Last night, SNL newbie Jenny Slate was put in the unenviable position of picking up a character created by Michaela Watkins, a one-season castmember who was let go earlier this year. Watkins had carved out a niche for herself on the show with a spot-on impersonation of Today show anchor Hoda Kotb—the straight woman to Kristen Wiig’s boozy, bawdy Kathie Lee Gifford. But the sketch was revived yesterday with Slate in the role, a slightly jarring change to those of us accustomed to seeing Watkins in the chair next to Wiig.
My colleague Ken Tucker thought the sketch was pretty underwhelming and took pity on Slate for having to “compete with the memory of Watkins’ original impersonation and sit by while Wiig did mugging that wasn’t freshened with anything new.” I actually laughed a few times, but I agree that it feels like Slate’s got her work cut out for her if she wants to outshine Watkins. Check out the bit below, and then let us know: Do you miss the old Hoda? Or did Slate manage to make the character her own?
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I don’t get why people think that Watkins was so great. She never did anything special with the character.
You know what Watkins did with that character that was special? She CREATED it and was hilarious. No offense to Slate but, she can’t hold a candle to Watkins in this sketch. They shouldn’t have even tried.
yeah, I feel the same loyalty to Watkins just because she was there first. I do think she was funnier and at least tried to get some of Hoda’s mannerisms. Slate was just being generally uncomfortable.
Created the character of Hoda? Hodas a person. The impression was a pretty straight forward one…lets not assign a comic genius label where it’s not due. The funny impression is the Kathy Lee impression.
totally agree
Wiig’s Kathy Lee isn’t even that good. (I used to like Cheri Oteri’s better.) IDK. Wiig plays all her “annoying characters the same.” I know she’s supposed to be KL, but I think it’s a poor impression.
Watkins was awesome, I loved this skit and “Bitch Pleeze”. Watkins was the best female on SNL. Kirsten Wiig is a one trick pony with her variations of the awkward social person bit and Gilly is just awful. Why did they keep Abbey Elliot? She really isn’t particularly funny and the two new girls are not doing much either. I would remove Abbey, the two new girls, reduce Wiig’s time, and bring back Watkins.
I’ll tell you why Abby is still on: Nepotism, plain and simple. Apparently, several of her family members have been on SNL at one point or another – connections help in the real world, clearly talent is a far second or Michaela Watkins would still be here.
Abby Elliot is on the show because she has talent. She is the daughter of Chris Elliot, but I doubt he has the pull to get her cast on the show.
They should get rid of Jenny Slate and bring back Michaela Watkins.
Abby is only on because she is good looking – Lorne must be a perv. Michalea had the chops to be a great female cast member. Wiig is just too annoying and it feels like she has a hit a brick wall creatively, playing the same people over and over.
@Murdock : Abby is east-coast good looking, you must be specific
Abby is seldom used and when she does come, its mildly funny at best. I dont get why she is still around either
I agree – when they announced they let her go I was like “who?” – and I watched the entire season. I didn’t think she was funny at all – and she just seemed old compared to everyone else (and please don’t start shouting about her age – she just LOOKS OLD to me). Oh, and sorry, but it is Wiigs show right now – she’s funny and people love her or trust me, they wouldn’t be using her as much as they are.
I agree, Watkins never really stood out to me. This new chick has got to keep up with Wiig, who is clearly the star of the show now…And quite frankly, she IS funny!!!
Haha I agree – and I LOOOOVVVEEEEEEEEE the K-Lee impersonations! Anyone who watches the show knows that they’re bang on (even though a bit exaggerated in content)
I still cant wrap my head around why they fired Watkins (she showed a lot of potential. Slate is a horrible Hota Kotb, and the only memorable thing she has done so far this season was say the F word on national t.v
Slate was really bad as Kotb. She needs to go.
I hate when they do the Today skectch its never funny!!! I did find it funny when the black eyed peas started to beat up Kristen Wiig!!!
I agree with the above person…
“Bitch pleeeeeze” .
That’s why I miss Michaela Watkins. Loved that blogger.
The Watkins release is unfortunate but had to be made. One slip on a seldom used actress gets you removed from the show for the remainder of the season. If a high profile cast member does this, a suspension would be warranted.
I think the sketch showcases Wiig so it was kept in the show. I don’t think you will see the sketch every week. I think it will be back with some tweaking.
Watkins was fired for not real reason over the summer. Jenny Slate was the one who cursed on the air earlier this season, and she’s still on the show.
Watkins was the best and these new girls are beyond dull. Stupid SNL
Keenan could play Hoda for all that matters…this sketch is clearly to showcase Wiig’s Kathie Lee.
When Watkins left, I was hoping they’d kill this awful, awful sketch. Kathie Lee is annoying enough in real life, Wiig’s impersionation of her is even more painful. There wasn’t one sketch last night that I could sit through. After last week’s stellar ep, this was a huge let down.
Michaela Watkins was SO GOOD! I still can’t believe they fired her.
Slate is fine here and gets in one or two really good dry quips, like “Congratulations to you and especially him,” or her “it’s completely and totally 100% on her.” But really, Slate really didn’t have a chance to shine at all, and I feel that way about this season in general. It’s become the Kristen Wiig show. Every female role seems to be going to her, and while she is certainly funny, I’d like to see some diversity in the female players. The one sketch Slate got to shine and be very funny in made her infamous for her verbal slip, and since then she’s done basically nothing. Give her a character! Give her anything!
Bitch pleeeeeeeze. Michaela Watkins did a MUCH better job as Hoda Kotb. She was awesome as Arianna Huffington and Joan Rivers too!
Sara, I agree with you.
It is unfathomable to me why they would let go of Watkins. She was MUCH more impressive that anything Abby Elliot has EVER done, and much better than Slate. It’s ridiculous.
While I think it was a mistake to let Watkins go, I do think Abby Elliot is funny as Angelina Jolie. Slate has been awful so far.
Go to 3:09 and watch January Jones whisper to someone offstage to figure out which camera to look at. Ugh.
I think that was part of the sketch, she was playing a nervous, unexperienced-with-TV zookeeper. I’m not 100% certain, but that’s how it comes off to me.