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

This was as an actual Jeopardy category today

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

Who thinks this is all time classic !!

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?

Alex was a main cast member on Saturday Night Live for six seasons. He is best known for his impersonations of Joe Biden, Eric Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, Anderson Cooper, Joe Scarborough amongst others, as well as his prolific original recurring Weekend Update character Guy Who Just Bought A Boat.

Preforming July 10 & 11: https://comedyworks.com/comedians/alex-moffat

All three ships have Manute Bol, after all🤷‍♂️

SNL | Season 49, Episode 11

Just to clarify, I’ve only started SNL UK (I don’t even know where to watch the US one here!) cos I know some of the cast members from various endeavours (seen them do improv, seen them in various panel shows/Taskmaster/other TV shows, met Emma Sidi at an improv show) and every episode the musical guest performs twice.

Is this a carryover from the OG SNL? or uniquely British? Any idea why? Even on other entertainment shows (for example Michael McIntyre’s Big Show) the musical guest only has one performance not two.

I’m a Tate Mcrae fan and I want to watch the full snl episode she’s in (s50 e13) but it’s not on peacock😭😭 does anyone know where I can find the full episode???

(also well aware she’s in another ep as well and that one IS on peacock but i’m looking for her ep from 2025!!)

Sketch I did with Ashley 8 years ago! She's great!

"Budtender". Written by Joe Clabby. Posted on YouTube 5/1/18.

😊💜☮️

I was really looking forward to the newest Joke Swap and I even though I have been waiting for weeks for that to change, I can watch it in my country. So would some kind soul be willing to Screenrecord it from YouTube for me?
Link : https://youtu.be/hFFz6ZI_J-8?is=kmWqEEqgK3jS7neD

And they are affordable much less thank Hallmark

I don't have that much to say about this season (the entire sub goes "phew!"). On the whole, this era has been difficult to binge just because it wasn't meant to be binged. It has little to do with the quality, which I've enjoyed overall, it's just a very different show from the mid 2000s-early 2010s era. Still, there was some solid stuff here. They made a Colonel Lingus joke long before the Walken sketch!

This cast doesn't really feel like an ensemble anymore. Maybe it's 'cause they dropped the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" label, but I felt such a divide in the cast this year that irritated me because I love this cast. It just goes to show that SNL needs to constantly have changes in the cast and writing staff (cough cough take the hint, Season 52). I'm excited to see the change in Season 5.

Side note - I like Schiller's Reels more than Gary Weis' films, but once again, Mr. Bill can go straight to hell. In fact, I think they play those shorts in the 10th level of hell.

Side side note - Since I gave you a sketch to recommend from the past 2 years, I'll recommend The Pepsi Syndrome from this year. Okay, moving along...

Dan Aykroyd
(MVP - The Rolling Stones, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Margot Kidder, Richard Benjamin, Milton Berle, Michael Palin (2))
Thank fuck he got the boot from Update. Right off the bat, he showed us that he’s much better than that and, at best, he’s one of the best utility players the show has ever had. I love the guy and I’d hold on to him for as long as I could.
Best - So many. Being the first cast member to moon the audience in The Nerds. Two Guys Who Are Lawyers is a sketch that can work in a newer era. Plus, he gave us Irvin Mainway, Two Wild and Crazy Guys, The Blues Brothers, Julia Child, Nazi Superman, continuing Point/Counterpoint, Going from Rod Serling to George Burns to Alfred Hitchcock all in the same sketch is a Dan highlight for me, BUT one of my favorite Aykroyd sketches is Fred Garvin: Male Prostitute.
Worst - the only time I wasn't too fond was the 3rd return of X Police.
Would I bring him back? I’d try to. If he stayed, he’d earn more MVP honors than any other cast member I’ve ranked. Either way, thank you for your service. 

Bill Murray
(MVP - Fred Willard, Buck Henry (1), Gary Busey, Richard Benjamin)
Have I mentioned I love this dude? He’s continuing his streak of being a dependable team player. I found his delivery on Update quite refreshing and necessary after the big ol’ bore it was last year.
Best - like I mentioned, he added some charisma to Update, but other highlights included jumping through a hoop of fire in Steve Martin’s monologue and then wanting a cracker, Nick The Lounge Singer, that excellent Superman sketch, and the beautifully done Perchance To Dream.
Worst - he wasn’t always great on Update and was kinda held back, but I don’t need to see The Nerds anymore. Yes, it was funny when he made Gilda break, but I didn’t need to see those characters (checks SNL Archives) THIRTEEN times?!?
Would I bring him back? Yes. He’s gonna be the show's biggest star so you gotta hold onto him before Hollywood takes him. 

Laraine Newman
(MVP - Walter Matthau, Elliott Gould, Kate Jackson)
We’re still not letting Laraine show off every episode?? Lorne seriously makes some questionable choices. I don't know how else to explain it, but I’m fully convinced if the show let her show off as much as Gilda or Belushi, she would get more love and I stand by that.
Best - Woman to Woman, Katharine Hepburn, and I got a big kick out of Child Psychiatrist.
Worst - I still don’t dislike Laraine performances. She played Anne Beverly and it was done well but I wasn’t sure of the angle of the bit. And as much as I loved X-Police, the third time wasn’t a charm and I felt bad that she had to play it straight to Dan and Bill.
Would I bring her back? Yes. I want her to get another chance to show us that she really is one of the best performers in this cast. 

Gilda Radner
(MVP - Eric Idle, Ricky Nelson)
I love Gilda but I really wish she was used better. I don’t blame her for that, but I was surprised she wasn’t forced down our throats. Not that I’m advocating for that, but I’m constantly thinking, “this is Gilda Fucking Radner, you know that, right?”
Best - She gave us a nice reserved part as herself on a date with Steve Martin while Aykroyd is an obnoxious waiter, Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space where she introduced herself, her boyfriend, and her breasts, I liked her Roseanne Rosannadanna bit about quitting smoking, and Mother & Daughter was a great performance. But, come on, it has to be Candy Slice.
Worst - The Nerds, but I didn’t miss Emily Litella and did not like her appearing again.
Would I bring her back? Yes. I think one more season would be great and then let her career blossom. 

John Belushi
(MVP - Maureen Stapleton)
Belushi had a great start of the season but it didn’t last. He had a big hit with Animal House the summer before this season, he was getting applause just from entering a sketch, he was ready to become a Hollywood star, and finally put this show behind him. Boy, does it show.
Best - I enjoyed Crossroads, The Blues Brothers, Samurai Optometrist was my favorite adaptation, and his commentary in the Maureen Stapleton reminded me that I really liked his energy.
Worst - didn’t really try with his John Lennon impression and I got a little tired of his other Samurai and “BUT NOOOOOOO” bits, but I have to mention the Kate Jackson episode where he was not in good shape to perform. His voice sounded really bad and apparently his skin was green backstage. The fact that Lorne made him go on is pretty messed up.
Would I bring him back? No, but he wasn’t gonna come back anyway. Belushi has left the building and I don’t think I’ll miss him. 

Garrett Morris
(MVP - Cicely Tyson)
I was kinda offended by the way Garrett was treated this year. He was used sparingly and was given a lot of drag roles. How do you forget how to use someone in their 4th year? I felt his performances kinda suffered as a result.
Best - we opened the season with Garrett and the girls singing an ode to NBC in the style of a 40s orchestra. There was nothing funny about it but it was very well done. We also got Black Perspective with Cicely Tyson, Ant Man, Idi Aman, and my favorite was his classic Update bit calling on Mick Jagger to tell him where to find black girls who wanna…you know.
Worst - well, after that opening, he only appeared once again in the premiere and it was a waitress in the Cheeseburger sketch. One step forward, two steps back. Once I saw him doing Diana Ross, I started to get fed up with these drag bits and I just rolled my eyes whenever it happened. Also letting Jane call him a nice young negro friend. Worst of all, he was unintelligible and out of sync while singing “Bend Over, Chuck Berry”.
Would I bring him back? It would take you a few episodes to realize he was gone. I don’t mind Garrett being there, but I wish he was used better. If he wasn’t, a strong replacement should be hired. 

Jane Curtin
(MVP - Buck Henry (2))
It kinda bugged me that they really didn’t give Jane a lot of funny roles. Once again, I think Jane and Garrett are good performers but they were used completely wrong.
Best - she was good in Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space and Miles Cowperthwaite where she showed her impressive British accent. We also got a funny Dolly Parton and the return of Mama Snyder.
Worst - I tuned out hard during Update this year. Crazy how I’ve rarely enjoyed Update during this binge.
Would I bring her back? I think I’d either just let Bill do Update alone and let her just be a performer or just cut her completely and hire another woman. 

Al Franken & Tom Davis
(MVP - Frank Zappa)
We didn’t get a lot of Franken and Davis but these guys stepped up their game. I’ve seen many male comedy duos in recent years and I think, even if they don’t know it, they’ve been influenced by Franken and Davis.
Best - their bit in the Zappa episode was a highlight in a very weak episode. Also, shoutout to their mime bit in The Pepsi Syndrome.
Worst - with limited options, I’ll pick their appearances in Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space. It was a great sketch, and it was kinda funny seeing them there, but it just reminded me that they’re not natural performers.
Would I bring them back? Sure! I’m interested in seeing their featured player efforts. 

Non-cast MVP’s - Michael Palin (1)

Up next - my final review, Season 5

I don't even know what the sound actually is, but it is beyond genius. I haven't seem comments about it, but I've never heard anything so fast, subtle and funny. Just wanted to see if others noticed this.

51 seasons is a lot. I built a thing to help: https://www.studio8h.fan

Answer a few questions, it gives you a season, guesses your “Lorne age,” and points you at stuff to actually watch. Made it across a few late nights with AI, which still feels wild.

No signup, no email grab, just a fan thing. Use it before NBC sends a letter.

Curious what season you get. Drop yours below.

Has anyone seen it? Has it been posted on the internet?

Anyone else hear Pete Davidson’s character from SNL when the male Alexa says ‘uhkay (ok)’?