Saturday Night Live is like
that old Energizer bunny. It just keeps going and going and going. The
show recently completed its 36th season and, with a little help
from guests Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga, garnered its highest ratings
for an SNL season finale in 11 years. And though it's
often been criticized, lambasted, and sneered at, it is at the very least
entertaining and, on a very good night, brilliant.
SNL has kept its format unchanged,
which could be part of the reason for the show's continued success.
The old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" could well be
showrunner Lorne Michaels' credo. Cast upheavals aside, the show is
not really a whole lot different from when it started all those years
ago.
A new season does bring the usual
personnel changes: a faction of the old guard leave, while fresh new
faces come aboard. Those with seniority graduate to become part of the
main repertory group, while the new kids are the "featured" players. If an SNL comic's character becomes popular, it will, for better or
worse, forever be associated with them. Think Mike Myers' Wayne's
World, Will Ferrell's Alex Trebek, Gilda Radner's Rosanne Rosanadanna,
Dana Carvey's The Church Lady, and you'll get the idea.
The latest round of SNL repertory players boasts some outstanding comics who will eventually leave the show, following wherever their formidable talents lead them. Fred Armisen, as well as being able to play any role that's handed him - from old man politician to punk rock drummer - does a mean Obama impression. Bill Hader has made being creepy-funny into an art form, including Stefon, a skinny, fey, rave kid who is forever touting the latest and greatest clubs in town.
But it is Kristin Wiig with her vast
array 
of hilarious and unique characters who takes the top prize for
being one of the most talented comics ever to grace the SNL stage. Her ridiculous yet sublime creations include The Target Lady, a cashier
who is overly enamored with her customers' purchases; Gilly, a mischievous,
somewhat obnoxious schoolgirl; and Penelope, a woman whose sole purpose
in life is to be better than everyone at everything.
She would have jibed perfectly with
the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Wiig and Gilda Radner,
with their knack for dialects and characterizations, would have made
a powerhouse duo. SNL is lucky to still have Wiig on board. But
how long will she stay? Her Bridesmaids film is a hit and
it's only a matter of time before Wiig takes a cue from Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, et al to seek out more lucrative outlets for her talents. Catch
her on the show while you can.
