The Downfall of SNL: Unpacking the Once Iconic Show’s Fall from Graces
Madeleine Wu
April 17, 2022
For over 3,890,000 Americans, Saturday nights are devoted to one activity: watching Saturday Night Live (SNL). This comedic hour-and-a-half production attempts to delicately handle all political and pop culture happenings, while simultaneously ensuring a good chuckle. Whether through Michael Che and Colin Jost’s Weekend Update or renowned skits like Pete Davidson and Timothee Chalamet’s Skeet skit, SNL never fails to deliver—that is until recently. A NewsWeek poll demonstrates this decline of SNL, finding that only 1 in 5 Americans think SNL is funny. One user on X comments, “How is this show still on TV? I actually felt embarrassed for how unfunny it is. It's so bad it's cringy.” Writer for the Suffolk Journal Alexis Crochiere continues this notion by adding, “With bad jokes and unfunny celebrity hosts, SNL needs some work.”
The creator and producer of SNL famously notes, “Everyone always remembers it being better when they were younger, and they just think it's always worse compared to that.” Although there is some truth to that, there is still an unyielding consensus throughout all generations that SNL has gradually declined in the quality of its content. Many attribute this gradual decline to the turnover of comedians. SNL is notorious for being one of the hardest jobs to land among comedians, as you cannot apply for a job on the show, but rather are sought out directly by staff members, particularly producer Marci Klein. That being said, Klein’s ability to scout talent is unparalleled, producing some of the most prominent names in Hollywood, such as Tina Fey, Will Farell, Jimmy Fallon, and more. However, recently, SNL’s most prominent comedians have stepped off the show. Beloved cast members such as Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, Kate Mckinnon, and more have all left the show leaving a cast of inexperienced comedians. Although SNL always experiences cast members departing the show, this particular new “generation” of replacements seems to lack charisma and wit. A user on X comments, “some of these new snl cast members are... bad.” However, who’s to blame these new comedians because without the mentorship of more experienced, successful cast members, this new “generation” has less guidance.
Another cause of SNL’s steady downfall is their content. Especially in an election year, SNL’s content is predominantly political. SNL, a traditionally liberal institution, refuses to portray more than one perspective. Their jokes are often seeped with malice for candidates they do not support, and they are critical of certain politicians while forgiving towards others. To illustrate, a skit about the 2020 presidential debate, depicts Donald Trump’s aggressive tendencies as he repeatedly interrupts Joe Biden. The skit is in no way critical of Biden as they simply show his resentment for Trump’s inability to allow him to finish a statement. This becomes inherently dangerous. If laughter is the first step to mend a divided nation, and even SNL, a show dedicated to the spread of laughter, cannot restrain from “otherizing” and villainizing another party, how can we as a nation unify? SNL is also meant to serve as a brilliantly produced show, yet the writers’ inability to portray another perspective is simply the opposite. A former student at Harvard and editor for The Crimson Romy Dolgin expresses, “It should continue to be an American staple. But that means it has to be accessible to all Americans.” While SNL most definitely has the potential to have the influence and popularity it once did, it must push past this tough casting period, and be representative of the entire nation. For now, we must put up with watching mediocre, partisan comedy or stop watching altogether.