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Lorne Michaels Ready To Bring 'SNL' Back After Lengthy Writer's Strike
Posted by Molly Friedman at 7:50 AM on February 22, 2008
Lorne Michaels is going to do something he hasn't done since 1976. No, not snort coke off of Chevy Chase's shiner. Starting with SNL's triumphant post-strike return to the air this Saturday, he's going to put on four new episodes back-to-back. But if everyone is "so happy to be back at work" according to the NY Times, why is Lorne so blue about the prospect? Being the perfectionist producer that he is, he's rife with regret about the pop culture events they didn't get a chance to cover. "We missed Mike Huckabee. We never got to do our Mitt Romney." As if that weren't bad enough, the show "still needs to find it's Obama." So what can devotees expect when the season returns? Well, after Tina Fey slam dunks her performance this week, Ellen Page will be hosting the next week. After that, the picture is a bit murkier.
While Shia LaBeouf and Steve Carell are committed for May (to plug Indiana Jones and Get Smart, respectively), all the formerly committed winter guests are no longer available. The biggest loss of all was Amy Winehouse, who was set to appear on the episode right before the strike. However, chances aren't good that she will be rebooked; as Michaels ominously put it, "I don't think anyone can put that back together." As for the writers and how they're handling the pressure, Seth Meyers and his self-professed "wisecrack circle," are apparently in the best shape they've ever been in thanks to the writers strike and all that muscle-building picketing. Oh and "not having money for food."
'SNL' IS READY TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME [NY Times]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
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Oldboy
Posted 10:33 AM 22/2/08
Forgive me, but SNL's topical political parodies are some of the most hackneyed and tired pieces they do. They're always goofy and predictable, and never really biting or dangerous. The late Michael O'Donoghue complained about this lack of risk, and how it kept the show from being great. SNL should leave the political humor to the Daily Show crew, and stick to pop culture or whatever else they're able to do well. And for goodness sakes, get some better musical guests. Maybe Conan's people could help them out on that one.
Oldboy
Friedneckbones
Posted 10:33 AM 22/2/08
"I don't think anyone can put that back together." My sentiment exactly Mr. Michaels about some of the SNL episodes.
Friedneckbones
SteamyMcFirecrotch
Posted 10:33 AM 22/2/08
Wait. What?! "Four new episodes back-to-back?" Isn't every week a new episode?!
SteamyMcFirecrotch
Benovite
Posted 10:33 AM 22/2/08
As a pseudo-intellectual hetero junkie I'd also approve.
Benovite
icallthebigonebitey
Posted 10:33 AM 22/2/08
if Tina Fey and Amy Winehouse were booked for the same episode i could die happy. that's a gay boy's wet dream right there.
icallthebigonebitey
mr.Man
Posted 11:33 AM 22/2/08
@SteamyMcFirecrotch: No kidding....talk about patting yourself on the back for doing your fucking job.
"Four new shows in a row? Really, Lorne? But when will you sleep?"
mr.Man
CapnCalamity
Posted 2:32 PM 22/2/08
Ummm...SNL has always staggered its schedule. 2 weeks on, clip show. 3 weeks on, repeat. It's a very grueling schedule, run six days a week (they do THREE live shows on Saturdays), so you can cut them some slack on the sched.
The lack of humor, however, is inexcusable.
CapnCalamity
Little Mintz Sunshine
Posted 3:52 PM 22/2/08
@CapnCalamity: SNL has always staggered its schedule. 2 weeks on, clip show. 3 weeks on, repeat. It's a very grueling schedule, run six days a week (they do THREE live shows on Saturdays), so you can cut them some slack on the sched.
Nope...still don't care.
Little Mintz Sunshine
mr.Man
Posted 4:51 PM 22/2/08
@aspiringexpatriate: I thought Judd Apatow has this under control...
mr.Man
aspiringexpatriate
Posted 4:51 PM 22/2/08
Tim Meadows for Obama 08!
Seriously, the guy needs a job.
aspiringexpatriate
Imnotatnbc
Posted 5:51 PM 22/2/08
Hi, we're a bunch of Harvard pricks forced to work FOUR WHOLE WEEKS IN A ROW and you're not.
Imnotatnbc
bitchybitch
Posted 3:52 AM 23/2/08
Is Maya Rudolph still on the show? I have this feeling she would do a wicked Amy Winehouse impression. Please let it happen.
bitchybitch
Little Mintz Sunshine
Posted 5:53 AM 23/2/08
@bitchybitch: Maya would so kill as Obama.
Little Mintz Sunshine
bitchybitch
Posted 12:33 PM 23/2/08
That too!
bitchybitch