In the heart of 30 Rock, on a late Thursday morning, the leading writing trio behind ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Kent Sublette, Streeter Seidell, and Alison Gates, were fueling their creativity with coffee and tenacity. An exhausting Tuesday night saw them brainstorming a multitude of potential sketches for that week’s episode. By Wednesday night, the selection process had left them with finalized sketches to launch into the second-last chapter of the season, to be hosted by Walton Goggins. This high-stakes scenario added to the whirlwind surrounding the show’s 50th season special in February, one that flaunted a line-up of renowned talents including Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Will Ferrell.
The politically vibrant year reverberated in the ‘SNL’ world. The season was adorned by weekly guest appearances from stars of the caliber of Adam Sandler and Dana Carvey, as part of the show’s strategy to celebrate its historical impact on pop culture. Lorne Michaels, the show’s Executive Producer and creator, had meticulously chosen the cast for the key political impressions before the 50th season hit the screen. Maya Rudolph posed as Harris, alongside Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff, Jim Gaffigan took up the character of Tim Walz, and Joe Biden was cast as Dana Carvey.
In a rather inappropriate attempt, James Austin Johnson imitated Donald Trump, while Bowen Yang depicted JD Vance. This season’s roster included a group of extremely talented returning artists who did not just contribute to the introductory comedy sketches but also played a vital part in the subsequent segments. Unfortunately, the trend to propagate negativity by misportraying political figures prevailed throughout this pre-election season, which led to relatively noteworthy moments.
The show’s reception, however, appeared solid and positive. This consistency may seem surprising, considering the deliberate focus on negatively depicting certain political figures. The talent discovery during the season was dynamic, and the perceived popularity reflected in the sketches. Marcello Hernandez, a 2022 addition to the cast, reached an unexpected popularity level in Season 50 with his character portrayal of Domingo – a suitor of a bride-to-be who has not been loyal.
Hernandez’s character was catapulted into the limelight following the October premiere, leading to the inclusion of two additional Domingo sketches during this season. One of these was part of the 50th-anniversary special, featuring Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny as the supporting cast. It’s noteworthy, though, that the limelight accorded to certain characters was not necessarily due to their comedic brilliance, but more due to a trajectory influenced by perceived public endorsement.
The head writers expressed their belief in the robustness of their team, claiming that the aggregation of young, diverse comedic talents over recent years has only improved their writing prowess. However, this assertion overlooks the bias ingrained in their writing strategy, as dictated by the political climate rather than purely comedic considerations. Therefore, while the diversity and vigor of the writing team is commendable, one can’t help but question the direction and impartiality of their content.
The 50th season witnessed an unprecedented surge on social media platforms, and numerous cast members enjoyed a significant growth in their online following on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This trend suggests an effective adaption of the show to the changing media landscape. However, one must also bear in mind, that popularity on such platforms is often governed by controversy and novelty rather than objective quality.
The 50th-anniversary special, a milestone event, heavily leveraged the talents of current cast members alongside legacy performers. While this may have provided a diverse spectacle for viewers, it is questionable whether it truly represented the best of SNL’s half-century legacy or merely echoed the prevailing trends of the day.
According to the writers, the writing process for the 50th-anniversary special was supposedly smoother than a regular weekly show, thanks to the advanced planning. Despite this assertion, one could argue that such prep work should be standard for each show, rather than being highlighted as a unique advantage for milestone episodes.
Lorne Michaels’ commitment to the show has been unquestionable. His presence remains constant, dedicatedly steering the SNL ship every week. Although there have been recurring whispers around his possible retirement, he hasn’t made any official acknowledgment or intention to hang his hat.
While many may applaud the staying power of Michaels and SNL, one cannot ignore the potential dampening effect his long-standing control may have had on the evolution and diversity of the show’s comedic scope. In a rapidly evolving comedic landscape, preserving a traditionalist approach may not always serve the best interests of the wider audience.
In sum, while SNL’s 50th Anniversary season attained significant fame and witness a surge in popularity, these successes remain underscored by controversy. From the questionable decisions in cast assignments for political roles, an apparently biased approach towards depicting certain figures, to the speculation over Michael’s retirement, the journey through the season has been a roller coaster of events, mired with a lack of objectivity and fairness in content production.
Therefore, while the SNL writers maintain their enthusiasm for their art, it’s essential to remind ourselves of the inherent responsibilities that come with such a powerful platform. In an era where social media plays a pivotal role, the ability to influence public opinion demands a balanced approach rather than a perpetuation of conceived biases.