Re: SNL (was A Parks and Rec reunion)

[JW]

SNL has a funny dichotomy. Although many cast members have improv experience, Lorne has always frowned on them going off-script, so they just get one chance to get the scene right with no allowance for the spontaneity that should be an advantage of going live.

But if they record their material, they're just another variety show (even if that's much less common than it was 45 years ago). Lorne can no longer say, "We don't go on the air because we're ready. We go on because it's 11:30 Saturday night." And then, some of the weak material or over-the-top characterizations are much less acceptable, since there was a chance to clean them up.

So they're probably better off remaining a (mostly) live show, where the audience is more willing to accept some of the limitations.