Comments on: Dear Saturday Night Live: Some positives and negatives

By: Leslie Gray Streeter

Leslie Gray Streeter — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:58:27 +0000

Elise:
As a reviewer, the completely wrong thing to do is to ignore a show when there is something blatantly wrong with the portrayal of any group. And there is a huge problem when the only people that perceived racism is supposed to bother are black people, or when men aren’t supposed to be bothered by sexism, or so forth. It’s a problem. And, in SNL’s case, it’s lazy, because the same dude in a dress isn’t funny, anyway. If no black people watch SNL, the white people who do should still say “Is it fair to portray every black woman as a man, because they won’t hire any? No!” That should be obvious, no matter what color you are.

I’m never going to stop reviewing a show that I have issues with, because it’s my job to comment on these things. There are shows I have issues with that I don’t watch, as a private person, like “Family Guy,” because they offend me and because I don’t think they’re funny. And I’m unlikely to ever review them because I don’t have to. If my job were to write about “Family Guy” every week, I would. Thankfully it isn’t.

I don’t hate SNL. I wrote about lots and lots of things that are right with it, as you can see. But reviews aren’t just fan clubs newsletter. They’re critical. And as I mentioned, there’s a lot to love about SNL, especially Andy Samberg’s Digital Shorts. That guy’s brilliant – “I Threw It On The Ground” may be the funniest one yet. I’m pulling for the show. But there’s some tough love due it, and I’m gonna keep giving it.

As always, thanks for writing!

By: Elise Calavander

Elise Calavander — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:13:02 +0000

If black people continue to watch and review, instead of flipping the channel to MadTV or some other alternative, why should SNL change the format?

If it’s crap tv, turn it off. If they know you will watch it regardless, because they have the whole SNL history reputation thing going, you’re going to continue to eat whatever they serve up.

Maybe review another show instead next week?

By: Valerie St. John

Valerie St. John — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:43:56 +0000

Quite frankly, I am NOT a fan of Saturday Night Live for very similar reasons as mentioned within your article. The program is nothing more than silly, low brow, high school level humor, at best. More concerning, SNL has always exhibited questionable and generally ill conceived “comedic” sketches involving persons of color – many of which clearly exude sarcastic and divisive malevolence. This blatant lack of sensitivity has been an on-going point of disdain for the program.

By: Twin Sister Lynne

Twin Sister Lynne — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:44:28 +0000

Ahh! Debra Wilson! They should beg her to work for them. She is hilarious.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:12:57 +0000

SNL will never find a black lady as funny as former Mad tv comedienne Debra Wilson.

By: Bobbie L.

Bobbie L. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:00:02 +0000

Ellen Cleghorne was her name and there was a woman named Denetria Vance who was there. She died, I believe, from some ailment but she had left the show by then. . And then there was Mya Rudolph, daughter to the late Minnie Ripperton, who was used quite extensively when she was there. It is puzzling as to why hiring an American black female for these roles is so difficult but then again, there are more better stories about what goes on behind the scenes. Maybe the auditioning process is hard? Did you happen to see the 30 Rock episode where they broached that subject about auditioning new talent?

By: annecruz

annecruz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:05:35 +0000

Norma, I’m white and I found the skit offensive it was bad enough they had to use Tracy Morgan for Star Jones in the past, but three males in drag – Fred Armisan as Joy Behar along with the other two actors-so please do not make assumptions of white people.
Regarding SNL’s history with both women and people of color, it has always been dismal. Lorne Michael’s has always dismissed any criticism, almost denying the reality. I’m old enough to have seen the first SNL show, live and within a few shows realized that that Garrett Morris was the least utilized person in the cast. And yes they did put him in a dress occasionally.
As far as I can remember there was only one African American woman cast member – Ellen something. I can’t even remember her name let alone any thing she did in the show.
And don’t get me started on the musical guests. The first few seasons offered Miles Davis, Billy Preston, among others. Very eclectic, not now.
All and all a very sad state of affairs that has been SNL for at least 20 years.

By: norma

norma — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:50:53 +0000

To take two black top rated super star artist, and degrade them in such a manner is offer. The sad thing about it is white people thank its ok and nothing is wrong with that. They say it is a joke. I say that is a dam lie. Joke about your on kind in those manners and laugh. Jennifer Hudson is as sweat and humble as they come in the industry. Oh!!!! I forgot she is a dark skinned sister and she is not a size 2. People don’t care that she is very beautiful and very talented. Being a size 10 or 12 is not a good look. Our race has a lot to offer other then Beyonce and Janet. There are so much more we have to offer then those two. Jennifer Hudson is much more talented in flim and on song.