Opinion: 'SNL' Has a Lady Problem

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted Dec 12th 2009 08:00AM

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.

Tags: saturday night live, SaturdayNightLive

Comments

(39)

Saturday 12 December

By tana green

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Women have been disrespected everywhere in American, if not global, society for so long it's hard to separate the generalized suppressioin from the specific. It really is time to realize that the world is not just a little boys club. Ask Angela Merkel.

By Ciaron1985

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Hey, SNL! You're right in NYC. Check out the Upright Citizens Brigade because there are some uniquely talented (and FUNNY!) ladies right there in your own backyard. Quite a diverse group, too. Just look out your shaded windows, man!

By Wendy

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Kenan Thompson is so funny as Whoopie Goldberg.

By booger

Maybe the ladies should learn to write. Gilda and Tina Fey wrote a lot of their own material, and didn't just milk one or two of their own sketches to death. Sarah Silverman wouldn't be funny at a Bar Mitzvah.

By NuttediT

This poll is exactly what's wrong.... not the lack of female talent.... if what's in this poll are our choices, we're friggin' doomed....

By spence

This is a ridiculous article, are you kidding? Hello, TINA FEY, hottest star last
year thanks to SNL and her Sara Palin sketches. Beyond that, Kristin Wilg is
fantastic. The new Abby Elliot does a great Angelina Jolie. The other girls
just need a little time to develop. Also, Taylor Swift was an incredible host
and was greatly enhanced by her appearance. What a dumb article.

By Miles Amblish

Never mind the women, since the first group at SNL left it has rarely been funny except on rare instances. SNL sketches have a hard earned reputation for taking a funny concept and running it 5 minutes longer than necessary.

I believe that in such an environment that the playing field is more than level. Every show is another chance for a hard working, enterprising female player to rise above the muck and make a name for herself. If the other male SNL players are unable to write material for females, then it is the opportunity and responsibility of the female players to write better material for themselves. Unless they can't. Opportunity, talent and hard work is what separates the wheat from the chaff.

By Kara

Kristen Wiig is the absolute un-funniest actress on television. I stopped watching because of her. Cannot stand her. Maybe she is part of the reason they haven't added more females to the cast.

By tom

SNL dosn't have a lady problem they just have a problem. Their ratings have fallen so far down, that all they can do is make jokes at someone's expense. I think the biggest joke is SNL still being on the air.

By anais_morr

Going to have to agree. It's not a "lady" problem but more of a funny problem and being ridiculously PC all the time, especially to this current administration (sorry that China skit with Obama was not all that). There is much going on right now with the economy, high unemployment, war, and conflict its a bit difficult to poke fun at politics. Unless people watch CSPAN, most people have no idea who is in Congress to begin with. And being so PC is just getting SNL no where. They need to poke sticks at the President (who really is not all that) and Congress and call it like it is as SNL has done with every president before Obama.

By mavcal

This is news? It's been known for a long time that SNL is one sexist sink hole. I blame Loren Michaels who excludes wome from skits on a regular basis even if they are more talened and funny then the usual male cast. It's so obvious

By Bob

kristen Wiig isn't funny anymore. She is overused.We turn the mute on when we see her in a skit.

By kevin

snl does not have a problem with women,women have a problem with snl;women are rarely funny,its that basic

By bart

This show jumped the shark a long time ago. Time for NBC to find a new program for Saturday late night.

Sunday 13 December

By lita

I didn't find Molly Shannon that funny--particularly her Catholic schoolgirl routine. Not offensive, just not funny. Kristen Wiig is very funny except for that "Gilly" character. I thought Danitra Vance was funny when she did her "Shakespeare In the Projects" sketches and was sad that breast cancer took her so young.

By Abbi

WHAT ABOUT MYA RUDOLPH??? WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE HER OUT SHE'S AMAZING AND SNL IS NOTHING WITHOUT HER!!

By lolocat

wot

The opening skit is usually the funniest and yet it would be funny-er if they were shorter. Also for the record I am white but they really need a black girl on the show. It has been a long time since they have had one. It seems a little weird. I am not so pc that she even has to be "black" put a darker skin color than WHITE!

Monday 11 January

By Matt

Part of the problem with the two new women is simple: They look exactly alike! I don't think they've been all that funny, but it certainly doesn't help that I can never tell them apart.

I like Abby. She;s adorable and has some real potential.

Kristin Wiig is a star. In fact, I say she's the best cast member since Will Ferrell.

I know they got rid of the other girl because of her weight issues (so I read). I enjoyed her work.

It's a shame Andy Samberg isn't featured more prominently.

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