When I saw the thread title, thought this thread was going to be about Gayle, then realized that you aren't from Houston, so it had to be another Fallon that you had in mind.
The popular thing to do is to say, "SNL used to be funnier" or "SNL sucks". I think both statements are wrong. Actually if you think it sucks then you think it sucks and that is an opinion. That's cool. But to say that it is not as funny as it used to be is preposterous. It is simply the popular contrarian point. Over the past decade or so some of the best SNL's ever have aired. It is soooo much funnier than the stuff that used to air. "I'm Gumby Damnit!"? Not funny. "Kids, get off the shed."? Funny "Land Shark."? Cute but not funny. "Hermoine grows up" Hilarious "Morning Latte"? Will tried but not funny. "Mathew McConaughey as a protester" (Feed the babies! Yeah! Feed 'em to the whales!) Timelessly hysterical. The problem with SNL over the last decade or so is that they have been relying too much on the guests and not enough on the talent. The poor writers had to make Jeff Freaking Gordon funny. Good luck. They have definitely sold out as far as coinciding their scheduling of guests and music with the release of pertinant movies or CDs. I do wish they would go back to making the show the most important thing. I wish they would be edgy more often. Look at what a questionably risque skit with Lindsay Lohan did. It created the most viewed thread ever on this bbs. No, SNL is still funny as hell. It's highs are much higher and unfortunatley its lows are lower. But I'll take it this way any day of the week.
I would normally agree with you Chance but the cast have been absolutely terrible for the past two seasons and I don't think you can dispute that. The writing is actually still very sharp at times. Pretty much the only two good current cast members are Amy Poehler and Fred Arminsen (sp?), and neither get enough air time.
In terms of the poll question, I am PSYCHED to see Fallon go. What pissed be off about him cracking up during every other sketch he appeared in is that he ruined what used to be something that was special because it happened maybe once a season. I used to love when a castmember cracked up during a sketch because it reminded you that this was live TV where anything could happen. Plus it was cool to see the cast having fun up there. But when it happens 3 times per episode, it becomes a cheap laugh getting device, which, more often than not didn't even get more laughs because it ruined a sketch. DHB: Amen on Fred Armisen. That guy needs more time -- he's brilliant, and he could save SNL if they let him. Oh, and for the record Ferrell only cracked up during the cowbell sketch after Fallon giggled repeatedly. I don't fault people for breaking character if they're egged on mercilessly which is what Fallon does. (I just watched the cowbell sketch this weekend - a buddy let me borrow the Best of Will Ferrel DVD.)
Then why did I only laugh once all season? The show is ghastly now. It's pretty damn sad that MAD freaking TV has become the better show. (for the record, I only stupidly watch this atrocity every Saturday because my girlfriend makes me.)
I only mentioned Piscapo because I couldn't remember anyone from the horrible cast that you mentioned above. Add Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Robert Downey Jr. to the names above and you have the worst cast ever. If the show can come back after that season, it can come back after the current slump. I'll bet the Cowbell skit will be on this weekend for those who haven't seen it. Aren't they doing a Best Of Christopher Walken this week? In case you didn't know, my name is Bruce Dickenson....yes, THE Bruce Dickenson. I put my pants on one leg at a time...the only difference is....after I put my pants on, I make gold records!
This guy isn't funny and neither is Tina Fey... The whole show sucks...They need to put it out of its misery or just start from scratch...
What bothered me about Fallon cracking up during skits was that he only did it during OTHER people's sketches. You never caught him doing it during one of his own character pieces, because he wanted the sketch to work. But if it is a Rachel Dratch thing or a Will Ferrell thing, he is more than happy to ruin it. Like if he is not getting the soptlight, he is not inclined to be professional. Screw that. akes Adam Sandler look like Phil Hartman in terms of doing thge dirty work. His first show as a featured player was great, and after that, he did very little to justify how many touches (screen time) he got during the shows.
Personally, I think SNL has been very funny more recently than the last ten years. It does seem, though, that when a cast is breaking up is when the least funny shows come about. Like when Dana Carvey left the late '80s/early '90s cast, it signaled the beginning of the end. A season or so later, and we were hearing all about how SNL wasn't funny anymore (and before that, there were some unfunny seasons between the original cast and Eddie Murphy becomming the star, and after that there were a few down seasons between the Eddie Murphy years and the funny years with Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, etc). And then they essentially started over with Will Ferrell, etc. and the show gets funny again pretty quickly. And now many of the stars of that cast have moved on and we're hearing about how the show isn't funny anymore. Personally, I think we're in a transition time. The stars have left, and while there are still some pockets of good laughs, the overall show is not as funny as it had been. In a year or two, we'll have an all new cast and, hopefully, they'll have some gems mixed in. I think any show has a limited lifespan. How SNL has managed to stay on the air for about 30 seasons is their ability to reinvent every few years by injecting all new talent. Right now, they've lost the best of their talent and have yet to really replace them. The show will get better, I'm sure. But it takes some time.
Man, I never noticed that pattern before, but looking back I think you're right. What an egomaniac. The ironic thing is that he's usually only mildly amusing. It's not like we're talking Eddie Murphy or John Belushi here. Also, if his departure means I never have to witness "The Jimmy Fallon Experience" (or whatever his "band" is called) ever again, I'm all for it.
Now that he has quit SNL, Jimmy Fallon is well on his way to Joe Piscopo land. He will make a couple of crappy movies, spend all of his money on blow, and become a walking "True Hollywood Story" episode.
Jared's Room was good, but Fallon was seriously unfunny in his other skits. I can't see why he is leaving. He should know better. Better comedians than he, Dana Carvey, have left and gone missing.
True, but Carvey going missing had to do with his health, not his talent (or lack thereof). He apparently had open heart surgery that went awry.
Fallen was fine but I don't care if he leaves. But SNL is still funny as hell. But as it has through the ages, there are always 2-3 really bad skits. 1-2 funny ones and the rest are mildly amusing. Even in the Eddie Murphy days, that was true. Recent skits that were funny as hell: Debbie Downer Donald Trump's House of Wings Favorite recurring skit: Mexican Talk show where he always says "I just kidding" Don Chaney skits are funny. Chris Mathew skits are usually good Some of the fake commercials are funny is hell too. The baby diaper thong had me in tears. I think SNL is as funny as ever. They really need to find a replacement for Will Ferrel though...but I'm sure they will.
Don Chaney, the former Rockets coach? Kidding, I know what you mean. The recurring theme in those two skits is Darrell Hammond. I think he could be the next Will Ferrell if they would just give him more airtime. Maybe now that Fallon is gone, they'll finally give Darrell the push he deserves.
