Post-SNL roles used to be something of a joke — and enterprises like Kattan's own Night at the Roxbury have never helped the sketch comics' reputations as anything resembling actors. (But, hey, Will Ferrell was there, too, and he survived nicely, Land of the Lost notwithstanding.) These days we've got more successful SNL alums than we can handle, from Jimmy Fallon to Maya Rudolph, who's getting good reviews even in a dramatic role in Away We Go. The key is actually thinking before giving these folks a part: As far as I'm concerned, Tina Fey deserves an Emmy just for Perfect Use of Tracy Morgan. I like that guy more now that he's on 30 Rock than I ever did on SNL.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Are you excited to see Chris Kattan again? Will his casting make you want to watch The Middle more or less? Can you ever forgive him for Night at the Roxbury?
“To me, this is exactly the right use of Kattan, or any moderately funny Saturday Night Live alum — small doses, in supporting roles that can play to their strengths.”
I agree with this completely. It actually reminds me of the way “Just Shoot Me” used David Spade. I WOULD say “The Middle” might serve as a similar, semi-long-term platform for Kattan, but we all know ABC doesn’t like to keep their shows on the air for more than two seasons.
Kattan is just not really a leading guy…even though I kinda liked “A Night at the Roxbury” (and I also liked his cameo at the end of those “Roxbury” themed Pepsi ads…again, small doses.)
Didn’t “The Middle” kind of suck at the previews a month or two ago?
Ceballos correct with ABC except of course According to Jim which should have been cancelled after two episodes
The big turn-off with this show is that awful Patricia Heaton-but adding Chris Kattan doesn’t help.
I have never thought Chris Kattan was the least bit funny, and I can’t stand Patricia Heaton after all of her rightwing ads. No, I will definitely NOT watch this show.
Scott- great call on “According to Jim”…gotta love ABC!
This show has a great cast with Heaton and The Janitor. But with Kattan, I’ll be more sure to watch for sure, or atleast catch it online.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/30/snl-alum-chris-kattan-joins-new-abc-comedy-the-middle/
As stated before, it is similar to David Spade in Just Shoot Me. Small doses of an over the top performance is good. But I think Chris is above that. I think he was only moderately funny in the skits where he was over the top. But I also recall the many times Chris was used as the “straight” guy to other more wild characters on SNL and that is where I think he can really shine. He plays uptight white guy rather well.
I’m actually looking forward to Kattan in IFC’s “Bollywood Hero” airing in August…