If you missed the large Post-it notes with cast member names in New York City or the recent internet retrospectives, you may not be aware that Saturday Night Live, America’s beloved sketch comedy TV show, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a star-studded special this Sunday. The show has received glowing praise from publications like New York magazine, The New Yorker, and The New York Times for its innovative and influential presence in television history.
While SNL has been a platform for various forms of comedy and experimentation over the years, its consistency in producing amusing content has been a topic of debate. Despite its diehard defenders, the show has faced criticism for its pedestrian humor and lackluster sketches. The show’s longevity and reinvention are attributed to its creator and showrunner, Lorne Michaels, whose influence has shaped the show’s direction and cast choices.
Critics have pointed out the show’s tendency to sympathize with the powerful and influential, rather than challenging societal norms. Lorne Michaels‘ leadership style and influence on the show’s content have been analyzed, with some former staff members expressing frustration with his approach to certain political and social issues.
The show’s impact on popular culture and its role in shaping public opinion have been subjects of discussion, with some arguing that SNL has contributed to the rehabilitation of certain public figures through its comedic portrayals. The show’s sometimes controversial sketches and treatment of sensitive subjects have raised questions about its responsibility as a media platform.
Overall, SNL’s legacy as a groundbreaking and influential show is undeniable, but its approach to comedy and social commentary continues to be a topic of debate among critics and viewers alike. „The NBC audience, like lambs to the slaughter, will laugh at this joke,“ they would say.
SNL is known for its good-natured chaos, where creative snafus always lead to a good laugh and performers always come out on top.
Former head writer Adam McKay described his time there as „comedy heaven“, despite working grueling 90-hour weeks. However, not everyone shared the same positive experience, with some describing it as miserable, sexist, and challenging for women and cast members of color.
Despite its reputation for pushing boundaries, SNL has not always welcomed performers speaking truth to power. Acts like Sinead O’Connor tearing up a photo of the Pope led to heavy consequences, including a lifetime ban from the show.
The show has also faced criticism for allowing hosts to punch down with offensive sketches and jokes, while boosting the careers of controversial figures like Andrew Dice Clay and billionaire businessmen like Elon Musk and Trump.
Overall, SNL’s history is filled with moments of both comedy brilliance and controversy, highlighting the complexities of navigating humor in the public eye. Aber er hatte bereits Zweifel an Covid-Impfstoffen verbreitet, als er die Bühne in einem Bandana betrat, das Mund und Nase bedeckte: ein perfekter Ziffer für SNL’s keine Haltung Mitte-Zentrismus.
Trump moderierte SNL im Jahr 2015, Monate nachdem er seine erste Kandidatur für das Präsidentenamt angekündigt hatte, was viele nach seinem Sieg letztendlich als eine Art Unterstützung betrachteten. „Die Leute denken, ich bin kontrovers“, sagte Trump – der zweifellos gutes komisches Timing hat – in seinem Monolog. „Aber die Wahrheit ist, ich bin ein netter Kerl. Ich hege keinen Groll gegen irgendjemanden.“
Garrett Morris, der erste schwarze Darsteller bei SNL, sagte letztes Jahr dem Guardian, dass er, als er dem Ensemble beitrat, die grundlegenden Probleme der Show aus erster Hand beobachtete: „Ich werde bis ans Ende meiner Tage sagen: Lornes Autoren hatten viel Rassismus.“
„Ich würde SNL konservativ konservativ nennen, auf die Art und Weise, wie der Liberalismus konservativ ist“, sagte Thrasher. „Liberalismus beinhaltet Barack Obama, der mit Donald Trump lacht. Liberalismus beinhaltet zahlreiche Senatoren, die für verschiedene Trump-Kandidaten stimmen, selbst wenn sie nicht für alle stimmen. Im Großen und Ganzen fordert es die Macht nicht heraus.“
SNL ist vieles, aber ein Leuchtfeuer für furchtlose Außenseiter-Comedy ist es nicht. Und das ist in Ordnung: aber der Rest von uns sollte aufhören, etwas anderes vorzugeben.