Pop-Ed: Who's In and Who's Out at 'Saturday Night Live'?

By Mike Ryan Posted Sep 2nd 2010 04:30PM

The past week saw some major shakeups at 'Saturday Night Live.' Will Forte, a cast member since 2002, chose to leave. Taran Killam, Paul Brittain and Venessa Bayer (and maybe Jay Pharoah) are in as -- we assume -- featured players. Yes, it's entirely possible that there are no more changes before the 36th season premiere. But 'SNL' history will tell you that's not likely.

'SNL' certainly doesn't always abide by a formula of "one in, one out," but if recent trends hold, it would appear that the shuffle isn't quite over.

In the '05-'06 season, the cast was composed of 16 members (12 cast members and 4 featured players). In the '06-'07 season, the cast was cut to 11 members -- Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Finesse Mitchell, Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz were all gone and were not replaced. The following year ('07-'08), Maya Rudolph departed and was replaced by Casey Wilson as a featured player. In '08-'09, the cast did expand to 13 members: Amy Poehler left while Bobby Moynihan, Abby Elliott and Michaela Watkins joined. Then, last season ('09-'10), Darrell Hammond left and both Casey Wilson and Michaela Watkins were dropped as featured players and were replaced by Nasim Pedrad and Jenny Slate. So, looking at a five season snapshot, in only one season, '08-'09, did the cast actually expand. If this trend continues, let's see who's actually on the hot seat.

Fred Armisen
Armisen has been with SNL since the 2002 season but, as Forte's departure proved, that has isn't an accurate barometer. Sure, he's (maybe) got the Obama gig, which usually brings job security, but his Obama impression has never been overwhelmingly popular. And if these Pharoah are true, Armisen has done his last Obama impression. And look, without getting too intertwined into someone's personal life, this hasn't exactly been the best few weeks for Armisen considering the recent announcement about his breakup with Elizabeth Moss. It's unlikely he's going to be let go while in the midst of a divorce. Lorne Michaels can be cold, at times, but that's bordering on cruel – which he's not. Plus, Armisen still delivers sketches like last season's "I Did It In My Style: The Story of Frank Sinatra."
Prognosis: Probably Safe

Bill Hader
Truly one of the breakout stars of 'SNL.' With the departure of Darrell Hammond, Hader is the only real chameleon left on the show that can deliver a wide plethora of impressions. When Hader leaves, it will be his choice.
Prognosis: Safe

Seth Meyers
Meyers, a cast member since 2001, is the head writer of 'Saturday Night Live' and the anchor of 'Weekend Update.' There's no way such a drastic move would happen this close to the start of the season.
Prognosis: Safe

Jason Sudeikis
Sudeikis is the most underrated cast member on the show. He can play the oddball and he can play the straight man. He's nestled himself into that Phil Hartman mold of appearing in a lot of sketches and does a nice job of holding them together. If Lorne Michaels is the head coach and Seth Meyers is the offensive coordinator, Sudeikis is the quarterback. Though, it should be noted, not many people really tune into 'SNL' just to see Jason Sudeikis.
Prognosis: Probably Safe

Kristen Wiig
Wiig was a member of the scouting team that recruited the three new cast members, so she's not going anywhere. Playing on an earlier theme, if Sudeikis is the quarterback, Wiig is the receiver that's thrown to way too often. The way 'Saturday Night Live' works is many sketches are written throughout any given week. Each writer is vying to get his or her sketch on the air, which is hard. For whatever reason, Lorne loves Wiig (admittedly, she has her moments, but sketches like Gilly are unwatchable). So what's the best way to get a sketch on the air? Write for Wiig! If a writer throws out a Gilly sketch in a given week, the chances are that sketch is getting on the air. Unfortunately, relying too much on recurring characters, and Wiig, hurts the show. Wiig, like Hader, will leave the show when she wants to leave the show.
Prognosis: Safe

Andy Samberg
Samberg can be polarizing, but his digital shorts – created along with fellow Lonely Island members Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone – drive 'SNL''s Internet buzz. Once 'Lazy Sunday' went viral and pretty much created YouTube, Samberg pretty much writes his own ticket there. Sure, his film career is sketchy – the wildly underrated 'Hot Rod' didn't do much at the box-office – but there are many viewers that only watch SNL to see the digital shorts. 'SNL' can't afford to lose the buzz.
Prognosis: Safe

Kenan Thompson
Unfortunately, it's difficult to discuss Kenan without venturing into the larger issue of lack of African Americans in the cast. Before that: Kenan has had some up and down years on the show but is in the middle of a resurgence. Tiger Woods marital woes come along at the right time for Kenan, plus, recurring sketches like 'What's Up With That?' have gone viral. And, yes, he's (currently) the only African American cast member on the show which, yes, makes him (currently) the only cast member who can play certain characters. And, of note, none of the three new cast members added this season are minorities. Of course, this all changes if Jay Pharoah joins.
Prognosis: Probably Safe

Abby Elliott
Quick, name one Abby Elliott sketch or character. And, yeah, you can't count Brittany Murphy because she can't really use that one any longer. Not to discredit Elliott's talent (any relative of Chris Elliott is going to be talented based on osmosis, alone) but Wiig's dominance of screen time doesn't leave a whole lot of time for Elliott to make her mark. Plus, this would be her third year as a featured player, which is almost unheard of these days. At this point, they either have to bring her into the cast or let her go. And being a perceived part of the Armisen-Moss breakup probably won't help her case.
Prognosis: Should Be Worried

Bobby Moynihan
Same as Elliott, it's unlikely he's going to be a third year featured player. (Full disclosure: I once attended a live performance of 'SNL' at the invite of Bobby Moynihan.) Moynihan has made a lot of important strides, but it's debatable if they've been enough. His most well known recurring character is Mark Payne -- the "pepper" guy who works at Uno's -- which has aired twice (and at least once more at dress before it was cut for time). Also: Ass Dan. But he also wrote one of the most popular sketches of the last two years: The 'Single Ladies' sketch featuring Moynihan, Samberg and Justin Timberlake dancing behind Beyoncé. Unfortunately, two of the new cast members are male. I like Moynihan so I hope that I'm wrong, but...
Prognosis: Should Be Worried

Nasim Pedrad
Four words: Kickspit Underground Rock Festival. Quite possibly the funniest thing that aired on 'SNL all of last season. The Iranian born Pedrad pretty much did the best that she possibly could hope getting screen time (see Wiig, Kristen) for a first year player. No question, the jury is out – as they always are for featured players – but she'll most likely get at least another year.
Prognosis: Should Still be Concerned, but is Probably Safe.

Jenny Slate
Like Pedrad, only has one year under her belt, but as Michaela Watkins (who Slate stepped in for as Hoda Kotb) found out, that doesn't mean a whole lot. And hey: She dropped the F Bomb on the air during her first show and didn't get immediately fired, so there's obviously someone there who thinks pretty highly of her. Unfortunately, that's kind of what she's best known for. One thing's for sure: If Slate isn't back, the role of Hoda Kotb is officially cursed. (Beware the Kotb, Venessa Bayer.)
Prognosis: Should Be Worried

Disagree with Mike? Send him your 'SNL' thoughts on Twitter.

Tags: andy samberg, kristen wiig, Saturday Night Live, snl

Comments

(94)

Thursday 02 September

By jolly

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Ever since the original cast of SNL has gone; Chevy Chase, Steve Martin (all of those from the 80's), SNL has not been funny at all. It has turned very vulgar. Even when Betty White was on, it was not funny at all. I was hoping that they would do a Golden Girls parody, but didnt. I wish the writers would go back to how SNL was before in the 80's when it was FUNNY!

Friday 03 September

By ashleigh

Steve Martin was NEVER a cast member of SNL, but he has been a frequent Guest Host...

By youshi3b

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Plus, this would be her third year as a featured player, which is almost unheard of these days. At this point, they either have to bring her into the cast or let her go. And being a perceived part of the Armisen-Moss breakup probably won't help her case.
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By Shep Muncie

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I agree . Who is in ? Who is out ? Who cares . These pathetic fools have not been funny for over 25 years . Can the show and televise some good old movies . These people have 0 talent

By stacknef

chevy chase was on for one season and steve martin has been a host but not a cast member.

By Jerry

Agreed! these people are not remotely funny!!!!!!

I guess Mr Know it all is right . Steve Martin did seem like a cast member but I guess he was not . Thanks Mr Know it all

Saturday 04 September

By Bruce

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IF you haven't found SNL funny in thirty years, WHY ARE YOU WATCHING IT? I haven't found it funny in longer than that, but I don't watch it.

By yikes-a-hooty

Unfortunately, three of the best SNL performers are dead. I agree that the show really lost it after the 80's. I haven't watched it since I was in college. I'm not even sure why it is still on. It's really time to admit that the show has been washed up for a while now. Pull the plug and let it go. Be merciful.

By Jan

Kristen Wiig is not funny she is really annoying. All her character voices sound the same. When she is on I usually leave the room. The character Gilly is just annoing and most times make no sense. The character with the small hands if people think that's funny they have a warped sense of humor. The only one more annoying is that one they do with "what's up with that".
I will miss Will Forte but wish him luck in whatever he decides to do in the future.

By BluesDaddy411

Jan, you are so right. I can't change the channel fast enough whenever Wiig is on. Expect for Seth, who the hell are the people any way?

By Lorraine

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Then, I must have a warped sense of humor cos personally, I think the "little hands" sketches are only funny things she does anymore! Whig definitely has an eye for odd or nuanced characteristics in the people around is (like the girl who exaggerates and ends every sentence with "sooo....") but she can't seem to flesh them out.

By sandy

This season was really hard to watch. Just a few shows that were really funny. Kristen Whig can be really annoying.

By lipanconjuring

Who cares? The show has sucked for the past several years,

By jdo52tex

You mean since the original cast left?

By susan

Get rid of yahoofashion!

By Tommy

Keenan Thompson is great. If they want to add a great cast member and African American they should go after his Nickelodeon pal Kel Mitchell. Their Nick show was hilarious, and the chemistry there was great. It would surely draw the younger fan base that watched their Nick show. As for me, I agree it is too vulgar and Gay issued any longer for me to watch. I don't know if they are promoting or roasting the gay lifestyle. Perhaps they should bring in the theme and cast of "Just Shoot Me". After all, SNL is dying a slow death, and someone should put it out of its mysery. Hey NBC, how about a good old fashioned "Midnight Special" revival in its place?

By ML

A very slow death, started in the 80's.

I love Keenan's sketches! I loved him in Deep House Dish, I love the character of the guy who give advice about sexual positions from his basement (he somehow manages to keep it fun, not vulgar or pervy).

By Lita

I love his Barbara Birmingham, the chain-smoking nanny--especially when she starts to climb over the desk to deliver some discipline. Hilarous. They don't give him enough screen time though, even when he is in a supporting role, he's still funny.

My favorite sketch is when the five friends from college get together and reminisce and between the horror stories they tell, they sing a song (like Mr. Big's "To Be With You"); they've done this to two or three different songs, and it's always over-the-top funny.

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