Current Events > SNL's popularity utterly confuses me.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm an American in my late twenties and I've never met a single human being that has ever watched a single full episode of SNL on TV. My mother was obviously around during its peak and even then, she didn't know anybody that watched it.

Who is the target demographic of the show? The only times I hear people acknowledging its existence are either reminiscing about I'm On A Boat or Celebrity Jeopardy. It's still popular and doing well, obviously.

My pet theory has long been that it's basically incomprehensible unless you live within a certain radius of NYC or LA.

it's a simpleton humour show, meant to appeal to a mass audience

Antifar posted...

My pet theory has long been that it's basically incomprehensible unless you live within a certain radius of NYC or LA.

I've lived roughly 15-30 minutes from NYC throughout my entire life and even then, I haven't come across anybody who has watched the show.

I've never enjoyed any era of SNL. Literally the worst sketch comedy. Kids in the Hall, In Living Color, early Mad TV, The State, etc. are all better.

I can't tell you about the demographics, but I can tell you that their sax player Lenny Pickett is one of the greatest players on the planet and I would go to a show given the opportunity just to hear him play at the close. The fact that the piece was originally written by Howard Shore is just icing on the jazzy cake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ4nQxXhyko

I used to watch it religiously during the Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Chris Rock, David Spade, Chris Farley, etc era.

Even now it has it's moments, but I really only watch Weekend Update and whatever people tend to share on social media.

But you're in the minority, as SNL is having a ratings surge. The 2020-21 season was actually the 1st season it ever was the highest rated "non sports" TV show in the 18-49 ratings demographic in its 46 year history.

I used to really like it in like the early 2000s

I dont really watch full episodes anymore just random skits on YouTube. It's humor has always been very hit or miss. Sometimes it's amazing. Sometimes it's meh. You never really know what to expect

I watch it! I just like sketch comedy. And people always bring up non live shows when discussing it, which aren't comparable imo. The live element makes it worth it to me.

The most "it has its moments" show ever. And this applies to every era of the series.

Its influence is incredible, but has had skits bomb since its inception

CRON posted...

I've never met a single human being that has ever watched a single full episode of SNL on TV.

Uh... what. I guess its your age holding you back. Back before you could just watch the best bits on YouTube, all my friends stayed up to watch SNL if you werent going out.

They might have a really good and inspired sketch from time to time, but overall it's bleh. Sketches usually range from almost mediocre to awkward silence to very bad. Even the greatest sketch shows have their stinkers and can be hit or miss at times, but SNL has been mostly terrible for a very long time.

It did used to be better. Even in the golden years (which depends on the person) there were some very mediocre and outright bad sketches and jokes, but I feel like the average was closer to good than bad compared to now.

There are way better sketch shows out there.

Sounds like a topic in need of more cowbell

Even the "classic" sketches aren't that great.

When I was in high school I watched it whenever I could. Had a huge crush on Tina Fey when she was doing the weekend update lol

I've never understood it, because I just don't get what the jokes are meant to be. Most of the time when I think a joke isn't funny, I at least understand the comedy. But on SNL, I can't even figure out what I'm meant to be finding funny. Maybe it's a combo of "references" and "comedians dressing up as politicians"?? No idea.

FurryPhilosifer posted...

I've never understood it, because I just don't get what the jokes are meant to be. Most of the time when I think a joke isn't funny, I at least understand the comedy. But on SNL, I can't even figure out what I'm meant to be finding funny. Maybe it's a combo of "references" and "comedians dressing up as politicians"?? No idea.

Do you find this funny?

https://youtu.be/PfPdYYsEfAE

I haven't watched it in years but I remember several skits getting literally no reaction from the audience, and then obviously the 'applause' sign would flash at the end and they'd go nuts. Is this still a thing?

My wife and I watch it every week tbh. We know lots of people that do as well

probably has to do with phases where you dont have better shit to do in a Saturday night

I watched it regularly in high school too

Anyway, I feel the demographic is for 35+ year old libs.

There's the mainstream element obviously. But I think it also is a major thing for people who are really into American comedy. Not just like an American comedy show or a stand-up comedian but the industry of comedy as a whole. SNL has a connection to so many things. Maybe also people who are really into the American TV industry.

Personally I don't enjoy watching it at all but I find the stories around it rather interesting.

It has it's moments. I know several people that watch it. Not every episode, but every now and then. But I live in LA, so...

https://youtu.be/vmd1qMN5Yo0

https://youtu.be/sz6go7xC3Zs

Spend less time worrying about things you dont like that other people do. Spend even less time posting topics about them. Use this time to engage in activities and discussion you do like.

How does the popularity of a comedy show confuse anyone?

People think it's funny. It's that simple. You shouldn't have to know fans of the show to understand that.

Ive honestly never heard anyone talk about it in person either nor do I see discussion online about it. Only time I hear about it is if something controversial happens which is rare or a meme is created which is also rare. I have no idea how its still around or who watches it.

People definitely overrate how funny it is but it's still entertaining.

I also agree In Living Color was better but SNL was able to replace talent and Living Color wasn't which is why Living Color died out. SNL is consistent and keeps bringing in new good talent.

I think the live performance really is the main part of it, not just in the sense of it being televised live but in the sense that it is a stage show where they don't get do-overs and you have to kind of take it as hey, let's see what this group of comedians has come up with this week. Seeing them bomb is part of the fun. You'll notice when people talk about SNL they usually talk about the cast members more than they talk about specific skits.

But I get what you mean TC, I don't really know anyone who watches it every week either but I've definitely watched whole episodes.

Zikten posted...

Do you find this funny?

No, but some of the jokes there do make sense. But the punchlines are butchered. And not even because they're all crying with laughter and struggling to keep a straight face. It's the writing. The punchline of "she wasn't asked to pee, she just peed" should be funny, but the way it was written just sucked. "I don't think they were the top brass" was good though. Sucked after that. The rest of it was just the same joke of "she's vulgar and had a bad time".

I know this really is an overly petty and critical analysis of what's just meant to be a lighthearted funny sketch with a bit of charm from the actors struggling to stay in character, but I just wanted to explain why it does nothing for me.

I think one thing a lot of people dont bring into account is the time slot. Saturday nights at 11:30 PM is not a good time slot. Nothing you out there will ever have good ratings. So if you can put something on thats even semi decent with ratings, it can live there forever.

People pretend like SNL got worse (and I do honestly think that a lot of the political writing ended up getting really lazy during the Trump era) but I think what really happened is that as YouTube has become more ubiquitous and equipment has become so much cheaper, they're no longer most people's main source for "skit type" content.

Putting together a show every week and competing against *any* video that came out that week sort of makes them "worse" by comparison even if their output stays the same quality.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

This reminds me of George Carlin. Now I am NOT saying that he isn't funny. He's great. But in so many of his performances, the actual jokes don't actually get that big a reaction. However, there's usually a bit where he says something like "man they're dumb!" and pulls a silly face for 20 seconds, and the audience goes absolutely wild with laughter. It's like a group of toddlers.

SNL is always praised in hindsight when it's safe to do so and most of the cast has become stars. I think I've only encountered one active SNL fan in my life.

FurryPhilosifer posted...

This reminds me of George Carlin. Now I am NOT saying that he isn't funny. He's great. But in so many of his performances, the actual jokes don't actually get that big a reaction. However, there's usually a bit where he says something like "man they're dumb!" and pulls a silly face for 20 seconds, and the audience goes absolutely wild with laughter. It's like a group of toddlers.

George Carlin is great, but I also think it's ok to say it's not THAT funny at times. Comedy ages weird. You can watch other people like Denis Leary and go 'how the f*** was this guy a star? This s*** is so hack!' Some comics only had 1 good special or album and then pretty much vanished.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Psh... Pshaw... What would YOU know about ANY of this?

</Sarcasm>

It was hysterical in the early 90s, but most of the real talent retired or passed away. It sort of reminds me of the WWF in the 90s compared to the WWE now, since both had legendary rosters of A+ list stars who all gradually (but fairly quickly) left.

Now, the shows still exist because people are loyal to the brand, but their new talent (even if they might be really good, I have no idea) dont have the presence of the retired/semi-retired pros. WWE has to cling on by begging guys like Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesner to make random appearances. SNL is basically 95% politics now, as opposed to the 10% or so it used to be and it sacrificed half of its viewer base to snare the other 50%.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Uh-oh, you offended (former) SNL crew member jeffhardyb0yz with this topic, TC!

It's demograph is very broad now because it's very mainstream. So the jokes have to make sense in a broad sense because of it. What makes SNL stand out from other sketch comedy shows is that it's done live, which is the whole fun to it. If anything, most of the comedians from SNL eventually get great gigs because of the exposure.

Im with TC. Im early 30s and i havent watched an episode in my whole life. I also havent known anybody who has watched it. Other than refering to a short clip or something they saw online

FurryPhilosifer posted...

This reminds me of George Carlin. Now I am NOT saying that he isn't funny. He's great. But in so many of his performances, the actual jokes don't actually get that big a reaction. However, there's usually a bit where he says something like "man they're dumb!" and pulls a silly face for 20 seconds, and the audience goes absolutely wild with laughter. It's like a group of toddlers.

This is something I've been pointing out for years. Carlin is hilarious, but is one of the worst performers ever. I remember when he passed and either HBO or Showtime had a marathon of his specials. He never figured out how to handle applause.

I like Michael Che and the episode that had Saoirse Ronan on it

You know that show thats been running successfully for 47 years?

Apparently nobody finds it funny or watches it.

I watch it on youtube its pretty funny IDK why people hate it I think people dont like how mainstream it is. They have sucky ones but its usually pretty funny

sometimes they get bummy ass guests

like Elon Musk or kim kardashian who basically get in the way of the whole production those episodes suck

but when they get other comedians its lit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt-tG6ufH90

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VUZYxr0MA

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T9mMoOE2ZpE

these are pretty funny come on mayne

i love when they break character and laugh

Nasty_Nitro posted...

i love when they break character and laugh

It's lowkey cringey and comes off as fake

Weekend Update has been solid for almost all of SNL history. Keenan went from a cast member I despised because he hadnt evolved from his childhood acting to consistently good.

Often times the rest of the show depends on the host. The Will Forte episode this season was the best it's been in a long while and I'm not huge on him or anything. Jason Mamoa and Donald Glover are good episodes too, but those are like 2-3 years ago now.

Ivynn posted...

Uh-oh, you offended (former) SNL crew member jeffhardyb0yz with this topic, TC!

Keyword 'former'. As in, he got fired because he never found it funny either.

Kidding