Commentary: This isn't an article about how there aren't enough women in the cast of 'Saturday Night Live.' It's not a diatribe on the state of the current season. And we're not going to talk any more about last week's "Tiger" sketches. What we're wondering is: what's up with SNL's lady problem?
In the span of 35 seasons, some amazing actresses have been discovered on the show, including first year icons, Gilda Radner and Jane Curtin. But during the past 30 years, the real impact female players have been few and far between. Jan Hooks, Nora Dunn, Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Kristen Wiig. That's about it.
Other women have starred on the show, but to very different results. This list actually includes some big names in comedy: Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Janeane Garofalo, and Laurie Metcalfe (she appeared in just one episode in 1981). And yet they were underused, ignored, or got frustrated and left. We're talking real talent here! What happened?
To be fair, the late-night show does get it right sometimes. The 2008-09 season got monster ratings, lots of publicity, and a renewed interest in a declining-though-beloved franchise. And the reason behind it? It was the first time in decades the show acknowledged the talent and depth of its female players. Sketch comedy queen Amy Poehler was still around, comedy chameleon Kristen Wiig was capturing every TV writer's attention, and the legendary Tina Fey was returning regularly to parody Sarah Palin. It was a winning trifecta of funny.
But this season it's back to mostly male-dominated sketches. We'll get a "Gilly" or "Target Lady" thrown our way every so often, but mostly, the female characters seem incidental or just an afterthought. And what might be the most jarring aspect of all, the show is now relying on Kenan Thompson to play all black female characters. Is it funny sometimes? Sure. But every time?
In fact, this phenomenon carries over into the hosts as well. This season, Megan Fox, January Jones, and Blake Lively were essentially window dressing for their respective episodes. Some may blame this on each host's individual comedic ability, and while in some cases that might be true, it's not for all.
Fox, the stove-hot 'Transformers' star, showed some real pizazz during her season premiere episode. Too bad she wasn't given enough material to really showcase anything. There was one notable exception this season: Taylor Swift. Her episode featured her front and center. Someone somewhere acknowledged and appreciated her talent. How come this isn't happening at a cast member level more frequently?
SNL boss Lorne Michaels hired two new women this season to join Wiig and (the underused) Abby Elliot: Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad. In the 8 episodes broadcast this season so far, they've been in a combined total of around 12 sketches. In the 4-5 sketches she's done, Pedrad has shown precise comedic timing and an uncanny ability for impressions (her Kim Kardashian was spot on). Slate made quite the splash in the season premiere when she dropped an "F" bomb during her first starring sketch. But since recuperating from that slight mishap, she too has shown some solid sketch-comedy acting chops.
So here we are, halfway through the 35th season of the series. SNL has four strong female players, all pretty darn funny. This is a golden opportunity to turn SNL's lady problem around. We're really hoping he, and the show's writers, realize the comedy weapons they have and start to use them all.
Yeah Dan, SNL has had only a few funny women in several years. Amy Poehler was my favorite recently. But now SNL's girls aren't any good, except for maybe Kristin Wiig.
The first problem is that there haven't been any recurring characters for women. Cheri Oteri did the fake Spartan cheerleader routine with Will Ferrell. Amy Poehler had the one-legged woman. There was Rachel Dratch's character Downer Debbie (the sketch at the Disney World breakfast that fell apart was hysterical.), as well as Rachel's girlfriend to Jimmy Fallon's Red Sox/Nomar Garciaparra fan. Maya Rudolph was incredible as Donatella Versace.
The second problem is that there haven't been a lot of women in the news. Michelle Obama is far less irritating than Hillary Clinton ever was. Nancy Pelosi has been out of the limelight since the House passed a health care bill. And no one can do Sarah Palin, since Tina Fey is so good at it. And frankly, The View bits aren't all that funny, except for Taylor Swift playing Kate Gosslin. Even as funny as the Tiger Woods sketch is, you really can't do much, because no one knows that much about Elin Nordegren. We know what she looks like (hot Swedish blonde), but no one knows about her personality or even her voice (squeaky, husky?).
Republicans who call Obama a "liar" are a classic case of the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black, as they've lied ad infinitum during the Bush years. But what's partisan politics that got to do with SNL's alleged "female problem"? Nothing!
To me SNL is rarely funny anymore and usually can only get through a few skits before changing the channel. Not like SNL in the past when every show was great.
Years ago I read that female cast members were treated brutal and unfair. It caused many problems. It probably left a lingering obstacle to any new female talent considering taking it on.
I like SNL as it is. It's funny, but I think some more girls wouldn't hurt; but Kent is right there aren't enogh women to make fun of. So unless SNL just gets more creative I don't see them having too many females on the show except for guest hosts anytime soon.
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Woman are not funny. For every woman who thinks she is, there are at least 100 men who actually are.
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Yeah Dan, SNL has had only a few funny women in several years. Amy Poehler was my favorite recently. But now SNL's girls aren't any good, except for maybe Kristin Wiig.
I guess if you like vulgarity...you're right.
What a nonsensical thing to say, let alone to think.
A heterophobe!!
Reminds me of when men said that women only were qualified to be teachers, beauticians and nurses: think up until the mid 1970's.
Give women more of a chance and they will live up to expectations.
YEAH I AGREE MALE TURDS ARE ALWAYS FUNNY
Let it be. SNL is pure satire, and I find it very funny most of the time.
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The first problem is that there haven't been any recurring characters for women. Cheri Oteri did the fake Spartan cheerleader routine with Will Ferrell. Amy Poehler had the one-legged woman. There was Rachel Dratch's character Downer Debbie (the sketch at the Disney World breakfast that fell apart was hysterical.), as well as Rachel's girlfriend to Jimmy Fallon's Red Sox/Nomar Garciaparra fan. Maya Rudolph was incredible as Donatella Versace.
The second problem is that there haven't been a lot of women in the news. Michelle Obama is far less irritating than Hillary Clinton ever was. Nancy Pelosi has been out of the limelight since the House passed a health care bill. And no one can do Sarah Palin, since Tina Fey is so good at it. And frankly, The View bits aren't all that funny, except for Taylor Swift playing Kate Gosslin. Even as funny as the Tiger Woods sketch is, you really can't do much, because no one knows that much about Elin Nordegren. We know what she looks like (hot Swedish blonde), but no one knows about her personality or even her voice (squeaky, husky?).
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Just who really cares? Ask Obama, he might not lie about this!
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Yawn
How did you get that keyboard in your colon (along side your head) in order to write such a brilliant statement?
WHy,Why, oh Why do you idiots continue no matter the subject have to bring Obama in it? Reason; your an idiot.
Republicans who call Obama a "liar" are a classic case of the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black, as they've lied ad infinitum during the Bush years. But what's partisan politics that got to do with SNL's alleged "female problem"? Nothing!
To me SNL is rarely funny anymore and usually can only get through a few skits before changing the channel. Not like SNL in the past when every show was great.
Reply
Years ago I read that female cast members were treated brutal and unfair. It caused many problems. It probably left a lingering obstacle to any new female talent considering taking it on.
Reply
I like SNL as it is. It's funny, but I think some more girls wouldn't hurt; but Kent is right there aren't enogh women to make fun of. So unless SNL just gets more creative I don't see them having too many females on the show except for guest hosts anytime soon.
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WHAT ABOUT ANNA GASTAR !!!!!!!!The three Muscateers.Cheri Otari, Molly Shannon, and ANNA!!!!
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Thank you, Mike. I too noticed that Ana Gasteyer was left out. She was fantastic and went on to star on Broadway!
stop your whinning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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