Hello!
What a great question! As someone who has watched SNL the majority of my life, I have seen dozens of cast members come and go, as well as hundreds of sketches ranging from “no laughs at all” to “lose control of all body functions” funny.
After 47 seasons, there are, of course, certain themes and sketches that reappear over and over again; I mean, it’s impossible to be 100% unique all the time. Game shows, commercials, skits where people have funny names, fart/poop/vomit sketches, and music video parodies are mainstays and have become essential elements of the SNL formula. While a lot of these act as “fillers” for when the writers aren’t feeling creative, there are still some decent ones out there, and the very best sketches are always run prior the first musical performance. When I used to watch it live, Saturday nights from 11:35pm - 1:00am, I quickly learned that the first few sketches are the only ones really worth staying up for, and the remainder are usually repeated and predictable. Now you have the luxury of filtering out the lame ones and just watching the ones with the most views on YouTube.
Weekend Update remains a perennial favorite, and stays fresh every week due to its superior writing, focus on current events, guest appearances, and the contrast between the buttoned-up, fresh faced Colin Jost and the irreverent, cynical Michael Che. Bowen Yang, in my opinion, is the funniest cast member in recent memory (maybe it’s because he’s Asian) and he hits it out of the park in basically everything he’s in. Soul Cycle, Bug Assembly, and all his characters on Weekend Update are fabulous and amazing examples of the comical genius and absolute treasure that is Bowen Yang. Mikey Day and Kyle Mooney are also consistently hilarious, and Aidy Bryant has finally found her footing, emerging as a versatile character actress with an over-the-top presence. Also, be on the lookout for new cast member Aristotle Athari, who’s already shown signs of greatness as Laughingtosh 3000.
However, the NUMBER ONE reason to watch SNL these days, in my humble/expert/super experienced in all things funny opinion, is the Please Don’t Destroy sketches starring writer/comedians Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy. Similar to The Lonely Island, which was the catalyst for Andy Samberg’s meteoric rise and produced such well-known bangers as “I’m on a Boat” and “My Pants,” Please Don’t Destroy sketches are short, pre-recorded scenes that are unlike anything we have seen before. “Hard Seltzer” was my first exposure to this comedy trio and I was instantly hooked. Since then, sketches like “Touch Up,” “Martin’s Friend,” and “New Personalities” have demonstrated the staying power of this segment. Most recently, “Good Variant” provided a much needed mental escape from my COVID lockdown-related blues and I still watch it on almost a daily basis when I am sad about not being able to live my “best life” without the constant worry of COVID restrictions.
Overall, even though it can be unfunny and predictable, SNL continues to be a comforting, familiar escape from our sad every day lives, and that’s why I have, and will continue to, watch it every single week.
Dear Letterbox