SEASON 33
~ Tina Fey
~ Christopher Walken

SEASON 34
~ Paul Rudd
~ John Malkovich
~ Will Ferrell

SEASON 35
~ Zach Galifiniakis - every time he hosts is great
~ Betty White - a brilliant episode in a rather lackluster year

SEASON 36
~ Jim Carrey
~ Zach Galifiniakis
~ Elton John - kinda just one of those crazy shows you gotta check out and see what you think
~ Ed Helms
~ Justin Timberlake

SEASON 37
~ Alec Baldwin - an outstanding premiere
~ Emma Stone - a pretty solid episode aside from one of the worst Digital Shorts ever
~ Jason Segel
~ Jimmy Fallon
~ Maya Rudolph
~ Eli Manning
~ Mick Jagger - another episode you gotta just see for yourself

SEASON 38
~ Seth MacFarlane
~ Louis CK - say what you want but I loved every time he hosted
~ Anne Hathaway
~ Jamie Foxx
~ Martin Short - one of the best holiday episodes ever
~ Justin Timberlake - a personal favorite of mine
~ Zach Galifiniakis
~ Ben Affleck - the end of an era

SEASON 39
~ Tina Fey - a promising beginning of a short lived new era
~ Josh Hutcherson - the peak before the wheels fell off
~ Louis CK

SEASON 41
~ Tracy Morgan
~ Tina Fey & Amy Poehler - one of the best holiday episodes ever and the last episode in a world that still made sense
~ Larry David

What episodes would you recommend? Are there episodes from these seasons you thought I left out? Are there episodes from other seasons that you consider "must watch"? Let's talk!

How crazy. I wanted change going into it but they immediately made us feel like the show had now become inferior to its past 4 years. The 1st half of the show was a rough start, then gave us a few classics, but for the most part, it underwhelmed the hell out of me. I was ready for this era to end. Now here's the odd thing...

People say that the fatigue became noticeable in the 2nd half of the season, but for me, I found myself enjoying the 2nd half more. Sure, there were some rougher sketches that I didn't wanna sit through (like The Incredible Man or whatever that Leprechaun sketch was), but put it this way - the 1st half of the season seemed like they weren't sure what to do and just wallowed around because they had a show to do, while the 2nd half showed that they knew their time was coming so they just decided to do whatever the fuck, and while it wasn't always good, it was at least interesting! I was more enticed by this change.

Just for fun, let's pretend that not everyone intended to leave and it's only Lorne who did and he sets fire to 8H and he wants yours truly to save people to be part of season 6. This is who I'd save.

SEASON 5

Bill Murray
(MVP - Steve Martin (1), Eric Idle, Bill Russell, Bea Arthur, Howard Hesseman, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Buck Henry (2))
They really handed the ball to Bill this year and he didn’t disappoint. If you were worried the year was gonna suck, Bill would step in and remind you that you were going to be entertained. His back must’ve hurt from carrying the show.
Best - Lots to choose from. He can be a good straight guy in Shoe Store, a supporting part in The Micro-Dentists, be very silly in a serious way in First He Cries, and showcase his singing in Backer’s Audition, or in Bar Mitzvah, or alongside Chevy when he hosted, or the monologue of the 100th episode, or saving that weird Canadian knock-off Wizard of Oz sketch where he’s a mountie singing about how he wants a wife (best part of a long and confusing sketch).
Worst - Well, I wasn’t too hot on his year on Update and Nick Borealis was one of the weaker Lounge Singer sketches, but he tried his best. I also didn’t care for the Flogging sketch.
Would I save him from the fire? Yes, but I’d also tell him to move on to bigger and better things. I highly doubt he wanted to stay anyways. 

Laraine Newman
(MVP - Teri Garr, Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss, Burt Reynolds, Steve Martin (2))
Once again, Laraine’s screen time doesn’t justify her being in 2nd place, but her lack of bad performances certainly does. Looking over her tenure, I only disliked her once in her first year and have always liked her performances otherwise. Despite her inconsistent screentime, she’s had the most consistently good tenure behind Aykroyd.
Best - I like the return of her Child Psychiatrist character, this time she was a movie studio executive who cries when there’s no chocolate milk. She was also solid in The Micro-Dentists and Jesus Crush. I especially liked her in The Dating Zone where she played the kinky Shonda The Cat Lady opposite Colleen and Iris De Flaminio. And while I thought Post Coital Torture (great title) was a little anti-climactic (ironically), I thought Laraine’s performance was just perfect.
Worst - You Can’t Win was an awful sketch due to Chevy’s delivery, but Laraine tried her damndest and I love her for that. I still never disliked Laraine!
Would I save her from the fire? Yes. Laraine is the perfect OG cast member to be in Season 6. She can be a transitional player and then head out when the next group establishes themselves. I’d like to see her perform with Gail Matthius and Denny Dillon, plus it'll spare us from hiring Ann Risley. 

Gilda Radner
(MVP - Buck Henry (1), Ted Knight)
Gilda is still just delightful but it’s clear she was getting ready to start her career off the show.
Best - Jewess Jeans is a classic. Sometimes she could be funny in small roles like Chudd Harassment Case or just playing the French horn really badly in Debs Behind Bars. But I got a big kick out of the 10-1 Women’s Bathroom with Kirk Douglas.
Worst - she played a South Korean woman during Update which was very uncomfortable. I also found her Bel Airabs performance very annoying, in addition to being offensive.
Would I save her from the fire? Yes, but like Bill, I’d encourage her to find the exit and let her career bloom. I wish we got to see her host. 

Harry Shearer
(MVP - Elliott Gould, Kirk Douglas)
I can’t justify ranking him any higher, but I immediately found Harry Shearer to be an enticing live performer. He’s a very good straight utility player. I’m sure people who didn’t like this change at the time saw Harry like Josh Meyers in the final year of That 70s Show, but I think Harry had his place on the show. He wasn’t trying to be Aykroyd or Belushi, he was just doing his thing and did it well. Plus, he just has one of those voices you wanna hear all the time.
Best - Stereo 105, the Micro-Dentists, Reagan, and my favorite, All Time Radio.
Worst - I don’t know Mr. Blackwell but he was amusing…unfortunately he had to perform with Chevy. However, worst moment goes to the gay biker sketch from the Burt Reynolds show.
Would I save him from the fire? Yes. I know it was going to happen and it didn’t work out, but I’d make sure to hold on to this guy. 

Jane Curtin
(MVP - 100th episode)
Jane continued her streak of underwhelming me, but, here and there, she gave some excellent moments where I was wondering why they didn’t try to make better use of her great acting and character skills.
Best - in the 6th episode, she was in the pre-tape First Love and it reminded me that I once liked Jane. The same thing happened in the 100th episode where she played a Dolly Parton lookalike who talked nothing like her but got breast implants from her butt. Then, with just 6 episodes left, she brought us Iris De Flaminio, and I thought, “Jane!! Why didn’t you give us this character sooner?!?!”
Worst - for the last time, Update, but also The Landers Files where she had an annoying voice and The Talking Letter was such a waste of time. Not because of her performance though, it was just a dull sketch she couldn’t save.
Would I save her from the fire? No. 

Al Franken
Franken isn’t the strongest actor, but he’s a naturally funny guy so he makes up for it. I know he blew the chance to be the producer of the next era, but it was a bold move that I have to respect.
Best - I liked his Jack Van Arks correspondence, but I prefer when Al plays himself. That’s how we get the Al Franken Decade and Limo for a Lame-o. He also gave us a funny Henry Kissinger impression that he would continue to do later in his tenure.
Worst - but when he’s acting in sketches like How To Talk To Your Grandparents or Subway Genie, you see why he’s rarely in sketches.
Would I save him from the fire? Yes, but maybe the head writer/Update anchor role would suit him best.

Tom Davis
Tom doesn’t have the name recognition that Franken has and was usually more straight than him in their bits, but in sketches, I preferred Tom.
Best - I don’t know who John Connally is but he was funny.
Worst - I dunno. His conducting in Conductor's Club was a bit extra.
Would I save him from the fire? Sure. I think he’d be helpful in the writers room and do featured player parts when it’s called for. 

Garrett Morris
Garrett was past his prime at this point. Every once in a while, I’d be reminded of the Garrett I knew and loved, but a lot of the time, he gave us some pretty weak and stumbly performances, and other times I just felt bad for him.
Best - I don’t feel good but a drag role in the best place once again. The Black Shadow where he’s Bill Russell’s mom. To be honest, I really didn’t find that sketch very funny and Garrett was the only part of it I enjoyed. Hosting Bad Clams was a highlight and asking for a glass of water after shooting a commercial for Anchovies.
Worst - I don’t get Chico Escuela because I’m missing context but there were some even worst moments for Garrett this year…of course having him play a flying monkey is just borderline offensive and should be his worst moment, but I was just confused why they put in a fucking potato costume. Not that that’s worse, but give that shit to some intern. Or Paul Shaffer.
Would I save him from the fire? No.

Brian Doyle-Murray
I think Brian is a solid character actor and straight guy in film and TV. He wasn’t shown a lot but he was good in the small roles he was given.
Best - He had some crude roles like when he was an old man eating at Pre-Chewed Charlies and playing Judge Crotch.
Worst - I didn’t dislike anything Brian did, but I didn’t like how little he was used. He was featured a lot in the Strother Martin episode, and I almost gave MVP honors, but they gave him very few notable roles.
Would I save him from the fire? Maybe. On one hand, he’s a solid performer, but I know he was pretty awful in Season 7. Just make sure he’s a performer and stays away from the news desk. 

Tom Novello aka Father Guido Sarducci
I’ll admit that I don’t know everything. You can call me ignorant. What’s the point of FGS? He’s a chain smoking priest and rock critic. I’m either reading into it too much or I need more context. Nevertheless, I found myself zoning out when he appeared on Update.
Best - I did find it funny when he tried to share a dressing room with Rodney Dangerfield.
Worst - I could pick a few other pieces he did, but he was also in The Bel Airabs.
Would I save him from the fire? Doubtful. Seeing how he’s such a part of this era, he should move on. 

Jim Downey
You could make the argument that Jim Downey is the most important writer in the history of the show. He didn’t add much with his presence but neither did most of the featured players.
Best - He was good in Craig’s Travelers Checks. I also really liked his George HW Bush impression. Sure, it doesn’t hold a candle to Dana Carvey’s impression and it’s in a different era with a different context, but it showed that Downey was always interested in political humor and used it well.
Worst - Uh, I dunno, playing an audience member in Real Incredible People?
Would I save him from the fire? Yes, but only as a writer. His writing could’ve helped the infamous Season 6 from being less sucky. 

Peter Aykroyd
I honestly wouldn’t have known he was Dan’s brother if it wasn’t for his last name. They look nothing alike and he has no comedic timing. I just kept thinking about how much better his parts would’ve been with Dan.
Best - He was really good in Java Junkie.
Worst - Seeing how he’s Canadian, he should’ve been perfect for The Incredible Man, but he had to sing, so no. Oh, and that dumb Leprechaun sketch.
Would I save him from the fire? No. I shudder to imagine a world where Season 39 had Jason Sudeikis’ brother. 

Paul Shaffer
He’s good if you need a musician in a sketch, but he doesn’t have much of a purpose otherwise.
Best - you might have to know who Don Kirschner is to find it funny, but it made me laugh.
Worst - He just wasn’t good in sketches. For example, I thought Thanksgiving Dinner was a solid sketch but he really took me out of it. Same goes for the sketch where he said fucking. Just like Biker Chit Chat, it was the only interesting part of a bad sketch.
Would I save him from the fire? No flogging way. 

Tom Schiller
The man behind Schiller’s Reel isn’t a performer. Big surprise.
Best - I mean, I do like the occasional Schiller’s Reel. Java Junkie was my favorite.
Worst - playing a South Korean man who shoots Gilda.
Would I save him from the fire? No. If you’re barely on the show and you get cast to play stereotypes, we don’t need you. Okay, so that’s my last ranking…

Alan Zweibel
…wait, you’re telling me someone named Alan Zweibel was a cast member this year? Huh?
Best - he played the director in Video Will and got to do a funny dance. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him doing the hand wave dance behind everyone else.
Worst - I mean, the way that he handed Bill Murray a coffee was just so weak and unconvincing.
Would I save him from the fire? No. This guy was barely a cast member. 

Non-cast MVP’s - Martin Sheen, The Specials, Bob Newhart

So how do I feel about this era overall? More positive than negative, but a lot more neutral or indifference that I wasn't expecting. I'm not the right person to say what the best era of the show was. This rewatch makes me think any era considered the best is a tad overrated. I'm not confident this was the best era, yet I can confidently say that I think The Not Ready For Prime Time Players were the best ensemble the show ever had. The writing isn't what makes this era stand out, it's how incredible the cast was.

Final ranking of the seasons I've reviewed:
3, 38, 21, 4, 37, 2, 1, 34, 31, 5, 41, 36, 32, 33, 39, 35, 50

I've got Christopher Walken because he had googly eye plants

I just watched it last night and while I enjoyed it, I was kind of dissatisfied that it didn’t dig deep into his personal life at all. We got to see that he has farm animals but really most of him is still a mystery. It was really just a rehash of things we already know about his career and with the 50th a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff was just a retread. What did you all think?

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