Tina Fey leaves SNL

[Josh]

One of SNL's only funny people says her final "Good night... and have a pleasant tomorrow."

[murlough23]

That's tragic. She will be sorely missed on a show that is struggling to retain its comedic value. Her cutting wit was exactly the type of thing that was needed for WU. I don't know who they'll replace her with in the Update chair - Seth Meyers seems likew a good option. But I'll be happy with almost anyone other than Horatio Sanz in that position.

Guess I should check out 30 Rock this fall. I heard somewhere that Rachel Dratch was also leaving SNL to work with Tina Fey on this show?

[Josh]

Yeah, I heard that rumor about Dratch, too. I never thought she was even remotely funny, but she's been there forever, so it'll be weird without her.

Meyers really is a good choice for Update.

And Horatio Sanz needs to find a new line of work. Something private.

[murlough23]

Yeah, I heard that rumor about Dratch, too. I never thought she was even remotely funny, but she's been there forever, so it'll be weird without her.

She's had her moments. Did you see her doing Anne Robinson in the Weakest Link sketch a few years back? Priceless.

But I wouldn't miss her terribly much. It would signal a complete changing of the guard, since Dratch was the first new cast member to arrive after I started watching the show. That was back in the day when Horatio Sanz and Jimmy Fallon were featured players, in the heyday of Molly Shannon *shudder* and Cheri Oteri *double shudder* and Will Ferrell (eh, he's alright.) Much has been said about the show going downhill over the last few years, but I actually prefer the 2006 cast to the 1999 cast, or whenever it was. Though I do miss Jimmy Fallon a lot.

We'll see what happens in the coming years. Apparently Seth Meyers does some writing, so he could potentially fill in for Fey, even though those are huge shoes to fill. I think the new guys are going places. Bill Hader is an excellent impressionist and his role will probably increase if Darrell Hammond ever leaves. Andy Samberg is funny in that "random loser friend you hang out and do absolutely nothing of importance with other than to laugh at stupid stuff" sort of way. Kristen Wiig has had some good quirky roles to play as well.

And Horatio Sanz needs to find a new line of work. Something private.

Seriously. The guy hasn't made me laugh much since the last time he appeared as Manuel Pantalones in a Ferecito sketch. (Alright, so I laughed at the "D.I.L.F." comment in the last Carol sketch, but that's the only time I even cracked a smile.)

[murlough23]

There is a God!

I mean, I already knew that, but this confirms it.

At the Annual Television Critics Association Press Tour in July 2006, SNL producer Lorne Michaels announced that Horatio will not be returning to SNL for the show's 32nd season.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Sanz

In addition to Sanz, Dratch, and Fey, it looks like Finesse Mitchell is also gone. I've heard rumors of Maya Rudolph leaving, but nothing's been confirmed at the moment. All of the Featured players appear to be sticking around at the moment (which is good, because I like them all - Jason Sudeikis is the only one who hasn't stood out much to me, but without him, there'd be no Taylor Hicks or Two A-Holes.) Not sure if they'll add anyone new - reports are that they're cutting the budget this year. We'll see what happens.

[bethany]

Fey's new show looks pretty funny:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-b9rezMnec

"You have the boldness of a much younger woman."

[murlough23]

Apparently, in addition to Fey and Dratch leaving of their own accord, at least 4 cast members are getting the axe. Lorne Michaels really wants to cut the cast down for next season.

The four I'd miss least at this point are Horatio Sanz (obviously, but if he's out, he's blissfully unaware of it at this point), Chris Parnell (Lazy Sunday was great, but most of his characters are un-funny pervs), Finesse Mitchell (can't recall a memorable character that this guy's done yet), and Maya Rudolph (nothing against her, but I can't think of a really strong recurring character she's done other than Beyonce, which isn't that funny).

I'd have said Jason Sudeikis, because he hasn't done that much either, but I really wanna see the Two A-Holes and maybe Taylor Hicks again. The other three newbies all have a lot of potential (Hader and Wiig have done some excellent impressions, and Samberg is just fun in that Dude, Where's My Car? sort of way), so I want to see them get a chance to shine.

[murlough23]

It's official. Sanz, Parnell, and Mitchell are gone, and Seth Meyers will co-anchor WU with Amy Poehler. All of that makes sense to me, except for getting rid of Parnell. But I can live with it.

NP: "Me, Myself & I", Code of Ethics

[murlough23]

Just resurrecting this thread to point out that Amy Poehler is reportedly leaving SNL for a spot on NBC's spinoff to The Office. Actually, it didn't say specifically that she was leaving SNL, but it's kind of hard to do a sitcom and a sketch show that eats up most of your week at the same time, so the most logical assumption is that SNL is losing its funniest leading lady. Which means they'll need a new WU anchor. Which means no more Dakota Fanning Show. Which sucks.

[AldaForPresident]

I think NBC killed The Office spinoff, but the guy who produces The Office is still going to build a sitcom around Poehler.