SNL needs new Biden

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Bob Jersey

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Dec 19, 2020, 1:51:26 PM12/19/20
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Carrey apparently only agreed to a few shows...


B

Kevin M.

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Dec 19, 2020, 2:24:07 PM12/19/20
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Won’t a still photograph of any old man napping suffice? I mean, SNL isn’t capable of nuanced comedy, so one assumes Trump’s “Sleepy Joe” nickname will be all they do.

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PGage

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Dec 19, 2020, 2:54:13 PM12/19/20
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1. I am 100% sure SNL had an option after 6 shows and decided not to renew (Carrey’s Biden was NOT working).

2. It’s a no-brainer who should do Biden: Sudekis



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Tom Wolper

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Dec 19, 2020, 2:57:50 PM12/19/20
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On Sat, Dec 19, 2020 at 2:24 PM Kevin M. <drunkba...@gmail.com> wrote:
Won’t a still photograph of any old man napping suffice? I mean, SNL isn’t capable of nuanced comedy, so one assumes Trump’s “Sleepy Joe” nickname will be all they do.

Trump sees the main role of the president to be looking good on TV and he put his main effort into overwhelming anyone who might compete for media attention. If SNL made Trump the main focus of the cold open each week it at least reflected the news. Biden is much less demanding of attention and more willing to delegate the work and SNL doesn't need to keep going to him each week, though they probably will out of laziness.

We all know in the end Kate McKinnon will play Biden. She will do her usual below average job and everybody will talk about how brilliant she is.

Dave Sikula

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Dec 20, 2020, 4:38:34 AM12/20/20
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Don't get me started on McKinnon. Tonight's episode, though, was the double-scoop of awfulness that was enough to throw the rest of the hellscape that was 2020 onto the scrapheap.

--Dave Sikula

Brad Beam

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Dec 20, 2020, 9:20:40 AM12/20/20
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From: tvor...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvor...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Kevin M.

>Won’t a still photograph of any old man napping suffice? I mean, SNL isn’t capable of nuanced comedy, so one assumes Trump’s “Sleepy Joe” nickname will be all they do.

 

Tying threads together:

"I'm like Colonel Sanders. Every time you see me, I'm a different guy. There's a good chance that this time next year, I'll be Mario Lopez." - SNL's Biden de la semaine Alex Moffatt

 

_   _

|_>|_>  Brad Beam- Belle WV

|_>|_>  http://www.facebook.com/74bmw

PGage

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Dec 20, 2020, 11:22:34 AM12/20/20
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So, this is usually where I would defend Kate from Dave’s grouchy and mean-spirited over generalization of Wiig’s worst attributes to her, but sadly based not just on last night, but really all of this season, I really can’t. Something does seem to be off with her this year; a lot of her screen time is on Update, where she does no much break characters as never get into any clearly defined character. I don’t mind her Giuliani impression, but it has gotten to the point that she seems to just put on the make up and do the voice and not put much effort into anything else. 

Dua Lipa was the most watchable performer this week, in sketches as well as her two musical numbers.

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Melissa P

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Dec 20, 2020, 12:50:00 PM12/20/20
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Kate did/does a great Elizabeth Warren.  That is all.

Marti Lawrence

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Dec 20, 2020, 3:56:55 PM12/20/20
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I am really glad Jim Carrey isn't portraying Biden any longer. It was like Ace Ventura in a grey-hair wig - just way too manic.   Alex Moffatt was okay,  however my favorite was Jason  Sudeikis, but he may not be available.

~Marti

Steve Timko

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Dec 21, 2020, 12:04:52 AM12/21/20
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They need a long-term solution and that may not come until next season.
It seems like they turn it up a notch when ex-cast members return to host, but most of the sketches were flat. Are they burned out?

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Tom Wolper

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Dec 21, 2020, 12:56:50 AM12/21/20
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On Sun, Dec 20, 2020 at 11:22 AM PGage <pga...@gmail.com> wrote:
So, this is usually where I would defend Kate from Dave’s grouchy and mean-spirited over generalization of Wiig’s worst attributes to her, but sadly based not just on last night, but really all of this season, I really can’t. Something does seem to be off with her this year; a lot of her screen time is on Update, where she does no much break characters as never get into any clearly defined character. I don’t mind her Giuliani impression, but it has gotten to the point that she seems to just put on the make up and do the voice and not put much effort into anything else. 

Dua Lipa was the most watchable performer this week, in sketches as well as her two musical numbers.

Everybody in show business should be given a mulligan for whatever they put on the air this fall. It's a monumental effort just to get a show on the air and obviously the rhythm of the week built up over 45 years isn't there. And as much as the mental strain of these last 9 months is getting to everybody, for SNL performers who are dealing with high pressure in normal times, this season has to be taking them to the edge.

And I have nothing against McKinnon. SHe has her talents and SNL might be a good place to let her develop her skills for a national audience and get her name known. My problem with her is that there are years when one cast member stands out and they can be called on to carry the show when the material is thin. McKinnon is getting that role and she isn't up to it.

M-D November

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Dec 21, 2020, 1:51:37 PM12/21/20
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I think there are a few factors working against SNL right now (not just this weekend, but for the whole season):
  1. Smaller in-studio audience - laughter breeds laughter, and with a smaller house, when a joke falls flat, it's more noticeable to the home viewer
  2. Reduced cast size - I've read elsewhere that they've been rotating certain cast members in and out to reduce the number of people in the studio (Keenan was noticeably absent on 12/12; Aidy has been off shooting "Shrill", etc.), which limits which sketches/characters are available on a weekly basis, and
  3. Fewer cameos - as much as this is a widely derided aspect of the modern SNL, this is something people have come to expect from certain episodes, specifically the Xmas go-home episode, which normally functions like SNL Homecoming. Having Wiig (who I DETEST) host would have been a prime opportunity to have Bill Hader & Fred Armisen back, but they were noticeably absent (although Keenan performed admirably, if not anachronistically, during "Secret Word"). Presumably this also limited Wiig's ability to use certain stock characters, like the girl with the baby doll hands, because her character is linked to Armisen's Lawrence Welk.
I agree with Tom, tho - I'm willing to give everyone a mulligan for now, as trying to get ANYTHING produced under current conditions is nothing short of exceptional.

Tom Wolper

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Dec 21, 2020, 3:10:28 PM12/21/20
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On Mon, Dec 21, 2020 at 1:51 PM M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:
I think there are a few factors working against SNL right now (not just this weekend, but for the whole season):
  1. Smaller in-studio audience - laughter breeds laughter, and with a smaller house, when a joke falls flat, it's more noticeable to the home viewer
  2. Reduced cast size - I've read elsewhere that they've been rotating certain cast members in and out to reduce the number of people in the studio (Keenan was noticeably absent on 12/12; Aidy has been off shooting "Shrill", etc.), which limits which sketches/characters are available on a weekly basis, and
  3. Fewer cameos - as much as this is a widely derided aspect of the modern SNL, this is something people have come to expect from certain episodes, specifically the Xmas go-home episode, which normally functions like SNL Homecoming. Having Wiig (who I DETEST) host would have been a prime opportunity to have Bill Hader & Fred Armisen back, but they were noticeably absent (although Keenan performed admirably, if not anachronistically, during "Secret Word"). Presumably this also limited Wiig's ability to use certain stock characters, like the girl with the baby doll hands, because her character is linked to Armisen's Lawrence Welk.
I agree with Tom, tho - I'm willing to give everyone a mulligan for now, as trying to get ANYTHING produced under current conditions is nothing short of exceptional.

I'm thinking of disruptions leading up to Saturday at 11:30 ET. From reading about how SNL is put together through the decades, Lorne has a schedule for the week before the show is performed. Monday is the introduction of the guest host to the staff with a session to brainstorm ideas, Tuesday's writing hours go through the night to Wednesday, etc. Assuming the writers are working from home that throws everything out of whack, especially the interaction between writers and cast to develop sketches. And one big part of getting the show together is Saturday's dress rehearsal where the show is done before a live audience to get feedback on what works. Without that to guide them they're more conservative in their choice of material and less likely to take chances.

PGage

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Dec 21, 2020, 3:57:40 PM12/21/20
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All of this reminds me to ask about something: they do not use masks while doing sketches, but they all seem to wear them at the close when they say goodnight. Do they have mini bubbles for cast members who only do sketches together, and mask up when they interact with other bubbles? Are they socially distanced during sketches (which I have not noticed but is possible) and mask up for the goodnight because they are closer together? What’s up with that?

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Jim Ellwanger

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Dec 21, 2020, 4:02:18 PM12/21/20
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I've been assuming all along that the masks during the goodnights are intended as a show of best practices/"we're all in this together" for the home audience.

(Yes, I realize "best practices" would be for them all to stay at least 6 feet apart, even with masks on.)

(Okay, technically "best practices" would be for them not to be doing "SNL" at all, but that ship has long sailed with regard to "SNL" and everything else that really should only be happening in a fully functioning society.)


PGage

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Dec 21, 2020, 5:31:47 PM12/21/20
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I considered it was modeling good behavior. It does strike me as off message though - either they are bubbling with the people they interact with sans masks, or they should be wearing masks all the time. 

The kind of semi-permeable work bubbles used in industries like the NFL does not really mean they live together, or have no contact with anyone else. It does mean that they commit to only interacting with people they live with, and those people commit to the same, and that, if anyone in that extended bubble tests positive, or is exposed to someone who is positive, the whole bubble gets quarantined. It would make sense to me that a show like SNL might try to have two or three non- overlapping bubbles, so that if one gets shut down the show can go on with the others.  

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