NBC's classic sketch show Saturday Night Live has cemented its place in pop culture. The show has produced some of the most hilarious moments in television history and is still going strong after nearly 50 years. But comedy is entirely subjective, so what one SNL viewer finds funny might not move the needle for other fans.
Despite the subjective nature of comedy, some fans completely disagree with commonly held conceptions about Saturday Night Live and its legacy. Whether its over cast members or sketches, fans can't agree on everything.
Tina Fey And Amy Poehler Were Bad Weekend Update Anchors
"Weekend Update" is one of the show's most recognized segments. Because the segment is so iconic, it is also one of the most divisive parts of the SNL fandom. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the segment together and their combined popularity boosted it. However, not all fans enjoyed them together. Reddit user tavir said, "I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but I did not enjoy their stint as co-Weekend Update Anchors. They were both much better paired with Jimmy and Seth respectively." Still, the popularity of both performers is undeniable and they brought that popularity to the segment. Fey and Poehler cemented themselves as two of the best female cast members in SNL's history.
SNL Alumni Shouldn't Come Back To SNL
SNL has been on the air since 1975, so it has a lengthy roster of notable alumni. Many of its former cast members go on to become popular movie stars, so it makes sense to invite them back to host the show on the assumption that they won't have to learn the ropes. However, doing so it's a popular choice with every viewer, especially when the show uses it as an excuse to bring back other former cast members for cameos. As user pineyfusion put it, "I hate this new trend of when SNL alum host, they bring back 1/2 of the cast from their era." Some fans enjoy seeing old cast members return while others believe that it is lazy and keeps new talent off of the screen for too long. Most fans enjoy seeing familiar faces occasionally, especially if they can still produce laughs.
There's Such A Thing As Too Much Kristin Wiig
SNL has had its fair share of popular cast members over the years. These popular cast members are usually the reason fans tune in each week but sometimes it can rub viewers the wrong way. Kristin Wiig was an enormously popular cast member, but user ReconLounge wrote, "I felt like they threw her in every single sketch during her years on the show. 'Live from New York, it's Kristin Wiig' would of been more appropriate."
Even the most popular cast member could be oversaturated for viewers, but Kristin Wiig was also considered one of the strongest cast members during her time with SNL and was in some of the best comedies of the 2010s.
SNL Is Consistently Funny
Comedy is a hit-and-miss genre and a weekly sketch show lives and dies by the content they can produce each episode. Therefore, almost every fan has moments that they don't enjoy and even entire spans of time that they'd rather forget about. User ilovefacebook wrote succinctly that "SNL continues to be funny season after season." Though a simple statement it certainly is controversial and even the most die hard SNL fan would probably disagree. Picking on comedy shows like SNL can often be the popular thing to do but that doesn't negate the actual criticism of some of the weaker eras of the show.
Kenan Thompson Isn't Funny
SNL has long been a launching pad for the careers of comedy legends. Rarely does a cast member stay with the show for too long and they are often antsy to move on to bigger and better things. Kenan Thompson is one of the few cast members to break that mold and has been on SNL longer than anyone else. This tenure hasn't made him popular with everyone though as back3rman wrote, "I don't find Keenan funny and think because of his seniority he is in way too many sketches." Overexposure can be a problem with SNL cast members but his long tenure can often be mistaken for it. Kenan has proven over the years that he deserves his spot on the cast and has acted as a mentor for new cast members to turn to.
Chris Farley Was A Try-Hard
The late great Chris Farley is one of the most iconic alums of SNL. Despite his almost universal popularity he has rubbed a few viewers the wrong way with his antics. User steam_engine wrote, "Chris Farley always seemed like he was trying too hard. He was not believable in his yelling." Though Farley's frenetic sketches weren't for everyone, there was a uniqueness to his performance that made him a notable alum. He was loud and boisterous which often came through in the characters he played on screen. Outside of the show, Farley also had a successful career in film and starred in some of the best comedies of the 1990s.
The First Five Seasons Of SNL Are Overrated
Any fandom has its fair share of people who pine for the old days. SNL's first few years laid the groundwork for what the show would become and launched the careers of comedy legends like Billy Murray. Despite this, the early years weren't popular with everyone and christmas_squid wrote, "The first five seasons are incredibly overrated. Yes, they are important ... but aren't all that funny overall." Comedy changes over time and it is sometimes difficult to see things through the lens of their time. The early days of SNL may seem tame in comparison to today but their quality was paramount to the show's success.
Returning SNL Sketches Are Bad
The callback is an important tool in any comedy's arsenal. SNL has often revived sketches to please fans who loved them the first time. Unfortunately though, some fans do not enjoy them as much. One Reddit user wrote, "Returning sketches is lazy, boring, and makes me turn off my TV."
Though it is true that comedy often loses value when repeated, the entire history of SNL is peppered with revived sketches that have fans rolling each time.
Norm MacDonald Was Overrated On SNL
Norm MacDonald was mostly known to SNL fans for his unpopular stint on the show, however as years passed his time was seen more favorably. Norm has since become a cult hero in the SNL community and his work outside of SNL is sainted. User pineyfusion had a different idea though and wrote, "I think Norm MacDonald was insanely overrated and wasn't funny as a Weekend Update anchor." Ironically, Norm's stint on Weekend Update is often what is cited as his best work on the show and other hosts have since been compared to him.
Jimmy Fallon Was One Of The Worst SNL Cast Members
Almost every cast member from SNL has their fans and detractors. Some are more divisive than others and a deleted user commented, "Jimmy Fallon was one of the worst cast members ever. He broke constantly in every sketch he was in and ruined it." Though Jimmy Fallon's style of comedy isn't for everyone, there's no doubt that he was popular enough to have a long and successful career. His breaking character in sketches is also often what fans cite as the thing they like most about his performances.