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 Read the full post.
Nov 15
2009
04:08 PM ET
SNL: Who makes a better Hoda?
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Jenny, Abby and Nasim have a very difficult, historically impossible job: succeed as women on a show that has been cruel to women, while pleasing the audience, staying true to themselves and surviving in a hostile work environment. Some of the things written on this board, and others, are so misguided, so negative and so extraordinarily sexist, I pray that those three young, talented and bright young girls never read them. For the record: Jenny Slate is a brilliant comedienne and actress (just watch Bored to Death, or go online), and SNL is really lucky to have a sexy Jewish girl who’s funny, who can write and who has the respect of her peers. Nasim Pedrad is a bone fide sketch genius, and was a knockout standout at the Groundlings in Los Angeles. If you don’t know what that means, that’s because you’ve never worked hard in your life and have never thrived in difficult circumstances. She’s absolutely beautiful, does dead-on impersonations and is a big star in the making. Finally, Abby Elliott is on the show for one reason, and it’s very simple: she can imitate any human being on earth. SNL needs that! She’s got a great ear for impersonations, and you’ve only seen the beginning of this young actress’ huge career, both on this show and in the movies. She’s a kid! She’s growing up before our eyes! Leave the negative, nasty campaigning outside and celebrate that a 21 year old – ON HER OWN – managed to get through one of the most notoriously difficult casting processes ever invented.
I defy anybody on this message board to do one half, one quarter, one TENTH, of what these girls did, what they put up with, and yet stay beautiful, funny and employed.
These are the future stars of SNL, a show that, yes, has its problems. But these girls are the future, and they will be around for a long, long time. Celebrate them, instead of tear them down. They earned it.
I like where you’re going with this, Gig. While it is true that they deserved this, Lorne has been known to make some not-so-great decisions. Saying that, firing Michaela Watkins was one of those bad decisions. Abby Elliot and Nasim Pedrad need to have themselves pushed. As I said before, Slate will not be able to reach her full potential now that she said the F word. She is too nervous.
Worst SNL episode in a loooong time. I had a brief moment of hope when the BEP were kicking K-Lee’s ass – hoping they were literally putting this character out of her misery. This sketch was been done to death. I giggled the FIRST time it was done when Watkins was on but now it’s just sad and awkward.
SNL isn’t good sketch comedy. It’s not as bad as Mad TV, but it’s still not very good. Check out old episodes of Mr. Show or The State. Now that’s good sketch comedy. Also I saw a group called Last Call Cleveland over the weekend in Toronto and they were pretty amazing. SNL is too hit and miss for me.
I am finding Saturday Night Live has become a show I record and fast forward through. I can tell now in about 2 seconds if a sketch will be worthwhile. And January Jones, who I love on Mad Men, was not funny and for this I blame the writers. You know things are going downhill when they are resorting to farting sketches. And the Kathy Lee sketch was just dreadful. Kristin Wigg needs to come up with fresh material. I can watch a 90 minute SNL in about 25 minutes now. Thank Goodness for Tivo.
It’s like comparing boring apples to boring oranges. Its a throwaway part next to an over-the-top Kathie Lee. Who cares who does it better because it really isn’t the focus. Kristen Wiig needs to be stopped. I used to really like her, but she’s worn out her welcome. I loathe her recurring characters. It’s one thing to watch and not laugh, it’s another to be forced to change the channel because the characters and skits are too grating to watch.
Michaela Watkins was the better Hoda, for sure. Why they didn’t keep her and part ways with the dreadfully unfunny Kenan Thompson (a one-note performer if ever there was one) is beyond me.
Actually, Abby Elliot is the grandaughter of cartoon voice over phenomenon Bob Elliot, one of the founders of the comedy improv troupe “The Groundlings”, and actor Chris Elliot. Chris did so-so on SNL so I doubt that he had the stuff to ask Lorne for a favor. I think Jenny got there by herself. Mya Rudolph should do Cameos as Hoda.
This is the first time I have seen a SNL skit in YEARS…as a working mom of 4 KIDS i never can stay up late to watch it anymore! LOL
This skit was good but i think it could be so much better. Why not ask the real Kathy Lee to come on and confront the fake one?? That could be really funny if they did it right!
This skit should have been retired when SNL made the mistake of firing Michaela Watkins. There must be more to her firing than has been reported. Otherwise Loren is losing his eye for talent.
Wow. You guys are hatin’ on Kristen Wiig. I think she’s pretty darn funny and deserves her screen time on SNL. She’s paid her dues and now its her time to be front and center on the show. And in a couple years someone else will be front and center and then you guys can talk about how much that person sucks. I look forward to it.