Alright, so SNL’s still… a thing. Fifty-one seasons, huh? Feels like fifty-one years since it was actually funny. But hey, good for them, I guess. Lorne Michaels must be swimming in Emmy money.
The Usual Suspects (and Some New Blood)
Olivia Dean made her SNL debut. Okay. Never heard of her, but that’s probably on me. "Man I Need" and "Let Alone The One You Love"? Sounds… generic. Glen Powell hosted. He's alright, I guess. Handsome dude. Sang in a pre-taped music video called "I Miss My Ex's Dad." Seriously? Is that the best they could come up with?
And Will Forte showed up as MacGruber. MacGruber. Now that’s a throwback. Remember when that was kinda funny? Kinda. For like, five minutes. Why are they dragging that out of the mothballs? Are they that desperate for nostalgia points?
Then we got Dijon lined up. Dijon who? Oh, the musical guest on December 6th. Apparently, it's his SNL debut. Alongside Melissa McCarthy. She can be funny, I'll give her that. But Dijon… Dijon. You know, like the mustard? Is this some kind of elaborate, low-key marketing stunt for...dijon mustard? I mean, seriously, are we going to get a sketch where someone is making a chicken dijon recipe, or what is dijon even? Olivia Dean Makes SNL Debut, Dijon Announced For Next Month - Stereogum
The Real Problem (It's Not the Guests)
Here's the thing: the guests aren't the problem. Yeah, some are better than others, offcourse. But SNL's problem is SNL. It’s the same tired format, the same predictable jokes, the same reliance on celebrity cameos instead of actual writing.
They think throwing in a hot new musical act or a charming movie star is gonna fix things? It’s like putting a fresh coat of paint on a house with a cracked foundation. It might look better for a minute, but the whole thing is still gonna crumble.
And don’t even get me started on the "surprise" appearances. Will Forte showing up as MacGruber? That's not a surprise, that's a calculated move to try and get some buzz. It's like they're saying, "Hey, remember this thing you used to like? Well, here it is again! Please clap!"
But here's the question nobody seems to be asking: Is SNL even relevant anymore? In a world where anyone can make a viral video on their phone, why are we still relying on this dinosaur of a show for our comedy?
A Modest Proposal (For Once, I'm Serious)
Look, I get it. SNL is an institution. It's been around for freaking ever. And Lorne Michaels is a comedy legend, or so they say. But legends can get stale. And institutions can become irrelevant.
So, what needs to happen? A complete overhaul. Scrap the format. Ditch the celebrity cameos. Hire some actual writers who aren't afraid to take risks. And for god's sake, find some new talent. Stop relying on the same old faces.
Maybe then, just maybe, SNL can become something other than a nostalgic relic. Maybe it can actually be funny again. But let's be real, I ain't holding my breath.
So, What's the Real Story?
SNL ain't dead yet, but it's circling the drain. Unless they make some serious changes, it's just a matter of time before it becomes a punchline itself. And honestly...I'm starting to think that might be for the best.