SNL Trims Some Fat

Last night as my wife and I were watching TV, the local NBC affiliate ran a teaser that several cast members were leaving Saturday Night Live. I suppose that it may have been a slow news day, I know there certainly isn't anything else interesting going on, so you should definitely tease what's happening on SNL, right?

This being the digital age, I jumped on my computer (well not literally, you know what I mean) to find out who is getting the ax. I found an article stating that Horatio Sanz, Finesse Mitchell, Chris Parnell are the three getting their walking papers. I can't say that I'll miss Parnell, he plays too many blatantly stereotypical effeminate characters and pantless perverts for my tastes. He was also fired once before, so it's that much easier to get rid of him again.

I guess it's unfortunate that Mitchell is gone too. I liked some of the stuff that he did, but he didn't get enough air time and many of the African American characters that he would play can go to Kenan Thompson, who not only is black, but he's also fat and he starred in Good Burger, so he's got to be that much funnier, right?

I have mixed feelings about Horatio, too many of his skits devolved into him breaking character and laughing and he couldn't have done a worse job hosting Weekend Update (subbing for Tina Fey when she had her baby) if he had marbles in his mouth, but he was a fairly reliable contributer who had funny moments satirizing Gene Shallit, Ozzy Osborne, Elton John and others.

Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch have also departed for 30 Rock. At least I think Dratch is on that show, it's gotten retooled or rewritten or something along the way and her part was written out/altered/killed off/something. Even though their talents will be missed, I suppose it's good because now Maya Rudolph may get some camera time back.

I've been a big fan of SNL for a long time, even it's lean years. Even though the classic Not Ready For Prime Time Players did some of the funniest, most subversive stuff in the history of television, I started watching the show in the 80's which featured the comedy of Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, Dennis Miller, Julia Sweeney, Chris Farley and David Spade. Because of this, most of their work remains some of the favorite and most memorable to me. There was another guy in there, too. Who was that, Mike Meyers or something?

My wife is gaga over Will Ferrell, so I would be remiss if I didn't mention his contributions. After a choppy start, I think he did some really great stuff on SNL as well. Although, I have to say that I think my impersonation of Harry Caray blows Ferrell's out of the water.

So getting back to the present. I think that the current group of players will be pretty strong. Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, and the aforementioned Maya Rudoph remain my favorites. Will Forte and Seth Meyers have their moments and you have to keep Darrell Hammond on, evidently, because no one else can do a Phil Donahue impression.

Now for your opinion, what's some of your favorite SNL stuff from over the years? Anyone want to stand up for Joe Piscopo or Charles Rocket? How about the other side of the coin, who or what was so bad on the show that it drove you crazy?