J D

Reviews and other content aren't verified by Google

I have loved this show since it began in the 70s. There have been countless hugely talented comedians that were cast members on the show in the decades that followed and I watched them all. Of course it was variable over the years and there were some lean seasons, but for the most part part it was a very high-quality iconic show. Most people understood references to jokes that were made on the show, etc. It was very relevant in pop culture and launched the film careers of many stars. It’s definitely not the same quality that it was in the past. There used to be a better lineup of star hosts, better cast members, and better writing. Audience apparently has changed a lot as well and I suppose the writing is geared towards that with a very left-leaning bias to the humor that doesn’t really resonate with me. But it’s not just that. Most of the time, the jokes rarely rise to the level of a chuckle and more typically just fall flat. Occasionally, they do still knock one out of the park such as when they Nate Bargatze recently hosted (in 2023). I never watch SNL live anymore, but I do see clips on YouTube and happened to see a clip from him and thought that material that was as good as any since its inception. And occasionally they get a bankable star to host that always delivers like David Chappelle, Louis CK (not anymore of course since his cancellation), Emma Stone, etc. but I feel real nostalgia when I come across an old clip with the likes of Eddie Murphy, Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Norm MacDonald, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Will Forte, Tina Fay and Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, and many other greats from the past. If somebody like Steve Martin hosted it (different era SM - circa 80s) and the next day you referenced one of the skits, EVERYBODY was in on the joke. It’s probably still the crème de la crème of the sketch comedy genre, but unfortunately not anything close to it’s former glory.